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I find South America fascinating, yet it seems kind of ignored, even by Americans. Of course it's very far away from here, so I would have to take a big trip, but it seems a lot of Americans just go to Mexico or the Caribbean, or maybe Costa Rica or something, maybe because it's close/cheap and they think the culture is the same as SA? I'm particularly interested in Andean South America and Brazil myself.
Generally speaking it isn't as popular with Americans as Mexico or the Caribbean for visiting (which I think is a good thing personally) but I have run into a few Americans in Colombia, and lately Ecuador and Argentina have become hot spots for Americans to live and/or retire to.
That being said though many Americans are completely ignorant about geography and think Mexico equals Latin America.
I spent a year working in Ecuador and the people are very friendly. I would say that anyone who can afford it should definitely visit the Galapagos Islands (part of Ecuador) as well as Ecuador proper.
Ecuador and Peru offer so much in a small (well moreso Ecuador) area. Ecuador is a small country but 'mega-diverse' but a vast array of landforms and climates. Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, would also be amazing.
Chile gets pretty good buzz for natural beauty, as does Argentina's part of Patagonia. Brazil's cities have a pretty bad reputation- very expensive and not as safe as you'd get in Chile or Ecuador.
Americans like to be catered to when they travel, too lazy to even learn he basics of the language, so they head to places where the menu's are in both languages, more of the populace is bi-lingual, and from my 12 trips to Central/South America the catering just isn't there. Which is a good thing, IMO, as when the flocks arrive, the costs go up! Example: Costa Rica.
I prefer traveling to areas of the world where I meet up with the fewest of Americans. Most of the tourists I met up with in South America were penny-pinching Europeans, a good many who stay in cheap hostels or camp out with a tent. The only Americans I ran into, in quantity, on my trips down there was Macchu Picchu and Cuenca, in Ecuador.
It seem like the trajectory for American tourists is to, first and foremost, head to Europe first. After that, Asia. Lastly, South/Central America.
I find South America fascinating, yet it seems kind of ignored, even by Americans. Of course it's very far away from here, so I would have to take a big trip, but it seems a lot of Americans just go to Mexico or the Caribbean, or maybe Costa Rica or something, maybe because it's close/cheap and they think the culture is the same as SA? I'm particularly interested in Andean South America and Brazil myself.
I'm not sure. I took a cruise down the Amazon in the 1980s with my mother. I always wanted to go there but she was not in the position to visit any other way. My boyfriend is from Colombia, and I'd like to visit there in the next few years. But I do think most Americans go the "beach vacation" in Mexico or the Caribbean. The cultures really are very different, I see that you understand that from your post.
I prefer traveling to areas of the world where I meet up with the fewest of Americans. Most of the tourists I met up with in South America were penny-pinching Europeans, a good many who stay in cheap hostels or camp out with a tent. The only Americans I ran into, in quantity, on my trips down there was Macchu Picchu and Cuenca, in Ecuador.
When I visited Cuenca, I didn't meet any English speakers at all. So I am wondering when Americans "discovered" Cuenca as a suitable destination.
Well, South America isn't exactly a cheap flight. My flight to Chile was 8.5 hours from Miami, that's just like flying to Europe... Most people live a lot further away from South America than Miami.
Add to the fact that South America is quite a bit more dangerous than the United States, also that most Americans do not have a lot of expendable money nor time.
There are many reasons and each person has their own reason. I personally love South America and prefer it over any other continent.
Unless you’re in Miami, flying to South America is expensive and a bit awkward from most of the US (even New York). You can fly direct to Europe from as far away as Seattle. It’s much more convenient.
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