Resorts in South America. Hotels in South America. Natural Bridges Beach, Santa Cruz, California

home

If you find yourself in the United States, you don't have to travel far to be on the beach. America has many beautiful places where you can enjoy the waves and sand. Where should you go first when spending your holidays in the USA?

Hanauma Bay, Honolulu, Hawaii This bay was formed as a result volcanic activity . While relaxing here you can get acquainted with a huge amount

a variety of fish and marine animals that thrive because the area is protected.

Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, California

The beach near Huntington is known not only for the quality of its waves, but also for their consistency. This spot is ideal for surfers of all skill levels.

Pensacola, Santa Rosa Island, Florida

This beach is located on an island, one of many barrier islands along the Gulf of Mexico. This place is considered one of the most stunning, if you are lucky you might even spot a dolphin in the clear blue waters.

Gay Head, Aquinnah, Massachusetts

Located in the southern part of the Martha's Vineyard region, this beach is especially impressive due to the beautiful cliffs that rise above the sand. These rocks are distinguished by very bright colors.

Elder Lane, Hilton Head, South Carolina

This is one of the least known beaches in the US, so here you can enjoy peace and quiet while relaxing on the white sand. Hilton Head is an island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. The island has a variety of recreational options, from golf to gardens and museums.

Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

This beach is far from the only one on Kauai, but it is worth highlighting because of its breathtaking scenery. The bright green mountains provide a stunning backdrop. Your vacation photos will captivate everyone.

Siesta Beach, Siesta Key, Florida

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the beach attracts vacationers with its sand. Here it consists of almost one hundred percent quartz, which makes the beach white and incredibly clean. In addition, such sand remains cool, even if the sun heats up everything around it.

There is a busy walking path along the beach, and the beach itself stretches for more than twenty kilometers. There is an ideal holiday option for any person. Of course there are a lot of tourists here, but you will still have a great time.

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

This is a unique corner of America, which is protected and protected by the National Park Service. This means you'll be able to see miles of unspoiled coastline, lined with saltwater marshes, an ancient lighthouse and rich wildlife.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California

If you want to see more than just the beach, Big Sur is the place for you. This place looks like a picture from a postcard. Hiking will take you to waterfalls, an abundance of greenery, steep but incredibly beautiful rocks. There is a chance that you will see otters or dolphins in the water.

Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

This iconic crescent-shaped beach has a long history as one of the most popular beach destinations in the United States. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the volcano's crater while sipping a cocktail or surfing.

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia

This beach serves as a “cemetery” for trees: all the sand is covered with trunks carried by water, the branches of which seem alien. The beach is located on Jekyll Island, one of the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia.

Caladesi Island National Park, Dunedin, Florida

One of Florida's least explored parks and quite difficult to get to, Caladesi requires a ferry ride. It's a small island, but the beach here is beautiful, deserted and covered in shells.

Beach in Ogunquit, Maine

This beach is surrounded by grass and dunes. Visitors to this area should keep a close eye on the tide as the beach virtually disappears when the water rises. At low tide, sand spits appear here.

Myrtle Beach, Southern California

This place is one of a series of beautiful beaches along the entire coast of Southern California. There are excellent opportunities for families with children: adults can play golf, and children will enjoy the amusement park.

Natural Bridges Beach, Santa Cruz, California

There are two reasons to visit this place. Firstly, there are unique rock formations here, and secondly, you can admire the migration of butterflies during the season.

Beach in Clearwater, Florida

The waters here are warm thanks to coastal currents and there is a resort town nearby. You'll find entertainment options for everyone!

Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii

One of Maui's most famous beaches is also the first state-planned resort. There are many luxury hotels nearby. You can enjoy a wonderful massage right on the sand.

Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan

Only local residents have heard about these lands, which does not make this corner of nature any less charming. This is a great destination for a family holiday: children will love playing in the high sand dunes, and adults will enjoy incomparable views.

Bill Buggs Cape National Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

Tourists love the beaches of Miami, but locals prefer the greener and quieter corners of this park and the quiet, secluded beach. Be sure to look at the lighthouse; it is the oldest building in the region.

Kaunaoa Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

This is a little known beach located right in front of the old hotel. Expect sparkling white sand, coconut trees and excellent snorkeling opportunities. But keep in mind that there are only forty parking spaces at the beach, so you'll have to hurry to get a spot!

Main Beach in East Hampton, New York

This is a beach that is definitely worth seeing if you find yourself in the area. Here amazing views, the sand is incredibly smooth, the waves of the Atlantic are charming. You won't regret if you go here!

Coronado Public Beach, California

The warm, calm waters off Coronado make it one of the most popular destinations in the country. You'll love it here if you like long walks on the beach. Coronado is wide and long, you can even walk your dog here.

Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington

Located off Washington's rugged coastline, the beach offers incredible scenery. You will have to walk here, but all the effort is definitely worth it: the view will make you instantly forget about fatigue.

Sandy Neck, West Barnstable, Massachusetts

This is one of Cape Cod's longest beaches and boasts beautiful dunes, picturesque forest and marshes. Every nature lover will be captivated by the beauty of this unique place.

Despite the fact that the USA is not considered by our tourists as a beach destination, South part The country has great potential for beach tourism, if only because the United States is washed by oceans on both sides. Traveling to the USA is an excellent opportunity to combine several types of recreation at once and diversify your trip, including a beach holiday. Once in the USA, you should not miss the opportunity to relax on the vast sandy beaches, do aquatic species sports and plunge into the idle atmosphere of doing nothing. Today we will tell you about the best resort places and the best beaches in the country. Our selection includes both island and continental destinations: we debunk the myth that the USA, as a destination, is not suitable for a beach holiday.

Beaches of Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are the 50th state of the United States and are located in the Pacific Ocean 4,000 km from Los Angeles (the closest starting point on the continent). Hawaii is considered a favorite vacation destination for Americans themselves. Just as we say that every resident of the country has vacationed in Sochi at least once in his life, in America it is considered good form to vacation at least once in his life in Hawaii.

Since the contingent here is mainly local, the resort cannot be called cheap. It’s impossible to find apartments on the first coastline at a reasonable price. However, if you do not chase the prestige of hotels located right on the beaches, then you will find a budget option it becomes easier. As a rule, a more economical accommodation option can be found if you choose small apart-hotels or apartments rather than chain hotels designed for a large number of guests.

The Hawaiian archipelago includes 6 islands, but Oahu is considered the most suitable for a beach holiday; it is here that the most famous beach of the Hawaiian Islands, Waikiki, is located. In addition to doing nothing on the beach, here in Waikiki you can do a variety of sports, including. surfing (the beach is considered great place for beginners), canoeing, snorkeling, scuba diving, yachting, and even shark watching!

But it’s hard to find a better beach holiday than Oahu. In addition to Waikiki, excellent beaches here include Hanauma Bay, Lanikai, Waimea Bay and Kahana Bay. The latter, by the way, is included in the list best beaches world, thanks to its authenticity and location near the mountains.

Daniel Ramirez/flickr

Los Angeles is considered not only the city of angels (due to its name), but also the city of beaches. Located on the West Coast Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles has one of the most powerful potentials in the beach industry, and although the place is considered one of the most popular in the world for beach holidays, the opportunities here remain almost limitless.

Please note that Los Angeles is a large urban agglomeration and for a beach holiday you need to choose specific areas that are adjacent to the ocean. The names of such beach places as Venice Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Long Beach are known far beyond the borders of the United States. Each of these beaches specializes in something different: Venice Beach is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, Malibu for its surfer beach, Long Beach for its democratic atmosphere, and the beach towns of Santa Monica and Santa Barbara for their restaurant piers and boardwalks.

Staying in small aparthotels will be cheaper than staying in huge chain hotels. There are not many budget accommodation options in Los Angeles, especially by the sea, but if you wish, you can find relatively economical options. Of all the areas listed, the most affordable will be the Venice Beach area, and it is worth looking for housing there if you are on a budget.

It is worth noting that the water in these places is rarely gentle and calm. Despite the fact that the coast is washed by the PACIFIC ocean, these places cannot be called quiet; on the contrary, the local beaches are more suitable for surfing than for leisurely swimming. But, of course, lovers of a relaxing holiday can also find secluded lagoons for themselves.

The Los Angeles coastline is more than just a resort, it's a lifestyle. Many people come here not so much to relax, but to hang out. The party here is in full swing around the clock. Many state residents sometimes move from east coast for the Western, to find yourself in an atmosphere of eternal holiday (or idle pastime). Whatever you say, Los Angeles is a city where dreams come true free artists, while New York is where white-collar dreams come true.

Damian Gadal/flickr

Key West Beaches

The island of Key West, located off the East Coast of the United States, is well known in narrow circles, while little is known about it outside the United States. Mostly locals vacation in Key West; there are relatively few foreigners here. What can we say if even US presidents prefer to have their “dachas” here.

Key West's beaches are characterized by long sandy shoals, some of which are located within national parks, such as Dry Tortugas. However, there are no hotels in the national park, so you can come here only for the day, or spend the night at a campsite. The hotel base is located along the Caribbean coast, where Smathers Beach is considered the best beach. The long sandy beach of Smathers Beach is like no other in the United States, like a piece of paradise on the Bounty.

It is better to start monitoring hotels in Key West in advance, since the price category of the local hotels is designed for US citizens, i.e. above average. During the season, you will have to work hard to find a budget accommodation option.

All sorts of “bohemian” lovers, free artists and writers loved to stay in Key West; Hemingway also had his home here (now there is a memorial museum here). Relatively recently, Key West “became closer” to the continent due to the fact that it was connected to the state of Florida by a road bridge, so you can now get here not only by air and water, but also by land.

Ed Schipul/flickr

Miami sounds like music to a weary traveler. Miami is much more popular among Russian tourists than any other corner of the United States, and all thanks to the moderate tropical climate, warm waters of the Atlantic (thanks to the warm Gulf Stream) and the large number of compatriots who once took root here. Beach season here lasts all year round - and this is also good news for tourists.

Miami beaches are smooth, gently sloping sandbanks. Each of Miami's public beaches is equipped with everything you need: special exits, toilets, showers, a security system, you can rent umbrellas and sun loungers. The main feature of Miami beaches is that, although they are free, they remain clean and well-groomed. Among the beaches of Miami, Miami Beach stands apart, glorified in many songs and literary works.

If you want something less crowded, you can head to South Beach, which is located a short walk from Ocean Drive. In general, there are a lot of beaches in Miami, and all of them are not very different in their characteristics: the same white sandy beach, equipped recreation areas, promenades, good weather and an excellent place for swimming in every sense, so we’ll just list the names of popular beaches in Miami: Ball Harbor, Matson Hammock, Lumus Park Beach, Crandon Park Beach, Virginia Key Beach and others. Whichever one you choose, you won't be disappointed.

Find in Miami budget place Accommodation is easier than on the West Coast, but it is recommended not to neglect the rule of searching and booking hotels in advance. Renting apartments has become especially popular in Miami. For an adequate price you can find apartments with sea views and excellent infrastructure.

Mohmed Althani/flickr

Are you wondering why Puerto Rico's beaches are on our secret list of the best beaches in the US? It's simple: Puerto Rico is a territory freely joined to the United States, and if so, it belongs in our ranking!

The beaches of Puerto Rico are entirely exotic places with coconut palms and snow-white sands. Among the US resorts, this one stands apart; after all, Puerto Rico belongs to the Lesser Antilles, which means that the landscape here is no longer continental, but island. Puerto Rico is located in the typical tropics, washed by the Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other.

The most popular beaches for relaxation are Playa del Puerto Rico, Playa de los Amadores and Playa del Cura. All of them surprisingly resemble the paradises of our planet. These beaches are equipped with everything necessary, including even breakwaters. The landscape of Puerto Rico is such that it is better to swim here in equipped places, since on wild beaches there is always a risk of getting hurt on the corals (it’s not for nothing that the island is located in Caribbean waters). For surfing, the best beaches are Punta las Marias, Marias Beach and Punta Higuero. The coast of Vieques Island is suitable for snorkeling and diving.

Ron Reiring/flickr

How to get to the best beach resorts in the USA?

From Russia you can get to any of the listed destinations with a transfer in New York. For example, you can fly to Honolulu (Hawaii) on local airlines. Nonstop flights from New York to Honolulu are operated by Hawaiian Airlines and United. Many airlines fly non-stop to Los Angeles from New York, with up to 50 flights per day.

Airlines flying from LA to NY will take you to your destination in 5.5-6 hours, from the east coast to the west (United, Jet Blue, Virgin America). You can get to Key West in 4.5 hours, but with a short transfer in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Flights are operated by United, American Airlines and Spirit. You can get to Miami in 3 hours with American Airlines. You can also fly non-stop to San Juan (the capital of Puerto Rico) in 4 hours with the flagship airline American Airlines.

Practical and eventful travels to you!

Holidays in South America are quite an extravagant way to spend your holiday. The countries of this continent are hot, temperamental and very interesting. Rich culture, picturesque landscapes, mountains and plains, deserts, wild tropical forests and unforgettable beauty of reservoirs, rivers and waterfalls.

Yes, a holiday in South America is a fairy tale in reality, which will appeal to those who like to lie on the beach, and to avid night-dwellers, and to extreme travelers.

Brazil highlights

Elitist beach holiday in South America rightfully belongs to Brazil: largest state South America. What is worth seeing and visiting:

• luxurious beaches and hotels on the coast: Copacabana, Lebnon and Iponema;
• Rio de Janeiro and its famous statue of Christ on top of the mountain with stunning views of the area below;
• extreme tour to the Amazon with a special guide;
• the seasonal carnival in Rio, known to us for its exotic beauties in stunning colorful costumes and a fantastic show program;
• the world's largest football stadium;
• the famous "Sugar Loaf". The top of Mount Guanabara;
• colonial churches and monasteries;
• national museums.

Argentina: must-sees

Argentina is no less interesting as a holiday in South America for Russians; it annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world:

• luxurious Buenos Aires will delight lovers of nightclubs and social life;
• the picturesque province of Saita Cruz and the mysterious Tierra del Fuego will be an excellent holiday destination for lovers of magical landscapes and nature;
• Argentina's endless white sand coastline will provide an unforgettable beach holiday in South America.

What to see in Peru and Chile

These countries classically attract romantics and naturalists, as the culture local residents still has strong echoes of previous millennia. Tourists eat in Peru every year to appreciate all the beauty, power and grandeur of the lost Inca civilization.

Chile will reveal incredible landscapes where films about prehistoric times were filmed. These countries are known for their special culture, incredible history and picturesque nature, all of which can be observed on numerous and not particularly expensive excursions.

Holidays in South America in the countries of Peru and Chile are:

• excursions to remote places on the planet, through mountains and valleys;
• traditional food prepared according to recipes from the pre-Christian era;
• ancient cities of civilizations gone by;
• rare and valuable items made by local craftsmen.

If you have always dreamed of an unforgettable and enchanting journey, where history and modernity are subtly and beautifully intertwined, then a holiday in South America will be ideal.

Prices for most services and entertainment in the countries of this continent are quite low, most The cost of any tour is air travel.

In addition, most of these states support a visa-free regime for citizens Russian Federation. Relax wisely, profitably and comfortably!
_

As you follow in the footsteps of Columbus to discover America, don’t forget to soak up its popular and famous beaches! And to save your time, we have prepared a list of the “best places” on the shores of North and South America that you definitely need to see and visit.

Beach holidays in the USA are famous primarily for two sunny states: California and Florida, which are located in opposite parts of the country. And this could be a great opportunity to compare these two different coasts!

We recommend comparing prices for hotels in America on websitesHotels Booking Expedia Ostrovok Priceline

The East Coast of the USA is washed by Atlantic Ocean. Miami Beach is rightfully considered the most popular resort in the Atlantic. 40 km of coastline and the proximity of the famous metropolis make the resort fantastically diverse, suitable for the tastes of absolutely every vacationer.

You can feel the American atmosphere at Daytona Beach. This is a favorite spot for bikers as parking is allowed on the sand of the beach. That's why it's always fun here.

But for real beauty and “ beach paradise"You need to go to the Florida Keys. This is an archipelago consisting of 1,700 coral islets and reefs. What may also be unusual and impressive is that this entire chain is connected by a 180-kilometer highway, which in no way affects the comfort and privacy of vacationers.

Let's move to the West, to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, directly to Los Angeles. The best beach in this metropolis is Venice Beach. It is famous for its white sand, branchy palm trees and endless promenade.

You can easily escape from the noise of the huge city in one of the bays of Laguna Beach. At the same time, the resort has several large and wide beaches.

Densely populated and not entirely safe, Mexico has long understood how to lure tourists! And for this, the Mexicans did not have to work hard; it was enough to improve the already amazing beaches and build upscale hotels. The city of Cancun has succeeded in this regard. This is the most popular resort in Mexico! But, despite the high importance of Cancun, modern tourists try to settle in younger and less crowded resorts, such as Playa del Carmen or Tulum, next to which is the ancient Mayan port. Well, the palm beach with white sand in the village of Akumal is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.

We recommend searching and booking cheap air tickets to countries in North and South America on the following services: Aviasales.ru Skyscanner.ru Priceline.com

Of course, the Yucatan Peninsula, washed by the Caribbean Sea, has long been considered a tourist Mecca for lovers of Mexican beach holidays, but don’t discount the famous resort on the Pacific coast of Acapulco, which was damn popular in the 50s and 60s!

Do you want your own beach? Bahamas can give you this opportunity! True, for a while and for decent amounts. Most inhabitants of the planet associate the Bahamas with a successful and carefree life associated with luxurious vacations and stunning exotic nature. And let those who disagree with this stay home! The most popular resorts in the country are its capital Nassau, which is located on the island of New Provedance, as well as the entire island of Grand Bahama, off the coast of which you can find striped sharks. One of the best beaches in the archipelago is located on the island of Eleuthera. The main fishing spot is Andros Island. But don't let the smell of fish scare you. First of all, Andros is mangrove forests, centuries-old pine trees and tens of kilometers of wild beaches. Surprisingly not very popular, but very beautiful, Long Island provides excellent diving opportunities. In its central part there is a 202-meter depression.

Let's fly further! Dominican Republic! The resorts of this country, in addition to high-quality service, excellent sea and fine, flour-white sand, are famous for coconut palms and beautiful girls! And the second is not an exaggeration at all! Natives Dominican Republic regularly take prizes in such grandiose competitions as “Miss World” and “Miss Universe”!

The country's best beaches are located in the tourist region of Punta Cana. The most beautiful lagoon with a coral reef is located near the capital of the republic, Santa Domingo, in the resort of Boca Chica. Large complex, which includes more than 100 km of beaches, is located in Puerto Plata.

You should not miss the opportunity to visit the “Island of Liberty” before US businessmen pour into the most socialist country in the Caribbean - Cuba! Of course, most vacationers who visit this marvelous tropical island, staying in their expensive hotels and drinking imported drinks, have no idea about Cuban authenticity and preserved uniqueness. But for a traveler who likes to feel the spirit of the country he is visiting, it is important to catch the traditional features. For such wanderers, a holiday in Havana itself and its surroundings, for example, on Guanabo Beach, is a good choice. Mostly locals spend time here, which may indicate low prices for infrastructure. But the most popular resort in Cuba is Varadero. For luxury and chic, people mostly go to the elite resort area of ​​Holguin. And the best beaches are on tiny islands such as Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco or Cayo Levina.

What can you say about the relaxing rhythms of reggae and the birthplace of Bob Marley? Of course, we are talking about Jamaica! And yes, there are great beaches and exotic nature there too! For example, the resort of Port Antonio is known for its tranquility and pristine nature; in addition to beaches, it has beautiful waterfalls. Monego Bay is considered the most popular resort in Jamaica. Many hotels in this region have their own beaches. Negril is considered the best beach on the island. If you want to visit your hometown everyone famous performer, then you need to go to Runaway Bay. Near this place there is another famous resort - Ocho Rios. It is popular because huge cruise ships regularly enter its harbor.

You can easily watch the sunrise on the Atlantic coast and spend the sun on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica! The peculiarity of holidays in this country is the unhurried life of the local residents, which, in principle, is not very typical for noisy Latin America. And you can feel the atmosphere of leisure at excellent resorts! Two beautiful beaches, Punta Uva and Puerto Vargas, are located on the Caribbean side. West Side The country is famous for such a resort as Playa Jaco with black sand. The best beach on the Pacific coast is Playa Carrillo.

So we smoothly moved to the sunny lands of South America. And if you try not to pay attention to the multi-million dollar business of the drug lords, and focus only on the best beaches of the mainland, then you need to go straight to Colombia! And you can believe that as soon as you get to this country, you will immediately forget about the endless chatter and clinging stereotypes about its dark affairs. The first step is to go to the most popular resort with perfectly preserved colonial architecture - Cartagena. There are some great beaches here, such as Bocagrande, La Boquilla and the entire island of Tierrabomba. But undoubtedly the best beach in Colombia is Playa Blanca, which is located away from the bustling resort life.

Colombia also has several islands in the Caribbean that are closer to Nicaragua and Costa Rica than to Colombia itself. However, the beaches of these islands are included in the ranking of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean. They are called San Andres and Providencia (Isla de Providencia). You can only get to them by plane, either from Colombia, Costa Rica or Panama.

Let's move to the “land of wild monkeys”! Undoubtedly the most popular Brazilian resort, which has a series of many kilometers of beaches, is the city of Rio de Janeiro! Copacabana is the number one beach in the world for the number of parties and vacationers. A slightly less famous, but no less popular beach on the Rio coast is Ipanema. There are also places for solitude in the vicinity of the city, for example, the tiny beach of Arpoador, Vermelha or Prainha. It is worth mentioning the place with the most important postcard view - Botafogo, which is visible from the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer, which, in turn, is " business card" Rio de Janeiro.

The longest beach in the country is in Barra da Tijuca. This is a wealthy area of ​​Rio, where mostly celebrities and businessmen live. The length of the beach is 18 km.

When talking about the beaches of Brazil, one cannot fail to mention the island of Fernando de Noronha. Unfortunately, it can only be reached from nearby cities. But for lovers of stunning nature and unforgettable views, this is unlikely to seem an insurmountable obstacle.

South America is the fourth largest continent on Earth. Its length from north to south is more than 7,000 km, from west to east - about 5,000, and total area reaches 17.8 km². Most of the mainland is in Southern Hemisphere. The total number of inhabitants is more than 385 million people: according to this indicator, South America ranks fourth among the continents. But if we discard the dry facts, one thing can be said: this is a whole world, unknown, bright, alluring and frightening at the same time. Each country on this continent deserves the closest study, the most curious tourists and the most enthusiastic reviews.

Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo

How to get there

The cost of air travel to South American countries varies significantly on regular days and during sales periods. If a regular ticket can cost on average 1700-2000 USD, then sale and promotional tickets can be purchased with a discount of up to 50%. The most profitable option for Russians is to purchase a ticket to Venezuela (the cheapest can be purchased for 500-810 USD on days of maximum discounts). Or fly to relatively large Caribbean countries, such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic, from where you can travel to the mainland by domestic airlines.

If you have time and money, you can arrange an unforgettable ocean trip: a boat trip to Buenos Aires will cost 1500-2000 EUR. Such a voyage will take much more time than a flight, because most often it is not just a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, but a full-fledged cruise calling at ports in Europe and Central America.

Transport in South America

Air travel within the continent is quite expensive, but cruise travel by sea is widespread (the cost depends on the class of the liner). Railways They are used primarily for cargo transportation - there are very few passenger trains, but bus service is very common. Traveling by bus, of course, is less comfortable, but very economical (prices vary depending on the country and destinations - tourist or domestic). In addition, car rentals are very cheap here.

Weather

IN different parts South America has different climates. In the north there is an equatorial zone with maximum high temperatures in January, in the south there is a frosty polar zone. This is where you can celebrate the New Year in a bikini under the scorching sun, and then go to a more familiar climate zone on ski resort in the Andean highlands. In the south of the continent, plump king penguins are walking around with might and main - Antarctica is close!

Hotels

If you find yourself in South America for the first time and are accustomed to international class of service, choose large hotel chains (preferably international). Their rooms cost from 50-90 USD per night. Students and exotic lovers often stay in small hotels or private apartments - the cost can start from 15-20 USD per day. Appearance and accommodation amenities will depend on the country, proximity to popular resorts and personal luck. Prices on the page are as of October 2018.

Iguazu Falls

South American countries

Venezuela- a state in the north of South America, washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is the city of Caracas. Here there are conditions for a beach holiday - luxurious beaches of the Caribbean coast, a fashionable secluded holiday on Margarita Island, and for active: national park Avila near Caracas, Amazonian jungle, the highest waterfall on the planet - Angel, the longest in the world cable car 12.6 km long and the country's highest mountain peak - Pico Bolivar (4981 m).

Guyana- a state on the northeastern coast of South America. The capital is Georgetown. Almost 90% of the country is covered by humid jungle. It is precisely because of the unfavorable conditions for tourism in the traditional sense that Guyana is visited primarily by ecotourists. They are fond of the waterfalls of the Guiana Highlands, the Pacaraima mountains, National parks Kaieteur and Iwokrama, where visitors learn the wisdom of rafting, and also go hiking and horseback riding through the Rupununi savannahs.

Guiana(or French Guiana listen)) is the largest overseas region of France, located in northeastern South America. A French visa is required to enter Guiana. The administrative center is the city of Cayenne. 96% of the country's territory is occupied by tropical forests - this region is one of the most forested and environmentally friendly in the world. Tourist centers and villages of local residents are concentrated in the coastal strip, while the central areas are practically deserted.

Colombia- a state in the north-west of South America, named after the great traveler. The capital is Bogota. Russians are allowed visa-free entry into Colombia for up to 90 days. This country is famous for its historical heritage, many museums and an amazing fusion European culture, brought Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century, and Indian, still carefully preserved in some areas of the country. Colombia has stunning nature: national parks, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the Amazon River, palm valleys and coffee plantations.

Paraguay called the heart of America, since this country is landlocked. Its population has retained its originality: the Indian dialect Guarani is here state language on par with Spanish. The capital is Asuncion. "Guiana" is translated from Guaranese as " great river" - this refers to the Rio Paraguay (the third largest and longest river on the continent), dividing the country into the arid Gran Chaco plain and the humid areas between the Rio Paraguay and Rio Alta Parana rivers. The country has been favored by ecotourists and connoisseurs of superbly preserved architectural monuments from the period of the Jesuit state.

Peru- a state on the west coast of South America. The capital is Lima. Fans of antiquities know Peru as the site of the Inca settlement - the Inca state of Tawantinsuyu was the largest empire of pre-Columbian America and still remains a mystery to ethnographers and archaeologists. Here is the famous Machu Picchu, which has become one of the new wonders of the world, and landscapes with the mysterious Nazca Lines, the origin of which scientists still cannot explain. In total, Peru has more than 180 museums and many archaeological parks, lost in the valleys of the Andes.

Visa-free entry into Peru is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.

Suriname- a state in the northeast of South America. The capital is Paramaribo. People come here in search of ecotourism in unusual places: tropical forests, Atabru, Kau, Wanotobo waterfalls, the Galibi Nature Reserve, the Sipaliwini region, which occupies most of the territory, and the Trio, Acurio and Wayana Indian reservations.

Uruguay- a state in the southeast of South America. The capital is Montevideo. If you want to relax on the beach, visit Uruguay between January and April. Connoisseurs of colonial architecture will certainly enjoy the sights of Cologna and Montevideo. Every year, a month and a half before Easter, two days before Lent, Catholics in Uruguay host a colorful carnival.

Visa-free entry into Uruguay is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.

Chile- a state in the southwest of South America, occupying a long strip from the Pacific coast to the highlands of the Andes. The capital is Santiago. In Chile, balneological tourism is common (33 sanatoriums with water and mud therapy), beach holidays (Arica, Iquique, Valparaiso regions), as well as travel to the national parks of La Campana, Torres del Paine, to Lake San Rafael, to the towns of Altiplano and San Pedro and, of course, to the famous Easter Island. For lovers alpine skiing- 15 resorts with slopes from the most extreme to simple.

Ecuador is located in the north-west of the mainland and gets its name from the Spanish “equator”. The capital is Quito. Special attention famous not only for its fauna, but also for its fantastic beaches, the Galapagos Islands, Oriente National Park and a trip to the Amazon, the El Kayas region with 200 lakes and lagoons, a monument deserve ancient culture Ingapirca and museums of the colonial and pre-colonial eras in Quito.

A visa-free regime has been introduced for Russian tourists to visit Ecuador for up to 90 days.

In addition, South America includes the disputed island territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), which are still disputed by Great Britain and Argentina. Tourists arrive to the islands as part of cruise tours. The most common activities are mountaineering, hiking and kayaking. The Falkland Islands (Malvinas) are places almost forgotten by tourists. Their climate is similar to that of Iceland: cold, strong winds, and not only seagulls, but also plump king penguins scurry along the coast.

Nature of South America

After the breakup of the Gondwana continent at the end Cretaceous period to Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America, the latter remained a separate continent. The Isthmus of Panama, which connects what is now North and South America, appeared about three million years ago, significantly influencing the flora and fauna of the continent.

The variety of landscapes and climatic zones amazes the tourist’s imagination. The Andes, the world's longest mountain range, is also called the "ridge" of South America, stretching almost its entire length for 9 thousand km. The highest peaks - Aconcagua (6960 m) in Argentina and Ojos del Salado (6908 m) are covered with snow all year round. The movement of the earth's crust in this region, which continues to this day, causes earthquakes and eruptions of active volcanoes.

The famous Amazon flows here, the second largest river on the planet, always full of water thanks to its numerous tributaries. On its banks rise the endless Amazonian jungle, so dense that some parts of it remain unexplored to this day.

The Amazon jungle is called the “lungs of the planet.”

In contrast to the Amazon rainforest, the mainland has one of the driest places on the planet, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Argentina and Uruguay have hot and dusty pampa steppes.

There are vast lakes, high waterfalls, and rocky islands in South America. The continent is washed from the north warm waters Caribbean Sea, while its southernmost point - the island of Tierra del Fuego - is subject to frequent storms of the cold Atlantic Ocean.