Things to do in South America

WilcoOut

any hot spots, must sees or hidden gems you would like to share?

Paolo1982

get a lonely planet first maybe!?

bamboozle

all of Argentina especially Iguazu falls, Buenos Aires and patagonia, Colonia del sacramento in Uruguary, Torres del Paine in Chile, the Pantanal in Brazil.

didnt do much no the northern countries (too much fun in Argentina) but i'd love to go to Venezuela and trek to the lost city in Colombia.

CatStar

http://intiwarayassi.org/articles/volunteer_animal_refuge/home.html

Depends on how long you´re going for but I vounteered here for three months, initially had only planned on staying for two weeks but loved it so much I drastically changed my travels plans! It´s a great organisation that rescue wild animals that have been kept as pets or used to work in some way and tries to rehabilitate them back into the wild; animals like monkeys, pumas, jaguars, ocelots and loads more...
There is a core staff there but the place would not survive without the back-packers that pass through there to volunteer for a minimum of two weeks. It´s a great place to meet other backpackers to travel on with as well.

Bolivia in general is a must-see, a country of amazing beauty both with its varied landscapes and fabulous people, who are a bit wary of you at first but once you make an effort with them they are very friendly.

have a good trip!

themandan6611

i'd second Argentina, fantastic country with lots to do and see, nice people and lovely steak / wine. The falls are incredible

Also San Pedro in northern Chile is worth a visit and then head into Bolivia to see the Salt Lakes, amazing.

Pisco Sour

Rio de Janeiro
Ilha Grande
Paraty/ Trindade
Iguassu Falls
Colonia
Buenos Aires
Perito Moreno Glacier
Puerto Madryn (penguins and whales)
Bariloche
Mendoza
Valparaiso
San Pedro de Atacama
Salar de Uyuni 3 day tour in Bolivia
Arequipa
Cusco and surrounding areas.
Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu