Sophie Small

South America is a continent that is on many people’s bucket list but planning a trip here can feel overwhelming given its huge size. There are indeed so many places to visit and things to do that it can seem like months here wouldn’t be enough. To help you with your travel planning, here is a list of some of the best and most iconic things to do in South America.

Brazil is famous for many things but undoubtedly one of the things it’s best known for is its beautiful beaches. With a coastline stretching for over 7000km, there are a lot of beaches and cute coastal towns to visit, so many that it’d be impossible to list them all.

If you’re looking for gorgeous beaches, crystal clear water and cool vibes then look no further than Ilha Grande.
Located just off the coast of southern Brazil and only about 150km from the centre of Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande is a must-visit if you’re on holiday or travelling around this part of the country.

The Galapagos Islands are famous worldwide for having some of the most incredible and diverse nature and wildlife in the world. A two-hour flight away from mainland Ecuador, they’re also known as being very expensive to visit. With flight costs, a $100 national park fee (which you pay at the airport), and then either a multi-day cruise costing thousands of dollars for a few days or staying on the islands and doing day trips, this can all add up. This can put people off if they’re travelling on a budget.

Thinking of visiting Colombia but not sure if it’s for you?
Colombia has had somewhat of a bad reputation in the past with many only associating it with Pablo Escobar and the drug trade. This has left it a little behind in terms of international visitors, which means this relatively undiscovered country is a great place to visit if you want to get away from the tourist masses found in other Latin American countries like Peru. And in actual fact, Colombia has put its criminal past well behind it and is a lot safer than you think.

Sitting on the equator between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours. Even those visiting the spectacular Galapagos Islands will often skip the mainland altogether, preferring just to fly in and fly out. But that’s a big mistake. Ecuador has so much to offer, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts. Its small size and good public transportation system also means the mainland can easily be visited on just a 2 week holiday.
So if your interest is piqued, read on for more reasons to visit Ecuador.

Colombia is one of the most amazing and diverse countries in Latin America. From beautiful beaches to lush green mountains to bustling cities to arid deserts, the variety of landscapes here is unreal. If you want to plan a trip here, then use this guide to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the top places to visit when travelling around this incredible country.

Sitting between Mexico and South America, Central America is a relatively small region perfect for those looking to visit multiple countries using overland transport, but not necessarily having months on end to do so.
With seven different countries making up the region, all with their own culture, landscapes and attractions, planning a trip can feel overwhelming. So read on for a guide to travelling around Central America and the must-see spots in each country.

Sitting in the middle of Central America between Guatemala and Nicaragua, Honduras is often skipped over or avoided due its dangerous reputation. But Honduras is a hidden gem, with a huge variety of activities on offer from cheap diving to historic sites. You could easily spend a couple of weeks here, and if you’re travelling around the region then you should definitely add it to your itinerary.

Read on to discover 10 of the top things to do when visiting Honduras.

When thinking about El Salvador the first thing that may come to mind is a concern about safety rather than consideration of a holiday destination. For this reason, most travellers in Central America skip over El Salvador preferring the more popular destinations of Guatemala and Costa Rica. However, there’s a good reason why the hashtag #dontskipelsalvador has over 30,000 tags on Instagram. El Salvador is one of the most underrated destinations in Latin America and this guide aims to put any concerns you have about visiting at ease, and convince you that El Salvador could be perfect for you.

Straddling the two continents of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a melting pot of cultures with something for everyone. It has a gorgeous coastline bordering the Mediterranean Sea, historical ruins to rival those of Greece and Italy, plus delicious food and friendly locals.
If you still need persuading that Turkey should be your next holiday destination, then here are 10 reasons to visit this amazing country.

When considering a holiday in Central America, Belize isn’t necessarily the first country to come to mind. However, if the sound of a Caribbean holiday with a smaller price tag and lots of adventure sounds appealing then Belize could be for you.

Mexico is a well known and popular holiday destination. With ancient ruins, stunning beaches and much more on offer it’s no surprise why. However, if you don’t know much about this country and need any more persuasion to take the leap and book a trip here, then read on. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Mexico.

Mexico is a country full of surprises. Whilst it is a popular holiday spot with tons of tourists flocking to the beaches of Cancun every year, few tend to explore the rest of Mexico. But Mexico is huge and there are so many amazing places to visit. Of course there are the beautiful white sand beaches you imagine when you think of Mexico, but there’s also cool cities, colourful towns, Mayan ruins and incredible natural sights. Add to this delicious food, friendly locals and cheap prices, and you have one hell of a holiday destination.

Mexico is a country full of surprises. Whilst it is a popular holiday spot with tons of tourists flocking to Cancun and the beaches around the Yucatan Peninsula every year, few tend to explore the rest of Mexico, particularly the central region.
Having spent nearly 6 months traveling around pretty much the whole country, I can safely say that people are missing out. The central region of Mexico was one of my favourite parts.