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22 Mistakes Tourists Make in South America

Wolters World

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Whether you are heading to the beaches of Brazil, the mountains of Chile or the historic sights in Peru there is so much to enjoy in South America, however there are a lot of mistakes that tourists make when they visit South America for the first time. Here we give you the best travel and tourism advice to have the best experience in South America. Honest travel advice on South America.
Filmed in Chile and Brazil.

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20 Comments

@ghaznavid 1 year ago

Currently in Ciudad Del Este in Paraguay. Eating breakfast while watching Monday Falls. It's insanely cheap here, and has been a worthwhile detour while visiting Iguazu Falls. First time in South America.

@josephpanzarella1417 1 year ago (edited)

Wherever you travel, research is king.

I've been living in Sao Paulo for almost 2 1/2 years. I've been to over 10 Brazilian cities but I have yet to visit Brasilia. Most Brazilians tell me "It's interesting for two days" which means it's low on my priorities.

Most South American capitals are genuinely great cities. But not the only great cities.

I urge flying when possible. Some places don't have airports (Ouro Preto) but most do. And the difference in cost between a 90-minute flight vs. an 18-hr. bus ride is often not as much as you think, and definitely worth it for the convenience. But check ahead. To go from Puno, Peru to Arequipa by plane means a stopover in Lima. In that case, the five-hr. bus trip was more logical.

I've been in Ubers in Colombia and Peru in which they drive half in one lane and half in another. It's nerve wracking.

Safety is no joke. But I've never been robbed anywhere in South America. Common sense goes a long way.

@mikeprevost8650 1 year ago

One of the highlights of Ecuador for us was wending our way by bus from Quito to Cuenca, with a 3 day stop in Banos. These were really local buses, with people using them to travel between villages, and at every stop, vendors would climb aboard with food and drinks for sale, usually for a dollar. I threw caution to the wind and bought a sandwich, and not only didn't I get sick, it was really very good.

@nalahacc 1 year ago

I'm loving these south american vids! There is barely any information outside of mexico for travellers. I'm headed over for three months and these videos are gold for me 💙🤍💙

@What_Makes_Climate_Tick 1 year ago

If you're going to Machu Picchu, don't go just there. Cuzco is interesting as you said, but there are many Inca sites in the Valle Sagredo. Maybe I'm particularly interested because my dad developed crop seeds, but the site called Moray was their agricultural experiment site and is one of the first places that potatoes were cultivated. The earthquake-proof ancient architecture is interesting, too (no rectangular windows or doors).

@dianeshaw1145 1 year ago

Excellent information! I remember going on a group tour with birders across the Andes from Chile to Argentina. Going to Argentina, it was nighttime and most of us were sleeping. When we crossed back into Chile in daylight, I had to gasp at the steep drop-offs on the sides of the highways, and the series of switchbacks. At some points I had to close my eyes or put my head on my lap because the roads looked so scary. I was so grateful to our expert Chilean bus driver who navigated all of that with such ease, even in total darkness.

@filb 1 year ago

Since I'm usually a solo traveler, I have to admit, I usually go to Europe, because I'm too afraid of getting sick there (my stomach is very sensitive) and I have to admit safety prevents me of going there. I don't know why those 2 issues give me a mental block in going I'm SA. Deep down I want to go. I'll have to beat this fear one day and go for it.

@Agustin_R 1 year ago

The toilet paper thing at least in Chile is not because the pipes can’t handle it. In most houses, apartments and old buildings you can flush toilet paper and there’s no problem at all. The only times that I have seen the no toilet paper sign were in really rural areas and in really old buildings. I don’t see those signs more than ten times a year, not that common at least in Chile

@Cebastian_Flores 3 months ago

Chile (Santiago) is Country First World

@surf01er66 1 year ago

Learn your destination before you go .. absolutely !!!! Respect the local culture... absolutely !!!! Great information as always..Mahalo

@TheNextPursuit 1 year ago

So much good information! Thank you for sharing!

@costasworldofmusicmemories5792 1 year ago

Always great stuff to know . All the best my friend. 👍👍👍 Jim and Harriet

@grafsmigiel7003 1 year ago

so many interesting facts and advises thanks a lot

@gars129 1 year ago (edited)

I was in the Colombian coffee axis, excellent 4G LTE signal in all of the towns and a lot of countryside.

@Vid.186 1 year ago

Thank you Wolters! 👍

@richexperiences1 1 year ago

He's right. South America is very diverse, and you need to at least know the basics of the local language. If nothing else, Spanish.

@thomasreiser 1 year ago

Brazil now requires US citizens to get a visa and allow LOTS of time

@georgiafrye2815 1 year ago (edited)

Even though some say the water is safe to drink I wouldn't chance it. A friend of mine had two rounds of antibiotics after returning to the US from the water. She was on a group tour. She travels all over the world even three months and rarely sick.

@HeinzderReisendeHeinztheTravel 1 year ago

Wonderful sharing,
Intresting,
Great one,
Thank you,
My Regards,
Heinz Traveling,
🎉🎉

@Magic_beans_ 1 year ago

9:53 On that note, map stuff out so you understand how big each country is, because the Mercator Projection sells this place short. Brazil is slightly larger than the contiguous United States.