South America Archives - Daily Women Travel Tips | Trekity.com

Sizzling Secrets to Celebrate Carnaval in Rio Like a Pro…

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Carnaval in Rio

I’m Kate from San Diego, California.

Before I turned the BIG 30, I was in search for something… anything that was different from the mundane life and job I had at home.

I hit a subtle wall… but a wall nevertheless.

Having worked in odd jobs here and there, I wanted to make a major change.

So I quit my jobs and headed to South America!

Brazil had always been on my radar and I am so incredibly thankful that I chose her as my first stop. Brazil opened me up, made me vulnerable and taught me the life lessons I needed to learn along my journey.

And some of the best lessons and fun came from my time at Carnaval in Rio…

A Woman’s Journey Traveling Alone [Insert Horrified Reaction]…

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Megan Youngmee Traveling Alone at Red Laguna

Sola, alone, soledad, loneliness.

Some of these expressions don’t translate directly from English to Spanish.

When you look at Hispanic cultures where kids stay at their parent’s house until they’re married and live in small, cozy, shared spaces their entire lives, it makes sense that aloneness doesn’t translate directly, especially to an individualistic and private culture like the U.S.

A great example of this is the word WaQua that comes from the indigenous people of the central Andes in South America, including Peru and Bolivia.

WaQua (pronounced Wak-cha) means someone who is an island, someone who walks alone, someone who has lost their roots and even an orphan – depending on the locality. It’s the worst word Inkans could call someone. They find it so sad it’s not even mean. (BTW, Inkans don’t have cuss words, which I find simply amazing.)

How to Make Empanadas – A Recipe Straight from Argentina…

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How to Make Empanadas

Ever wondered how to make empanadas?

Or perhaps I should back up…

Ever wondered what an empanada is?

Well, we’ve got answers.

Empanadas are a meat stuff pastry that are SUPER popular in Argentina and Chile.

And better yet…

We have a delicious empanada recipe straight from an Argentinian woman we meet on our wine tasting tour in Mendoza. So without further ado, bring on the empanada!

Love Argentina Wine? Then Visit This Wine World Capital…

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Wine Tasting the Andes; Mendoza, Argentina

Careful: Argentina wine can spoil you for life.

It’s not just the wines – though Argentinian wines are very, very good – it’s the landscape.

Mendoza is a desert, but you’d probably never guess it.

Thanks to Andean snow melt, it remains lush and green year round, while fountains and irrigation canals run through the city center. Sycamore trees line the main square, which provide shade from the hot sun.

But what’s more striking is the view. The Andes mountain range looms over endless miles of vineyards, while rolling hills turn amber and crimson during autumn months.

It’s gorgeous! But back to the wines…

Underground Tombs; Tierradentro, Colombia

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Underground Tombs; Tierradentro, Colombia

Grave robbers.

Underground burial grounds.

Mysterious blood-colored wall paintings.

It’s all waiting for you at Tierradentro National Park. Shrouded in mystery, Tierradentro is an archeological wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site (1995) which should not be missed.

The park is known for its pre-Columbian funeral chambers, known as hypogea, which were unearthed during numerous excavations.

Since then, over 100 have been uncovered. Continue

Three Day Hike; Colca Canyon, Peru

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Three Day Hike; Colca Canyon, Peru

Oh? You’ve been to the Grand Canyon, eh?

Pretty big, you say?

Hardly.

Colca Canyon in Peru positively dwarfs the Grand Canyon. In fact, with depths reaching 3,400m (11,150 ft.) it is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.Continue

World’s Highest Wines; Tarija, Bolivia

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Wines; Tarija, Bolivia

Chilean and Argentine wines have been gaining popularity in the United States and European markets for the past decade.

Now – located just north of South America’s two largest wine producers – Bolivia is hoping to stake their claim on the global market.

They just might. Continue

Cruising Patagonia; Chile and Argentina

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Cruising Patagonia; Chile and Argentina

Welcome to the end of the world. Cruising through Patagonia’s fjords, you’ll weave in and around countless inlets, islands and channels as you head towards the very end of South America.

While it may feel isolated, you are not alone. Elephant seals and Magellanic penguins are popular in this area (October is nesting season for penguins; breeding season for seals) and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to observe them in their natural habitat.

Birdwatching & Wildlife; Iwokrama, Guyana

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Iwokrama, Guyana

The Iwokrama rainforest is one of South America’s most impressive and endearing natural wonders. Spanning over 371,000 hectares of virgin rainforest, it’s one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world and includes jaguars, otters, anteaters, eagles, caimans and snakes.

It’s also home to the Makushi people, who have lived here for generations.

Now here’s the thing: the Makushi people play a very important role in the Iwokrama’s preservation.

Very important.

Since the Iwokrama rainforest is not a national park – and therefore not funded by the government – its local residents and researchers must find creative ways to sustainably fund the area.

For example, the Makushi people welcome visitors to their village and share their traditions, ranging from cassava processing, singing, dancing, cultivation of medicinal plants and other aspects of their day to day lives.

And that’s just the beginning.

There are many outdoor activities to keep you busy. Below are the most popular…

Be Architecturally Astounded; Quito, Ecuador

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Quito

Arriving in Quito feels a little like getting out of the plane half way down and, in a way, with an elevation so high, you have.

The upside is that Quito is set amidst the peaks of the Andes and yet this isn’t the only impressive sight in city.

Quito Sights

The UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Quito’s Old Town is an Ecuadorian feast of century old churches and is packed with plazas. Give yourself a few days to explore the sights if for no other reason than to tackle the Andean-steep hills that separate them.

Strange Moonscapes; Valle de la Luna, Chile

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Strange Moonscapes; Valle de la Luna, Chile

Deep in the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert lies the Valle de la Luna (“Valley of the Moon”).

The name’s not an exaggeration.

Standing in the middle of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) – surrounded by a barren moonscape of silence – you can’t help but feel like you’re standing on the moon.Continue

Explore Coral Reefs in Los Roques,Venezuela

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Los Roques,Venezuela

Imagine hundreds of islands – almost 300 in total – spread across a short distance of the Caribbean sea, each one more pristine than the last.

You’ll find it off the northern coast of Venezuela at Los Roques Archipelago National Park.

Most of the islands are uninhabited, and only accessible by boat from Gran Roque, the big island of this expansive archipelago.

All the islands – along with its surrounding shores – were made a National Park in 1972 in order to protect its astounding beauty and prodigious wildlife which include mangrove trees, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Architecture & Romance; Popayan, Colombia

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Popayan, Colombia 2

Affectionately called “Ciudad Blanca” for its seemingly endless rows of white buildings, Popayán is second only to Cartagena in terms of colonial charm. It was once an important stopping point along trade routes from Cartagena to Quito, Ecuador.

Then in 1983, Popayán was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake. It took nearly twenty years to successfully rebuild the city and today, it’s more impressive than ever.

Star Gazing; San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

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Star Gazing; San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

After being confronted with millions of piercing lights on an ink blue canvas, you can’t help but gaze into far and away universes and think how insignificant life’s day-to-day activities really are.

San Pedro de Atacama is located in Chile’s Norte Chico northern region and is one of Chile’s hottest tourist towns. Literally. The town is found in the driest desert in the world (it reportedly hasn’t seen rain since 1870) but the rock formations here are stunning and it’s the perfect place to star-gaze since no artificial lights get in the way. Continue

A Cultural Melting Pot; Paramaribo, Suriname

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Paramaribo, Suriname

Paramaribo is arguably the cultural melting pot of South America. With indigenous South Americans, Dutch colonists, Chinese, Indonesians, and Indians blending together in Paramaribo there’s no question why UNESCO enlisted the colonial city a World Heritage Site in 2002. The rich historic city planning from the 17th and 18th centuries is primarily intact and the mixture of Dutch and traditional architecture is proudly displayed throughout the city.

Things to Do in Medellin, Colombia

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Medellin, Colombia

Pablo Escobar. Cocaine. Murder. These are probably the first things that spring to mind when you hear of Medellín.

If not… good for you. Because even though this northwestern Colombian city was once a center for drug cartels and once referred to as the “murder capital of the world,” it’s much, much safer now.

Seriously.

In terms of murder, Medellín now ranks behind both New Orleans and Washington DC, and thanks to recent improvements in education, commerce and the death of Pablo Escobar the city boasts a chic, cosmopolitan charm which rivals Bogota and Cartagena. Travelers are just now beginning to return here after Medellín’s dark history. Those who do will indeed be rewarded. Continue

Museum Tour; Santiago, Chile

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Museum Tour; Santiago, Chile

Whether you’re an artist, tourist, or just looking to escape a rainy day, the museums of Santiago are some of the best in the world. There’s no better way to understand a country than to view it through works of art. From political contemporary to Chilean fine arts, there’s something for everyone in Santiago’s art collections.Continue

Carnaval in Oruro, Bolivia

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Carnival in Oruro, Bolivia 3

Carnaval. The biggest celebration in the Americas… and while it may lack Rio’s hedonistism, the Carnaval de Oruro can certainly hold its own as one of South America’s best places to celebrate.

But first…

What Is Carnaval, Exactly?

Carnaval is a celebration prior to the beginning of Lent. And in case you’re wondering, Lent is the forty day period before Easter (Roman Catholics believe Jesus rose from the dead on Easter).

During Lent, Catholics (over 90% of Bolivia’s population) are expected to make sacrifices in honor of Jesus. The most common sacrifice is to avoid eating red meat. In Latin, the period before Lent was originally called “Carne Levare” which literally means “take away the meat.” Needless to say, people party hard before forty days of sacrifice. And now you can join in on the fun, whether you’re Catholic or not.

Dirty Dancing & High Art; Recife, Brazil

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Recife, Brazil

In a country known for music and dance, Recife is revered among Brazilians as one of the best places for both.

Its city center – surrounded by water on all sides – is a hard-edged collection of Afro-Brazilian dance clubs, while the more affluent suburb of Boa Viagem combines excellent nightlife with a long stretch of gold sand beach.

Party on.

Surfing, Architecture & Mummies; Arica, Chile

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Arica, Chile

This urban beach resort has two things going for it: excellent surf and its architecture. Perhaps the most famous piece of architecture is the San Marcos Church, which was (re)built by Alexandre Gustav Eiffel.

Yes, that Eiffel. Continue