Hi everyone,

I am hoping I can get some advice on where to go in South America. I want to go between December 14th and January 1st (my winter break times). My main goal is to improve my Spanish. I do not have a lot of money, so cost is a big consideration. I'll have about $2000, not including airfare. I'd really like someplace where little English is spoken, and someplace with not a lot of tourism. I was looking at Paraguay, and that looks promising, though the Spanish spoken there seems a little different than what I learned...

I know two weeks isn't a lot of time, but hopefully it will help me improve my Spanish quite a bit.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Try Chile. Of all of South America, chileans speak the language as close to what one would expect in Espana. It will be summer in that part of the world. Go to Patagonia.

Patagonia is an awesome destination, but Chile is probably the most expensive country in SA. That said, for $2000 you could live like a king in SA for 2 weeks!

If you want to stretch your money you might think about Peru, Ecuador (I will make a personal plug for Cuenca in the south), Bolivia, or even Argentina.

If you want to practice your Spanish, Argentina or Chile wouldn't be my first choices. Spanish in Peru or Ecuador is much easier (imho).

"I'd really like someplace where little English is spoken, and someplace with not a lot of tourism."

I haven't seen Colombia mentioned yet, and while I was there, I heard it was considered one of the best countries in which to learn Spanish. Apparently they speak a certain way that differs from the others.

Plus, of course, people are still scared to travel there which keeps tourism at bay, but that is changing as the government is paying marketing companies to help get the word out.

I second the last poster. Colombia would be your best bet.
-If your budget is limited, Colombia is the closest destination from the US and you'll get the best deal on flights, either to Bogotá or Cartagena
-Spanish is Colombia has very clear pronunciation, and best Spanish accent.

I don't recommend Paraguay, as they speak just Guaraní between themselves and in homes... not the easiest place to learn the lingo, I think.

Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and Argentina have extremely strong accents and a LOT of slang that is not understood anywhere else.

For the most plain and simple, clear and pretty version of Spanish, I'd tell you to go for the Andean nations: Bolivia, Peru or Ecuador. You might consider a city like Santa Cruz in Bolivia, where there ain't too many tourists. Peru is however overcrowded with tourists in most places, though there are some places that aren't - Trujillo might be good. And in Quito, Ecuador there are lots of tourists, but you don't really come across them so much, as you'll be living in a residential area while doing your Spanish course.

The cheapest option is Guatemala.

I definitely wouldn't recommend Chile - while I adore the country it was the one place I went to where I barely understood a word the locals were saying, the accent is very strong and very different there.

Peru, Colombia or Guatemala would be a good bet for you I reckon, all speak relatively clearly, all quite cheap, and there are areas of each that aren't too touristy (for example,probably best to avoid Cartagena in Colombia, Antigua in Guatemala and Cusco in Peru if you don't want to be surrounded by tourists). I can highly recommend Xela in Guatemala, where I studied - cheap, very friendly, the cheapest place to learn, and not too many other foreigners.

I would second the last poster... in terms of costs, Guatemala would be your best bet. There are options where you can stay at the school,learn spanish during the day and the school arranges trips for you.

Colombia. Spend a couple of weeks in Medellin.

nightndawn wrote:Try Chile. Of all of South America, chileans speak the language as close to what one would expect in Espana.

Er, on what planet?