Everything in Brazil seems larger than life. It has some of the world's wildest parties, a huge waterfall, vast wetlands, a mighty river and one of the largest rainforests and most unique and diverse cultures on the planet. For travelers, Brazil's sheer size and variety can be overwhelming.

Venture beyond the thousands of miles of beach to explore Brazil's other remarkable attractions including the traditional Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador, the colonial towns of Ouro Preto, Sao Luis, Parati and Olinda, and/or the wetlands of the Pantanal, one of the best wildlife preserves in South America. Rio might draw you to Brazil the first time, but the country's unexplored corners and breadth of attractions will make you want to go back.  Brazil Quote 

Because Chile is the longest country in the world, it’s not much of a stretch to say that you’ve “seen it all” once you’ve explored the many landscapes along its 4,000-mile coastline. The north contains the driest desert in the world while the south is home to remarkable glaciers and fjords, and in between lies a quintessential South American adventure experience.

The modern capital city of Santiago is completely surrounded by the Andes Mountains, but it basks in a Mediterranean climate and a very European sensibility with large boulevards, sidewalk cafes and an impressive jazz scene. If you want to stretch your legs a little, take a tour of a vineyard in the winegrowing valleys that surround Santiago, or take on the Andes directly with unforgettable hiking and climbing.

Punta Arenas, the world's southernmost major city, lies in Tierra del Fuego – a series of islands and straits in Chile’s southern tip. Much of the city is opulent with historic mansions, the result of past gold rushes, but penguin and whale colonies also make it their home. The nearby Magellan Forest Reserve promises good hiking and biking, plus great views of the Strait of Magellan, where the Atlantic meets the Pacific.  Chile Quote

Colombia Discover the best kept secret in South America. Colombia is safer then ever, affordable and still blissfully uncrowd - an independent traveler's dream.

Colombia offers visitors who decide to enjoy its tourist attractions history, flavor, nature and beaches. This country, from its warm Caribbean waters to the cold snow-clad peaks, with endless coffee plantations and historical cities filled with lanterns and romance in between, is just waiting to be discovered, to be explored. LIVE COLOMBIA, TRAVEL THE COUNTRY.
As the Department develops information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threats through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  U.S. citizens should consult warden messages for Colombia at http://bogota.usembassy.gov/acs_wardenmessage.html , as well as the Department of State’s Country Specific Information Sheet for Colombia and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov.  U.S. travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  

Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country about the size of Colorado.  Sophisticated cities, glaciated volcanoes, the lush Amazon Basin and all the treasures of exotic Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands.  Cruises to the Galapagos Islands. Amazing tours around colonial Quito.

Peru Explore Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu.  Follow an ancient footpath to the lost city of Machu Picchu. Explore a colorful crafts market. Answer the call of the wild in the Amazon rainforest. Get to know the essence of the Andes.  Peru is a developing country with an expanding tourism sector. A wide variety of tourist facilities and services is available, with quality varying according to price and location.

Peru is a country where majesty reigns – rising out of the tropical forests of the Amazon basin and the cities of the Incan Empire to meet the snow-capped peaks of the Andes.  The culmination of all this greatness is the fabled Machu Picchu, one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” This awe-inspiring city in the clouds dramatically sits 1,000 feet above a river, straddled between two mountains, and its near-pristine remains give visitors a glimpse into the engineering genius of the Incas.  Nearby Cusco, once the capital of the Incan Empire, is now a metropolitan area that’s literally built on a strong Incan foundation. While the Spanish eventually constructed a cobblestone city in Cusco, you can still explore the remains of ancient palaces, temples and hilltop citadels.  Lima is the modern capital of Peru in every sense of the word. It has attracted immigrants from all over the world, and its flavor is distinctly international – with touches of Europe and even China. With its subtropical beaches and the Barranco district’s clubs and cafes, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Lima, but the Incas are always nearby. Pachacamac is a huge Incan archaeological site near the city, and Lima’s museums are probably the best in the country for documenting its pre-historic peoples.