South America pulses with amazing archaeological sites, pristine natural wonders and miles of beautiful sandy beaches. South America is steeped in history and you will see evidence of this at every turn. The people are vibrant and you will get caught up in the exciting musical scene that is the heartbeat of this energetic country.
North Peru
North Peru is a maze of archaeological ruins. Many date back to 1300 AD. Make sure to also visit Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian adobe city in the world. Take a guided tour of the Temples of the Sun and Moon at Huacas del Sol y de la Luna and visit Batan Grande & Chota where 50 pyramids have been found. If your son loves horse-riding, head to Rancho Santana where you can ride through the Pomac Forest and past the pyramids at Tucume.
Brazil
On the must see list in Brazil are the Christ the Redeemer Statue which overlooks Rio. Make sure to visit the legendary Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. Catch a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain and enjoy one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the world from the observation deck. The powerful Iguazu Falls is a formidable sight as 1.72 million gallons of water gush every second over these impressive falls. The people of Brazil are also sports mad!
Quito, Ecuador
The capital of Ecuador is a reminder of past colonial days. Head straight to the old town where, from the cobblestoned Plaza San Francisco, you can view the ancient Monastery of San Francisco. If your son prefers to see something newer, take him to Valqano Park, which is actually located in the Pichincha Volcano. This is a giant amusement park and you can take a cable car ride to Cruz Loma which will give you a magnificent view of the city.
Galapagos Islands
Belonging to Ecuador, travel back in time to this cluster of unique islands. These islands are home to thousands of animals and many of these species exist nowhere else on this planet. Your son will love seeing giant tortoises, four eyed fish and enormous lizards. Tourists flock to this UNESCO World Heritage Site where the theory of evolution was discovered by scientist Charles Darwin.
The Amazon
Spend quality family time with a cruise down the legendary Amazon River. Your son can enjoy the organised activities, the education and excursions all from your Amazon riverboat. You will have to get used to the sound of the jungle with primates and birds boisterously competing to be heard. Children will delight in seeing the pink dolphins and the hard working leaf cutter ant. Try your hand at paddling a dugout canoe or take a guided hike through this remarkable jungle.
The only drawback to travelling to South America with your son is that you will run out of time to see everything! Cruiseabout Australia has some great ideas for visiting South America. There is so much to see and so much to do. A journey to South America will be filled with fun but will also be educational. Travel is the best experience children can have. Visiting other cultures and speaking to the local people is something your child should not miss out on.
