Santiago de Chile is the number one city that tourists should visit in 2011, according to The New York Times. But, what can the capital of Chile offer you if you decide to get there? Flanked by the Andes mountain range and with an increasing number of urban and cultural events, Santiago can easily be described as a vibrant and diverse metropolis that you must know while you are in South America.

Ranging from sky lodges and wide parks to bohemian neighbourhoods and cultural venues, the city is a true delight when it comes of cuisine, art, commerce and nightlife, and here are its top 6 landmarks:

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The land of samba and football is a great place for any lover of traveling and will be sure to provide you with months of sightseeing, and years of memories.

Brail boosts an amazing landscape that offers everything from breathtaking beaches, to unique wildlife, to jaw dropping constructions.

While Brazil does have a plethora of gorgeous places to visit and things to do, there are also some lesser-publicized norms in the country.

While it is classed as a third world country, Brazil is home to a great amount of poverty and corruption.

Places in their largest city Sao Paulo have been known as danger spots due their gang mentality and territorial attitudes.

One place in particular that should be avoided by all tourists is the Cicada De Deus in Rio de Janeiro.

The place is translated to City of God, and is a town where corruption, drugs, guns and murders run rampant in.

If you do manage to steer clear of all danger and unwanted areas in you time in Brazil then you should be sure to enjoy your holiday.

The country has so much to see and do that you will be lost at where to start.
Some great places to see are the Salvador beaches, the Igacu Falls and of course the Amazon River.

If it’s buildings and constructions you like, then look no further than the Christ the Redeemer statue, which is the biggest statue of Jesus in the world.

With a population of nearly 200 million people, you are sure to find some fun partying in the party nation also.

Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile generally dominate the headlines as the main tourist locations in the continent, but one which is just as good is the tiny country of Bolivia.

One of the only landlocked nations in the South American region, Bolivia is home to some great exotic landscape.

With the Andes on one side, and the Amazon on the other, Bolivia is right in the middle of some of the worlds most pure and spectacular native fauna.

Situated fairly high up from sea level, and with some overwhelming mountains, the tiny nation can be very cold at times, with snow fall not unheard of.

In terms of the governance of the land, Bolivia is a democratic nation, and home to almost nine million people.

The official language, like the majority of South America, is Spanish and there are up to 32 other native languages spoken throughout the country.

By far one of the most interesting tourist locations in Bolivia is the St Pedro prison in La Paz.

The jail is famous world wide for its interesting micro-economy inside, whereby restaurants, café’s, supermarkets and clothing stores all exist, and are run by inmates.

In addition, families from outside can choose to live inside the prison walls with their loved ones if they choose to.

Bolivia is a super impressive place, and not enough words can be used to describe it in one post.

First opened as a hotel in 1958, Hotel das Cataratas is an elegant two storey Portuguese colonial building with one of the most impressive and enviable locations in South America. The world famous Iguaçu Falls is just a two minute stroll from the hotel and the property is surrounded by almost 700 square miles of national park. As the only hotel within the national park, Hotel das Cataratas has an unbeatable location, allowing guests to enjoy exclusive access to the falls each morning, before the park opens at 9am.

The décor of the 193 guest rooms, including 15 suites, was inspired by the traditional Portuguese style and feature paintings of the local flora and fauna by well known Brazilian artist, Ludmilla de Montes. Traditional Azulejos painted tiles, specially designed for Hotel das Cataratas, have also been used throughout the property, further enhancing the Portuguese history of the hotel. Many of the 16 Cataratas Deluxe Rooms boast lovely views of the falls, as do the Tower and Cataratas Suites.  Additionally, on the hotel’s grounds is the Belvedere Look-out Point offering unparalleled views of the falls and a perfect photo opportunity. 

A new spa opening at the end of October will offer an array of treatments from the Brazilian brand, Natura, using tropical fruits from the area, as well as ingredients sourced from the Amazon. There will be five treatment rooms as well as a relaxation room and a sauna.

In 1986, UNESCO listed Iguaçu National Park as a ‘Natural Heritage of Humanity’ area. The park encompasses 700 square miles of forest reserve and is preserved to maintain the area for future generations. The Iguaçu Falls are a spectacular collection of 275 waterfalls extending over a length of almost three miles in an enormous canyon on the Iguaçu River. There are 19 major waterfalls, the largest of which is the ‘Devil’s Throat,’ with the drop of over 290 feet. Only three of the falls – Floriano, Deodoro and Benjamin Constant, are located on the Brazilian side with the majority located on the Argentinean side facing Brazil.

For more information visit www.orient-express.com or www.hoteldascataratas.com

This is a country filled with classic South American ruins, vastly differing landscapes and more than 30 different ethnic and indigenous groups.

In recent times Bolivia has staked a firm spot on the international tourist radar, gaining on rival destinations Peru and Brazil as travelers hunt for more exotic and challenging journeys.

From the moment you arrive in Bolivia you will know you are somewhere very different. Sitting at more than 3000 metres above sea level, altitude sickness is a common experience for travelers.

As you make your way through the country your body will eventually become acclimatised to the reduced oxygen, but it can be difficult at first.

La Paz is worth a brief look, but you will probably want to spend most of your time checking out the historical delights of Potosi, dinosaur tracks in Torotoro and of course the hypnotic Salar de Uyuni salt flats.

La Paz

Only a few minutes in this city and you will realise it is one out of the box. Undeniably poor, with dirty street markets merging into quasi-food chains and failing infrastructure throughout, entering La Paz by road is particularly amazing.

If you are lucky enough to enter via the high road that encircles the city, you will be able to look down on an incomparable sea of red-roofed houses.

The locals are friendly enough and, best of all, you won’t have difficulty finding cheap accommodation as you plot trips out to the most exciting pockets of the country.

Salar de Uyuni

Some travelers come to Bolivia solely to explore the world’s largest salt flats, which occupy the southwestern corner of the country and represent a remarkable spectacle.

With white minerals spreading as far as the eye can see, salt formations protrude in fantastic configurations and the vast desert landscape makes you feel incredibly small.

The area was part of the giant and historic Lake Minchin about 40,000 years ago and when the lake dried it left behind two massive salt deserts, Salar de Uyuni and Salar de Coipasa.

Potosi

The highest city in the world stands at 4090 metres above sea level and is watched over by Cerro Ricco (“rich mountain”) – an emblem that is rumoured to be “made of silver ore”.

Founded in 1545, Potosi became the most wealthy city in the Americas during the following boom years thanks to its unmatched reserves of silver ore.

In fact in Spanish the phrase valer un potosi – to be worth a potosi – means “to be worth a fortune”.

The history here is also heavily tied to slavery, with an estimated 30,000 African slaves brought over to mine in abysmal conditions.

The same terrible mining conditions persist for the greatly diminished modern mining force.

Exploring the buildings and grandeur left by the colonial heavyweights is, however, a delight, and the mind flitters to an age of decadence as you walk through a city filled with poor people but dotted with gilt-edged gems.

It is a country that genuinely has a bit of everything.

With a population of more than 40 million people, Argentina is only bested in size by Brazil in South America and by land mass is the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

Its population is divided between rich and poor, with the World Bank classifying it as a secondary emerging market.

For the traveler, Argentina is a whirl of colour, light, triviality, passion, remarkable people and vastly differing landscapes.

Buenos Aires

The undeniable focal point of the country is its capital, Buenos Aires, a confident and historical city that has a hint of New York about it.

Not many cities blend the old and new as well as Buenos Aires does, with statesmen-like gothic stone buildings seamlessly running into lively street bars, dance studios and antique shops.

If you want to catch a futbol (soccer) game in Argentina or take a spicy tango dancing lesson, BA is the place to do it.

Iguazu Falls

Mountainous, torrential waters roll on and on across a series of grand waterfalls and drop down into mammoth pools far below, mesmerizing onlookers and making the visitor in awe of nature’s power.

Iguazu Falls – also known as Foz du Iguacu – is a series of intense and amazing waterfalls in the Parque Nacional Iguazu in Argentina’s northeastern border with Brazil and Paraguay.

A day or two spent here can involve looking on at the spectacle from excellent observation decks, or taking a boat ride under the falls in the pools beneath.

Cordoba

The second biggest Argentinean city, Cordoba is a condensed offering of all the good things about Argentina.

A rich religious and cultural history includes a 17th century Jesuit cathedral and monuments to European settlement.

The colonial government house known as Cabildo is excellent, built in typically grand style and with a fantastic, organised courtyard to boot.

No less than four terrific municipal galleries – committed to emerging, classical, contemporary and fine art – encircle the city centre.

With only a little bit of time in Cordoba you will get to see the friendly, hip underbelly of the city – driven by student life – that fits in so well with its colonial origins.

An epic fantasyland, Peru has wild rivers raging around Cuzco, prowling pumas of the night and century-old shaman rituals to comfort its oppressed history. After all, this South American country has seen empire after empire die out – even Inca warriors and Spanish conquistadors couldn’t last. The jaw-dropping terrain has dozens of peaks that reach an unkind height about 5000m, vast coastal deserts and chokingly humid rainforests surrounding the Amazon Basin.

Peru surrounds you in its diversity, from its countless indigenous population, lost languages and ancient traditions to its unique wildlife. Whether you’re a South America first-timer or an old devotee, Peru is the perfect launch pad. It accommodates travel however your spirit moves you – a luxury lodge in the Amazon, a beachfront café or a train cabin – it’s all surprisingly affordable.

Population: 29.2 million
Capital: Lima
Languages: Spanish, Quechua
Currency: Nuevo Sol (S), AU$1 = S2.34
Religion: Christian
Neighbours: Ecuador, Columbia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile
Area: 1, 285, 200 sq km
Time: UTC – 5
Seasons: Dry – April to October, Wet – November to March
Visas: Australian citizens do not need a visa to enter Peru
Warnings: Because of widespread poverty, pick pocketing is quite prominent in Peru, but can be avoided by exercising caution.

All visitors to Mexico will go home with their own unforgettable experiences, whether it is dancing through the night at a high-energy Guadalajara nightclub or kayaking down a sunbathing colony of Baja California sea lions. The large country has straddling temperatures and tropical zones across its 10, 000 km of coast.

Mexico’s multi-billion-dollar tourism industry has made Mexico an activity-based tourism site where community tourism and genuine eco-tourism are growing in even rural areas. World-class cayoneering can be enjoyed near Monterrey or cooking lessons in the Veracruz countryside are both opportunities to interact with the local communities.

Population: 110, 000, 000
Capital: Mexico City
Languages: Spanish, Amerindian languages
Currency: Peso (Mex); AU$1 = Mex$10.15
Religion: Christian (95%)
Neighbours: United States, Guatemala, Berlize
Area: 1, 972, 550 sq km
Time: UTC – 8 to UTC – 6 (UTC – 7 to UTC – 5 in Summer)
Seasons: varies, but Mexico City is hottest during April and May; coldest during January and February
Visas: All visitors must have a visa depending on their country of citizenship
Warnings: Ongoing drug-related violence is an issue in the states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango and northern Baja California, however tourists are generally not targeted. There is also a recent outbreak of swine flu in the country so caution is advised.

For those who come for Carnaval, music is a huge part of the Brazilian experience. Discover the perfect beat your own way, whether it be dancing with Cariocas at Rio’s ambient samba clubs to the shared drumbeats on the streets of Salvador. Given the riches of Brazil, it’s no surprise it is a popular tourist destination. From the vast rain forests to the music-fuelled cities, Brazil is hard to turn away from.

Population: 190 million
Capital: Brasília
Languages: Portuguese
Currency: Real (R); AU$1 = R1.6
Religion: Roman Catholic
Neighbours: Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Columbia, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay
Area: 8, 515, 000 sq km
Time: UTC – 2 (UTC – 4 in Summer)
Seasons: Cold – March to November, Hot – December to February
Visas: All visitors require a visa
Warnings: North-east Brazil is recovering from recent flooding