I am considering a trip to South America after the first of the year, instead of my annual travel to Europe. But I am so unfamiliar with travel in that area, that I don't even know where to start researching.

What are the countries and regions that are relatively less expensive to visit from the US, safe, and interesting for tourists?

I am not much for shopping or nightlight. I'm more interested in history, culture, restaurants and sights.

Thank you.

Keith

I would suggest reading a variety of travel/guide books and see which country might "jump out at you" , what sort of grabs you as being a place you might want to visit.
We are drawn to Buenos Aires because it sounds like it is a wonderful mix of the European flavor that we like, the buildings and culture , the museums and then there is the Latin culture, the Tango and the food..
But South America is so ... well, Large...in my opinion, it would be very difficult for a stranger to tell you why each country or region might appeal to you..
I liked Frommers Buenos Aires to begin with and if you want to see a good video that features BA and Tango, see the film Assassination Tango with Robert Duval.
Hope this helps.

Your money will probably go further in Argentina than other SA countries, and I agree with Scarlett that BsAs is a great city to explore. It is known for leather shopping, tangos, delicious beef restaurants, museums, wine, friendly people, and generally safe for tourists. That doesn't sound like what you want to see on your trip, so I would suggest you also look into the Salta area which is in the north of Argentina. It has Inca ruins, a wonderful(but small)MAAM museum in Salta displaying finds from a mountain sacrificial Inca burial ground, beautiful mountains, gorges, colorful small villages with local markets, wine vineyard country, and great local restaurants. It has a totally different feel than BsAs which is large international city. While hotels and restaurants are less expensive in the north, it would require a flight from BsAs, and internal flights can be pricey. Also the Iguazu Falls on the border with Brazil are interesting, but that also is a flight out of BsAs and most tourists spend only two or three days there. Allow 4-6 days at minimum for the Salta area.
Length of stay and budget will impact where you go.

Scarlett's advice about perusing a guidebook to the continent is the best place to start. I like the Fodor's book, but I've worked on that one, so I'm biased.

South America is so vast and varied, and I think that's the biggest surprise to first-time visitors. Argentina is nothing like Ecuador, which is nothing like Venezuela, which is nothing like ... You get the idea.

Everyone who replies here will have a favorite place. Mine is Peru. The place just bowls me over every time I go. On the surface, it seems like quite an adventure to travel there (and it is), but the country is so accustomed to travelers that it's not a difficult place to travel. It offers a polished product to the visitor without being sleek and manufactured. That's a balance that a lot of places don't achieve. You'll find something there for every budget too. That's also a quality a lot of places don't achieve.

But mention any other country and I'd have something great to say about it. There's so much to choose from.

I'm afraid my opinion is biased as well (I live in London but I'm Brazilian), but I think Brazil is a great place to visit, specially if you stick to the north east side of it (I would never advise on the Iguacu falls and would think twice about advising Rio). But if you are looking for a mix of very nice beaches and 19th/18th century history of colonization, I'd suggest you look Bahia/Brazil up. I like B.Aires (it is prob my favourite city in South America, excluding brazilian ones of course!) very much as well, but I guess it depends on the kind of "scene" you are looking for. I've been there over 10 times (work and leisure) but I would find it hard to spend over a week "sightseeing" it - but would not find hard at all spending a week ejoying the fine meals and wine!! So again, depends a lot on what you are after!!! And depending on how much time you have, you could easily do 2 countries on your trip. Cheers, Juliana.