This summer’s World Cup has drawn all eyes to Brazil, with more and more people thinking about taking a South American vacation. However, there’s much more than sport to discover on this fascinating continent. With a rich culture dating back thousands of years and later influenced by Spanish tradition, it is full of wonders just waiting to be discovered.
Dive into South America
South America is home to many different cultures, from the Inca-influenced native people of Peru to the rancheros of Patagonia. It is linked by a series of airports and long roads traversed by luxury coaches, though in some places it’s easier to get around on horseback. Teeming cities thrive between vast plains, mountains, deserts, salt flats, jungles and sub-Antarctic regions. The Nazca lines are visible as pictures only from the air, while must-see ruins include the legendary Inca city of Machu Piccu, the giant stone statues of San Agustín, and the subterranean tombs of Tierradentro.
Music
Argentina is known for its jazz music, Brazil for its samba music, and Venezuela for its folk music and love of cuatro and ocarina songs. Across the continent, music is approached as a social thing, something that talented people, and those keen to develop their talent, are often welcome to join in with. A trip to South America is a great chance to learn new songs and to discover the roots of musical traditions that are enjoying an increasing influence on North American and European music. A great idea is to check out the dance hall scene, where traditional dances remain highly popular and are an easy way to get to know the culture surrounding the music. In Uruguay and Argentina, you simply have to try the tango.
Food
South American cuisine is one of the earliest forms of fusion cooking, combining Spanish influences with native traditions and a rich variety of ingredients. Most of the continent’s major cities are coastal and seafood is always popular, with tuna available in most of them, lobster huge in southern Brazil, and crab and krill popular in Patagonia. Wherever there are plains, beef is eaten in large quantities, generally barbecued or grilled. Lamb and venison are popular in the south whereas tropical areas rely heavily on fruit such as guava, limes, lucuma, chirimoya, pepino, cocoya and dragon fruit. Potatoes, quinoa and omelet-based dishes are popular in most areas.
Festivals
South America’s biggest festival – in fact, the biggest in the world – is Rio de Janeiro’s carnival, but there are similar events that take place all across the continent, with Montevideo’s event often lasting for a whole month with numerous parties going on alongside the main event. There are also lots of religious festivals, usually Catholic in origin, with those in the smaller towns and villages often the most elaborate, with parades and statues carried through the streets. In Brazil and Chile, one of the most exciting times of year is New Year’s Eve, when spectacular firework displays light up the sky beneath the southern stars
