A friend and I are looking to do a short (5 days-- short given our usual trips) jaunt down to South America next summer. I’ve been to Peru, but she has this thing about going to all 7 continents before her next major birthday milestone, so to South America we will go.
Interests: history, nature, art, good food. On the adventure scale, I’m fine with some craziness, but not looking to backpack up a mountain. I hate super touristy things-- especially giant mega resorts-- so off the beaten path is right up my alley. I’m cool with weird and different, so long as it’s fun.
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I’d rather not do Peru again, even though it was lovely (except Lima, Lima was awful). I’d also rather not die, so I suspect Colombia and Venezuela are out (correct me if I’m wrong there! We are both experienced travelers planning to do Egypt next December, so we’re open minded to things-- I just have heard some bad stuff come out of Colombia and Venezuela, is all). Beyond that, I really don’t know much else. I’d love to hit up the Galapagos or Easter Island, but my understanding is that those are trips that require at least week. I’ve been researching those crazy tree top eco resorts, but I feel like there’s got to be more to this whole thing. Last summer we went to Belize, saw a bunch of awesome jungle wild life, and saw a TON of amazing Maya ruins. Summer before that we went to Fiji and cooked ourselves to a beautiful crisp (and snorkeled, among other things). I really do like snorkeling, actually, but I realize it will be winter time down in South America. . . so that’s probably out!
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So, Dopers, ideas? Lets not worry about budget right now, because I’m a firm believer that deals are to be had always :). Make it work, as Tim Gunn would say. Tell me where you’ve been, what you liked and didn’t like, where you think I MUST consider going.
I’ll definitely keep that in mind the next time I’m taking a quick jaunt to Antarctica though.
Oh! I forgot one thing in the OP: I like a good exchange rate. In my favor, that is-- I like my sweet American money to actually be worth something for once. As such, anybody that uses the Euro is out (I’m looking at you, French Guiana).
Uh… that could be a problem. The US dollar has lost strength against several currencies over the last few years. You could try Ecuador which has adopted the US dollar as its currency.
Despite your hesitation, I will recommend Cartagena, Colombia. Cartagena is easily accessible with direct flight from the United States. Exchange rate is about 1825 pesos to the US dollar.
Tour the home city of Gabriel García Márquez, Noble prize winning author of Love in the Time of Cholera. There is fabulous architecture in the old city, a colonial era fort, museums, and a convent overlooking the city. You can get out of the city for an easy day trip to go snorkeling in the Rosario Islands.
Or go further inland to the city of Pereira. It is in the coffee growing region of Colombia and there are several farms converted as guesthouses in the countryside. There is even a coffee/agriculture themed amusement park nearby (Panaca) in Quimbaya. The Pereira area also has natural hot springs (los Termales) and the largest zoo in the country.
