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OK, so now that I am still in Salvador, Brazil I wonder what are the main things I should get done while I am in South America? What are the “best”, “must-see” things over all on this continent? I have limited time and money so I have prioritize, but I want to prioritize right if you know what I mean. Feedback greatly appreciated. Anyone with a “top ten ranking”?

Anyone know if it is easy to take a bus from Paraguay to Bolivia?

Btw, is Iguacu the world´s highest waterfall?
Hm, edit: Some guy recommended that I see Iguacu in Argentina because it was "fucking amazing". But after googling and finding that Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest, I wonder whether I should skip Iguacu for the other waterfall. Anyone have experience with these waterfalls? What should I look for when comparing waterfalls;-)? Is Iguacu more awesome than Angel Falls, if so why?

Advice greatly appreciated

Hard to give a top 10 since I haven't been all over South America yet...but of the places I've been to, here's my top 10...

1. Tilcara, Argentina (only because of my experiences there) and the Quebrada region
2. Machu Picchu
3. Iguazu Falls
4. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
5. Huanchaco/Chimu ruins, Peru
6. Chugchilan/Laguna Quilotoa, Ecuador
7. Huaraz, Peru
8. Otavalo markets, Ecuador
9. Vilcabamba, Ecuador
10. Buenos Aires/Recoleta/Tigre

Seeing that long distance busses are all over SA, I'd think it would be easy to take a bus from Paraguay to Bolivia.

Iguazu is nowhere near the highest falls in the world. I believe Angel Falls in Venezuela holds that title.

I have to say that you should go to the jungle. I think this is a given that is not included in teh previous post. I would venezuela and colombia but spend some more time around the amazon or deeper in the pantanal in brazil. Also the atacama desert is beatiful and who could mis southern argentina. We are talking about lots of terrain, but if you have time, don´t even think about leaving without some serious time in the jungle.

will

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What is the best way to see the amazon?

we're going to ecuador, peru, bolivia, venezuela & columbia (and brazil but probably only the sth-east coast) - no set timeframes for anything, but don't really want to do the same thing 100 times..

I recommened doing the Jungle in Bolivia, Rurrenebaque. It's a LOT cheaper than Peru, a lot less touristy. I spent 20 days deep in the Amazon met only 2 other tourists for the whole trip, ended up in a small community which sees 1 - 2 tourists a year and had the most remarkable time of my life!

Iguazu Falls National Park, from what I've heard, is definitely a must-see over Angel Falls in Venezuela. (I've not seen Angel Falls but I have seen Iguazu.) Iguazu may not be the highest falls, but there are over 300 individual waterfalls there in the rainy season, the park is filled with wildlife including coatimundis, jaguars, beautiful birds and butterflies, there's TONS to see and do, etc. Also, from what I hear, it's a bit of a hassle to visit Angel Falls -- I believe you have to fly over it. Angel Falls does hold the title, though, so if you're into the titles bit, go for it.

I'd also love to hear of peoples 'top ten'. It'd help me plan my trip. (Still got 6 months to go, but I can't wait!)

While I haven't been to Angel Falls, I can say that Iguazu Falls is every bit as amazing as everyone told me it would be. "They" is a better word for the place than "it", as there are many, many waterfalls & pools all around. While not as high as Angel Falls, the view from the top down into the Devil's Throat (or from the bottom if you do the boat) is really cool. Lots of places along the trails to just sit back and take it all in. I've gotta' go back there someday...

What´s there to see and do in southern Argentina?

I'd say Rio is my number one spot - but that wont surprise anyone who's seen other posts of mine.

Others are the galapagos islands (yes, expensive, but the most unique experience I have ever had), the peruvian andes, Salar de Uyuni, patagonia, Iguazu and the amazon.

Why has no one mentioned The Galapagos Islands? I know it´s not cheap but it is worth double every penny! The best day of my life happened in The Galapagos! What you see and what you experience totally defies description! I would rather spend one week there than 3 weeks anywhere else.

quote:

not cheap

That's an understatement.

1. Galapagos Islands (expensive, but worth it. On land, wildlife so abundant and relaxed you have to watch where you put your feet to avoid standing on it, on the water you can snorkel with seal lions, sharks, turtles, rays and thousands of fish all a few yards from shore)
2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (three day jeep trip, never seen a landscape like it before)
3. Iguazu Falls (immense, makes Niagara look like a stream)
4. Merino Glacier, Argentina (huge, happily spent my time watching ice chunks as big as apartment blocks falling hundreds of feet into the lake below)
5. Machu Picchu (a few too many people there at the time, but you can't help but be blown away by the setting)
6. Boca Juniors football match, Buenos Aires (best fans and atmosphere I've witnessed, and it wasn't a big game either)
7. View from Sugar Loaf, Rio (one of the great city locations)
8. Mine tour, Potosi, Bolivia (an eye opener, appalling working conditions but fascinating stories. And where else can you play with a lit stick of dynamite like Wile E. Coyote)
9. Valley de la Lune, Atacama, Chile (cool town to hang out in at San Pedro, great scenery, especially the sunset tours)
10. Falkland Islands (king penguin colony and enormous beached elephant seals, Galapagos-esque in that its not cheap, weather can be iffy, wildlife great)