Where to from South America?
 

DH and I will spend 2 weeks in South America in early January. Fly into Santiago and finish in Rio.Since we are travelling all the way from Australia, we'd like to make the long distances worthwhile and spend an extra couple of weeks after Rio seeing some other interesting places.

Peru and Bolivia spring to mind but I have read that Jan/Feb is not a good time to visit due to rain. So I need suggestions of what to do for the other 2 weeks that is reasonably easy to get to from Rio.

My initial thoughts are Mexico ( perhaps a cruise); Panama Canal or the Caribbean.

We are aged 59 and 61, in excellent health, and are looking for an interesting and fun travel experience. Not too rugged as we've done that in our youth, I would welcome any ideas.

Fly Sky chilean econoair SCL to LIM despegar.com

to Lima for Gringo Trail to MP

adventures.worldnomads.com/destination/168/itinerary/23.aspx

awesome not rainy that time of year was there last year

andeantravelweb.com incalndadventures.com good info.

Just stay out of the jungle where all the rain is.

Also consider adding a Galapagos Ecoaventura Cruise

at discounts with guanguiltagua.com most unique wildlife

in the world penguins giant 500# Tortoises truly AMAZING!

weather2travel.com Climate guide go a fair amount in December

never get much rain except in the jungle.

Happy Journey,

Two weeks is minimal timefor Chile and Rio. Consider expanding your itinerary a bit in Chile, Jan Feb is peak season in Patagonia.

Are you not going to Argentina? That is usually high on the must do list.

Early January might be okay for Machu Picchu. There was an El Nino year two years ago that hit the area hard at the end of the month but this year was okay, and I had excellent weather when I went in January a few years ago.

Also, there is more to Peru than Machu Picchu. You might look into some other destinations such as Chiclayo/Trujillo aka "the Egypt of Peru".

What about taking the Mare Australis cruise around the Horn from Chile to Argentina? This would give you the opportunity to visit Buenos Aires before Rio. There are lots of posts about the cruise on the forum.
Although you can get a dry January in Cusco, the norm is that it is rainy season and it can pour.

Thanks for the great responses so far. I should have been more specific. We are starting in Santiago and visiting Patagonia,crossing the Andes, Argentina,(Puerto Montt,Puerto Varas,Puella, Bariloche), Buenos Aires, Iguazu,then Rio.

So what I'm looking for is not more time in South America but a nearby destination, as it's unlikely we will get to visit this region again soon (tyranny of distance).

qwovadis, thanks for all the excellent suggestions. I will check them all out. Any other suggestions from Fodorites welcome.

Yeah, you probably should have been more specific.

Ouch!So sorry, migb. If you read my initial post carefully, you will note that I actually said I was starting in Santiago and finishing in Rio after 2 weeks, not that those were the only places we were going to. I didn't think our whole itinerary was relevant to the question, which was where to go AFTER Rio. So your rather rude comment was not called for.

What about adding in some other Brazilian destinations? The state of Minas Gerais, for example, has very interesting colonial towns: Tiradentes, Ouro Preto, Mariana. You can get a direct flight to Belo Horizonte from Rio.

If you are interested in nature, you could go to either the Pantanal or the Amazon. We went to the Amazon in 2009 and it was fantastic, see my trip report.

I am a bit confused.

You say "<i>So what I'm looking for is <u>not more time in South America but a nearby destination</u>, as it's unlikely we will get to visit this region again soon (tyranny of distance).</i>"

But earlier you state "<i>Peru and Bolivia spring to mind</i>"

So are you spending <i>two whole weeks</i> is South America and that is enough and you want to go somewhere else?

South America is a huge continent -- there is no other nearby destination/region unless you go to the Caribbean or Central America (like you mentioned in your original post) but they are definitely not 'near' Rio.

But if that is what you want -- then you need to re-post on the appropriate forum(s) -- Mexico/Central America and Caribbean

Why don't you come skiing in Canada? White sand and white snow on the same vacation. Just head north from Rio. When your teeth start chattering you're here.

She's not interested in more South America, even though Peru and Bolivia came to mind. Yet she posted here.

I can't imagine why I'd want to make any suggestions.

Oh dear, I have really messed up and apologise for the confusion. I am usually much more specific, as can be seen from my earlier posts re other trips, and can only offer a sincere apology. I really appreciate all the great advice I have received in the past and on this occasion. I will follow up the suggestions above.

So let me try again. What I meant to say,(but clearly didn't) is that I am not looking for more time in the same countries as we are visiting during these 2 weeks, but other countries that are easily accessible from our end point, Rio. Clearly we are happy to include other Sth American Countries, as well as other possibilities like Mexico or the Caribbean.

Thank you for the advice about re-posting on the other forums. I will do that too.

I did not mean to offend anyone with my muddled questions,as the advice I get on this site is the best available in any guide books. So let's still be friends.

irenen: try to forget the rude replies.

No matter what, you'll have a great time in South America.

Well Jessus now I am offended. I put forward a wonderful idea of Canada and get ignored. I am super pis%ed off.

Time for a drink. ((D))

Hey coldupthere (note I amended your name to make it more correct from my end). I have been to Canada and LOVED it (spent 5 weeks in Toronto on sabbatical) as well as a bit of touring BUT had the good sense to depart on 1 October, just as it was getting cold. Not being a skiier, chattering teeth and frozen fingers are not my ideal holiday activities. But thanks for the offer. :)

I think we have the picture now! I would probably spend any extra time in another South American country. I would probably pick Perú as it will be dramatically different from Chile/Argentina/Brazil. There is the possibility of it being a wet rainy season in the highlands, which you will have to consider. It varies a lot from year to year. Another possibility is Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. A side trip in Chile to Easter Island would make a memorable 5 days or so, but you make have time constraints due to your date flying out of Rio. Colombia is an interesting destination and putting Cartagena on the itinerary would give you the Caribbean feel.