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.