South American Adventure

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Read more about Miami, USA

George Town is located on the island of Grand Cayman, the largest of the three islands in the Cayman Islands of the British West Indies. It is the largest city and capital of the Cayman Islands. All three - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman - are coral outcrops surrounded by healthy coral reefs and dramatic walls close to shore, creating ideal conditions for the best diving and snorkelling found in the Caribbean. Read more about George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Ocho Rios lies on the north coast of Jamaica. As many believe that Christopher Columbus first set foot here, Columbus Park has been created, where visitors and residents alike can absorb the historical artefacts and the Spanish colonial buildings. Renowned for its most striking waterfalls Ocho Rios owes much of its fame to Dunn's River Falls, a much-photographed and much-climbed attraction. Read more about Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Santa Marta in Colombia is more than the average tropical paradise. It certainly has warm Caribbean surf and white sandy beaches, but it's also much loved for the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range that towers above it. Being the oldest city in the country also has its advantages. Read more about Santa Marta, Colombia

Cartagena is a large beach resort city on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Region. While in recent years many new skyscrapers have been constructed, Cartagena's colonial walled city with its amazing architecture, such as The Vaults that were originally built as dungeons and from the top of which the Caribbean Sea is visible. There is also the Castillo de San Felipe, a fortress built in 1657 by the Spanish for protection against pirates. Read more about Cartagena, Colombia

Cristóbal lies at the northern entrance to the Panama Canal. It is part of the province of Colón, a port city at the entrance to Limon Bay, at the Atlantic (Caribbean) entrance of the canal. (Interestingly, Cristóbal Colón is the Spanish translation for Christopher Columbus.) The port, Old Cristóbal, was first built by the Panama Railroad Company in the 1850s, and dredged material became landfill for the present Cristóbal. Read more about Cristobal, Panama

Manta is a major commercial and holiday resort centre and the second major port of Ecuador. It is possibly best known for the Playa (beach) Murciélago area of the Malecón, where not only is the seafood excellent, but also on offer is great music, beach aerobics, parties, and general night life ambience. Gathering momentum among tourists is the fact that this is the home of seeds of particular palms that are almost indistinguishable from ivory after they have been dried. Read more about Manta, Ecuador

Salaverry, known as "The City of Eternal Spring" because of its very sunny and pleasant year-round weather, is the port for Trujillo as well as the second largest city in Peru. It has numerous interesting archaeological sites of the Moche and Chimu civilizations, and has managed to retain much of its colonial flavour, as reflected in its historical city centre. Here are found not only the cathedral and city hall, but also numerous colonial mansions that have been preserved and are open to visitors. Read more about Salaverry (Trujillo), Peru

Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, visit the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Read more about Lima (Callao), Peru

Lima, although a sprawling desert city, is the capital and largest city of Peru. The Historic centre of Lima is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of historical buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era. In particular, visit the Plaza Mayor with the 16th century Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Read more about Lima (Callao), Peru

Pisco lies on the Pacific coast of Peru, 200 km south of the capital Lima. The small city is a gateway to the ruins of Machu Picchu, 500 km due east high in the Andes. Pisco is served by the port of San Martin which is 35 km out of town on the Paracas Peninsula. Read more about Pisco (San Martin), Peru

The seaside resort city of Arica in the north of Chile lies just 18 km south of the border with Peru. Known as the City of Eternal Spring - as it is sunny virtually every day of the year - it is located on the coast of the driest desert in the world. It has a great beach where visitors can enjoy the sun and take a swim. Read more about Arica, Chile

Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about 1,130 km north of Santiago. The last decade has seen a steady growth in the areas of construction, retail, hotel accommodations, population growth, and remarkable skyline development, mainly due to becoming a major mining centre. However, with its 20 km of beachfront and mild, dry climate it has also developed as a year-round beach resort. Read more about Antofagasta, Chile

Santiago is the capital of Chile, 90 minutes drive from its port Valparaiso. Santiago has easy access both to ski slopes just 50 km to the Andes, and beaches 100 km to the Pacific. Chile's steady economic growth has transformed Santiago into one of Latin America's most modern metropolitan areas, with dozens of shopping centers and impressive high-rises. Read more about Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile

Puerto Montt is a fast growing city in the south of Chile, just north of Chiloe Island. At the southern end of the Pan American highway in Chile, Puerto Montt is not only the end of the road, but the beginning of the fabled land of fjords, canals, islands, and the snow-capped mountains of the Andes. Fertile agricultural fields and green forested hills also add to the enchantment of Southern Chile. Read more about Puerto Montt, Chile

Castro, situated on the east coast of Chiloe Island, sits on a bluff above its sheltered estuary and is the capital of the Chiloe Archipelago, in Chile. Castro is famous for its brightly painted traditional wooden stilt houses, so the greatest single attraction is simply walking down the streets and around the central Plaza de Armas. With its well-kept park that is surrounded by many shops and restaurants, it presents a great opportunity to absorb the local culture. Read more about Castro, Chile

Chacabuco - aka Puerto Chacabuco - is a Chilean town located at the head of Aisén Fjord in Aisén commune. Ships anchor in the bay of Chacabuco and passengers are tendered to shore. This is a small isolated settlement with no clearly defined town centre, consisting of one main road, a fish processing facility, and a pier. Read more about Chacabuco, Chile

Punta Arenas, overlooking the Strait of Magellan in southern Patagonia, Chile, bustles with windswept trekkers en route to glacier-filled Torres del Paine National Park or an Antarctic cruise. Before leaving, be sure to take note of the mansion-lined main square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero where local vendors sell homemade crafts, the City Cemetery with its elaborate tombs, the Sara Braun Palace, and Braun Menendez Residence that presents great insight of the city's wealthy pioneer past. The city is also home to the former British Navy base and early Spanish colony of Puerto Hambre, and a popular ski centre that overlooks the Strait of Magellan. Read more about Punta Arenas, Chile

Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, is located on the Beagle Channel, where soaring mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and an historic lighthouse create an ideal backdrop. The capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, it was first settled by British missionaries. During the first half of the 20th C the major building of the city was a prison, built by the Argentinian government for repeat offenders and serious criminals, as the subpolar oceanic climate made escape difficult. Read more about Ushuaia, Argentina

Port Stanley is the capital and only town in the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). It is located on the isle of East Falkland, on a north-facing slope, south of Stanley Harbour, in one of the wettest parts of the islands. It is very easy to see most of the islands’ worthwhile sites on a short walking tour. Read more about Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Puerto Madryn is a city in the province of Chubut, one of the most sheltered places on the Patagonian coast of Argentina. The town, founded in 1865 by 150 Welsh immigrants, has become an important tourist centre. This coastal city has warm summers and moderate winters all year round. Read more about Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, located on the eastern shore of the Rio de la Plata, on the SE coast of South America. The birthplace of the tango, the city is as bustling with energy as the dance itself. Stroll neighbourhoods with romantic restaurants, past its architecture and parks. Read more about Buenos Aires, Argentina

Punta del Este, known as the St.Tropez of Uruguay, is an upscale vacation spot on the southern-most tip of the country, just an hour and a half by car from Montevideo. Today this area is known worldwide as a very scenic resort area with great shopping, a temperate climate, and kilometres of beautiful beaches. These include Mansa - or gentle beach - that faces the bay, and Playa Brava, a beach that faces the Atlantic and is home to the sculpted Dedos fingers - better known as ‘the Hand in the Sand’ - a well known city landmark. Read more about Punta del Este, Uruguay

Rio de Janeiro is a large Brazilian city situated on the South Atlantic Coast of South America. It is perhaps best known for its carnivals and the largest art deco statue in existence, the giant Christ the Redeemer Statue that is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While there absorb the magnificent views and you will feel as though you are taking a walk in the clouds. Read more about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Maceio is the capital city of the northern Brazilian state of Alagoas. Its principal attraction would have to be its 20km of urban beaches, as well as the delightful sandy beaches to the north and south. Of particular interest are the northern beaches of Ponta Verde with the boardwalk lined with beach bars, and Pajucara Beach that hosts a nightly craft market. Read more about Maceio, Brazil

Santarem in Brazil, some 800 km up the Amazon, is located on the southern bank of the clear emerald blue waters of the Tapajos River, a tributary of the Amazon. Not far from here these waters encounter the muddy waters of the magnificent Amazon River. A natural phenomenon, the two rivers flow side by side and are known as the ‘meeting of the waters’. Read more about Santarem, Brazil

Located at the confluence of the Amazon and the Valeria rivers in Brazil, Boca da Valeria is a small remote Indian village consisting of a wharf, wooden homes on stilts, a school, a church and a bar that doubles as the village meeting place. It is hidden amid jungle lake lands where the screeches of colorful parrots fill the air and trees stand waist-high in water. Be sure to take your camera on the tender ride, because there is a very distinct line where the waters of the Valeria River meet the Amazon. Read more about Boca da Valeria, Brazil

Manaus is a main port on the banks of the Negro River 1450 km inland in the heart of the Amazon rain forest, and is the main transport hub for the entire upper Amazon Basin. It also attracts crowds of tourists who find a variety of land and boat trips into the jungle. Wildlife is plentiful, even within the city, and it is home to the Pied Tamarin, one of Brazil's most endangered primates. Read more about Manaus, Brazil

Paranaguá, with its excellent port facilities, is located in the state of Paraná in Brazil. It is the sea port for Curitiba, the capital of the state. The seafront with its colourful buildings is charming and romantic. Read more about Paranagua, Brazil

Santarem in Brazil, some 800 km up the Amazon, is located on the southern bank of the clear emerald blue waters of the Tapajos River, a tributary of the Amazon. Not far from here these waters encounter the muddy waters of the magnificent Amazon River. A natural phenomenon, the two rivers flow side by side and are known as the ‘meeting of the waters’. Read more about Santarem, Brazil

The city of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the island country of Barbados, a major tourist destination in the West Indies. The city has numerous attractions, landmarks, monuments, museums, and art galleries of an international standard. It is also a starting point for visiting many other popular cities on the island. Read more about Bridgetown, Barbados

Pointe-a-Pitre (“Headland of Peter”; population 172,000) is the largest city of Guadeloupe, an overseas region of France, located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. (The capital is Basse-Terre.) The inhabitants are called "Pointois". The port is on the island of Grande-Terre, facing west to nearby Basse-Terre Island. Read more about Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe

Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands that forms part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. Its capital is Road Town, situated on a pleasant harbour. Interestingly, Columbus noted the island during his second voyage. Read more about Tortola, Virgin Islands (British)

Miami, located on the Atlantic coast at the southern tip of Florida, where outdoor sports are open all seasons and dress is casual, is a melting pot of cultures. Miami and Miami Beach are in effect two distinctly different cities, as Miami Beach is almost exclusively tourist orientated, while Miami is a cosmopolitan city with a distinctly Latin American flavour. Don’t miss the South Beach section where fashion designer Gianni Versace lived and died that is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world. Read more about Miami, USA