Explore South America: 7 Countries Travel Guide & Itinerary Tips

Ultimate South America Travel Guide + Itineraries + Real Photos, Updated in Sync!
If you’re dreaming of a South American adventure, make sure to bookmark this guide!

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Overview of South America:
South America is a vibrant continent comprising 12 countries: Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Guyana, and Suriname. Each country offers unique landscapes, cultures, and experiences.

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Visa Information:
– **Bolivia**: Chinese passport holders can get a visa on arrival.
– **Argentina**: If you have a US visa, you can apply for an electronic visa.
– **Uruguay**: Enjoy 90 days visa-free with a US, UK, or Schengen visa.
– **Venezuela**: Tourist visas are challenging to obtain; plan ahead and apply in advance.

– **Colombia**: Travel visa-free with a Schengen, US visa, or Hong Kong passport.
– **Ecuador & Suriname**: Chinese passport holders can enter visa-free (passport must be valid for at least 6 months).
– **Chile**: Transit visa-free if you stay in the airport for up to 24 hours.
– **Peru**: Visa-free entry if you hold a visa or permanent residency from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, or a Schengen member country, with a maximum stay of 180 days.

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Pre-Trip Essentials
– **Daily Necessities**: Sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella, and mosquito repellent.
– **Clothing**: Pack according to the season of your trip.
– **Electronic Devices**: Charger, power bank, adapter, and camera.
– **Medications**: Bring fever reducers, stomach medicine, motion sickness pills, altitude sickness medication, allergy medicine, and any personal medications.

– **Toiletries**: Most hotels in South America do not provide toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath towels, or slippers, so it’s best to bring your own.

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Seasonal Differences and Dressing Tips in South America
– **Spring (September – November)**
– **Summer (December – February)**
– **Autumn (March – May)**
– **Winter (June – August)**

The Amazon rainforest is teeming with mosquitoes, so avoid wearing brightly colored clothing. For the many hiking spots across South America, it’s recommended to wear sturdy hiking shoes and a windbreaker.

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Useful Apps
– **Translation**: iTranslate
– **Ride-hailing**: Uber, DiDi, Lyft
– **Navigation**: Google Maps
– **Accommodation**: Booking.com

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Languages
– **Brazil**: Portuguese
– **Bolivia**: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
– **Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay**: Spanish

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Currency Exchange Rates (to USD)
– **Peru**: 1 USD = 3.8 Peruvian Sol
– **Chile**: 1 USD = 128 Chilean Peso
– **Brazil**: 1 USD = 5.7 Brazilian Real
– **Uruguay**: 1 USD = 42 Uruguayan Peso
– **Argentina**: 1 USD = 1071 Argentine Peso
– **Colombia**: 1 USD = 4170 Colombian Peso

If you have any travel plans or questions, feel free to leave a comment and ask!