We’ve all heard of the parties that take place in Rio and Sao Paolo, yet despite Brazil constituting over 40 per cent of South America’s landmass, it’s not the only home of some of the best carnival atmospheres outside of New Orleans or Notting Hill. While time is up for people who want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), there’s every opportunity for you to catch a last-minute holiday with late deal specialist to see the ones in the near future, or instead plan ahead to flying out next year!

So, without further ado, here are some of the festival highlights of South America for you to feast your eyes on:

Sun Festival (Cusco, Peru, June)

The Sun Festival, which is also known as Inti Raymi in its native Peru, is the traditional Inca festival that takes place towards the end of June. It is based around the grand ruins of Sacsayhuaman – the former capital of the Incan Empire – just outside the modern city of Cusco. Music, colourful costumes, fireworks, bonfires and food sharing are, rather unsurprisingly, staples of this festival. There’s also a llama sacrifice, but don’t worry – it’s not real! (Photo credit)

Fiesta San Miguel (Uncia, Bolivia, September)

This one isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s certainly memorable – perhaps more so the closer you get, and for good reason. The people of Bolivia gather to represent the fight between good and evil through the medium of a dangerous dance known as Tinku. The more blood spilled on the day, it is said, the richer the harvest will be, so families dance while swinging their arms wildly. Meanwhile, local Bolivian police try to maintain order, though injuries – and deaths – have been known to occur. This forms a smaller part of a wider celebration, however, with bright clothing and amazing street parties that rumble throughout Uncia. (Photo credit)

Fiesta Santo Tomas (Chichicastenango, Guatemala, December)

While it’s Central America, strictly speaking, the overtones of this gathering make it a perfect addition to this list – as does its death-defying nature. While it’s home to parades, traditional dances and plenty of fireworks, the highlight of the carnival is when local men climb a 100ft pole, tying their hands or ankles to it before dancing around the pole in a celebration known as Palo Volador. Many even forego the rope! (Photo credit)

Fiesta de la Virgen de Andacollo (Andacollo, Chile, December)

If you want a Christmas break in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, head to Chile for December 24th. The popular religious festival celebrates the importance of copper, which the country has in abundance. Markets are set up throughout Andacollo to sell festive and cultural wares, while music, food and horseracing also form cornerstones of this excellent party atmosphere. (Photo credit)

To get a great deal on a last minute holiday to South America you probably going to want to check out an online travel agent such as Teletext if you are in the UK or someone like Apple or Orbitz if you are in the US.

If you do go, have fun, stay safe and feel free to let us know how you got on.

San Martin de Los Andes, Argentina

As a city in the province of Neuquen, Argentina it is situated in the Lacar area at the foot of the Andes next to the Lacar Lake and is said to have a population of about 24,000 people. It is a very popular destination and its landscape is simply one of the most spectacular where people like to engage in summer sports like mountain biking, rafting, horse riding, trekking and kayaking. Another prominent feature here is the Chapelco Golf Club where golfers have fun playing for at least 10 months of the year. Photo by pablodf.

Cafayate, Argentina

Wine lovers from all over would not want to miss this fantastic town said to be one of the top 5 small towns to visit in South America. Each of the vineyards have its own unique style where the owners have made it their business to give visitors an unforgettable wine tasting experience.

Wines such as Malbec, Chardonnay, Torrontes, Syrah and the well known Cabernet Sauvignon are sure winners in the small town of Cafayate where visitors get the complete experience as there are a host of coffee shops as well as a tourist center to cater for all their needs.

Isla del Sol, Bolivia

Hosting a population of more than 5,000 people, Isla del Sol is known as the largest Island south of Lake Titicaca. This place is located near the western part of Bolivia and will have you guessing about its mysterious past as you get taken back to have a look at the history of the Inca ruins that include the sacred rock where it all began. The real fun begin when you stroll around the museum at Cha’llapampa and get to view gold artifacts north of Isla del Sol. It has so much to offer to any visitor or tourist that are lucky enough to pay this Island of the Sun a visit. Photo by Jimmy Harris.

Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

This small beach town is a very popular getaway over weekends with its many stunning reefs that are just waiting to be explored. Porto de Galinhas can stake its claim to be among the top 5 small towns to visit in South America as it is said to be some of the best beaches in Brazil with its sea white sandy beaches. Newbies to surfing will love this place as it is the perfect spot to strut their stuff and well worth visiting.

Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil

If it is exciting nightlife and water sports that you are after, then you need to pull into this small town that can be found on a green lush island that is a mere boat ride from Salvador and that offers you a laid back, stress free and car free lifestyle that makes that you wouldn’t want to leave as you enjoy all it has to offer. Photo by Ricardo Ferreira

There are so many place to visit in South America, but in our opinion we found the places mentioned over here to be the top 5 small towns to visit in South America.

The Inka Pacha is a quiet, quaint hostel located in the village of Yumani on the south side of the Isla del Sol.  The hostel offers both dormitories and private rooms, with local decorations, clean bathrooms, and warm, comfortable beds.  The Inka Pacha also has a balcony with a lovely view of Lake Titicaca and the nearby Isla de la Luna.  The backyard flower garden is another tranquil spot to relax in nature.  The hostel is run by locals who can give you the best advice on how to get around and what to do while on the island.  The beautiful, moderately-strenuous day hike from south to north and back again is definitely worth doing.  It includes a stop at some pretty cool ruins and meanders through several small villages.  Yumani’s outstanding vistas and peaceful atmosphere (no cars!) make it definitely worth a night or two’s stay, and Hostel Inka Pacha is a solid choice.

Services Included:

Free breakfast of rolls, eggs, yoghurt, juice, and coffee

Hot water

Kitchen for self-catering or ordering meals

Beverages and snacks available for purchase

Gift shop

Maps and advice for Isla del Sol hikes and activities

Hostelling International affiliate

Directions:  Take a boat from Copacabana to the south side of Isla del Sol.  From the dock, it’s a fairly difficult walk up 400 steps to the village of Yumani.  (It’s best to leave your big bags in Copacabana because of this.)  Once you get into the village, keep going up and watch for Inka Pacha’s sign on your left.

Phone:  591 2 249 2043 (landline) 72520009 (cell)

Email:  hostellingbolivia@yahoo.com

 Website:  http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Albergues-Juveniles-Copacabana—HI–Inca-Pacha–Isla-del-Sol—Lago-Titicaca-094031.es.htm

Prices:

Dormitory: $4.50

Single with private bathroom: $8.90

Double with shared bathroom: $17

Double with private bathroom: $26

Triple with shared bathroom: $21

Triple with private bathroom: $33

Identifying native vegetarian cuisine

There isn’t much but it helps to know what traditional meat-free dishes the Bolivians have so that you can identify them on any menu. One filling, tasty and very cheap dish is papas rellenas, which consists of a ball of mashed potato stuffed with cheese and/or egg, fried in batter and topped with a spicy sauce. Humintas are similar to Mexican tamales, only they are steamed or baked in a corn husk and are always vegetarian, made with mashed corn and cheese. When you are in need comfort food, cheesy, creamy sonso from tropical Santa Cruz is perfect – made from yuca mashed with butter, milk and cheese, it is baked like a casserole or served on a stick and roasted over coals.

Bolivian dried snacks can be lifesavers

On long journeys, tours that include a meal which you can’t guarantee will be meat-free, and as a ‘just in case’, it is essential to carry with you a hoard of dried snacks that are easily found in any town. Rather than unhealthy and sometimes expensive imported biscuits and sweets, pick up little cellophane-wrapped packages of nuts, fava beans, peanut bars and dried fruits such as papaya, figs and raisins.

Fill up on fruit

You may struggle to find 100% vegetarian dishes but tropical fruit is plentiful, cheap and delicious. Street vendors and market stalls sell freshly squeezed juices for a couple of Bs and will chop up custard apples, prickly pears, passionfruit, papaya, pineapple, watermelons and mangoes in front of you.

Know your Spanish

This may sound obvious but the easiest way to get by if you’re vegetarian is to speak the language so you can explain your dietary requirements and read the menu proficiently to limit the chances of unwanted surprises. Even if you just learn a few key phrases it will help. ‘Soy vegetariano/a’ is simply ‘I’m a vegetarian’ but in a country where so many still don’t really understand the concept, it pays to be more specific. ‘No como carne, ni pollo, ni jamón, ni pescado’, or ‘I don’t eat meat, nor chicken, nor ham, nor fish’ should help.

Photo by sliceofchic on Flickr

When it comes to relaxation, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia have so much to offer. Whether you like natural (eg. thermal springs and lakes) or urban spas (man-made resorts), these countries offer a good way to relax and to pamper yourself. If you’re shopping around for a bargain, look into spa vouchers or special spa offers. On a tight budget? Hot springs, in particular, are definitely the best gifts from the volcanic areas of the Andes mountain range. Relieve your stress now and take a break with these ultimate vacation destinations!

#1 Seascapes in Venezuela

This country boasts of Los Roques Archipelago National Park, a marine protected area located in Caracas. It is the largest marine park in the Caribbean featuring an exceptionally beautiful archipelago that will surely leave everyone breathless. Colorful reefs, mangroves, white beaches and seagrass beds are what make this place a must-visit for the South America tourist who wants to enjoy a natural environment. The park is also home to several pristine beaches and sparkling, crystalline waters, making it a true haven.

#2 Chile Caliente

Indeed a haven of paradise, this country is a home to many natural hot springs, thanks to the abundance of volcanoes. For one, the Coñaripe Hot Springs, due to the wealth of sodium, calcium, boron, sulfates, magnesium, and iron in the waters, greatly help eliminate stress, reduce exhaustion and improve skin and joint conditions. Furthermore, the resort is surrounded by numerous volcanoes and seven interconnected lakes, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature.

Situated in the picturesque Andes around 1300 feet above sea level and next to Liucura River, the Huife Hot Springs boast of world-class infrastructures with year-round spa services ideal for a relaxing getaway. The temperature of the waters ranges from 38 to 58°C and they are widely said to relieve stress and treat chronic skin and joint diseases. Other activities that you can enjoy include hiking, horseback riding, boating, and fishing.

#3 Pampering in Peru

Peru is a country of fascinating history that contains spectacular natural and man-made South America tourist attractions. In fact, it is often dubbed the “country of thermal springs” due to the numerous hot springs scattered all over the region. Aguas Calientes, located at the base of Machu Picchu, is a favorite stop for tourists trekking the Inca Trail. On the other hand, the Inca Baths of Cajamarca that reach up to 75°C were also favored bathing spots back in the Incasn era. The baths have been well-preserved, along with the stone canals and fountains used long ago. You can also find several great thermal springs around the areas of the Colca Canyon, usually made up of stones. Peru has just so many hot springs that it’s impossible to experience them all in a week-long vacation.

#4 Ecuador’s Spa Treatments

If you want some unique spa experience, Madre Tierra Garden Hotel in Vilcabamba is a must-try. It offers one-of-a-kind services that include clay treatments and wraps, mud baths, colonics with coffee, reforestation of intestinal flora with acidophilus bacteria, as well as some common treatments such as massage. In addition, it features a spectacular mountain view – truly a relaxing experience you shouldn’t miss. The Chachimbiro hot springs are also a top favorite in Ecuador. The springs were formed after an earthquake occurred in 1868 and since then, the waters were thought to be very beneficial by the native inhabitants. The unique water properties, as well as the tranquility of the area, place the resort as one of the best in the country.

#5 Beauty of Bolivia

Relaxation is not always about spa and resorts. Sometimes, it’s about experiencing “heaven on Earth”. Have a peaceful escape from reality with the world’s highest desert, Salar de Uyuni. It is elevated 3,656 meters above sea level near the crest of the Andean landscape. Truly a majestic paradise, this vast salt plain is perhaps the most beautiful (and peaceful) place in the world. Experience heaven as you can virtually touch the clouds with your hands!