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<\/p>\nSouth America\u2019s Gringo Trail is a well-trodden path for good reason \u2013 it\u2019s brilliant. Nothing quite beats seeing the sun rise over Machu Picchu, or partying in Rio, but why limit your travels to the places you\u2019ve already seen in a million Instagram stories? There are thousands of alternative things to do in South America that allow you to escape the crowds, discover treasures and spread out that backpacker budget. Here are 15 awesome and alternative things to do in South America, so that when you head out on the trip of a lifetime, you know where to find the real magic.<\/p>\n
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\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@maessenva<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Rio Carnival is one of the best parties<\/a> on Earth, but did you know that Colombia<\/a>\u2019s version is even more raucous? Up on Colombia\u2019s Caribbean coast is the city of Barranquilla, and every February it explodes with a display of Colombian customs with a cheeky Caribbean twist. While a few in-the-know backpackers have caught on, it remains relatively unknown in traveller circles despite being the second largest carnival in the world. This means there\u2019s more chance to rub shoulders (or more likely booties) with locals. While the parades are excellent, it\u2019s the street parties centred around picos<\/em> (giant sound systems), that are the real winner.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@ugurarpaci<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t South America\u2019s<\/a> other-worldly landscapes aren\u2019t confined to Bolivia\u2019s<\/a> legendary Salt Flats. The equally-incredible Salar de Tara is ideal if you don\u2019t want to wait for other travellers to move out of the feckin\u2019 way before you can get the perfect snap. Salar de Tara is located at 4,300 metres above sea level within Los Flamencos National Reserve, home to the same stunning lagoons, mountains, salt flats and flamingos you find in Bolivia.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@diegojimenez<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Can\u2019t afford to fork out a couple of grand to visit the Galapagos? Join the club. Fortunately, South America has a couple more wallet-friendly<\/a> options which grant you access to astonishing wildlife without you having to take out a payday loan. Isla del Plata is home to flocks of blue and red-footed boobies, albatrosses and sea lions, plus snorkelling here reveals untouched reefs alive with colourful fish. From June to September, humpback whales have been known to wave hello to passing boats. Another of the best alternative things to do in South America for wannabe Attenboroughs is a visit to the Ballestas Islands near Pisco in Peru, where you can hang with dolphins, penguins and Peruvian pelicans.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@diogonp<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Iguazu and Angel Falls may make the cover of magazines, but Guyana\u2019s alternative is one of the most unique things to do in South America. Kaietur Falls boasts many an accolade: it\u2019s four times higher than Niagara and twice the height of Victoria Falls. It\u2019s also the world\u2019s largest single drop waterfall in terms of the volume of water flowing over it. One of the reasons it\u2019s so unknown is its remote location deep within Guyana\u2019s section of the Amazon in Kaietur National Park. The falls are only accessible by plane, but what an adventure!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@davidstanleytravel<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Surfers<\/a> have long been flocking to northern Peru and Ecuador to check out the waves, but did you know that Colombia\u2019s Pacific Coast rivals its neighbours in the south? This section of coast is wonderfully untouched, so whether you\u2019re paddling out or lounging around, you never have to worry about being in anyone\u2019s personal space. Prime hangouts in the region for those with surf skills include Cabo Corrientes, Playa Guachalito and Juanchaco if you\u2019re highly experienced \u2013 the waves here can be real monsters. Newbies are best heading to El Valle or El Almejal Beach, where you can take classes.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0The Humpback Turtle Hostel<\/em><\/p>\n When it comes to The Andes, the mountains get all the glory don\u2019t you think? But what about the canyons? The most jaw-dropping is Colca Canyon in Peru<\/a>, an enormous 3,270 metre hole in the earth almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. As well as being one of the best alternative things to do in South America, Colca is the regular stomping (or gliding) ground of Andean condors \u2013 the largest flying bird in the world, with a wingspan of three metres. Enjoy a day trip for bird watching and visiting the best lookouts, or hit the canyon floor with a 60-kilometre hike over two or three days. The trek is not for the weak of thigh but is worth the muscle pain for the natural hot springs, indigenous villages and unbelievable vistas.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0<\/span>@thewanderingcass<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Rather than Bolivia\u2019s Las Pampas or the Amazon, check out the Pantanal \u2013 the world\u2019s largest tropical wetlands. At around 75,000 square miles, the Pantanal is roughly the same size as the US state of Washington! The wetlands are located on a land-locked river delta and are called home by the highest concentration of wildlife on the continent \u2013 11,000 species in fact, including giant river otters, anacondas, jaguars, toucans and anteaters. It\u2019s also said to be home to more than 10 million caiman crocodiles. The major perk of the Pantanal is how visible the animals are. Unlike the jungle, there\u2019s nowhere to hide here, particularly during dry season.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span>\u00a0@dmadventure<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Lake Titicaca will never stop inspiring awe, but it\u2019s time for South America\u2019s second largest lake to step into the sun. Located in Patagonia<\/a>, General Carrera is so vast it\u2019s shared by both Chile and Argentina. Hop on a boat tour or in a kayak and explore the Marble Chapel Nature Sanctuary \u2013 a labyrinth of vibrant blue caves formed over 6,000 years by water erosion. Whether you opt to hike the shore, sail, or go horse riding or fishing, you\u2019re guaranteed a mesmerising backdrop.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7 @pabloheimlatz<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t got time to make it down to Torres del Paine, check out Huaraz where you can hike your socks off amidst snow-capped mountains and lakes so pretty they may bring a tear to your eye. This hiker heaven has treks suitable for all time scales and fitness levels, but be aware that the altitude takes some acclimatising to. Check out Laguna Paron and Laguna Churup, but if you\u2019re short on time, Laguna 69 is the<\/em> must-see spot.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span>\u00a0@karen.miles.161<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t While it\u2019s markedly more relaxed than the likes of Buenos Aires and Lima, there\u2019s still plenty to keep you entertained and a cool nightlife scene to explore in Montevideo. The city is full of hip barrios plastered in street art and full of boutiques, markets and great bars and caf\u00e9s. Montevideo also has some extraordinary beaches \u2013 check out the white sands of Playa Verde and Pocitos Beach, or Honda Beach if you want to surf (or hang out with surfers). Oh, and did I mention Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalise weed\u2026?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span>\u00a0@giuliano_alessandro11<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Rather than sourcing your adrenaline fix in Ba\u00f1os or Chile\u2019s Baker or Futaleufu Rivers, check out Tena \u2013 a town in the Amazon Basin, with two rivers boasting rapids ranging from Class 1 to Class 4. Around Tena there are caverns, waterfalls and backwaters to explore via kayak, or you could opt for some canyoning, a bungee jump or a spot of zip-lining. Tena is surrounded by National Parks and eco-reserves, so it\u2019s a great starting point for exploring Ecuador\u2019s wilderness.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span>\u00a0@jeniffermledbetter<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Rather than tackling the well-worn path of mountains<\/a> like Bolivia\u2019s Huayna Potosi or Cotopaxi in Ecuador, take on Chile’s Villarica Volcano \u2013 a perfect option for first-time mountaineers. The volcano is alive and kicking, so once you reach the peak at 1,400 metres, you\u2019ll be treated to the sight of bubbling lava in the crater below. Quite the photo op!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span>\u00a0@willianjusten<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t South America is full of tropical national parks, but Ambor\u00f3 secures the victory in terms of biodiversity. This little-known spot, one of my favourite alternative things to do in South America, is home to 900 species of bird and 177 mammals, including rare delights like spectacled bears, ocelots and pumas. This jungle paradise is known for its cloud forests, waterfalls, and fauna straight from the pages of a story book.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7<\/span>\u00a0@sanderlenaerts<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n1. Party hard at Carnaval de Barranquilla, Colombia<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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2. Be wowed by the Salar de Tara, Chile<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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3. Wildlife watch on Isla del Plata, Ecuador <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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4. Soar over<\/strong>\u00a0Kaietur Falls, Guyana <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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5. Hit the waves on Colombia’s\u00a0<\/strong>Pacific Coast<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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6. Get wobbly-kneed at\u00a0<\/strong>Colca Canyon, Peru<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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7. Have exotic animal encounters in The Pantanal, Brazil<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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8. Cruise across Lake General Carrera, Chile<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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9. Discover hiker’s heaven in<\/strong>\u00a0Huaraz, Peru<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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10. Hang with the cool kids in Montevideo, Uruguay<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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11. Get an adrenaline rush in\u00a0<\/strong>Tena, Ecuador<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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12. Climb Villarrica Volcano, Chile<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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13. Explore\u00a0<\/strong>Ambor\u00f3 National Park, Bolivia <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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