South America for 5 days after Brazil Trip - Where to go?

[interstellar]

Hi, I travel a bit in my job but mostly Europe but I also go to Brazil twice a year starting last year. First time I went I did Rio for the weekend with a Brazilian colleague, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf mountain, Lapa district, Copacabana etc which was fantastic My main stay was where my office is in Sao Paulo for a week after the Rio weekend..

The second time I went in November I didnt have any free time so I just stayed in Sao Paulo.

I am just sorting a trip for May. Need to be in the office 11-15 May but am thinking of bolting on a few days on the end to visit somewhere. Do I stay in Brazil and go to the Uguazu Falls in the south, the amazon or go to Peru and Maccu Pichu, Argentina, Chile as I would love to see the Andes or somewhere else?

Work will pay the flights as oddly once you add a stop here and there and dont go direct it comes out at the same price for 4/5 flights as it does to go direct to Sao Paulo with BA so as long as I can evidence that - all good.

Brazil last year was my first time in South America and it will just be me.

What to do and where to go? I would apprecaite some help on this one.

Thanks

Edited by interstellar on Tuesday 24th February 14:47

[mikef]

Iguaçu has the attraction that as well as the Brasilian side of the falls (spectacular) you can get a ride over to the Argentinian side (expansive, good hikes) and then cross the bridge into Paraguay. Three countries on the same day if you are so inclined. Just watch out for the coatis, they have rabies

[interstellar]

Yes that could be good, I knew it was close to the border but its right on it.

Anyone else? Chile or Peru, any one done Machu Picchu or been to Santiago or the Andes for a few days?

Edited by interstellar on Friday 27th February 11:46

[markh1973]

I spent a couple of weeks in Buenos Aires (combined work and holiday) and found it a great city.

Good steak and red wine at some brilliant prices as a tourist.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

I've been to Buenos Aires 3 times and just love it. Fabulous city, great people, great food, football, just love it. Montevideo is like Buenos Aires 30 years ago, a much slower pace of life. Nice but not for more than a couple of days. Uruguay is meant to have some amazing beach resorts but i haven't been myself.

[interstellar]

Thanks both, will look into that, There is so much choice I am not sure what to do. South America has everything.

[mikef]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Uruguay is meant to have some amazing beach resorts but i haven't been myself.

Punta del Este (or just Punta to the locals) is a nice upmarket resort - plenty of rich Brazilians and Argentinians holiday there because it's cooler than Brazil in Summer, warmer than Argentina and clean and safe. I wouldn't say it's exceptional by Med standards though.

For beaches, my daughter rates Cabo, out to the east of Rio

She would rate Machu Picchu more highly though, best done over several days so you can acclimatise to the altitude in Cusco (which she also loved)

Edited by mikef on Friday 27th February 13:04

[GT03ROB]

We had 2 weeks in South America around 15 months back. We basically did a week in Peru, catching Machu Pichu, followed by a week on the Galápagos Islands. Either are well worth doing but it will really depend on what your interests are.

[SR]

Mrs. SR is Brazilian, we ve been a few times now and have bought an apartment just off the beach in Tatuamunha which is stunning and relatively undeveloped. Second longest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef and bath water warm sea! We re off again next Sunday for three weeks.
Iguazu Falls are definitely worth a visit, we could only visit the Brazilian side as we visited towards the end of Covid. The Amazon is also a must see but you would need a days travel to and from Manus by minibus and boat to get into the heart of the Amazon. Don t expect any luxury travel in the Amazon! We booked a two day river trip luxury cabin with our own en suite we couldn t close our outside cabin door due to the stench from aforementioned en suite. It was a hell of an experience though and the sheer size of the Amazon is unbelievable.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3k6E6fpp2Ns

Edited by SR on Sunday 1st March 22:48

[gotoPzero]

Did Machu Picchu a couple of years ago. Very worthwhile. If you can justify the cost I can thoroughly recommend the trip Belmond offer which is via train on the Hiram Bingham. Food there and back, guided tour in English, walk straight in and then on the way out afternoon tea in their lodge which is about 50 feet from the main gate. No idea what cost is now but when we did it I think it was about $500 ppn and worth it.

Hotel we stayed at Antigua Casona San Blas. Its a very good 4 star hotel.

2 things to be aware of.

Altitude sickness. It can be a problem for some people. I was totally fine, felt maybe slightly light headed for 20 minutes on arrival. My wife on the other hand started with vomiting and talking absolute garbage by the time we got to the hotel. She was then very unwell for about 24 hours. On oxygen and could not eat, get out of bed etc. The hotel doctor was actually quite worried at one point and they were talking about decompression chamber but her vitals slowly got better so he left and allowed the hotel to keep her on oxygen. Thankfully she started to feel better on the 3rd day which was our day to Machu Picchu. I had to basically bundle her into a taxi early doors and hope.... anyway as we went further down in altitude on the train she perked up. By day 4 she was tired, but back to normal even in Cusco.

Protests. There can be some protests. From what I was told it tends to last a few days then back to normal. Generally its fine, so its less of a risk - but I think in the last couple of years its caused delays from time to time. When we were there we saw one large protest of about 2000-3000 people in the middle of Cusco. Thankfully they did not stop the train but it was a bit of a "moment" shall we say. I think the train station being about 5 miles outside the city helps.

If you really fancy it then its 100% worth going. But you have to really want to go IMO as its not an easy trip. IME.

[interstellar]

Thanks all, lots of good ideas here. Machu Picchu sounds a risk as I have had altitude sickness before and it wasn’t pleasant.

So far, I’m leaning towards the Iguazu falls in the south of Brazil and then on to Buenos Aires in Argentina.

[interstellar]

So my trip was put back but I have just booked for 1st August for 12 days.

Brazil for a week first with work but I am now going to Chile for 5 days. Will visit Sanitago for a couple and then arrange some day trips to the Andes I think. It's mid winter there in August and I am a keen snowboarder but I wont bother taking any kit or hiring as once I am on the snow I could be in Europe - its white! I'd rather spend some time on a trip somewhere viewing the scenery.

Anyone got any ideas?