I rank my favourite countries in South America
After visiting South America, I got completely amazed by this continent. Also known as the land of extremes, it is home to the world's largest river (the Amazon) as well as the world's driest place (the Atacama Desert). Every time you cross the border, it feels like entering a completely different world with diverse cultures, unique landscapes and rich biodiversity.
In this travel guide, you can find everything you need to know before choosing the perfect destination for you, from my favourite restaurants to stunning locations. Keep in mind that this review is based on my personal experience, so keep an open mind.
Bolivia is a beautiful spectacle of contrasts: in nature and politics, from the giant metropole of La Paz to the small villages hidden in the mountains. Bolivia offers extreme landscapes where it's easy to feel lost, whether you are in the Andes or the Amazonian jungle. When you feel overwhelmed by nature's hostility, you can find comfort in the kindness of the locals, who welcome you with open arms and let you get a taste of their rich culture and age-old traditions.
SAFETY
Even though Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America, you are gonna feel extremely safe. Bolivians are the kindest and most honest people I've ever met. Criminality is very low if not inexistent, so you are gonna feel safe even when wandering in the capital during evening times. I would recommend visiting Bolivia, especially if you are a solo female traveller!
NATURE
Bolivia is characterised by impressive mountain peaks that go beyond 4000 meters in elevation. It is the perfect destination if you are a mountain lover, looking for adventure and challenges. However, don't let be fooled by the beautiful views, because altitude sickness can be a struggle when you are visiting Bolivia. Besides the headache, another test to overcome is the long distances. Even though some destinations can look close on the map, it can take more than 10 hours to move from one place to another.
❗My favourite places for nature are:
I didn’t enjoy..
Even though many travel guides suggested seeing the village of Coroico, I regretted visiting it. The nature wasn't impressive and it took four long hours to travel from La Paz. After the pandemic, many businesses shut down, and I struggled to find any restaurants or accommodations open.
TRANSPORTATION
Travelling in Bolivia is extremely difficult. The distances between places are very long and the transportation services are relatively poor. Flights within the country are expensive with bad connections. The only way to travel in Bolivia is to take a bus that can take from 10 to 20 hours depending on the destination, and the quality of the bus is not so great. So, be prepared to feel exhausted at the end of your trip to Bolivia.
FOOD
Bolivian food is very tasty, especially if you travel to the capital of La Paz. The traditional staples of Bolivian cuisine are corn, potatoes, quinoa, avocados and beans. These ingredients have been combined with a number of staples brought by the Spanish, such as rice, wheat, and meat, including beef, pork, and chicken.
Restaurants in La Paz are very hipstery, with healthy and organic recipes.
❗My favourite restaurants were:
1. Botanica Coffee House - La Paz
2. Cafe del Mundo - La Paz
3. The Carrot Tree Centro - La Paz
VALUE FOR MONEY
Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries in South America (after Colombia). You can find high-quality accommodations for a cheap price and relatively inexpensive meals.
❗Hotel I recommend in Bolivia:
Mitru Express - La Paz
Ecuador is an underrated country, that tourists forget to explore. A hidden gem in South America, with spectacular natural wonders — from snow-capped volcanoes to Andean mountains, indigenous markets and historical towns. Ecuador is the ideal destination for anyone wanting a taste of the best of South America in one country.
SAFETY
Ecuador is the most dangerous country I travelled to in South America. However, it depends a lot on the places where you go. For example, in Quito - Ecuador’s capital, it was quite shifty: even during daylight I had to watch out all the time, not carry any expensive items with me (like cameras or phones) and had to be back in the hotel before 5 PM because in the evening criminality was higher and you would not see anyone out on the streets. Even to reach viewpoints in the city centre it is recommended to take a taxi, and it's forbidden to go by walk. Luckily, not every place in Ecuador is dangerous, in Baños, a few hours south of Quito, I had a relaxing time and I didn't have to worry about safety. The beautiful archipelago of the Galapagos, also known to be the diving paradise of Ecuador, is considered to be the safest place in the country.
NATURE
Ecuador is the perfect destination if you like hiking, volcanoes and diving. From the snow-capped volcanoes of Quito to the Galapagos wildlife, you can never get bored of the nature. The best part is that you will not find many tourists around, Ecuador is still a hidden gem in South America that travellers forget to explore.
❗My favourite places for nature are:
1. Baños
2. Galapagos
TRANSPORTATION
Distances in Ecuador are not that crazy compared to other South American countries. You can take cheap buses that take you to the other side of Ecuador, however, that comes with some risks. It may happen, if you are unlucky, that someone may steal your luggage, therefore it is recommended to take the luggage with you on board the bus.
I had a very good experience with the bus from Quito to Baños, so I would recommend it!
FOOD
Food in Ecuador is healthy and made with very fresh ingredients. However, I didn’t find it that impressive, especially for the relatively high prices of the restaurants. I got also a bit disappointed by the Ecuadorian version of Ceviche, which is very different from other South American countries. In Ecuador, they eat ‘Ceviche de camarón’ - (raw shrimp cocktail), however, it doesn't taste like the original recipe of Ceviche, but rather like tomato soup.
A typical Ecuador dish I really enjoyed was ‘Locro de Papa’ soup, made with corn, onions, garlic, potatoes, annatto, cumin, milk, and queso fresco. Fresh avocado is used as a topping and it gives a fresh touch to the creamy soup. This recipe is a delicious dish that you have to try if you visit Ecuador!
The best meals I had in Ecuador were not in the capital of Quito, but in a volcanic city named Baños, located in the middle of the country.
❗My favourite restaurants were:
VALUE FOR MONEY
Ecuador is one of the most expensive countries I've travelled to in Southern America. Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar in January 2000, which led to a deep economic and political crisis. I got very surprised by how the prices were even higher than in Europe and I wondered how local people could afford to live with such a low income. This is probably one of the major reasons why criminality is so high in the capital.
Food costs between 20-40 USD per meal and accommodations are also quite expensive. Therefore, I would not recommend Ecuador if you want to travel on a low budget.
❗Hotel I recommend in Ecuador:
Peru is a unique and colourful destination - From the coastal lands of the capital to the Andes mountain range, Peru is the perfect getaway for nature lovers.
SAFETY
Travelling to Peru is very safe, also during evening times in the busy city of Cusco. Of course, use some common sense and avoid less developed areas far from the historic centre.
Take into consideration that I only travelled in the Cusco region, so I can't judge the rest of Peru.
NATURE
Peru is the perfect destination for nature lovers, whether you prefer the coastal landscape of the capital or sky-high mountains in the Andes. If you like hiking, Peru has incredible sights with snow-capped peaks, majestic glaciers and pristine mountain lakes. I can't forget to mention Machu Picchu, one of the best places I've ever seen!
❗My favourite places for nature are:
1. Machu Picchu
TRANSPORTATION
Travelling in Peru is relatively easy, however very expensive! The flight from Lima to Cusco is over 100 USD, and the train to Machu Picchu is around 150 USD. Cusco is a very walkable city, but if you prefer to move around by taxi it is also possible, it's safe and affordable.
FOOD
Peru has been recognized as one of the world’s best culinary destinations, a perfect option for foodie tourism. The country’s gastronomic boom owes a great deal to its biodiversity along with its multicultural heritage. They use very fresh and healthy ingredients and know how to combine them to create rich flavours! I recommend trying Ceviche, trout, Pisco sour (a refreshing Peruvian cocktail), and for the brave ones guinea pic - the traditional dish of Peru!
❗Restaurants I recommend:
1. Andenia - Huycho, Sacred Valley
2. Avocado, toast & more. - Cusco
3. Organika - Cusco
4. Green point restaurant - Cusco
VALUE FOR MONEY
Travelling in Peru can be expensive! You pay a lot for what you get, especially for transportation, food and hotels. If you are travelling for an extended period, I recommend staying in hostels or shared accommodations, otherwise, you risk going over your budget. I stayed in many hotels in Peru, and even though they were all overpriced, there was only one that was actually worth the money (named below). The Sacred Valley is even more expensive than Cusco, so take that into consideration when planning your trip.
❗My favourite Hotels in Peru:
1. Inkasaire Boutique Lodge - Huycho, Sacred Valley
2. Andenia Hotel - Huycho, Sacred Valley
For those who follow me, it is no surprise to know that Colombia is my favourite country in South America. The untouched nature, the rich biodiversity, hipstery cities and friendly people, make this country an unforgettable experience where you can't wait to come back. A hidden paradise in South America, far from the violence that people remember it for. This country stole my heart and it is the only place where I travelled to two years in a row.
SAFETY
Unlike most people think, Colombia is one of the countries where I felt the safest in South America. However, even if the people are friendly and the cities seem very peaceful, there is always some common sense that you should use when travelling to Colombia. Avoid isolated areas where there are no people or do not venture into barrios in the evening.
❗The safest places in Colombia are:
In the 90s, Medellin was one of the most dangerous places in the world. Since 2008 the city has changed and developed a lot, becoming one of the most international cities in Colombia, with lots of hipstery coffee shops and coworking spaces for digital nomads and young travellers from all over the world. The barrio Comuna 13, known for the infamous Pablo Escobar, today is the most visited favela in Medellin, where you can find skilled dancers, colourful art pieces and delicious Colombian food.
Although in the last decade, safety has increased significantly in Medellin, you should always be cautious when venturing into viewpoints or certain less-developed areas of the city. Do some research, follow your gut or ask local people for advice.
4. Santa Marta Centre
5. Bogotá City Centre
The city of Bogotá is typically safe for tourists as long as they take appropriate care. Until now, minor street crime poses the strongest hazard to visitors to the Colombian capital of Bogotá. Tourists who walk into the wrong area or act inconspicuously risk becoming easy prey. The city centre is very safe there are police on every street you go. You should avoid venturing into favelas without a local guide or to takes a random taxi from the road. Uber and Cabify are the safest way to move around the city.
NATURE
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. No matter where you go, nature keeps surprising you, from the Amazonian rainforest of Letitia to the sky-high palm trees of Cocora Valley and the lush jungle of Tayrona. Colombia is also the ideal destination if you are looking for white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and snow-capped mountains. You have all you are craving in one country.
❗My favourite places for nature are:
3. Antioquia
CITIES
Colombian cities are very vibrant and full of life. One thing is for sure, you can never get bored, whether you happen to be in the cold Bogotá or the Caribbean city of Santa Marta.
❗My favourite cities in Colombia are:
1. Medellin
2. Santa Marta
3. Bogotá
I didn’t enjoy..
Cartagena
To my surprise, the most visited city in Colombia, Cartagena, is also the city I enjoyed the least. In my opinion, it doesn't feel like an authentic Colombian city, but it's more like a tourist trap where thousand of cruise ships dock. Even though the city centre is very picturesque, the pushy street sellers and hot-humid temperatures make it impossible to enjoy this colonial city. Also, the food and accommodation prices are sky-high compared to the rest of Colombia. After visiting the other Colombian cities, Cartagena is definitely at the bottom of my list.
TRANSPORTATION
Travelling in Colombia is effortless, cities are very well connected, with comfortable buses and affordable flights. From Bogotá to Medellin you can take a 10 hours bus for 18 USD, or you can take a short flight for 50-60 USD.
FOOD
The food in Colombia was a bit disappointing, despite the country having the freshest ingredients in the world and a large variety of tropical fruits, locals seem to prefer western food, such as hamburgers, fried dishes and a lot of meat. If you go to the Caribbean coast food gets a bit better, and you can taste more elaborate food and a lot of fresh fish.
❗Restaurants I recommend:
1. Guasimo - Santa Marta (a mix between Colombian and Caribeean food)
2. Tapas Macarena - Bogotá (the best tapas restaurant in Colombia)
3. Egeo - Medellin (best greek food I’ve ever tried and the location is exceptional)
VALUE FOR MONEY
Colombia is the cheapest country in South America. The price ratio is exceptional, it's possible to afford luxury hotels without getting scared at the checkout. The food is also very cheap, so if you want to stay within your budget, Colombia is the perfect destination for enjoying life!
❗My favourite Hotels in Colombia:
3. Landmark - Medellin
4. Click Clack Hotel - Medellin
