Where to travel--Rio, Buenos Aires, or Santiago
 

My husband and I have about 1 week to spend and the above are in our wish list. We would be traveling in mid November. This would be our first trip to South America. We have spend more time in Asia and Europe. Which area would you recommend? thanks <BR>

<BR>With such a short time to visit, i would undoubtely go to Rio de Janeiro; I believe that BA and Santiago, being capital cities and business centers (not that Rio is not one); tend to be more of the same (specially if you have travelled to Europe), whereas in Rio, you discover a whole new world. <BR> <BR>Being mexican, i find BA and Santiago less different than Rio. Which doesn´t mean they are ugly. Now, if you have never been to Latin America, try to visit both Rio and Buenos Aires so that you have a broader view. <BR> <BR>Feel free to ask any other specific. <BR> <BR>Regards

I have spent many enjoyable weeks traveling to Rio, Buenos Aires and Santiago over a five year period. They are very different in terms of attractions for the visitor. While Rio is one of the most beautiful settings in the world, I find that it has very little to offer beyond the beaches and a few very touristy scenic lookouts,on the other hand Buenos Aires is one of the most sophisticated capitals in the world. The shopping is fabulous, the museums are plentiful, the Colon Opera House is magnificent, and the cuisine is totally delectable. There are beautiful "estancias" (country houses) located near the Buenos Aires area. Argentina is full of many delights and it makes for the perfect holiday destination. Best wishes, Eric <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>ey are very differnt

<BR>Dearest <BR>I suggest you and your husband come to Brazil and visit us in the southern part of Brazil. Rio is beautiful <BR>O RIO DE JANEIRO CONTINUA LINDO! <BR>But Curitiba, our ecological capital is even more. There are beautiful places to be seen. Then you take the train to Paranagua and see beautiful places. After that go to Santa Catarina and visit beautiful beaches. <BR>The go to Gramado and Canela in Rio Grande do Sul. You will adoooooore it. <BR>I am sure <BR>Eva.

I agree with the comment about Rio, except since I lived there for 18 months, that's where I plan to return when I go to Brasil. It's beautiful, and there are lovely beaches, but don't go just to Copacabana. It's a tourist trap, and overcrowded. Go up the coast a couple of hours to Buzios and Cabo Frio. Santiago looks like what I would expect Europe to look like. However, I just returned from Santiago last week and had a wonderful time. If you go there, leave the city for a few days and go to Pichilemu beach (it's west of San Fernando). Vina was okay, but it looks like any other casino/beach combination. <BR> <BR>good luck.

Dear friend, great reply from Eric, I have also lived in Buenos Aires and have been many times in Rio and a few in Santiago.The three are different and far from each other, I would have a fast stay in Rio and then a longer one in Bs As. <BR>A great destination in that general area if you like nature is the Iguazu Falls. If you go stay in the 5 stars argentine hotel facing the Falls. It has fantastic view and there are different walk paths in the falls areas it is beautiful..... May be Buenos Aires and the Iguazu Falls this time, and Rio and Santiago on a next trip. <BR>Buenos Aires is a huge comospolitan city and you can enjoy as Eric well mentioned the Theatre Colon for Opera o Ballet, and also have a tour of the theatre which is l comparable only to the great Opera houses of the old world. <BR>Then the estancias idea is perfect they are unique and beautiful and everything is very well organized. Argentina has many more beautiful locations but more time is mandatory. <BR>Buen viaje. <BR>I shall be very happy to answer any question you might have.

Can anyone tell me about Curitiba?

Curitiba is the capital of the brazilian state Parana, it's a modern and dynamic city.I've been there twice and I love it! It's a such nice capital and it's near to "Santa catarina" (which I love either, here you will find marvelous beaches and night life).

I think that came Brasil and go Curitiba instead Rio not is a good choice. <BR>Even with all the problems of one big city , Rio de Janeiro , is so beautiful. <BR>We have mountains , forests , beaches , ... <BR>I agree with Erin. You can spend some days in Rio and the others to go to the coast and see no urban beaches as Buzios or Angra dos Reis. <BR>Or go to the mountais as Itatiaia , Visconde de Mauá or even Teresópolis. <BR>All of them are a couple of hours far here. <BR>I´m from Rio and if you want some help please send me a email. <BR> <BR>Cláudia <BR> <BR> <BR>

I think that came Brasil and go Curitiba instead Rio not is a good choice. <BR>Even with all the problems of one big city , Rio de Janeiro , is so beautiful. <BR>We have mountains , forests , beaches , ... <BR>I agree with Erin. You can spend some days in Rio and the others to go to the coast and see no urban beaches as Buzios or Angra dos Reis. <BR>Or go to the mountais as Itatiaia , Visconde de Mauá or even Teresópolis. <BR>All of them are a couple of hours far here. <BR>I´m from Rio and if you want some help please send me a email. <BR> <BR>Cláudia <BR>

Once you have a good idea what Europe is like, I would recommend you come to Rio de Janeiro. nothing compare to it. I am a CARIOCA, a native from Rio and have lived here all my life. Rio is such a beautiful city. I guess you will have a ball around here. Everybody does. The city is very much like San Francisco, CA but warmer. The people are happy and friendly. Of course there are problems like in any other big city. The state, also called Rio de Janeiro, is another wonder. There are mountains and beaches. You can visit Petropolis (mountain- 100 min from Rio. The Imperial city), Buzios (beach-about 2 hours away which became internationally famous when Brigite Bardot "discovered"it back in the early 70's, I guess), Angra dos Reis and region (2 hours away, with its 300 islands) to mention only 3 towns. There's a lot you can do around here.<BR>Quoting the official slogan of the "Wonderful City": Rio - Incomparable.<BR>I myself am going to Chile on a business trip tomorrow. I don't know whether p not it will be possible for me to go to Santiago. I'm travelling to Quinteros, near Valparaiso and Viña Del Mar, and also Arica, all of them on the Pacific. Maybe I'll be able to give you some further info about it in 2 weeks when I get back home, in Rio.<BR>If you need any specific piece of info, just write.<BR>Bye.