Five Cities to visit in South America
Five Cities to visit in South America
In a continent filled with some of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders of the world, South America's cities do a fine job of vying for attention, offering a captivating blend of modern culture, great food, and a rich cultural heritage.
1. Buenos Aires, Argentina
The ‘Paris of the south’, Buenos Aires is glamorous, seductive and full of energy. Whether that be from the tango dancers that perform in the city’s streets, restaurants and theatres, or the packed bars, historic cafes and heaving nightclubs, BA is a city that never sleeps. Which is good, as there’s so much to see and do, from strolling the streets of the colourful La Boca neighbourhood or the bohemian San Telmo via the many lively plazas and parks, to enjoying some of the world’s best beef and red wine at one of its many steakhouses.
2. São Paolo, Brazil
While Rio de Janeiro may take most of the urban glory in Brazil, São Paulo deserves a look too, thanks to its fully-fledged foodie scene, rich architectural traditions and the city’s largest park, Ibirapuera. Here, you’ll find two of São Paulo’s most significant art galleries in a space designed by landscape architect Roberto
Burle Marx. Don’t miss the belle époque covered
market Mercado Municipal, the city’s oldest church São Bento (that dates back to 1598) and Sé Cathedral, a gigantic neo-Gothic beauty.
3. Cartagena, Colombia
A port city on the Caribbean coast, Cartagena is a warm and friendly mix of walled Old Town with cobbled streets and packed squares, and a buzzing beach destination with white sand and palm trees. Known for having one of the best food scenes in South America – from high-end restaurants to street food, as well as the iconic Palenqueras – brightly dressed Afro-Colombian women from the first freed slave settlement in the Americas, there’s much to celebrate in Cartagena.
4. La Paz, Bolivia
Sat between the Amazon and the Andes, the views alone from La Paz make it worth the visit. The world’s highest city, La Paz will literally take your breath away, but once you’ve got used to the altitude explore the city on its rapidly growing network of cable cars (way better than a bog-standard bus) and experience some indigenous
Aymara traditional culture before dancing the night away in its boisterous bar and club scene.
5. Santiago, Chile
With the snow-capped Andes in the background, much of your time in Santiago can be spent simply admiring the views. And while they’re definitely worth some of your time, be sure to also see all the grand architecture, the most striking of which is the Centro Gabriela Mistral, a cultural, performing arts and gallery space, and roam through the vast Parque Metropolitano, otherwise known as Cerro San Cristóbal.
by net effect