Rio Carnival

The Magic of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

From the beautiful and sexy beaches of Rio de Janeiro to Rio Carnival and the Rio Nightlife, the type of energy that the city of Rio emulates is just simply electrifying. What is even more exhilarating are the deliciously bronzed samba dancers, the pulsating music, the energy and applause of the spectators filled with Cariocas and visitors from around the world who call come to the same place to experience the world famous Rio Carnival. Held every year during the week leading up to Lent, Rio Carnival attracts visitors from all corners the globe. It is inconceivable to think of Rio without thinking of its unrivaled Carnival. Anticipation builds and the excitement grows as Carnival time gets closer and closer. Without a doubt, this is the favorite holiday celebration in Rio. The city glows with the smiles and energy of the locals — or Cariocas. Samba music can be heard coming from neighborhoods throughout the city and crowds gather to dance and play all day, night and straight into the next morning. It is the inherent spirit of the Cariocas and their true joie de vivre that makes Rio Carnival such a glorious success year after year!

The World Is Watching

While preparations continue for the Carnival all year round, technical rehearsals by the samba schools are held at the Sambadrome for a few weeks before the big weekend of competition. This is the prelude to the most extravagant, beautiful, and sexy spectacle, which the whole world waits for with baited breath. For every Carioca, this is a sign that their much awaited four-day holiday is around the corner. The Carnival is watched on television sets all over the world. The energy and spirit of the celebration transcend the one-dimensional view from the TV to captivate each viewer and draw him or her into the excitement and ecstasy of the festival. south america tours

The Party Never Stops

All else comes to a halt on the four days of the Carnival, with the exception of samba, women, beer, and partying all night long. Once the Sambadrome empties, the parties continue at every street corner all over the city. Throughout the neighborhoods of Rio Cariocas celebrate the arrival of the Carnival. People dance along the streets singing the songs of the Samba. Everyone comes together in friendship and fun to enjoy the balls, street parades and the excitement of the Sambadrome. Cariocas make no distinction between locals and foreigners, who are most welcome to participate in the event. In fact, visitors can grab a place on the samba strip as a participant with one of the samba schools. All you need is to buy one of the school specific costumes.

How it all started

There are many theories as to the origin of the Carnival with stories of it being a pagan celebration in ancient Rome. Carnival balls became popular in Rio in the nineteenth century with legendary balls held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel and the Municipal Theater. The inevitable influence of Afro-Brazilian culture in the form of the samba heralded the beginning of the Samba Parade in the 1930s. It is the ethnic melting pot of Rio that makes this festival unlike any in the world. The combination of the cultural diversity and Brazilian swing rhythm is what makes the Carnival in Rio so unique.south america travel

Porta Bandeira – The Crowd Favorite

Women are at the head of the parade of each samba school. They have the job of conquering not only the spectators’ hearts, which is not too difficult, but those of the judges too. The Porta Bandeira, the flag bearer of the samba school, in an intricate sequin and feather costume is the first to enter the samba strip as the crowds stand and cheer as she passes by performing the most elaborate samba steps.

Accompanying the Porta Bandeira is her protector the Mestre Sala. Inspired by the nobility of the eighteenth century, the couple is adorned with very elaborate costumes. His job is to guide and watch over her as she dances along the parade route. Originally, he would guard her armed with a knife so other Samba schools could not distract her and cause her to lose points. The Porta Bandeira must dance and interact with the Mestre Sala as well as the audience. She cannot allow the flag she carries to touch her body or wind around the flagpole. To do so would result in a loss of points for her troupe. south america tours

Then come the floats with beautiful women sensually dancing the samba in the tiniest of costumes, accompanied on either side of the floats by ‘alas’ or sections of the samba school. Each section has a different type of costume, all of them breathtaking to say the least.

Four Nights of Competition

Each samba school has 80 minutes to parade down the strip at the Sambadrome. The Rio Carnival kicks off with the opening ceremony on Friday where King Momo is crowned by Rio’s mayor. In the evening a children’s parade sets the tone for the next four days of revelry combined with an intense show of dance, theater, arts and music. On Saturday, members of the Access Group strut their stuff in the hopes of joining the major league players. Sunday and Monday are reserved for the 12 best samba schools vying for the championship spot where six of the finest march on each day.

Glorious Themes and Samba Schools

The schools of samba are a musical genre symbolizing Brazil. At the Sambadrome each school plays out its own story with a common theme ranging from politics to arts and sports. What everyone looks forward to apart from the dancers is each team’s unique song, creative costumes, and choreography. Each Samba School tries to be more creative than its competitor. From levitation to a flying astronaut, the Sambadrome is always full of surprises. And each year the schools seem more and more creative as rich imagination give way to show stopping flights of fancy. south america tours

Rio Carnival Parade Ticket. A Ticket to Lots and Lots of Fun.

All roads lead to the Rio Sambadrome on Carnival nights. It is advisable to take the subway or a taxi to reach the stadium. Admission is around $70 for the grand stand, with seating arrangements starting at $200′s. However, it is even more fun joining the samba parade. To be able to participate in a Samba School parade, all you need to do is pre-order a costume with us. Yes, your costume is your ticket to parading.

What to know before going to colombia

1. Colombia is generally safe to visit

There was a time when travelers avoided the country due to its ugly association with cartels and violence. That has largely disappeared and what remains is a vibrant country with spectacular scenery, friendly people and a rich culture. In fact, some areas in Bogota, like the sophisticated and electric Zona-T, feels like any other cosmopolitan city from the developed world. The public transportation of Medellin, a city that has emerged from the shadows of drug cartels, the Medellin Metro is a thing of beauty and is one of the most successful in the world. south america tours

Violence should not be a reason you are avoiding that trip to Colombia. But, having said that, it is wise to be aware of your surroundings. Practical safety considerations, same as any other unfamiliar city, are essential. Stick to largely crowded place - on your first trip, consider popular tourist destinations or the cities of Colombia. Colombia is still struggling to with economic disparities so it is better to refrain from ostentatious displays of wealth and branded accessories.

2. Understand the Colombian Peso

The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP$) and the denominations are in mil, Spanish for thousand. Menus at restaurants and cafes might list a cappuccino for $5.000 - this means the cost is 5mil. In common parlance, the mil is often dropped. Frequently used notes come in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 pesos.

3. You get the best exchange rate by using cards or at ATMs

Even better if you have an international card with no transaction fee. A Citibank card works best - they give great exchange rate at ATMs, which are commonly available in major cities and if you have a card, you don't have to bear the additional fee. But even with the fee, in case you don't have a Citibank card, you still get a better deal using a card for payment or withdrawing from an ATM. south america travel

4. Check visa requirements

Check again,you just might not need a tourist visa to enter Colombia. For example, while passport holders of countries like USA, European Union and Canada, among others, don't require visa to enter; holders of United States Visa or Schengen Visa (except transit visa), from China, India, Thailand and Vietnam are also granted visa-free access. It is best to visit Migración Colombia or call their customer support number and check the current status for your country. They are also prompt to reply to emails.

5. Check the weather app before planning your visit

 And I cannot stress on this enough. Every city has a completely different climate, mainly because of the different altitudes they are located at. While Bogota enjoys a chilly, autumn-in-NYC like weather all year round, Medellin is slightly warmer and Cartagena is a sunny, tropical coastal town. Dress and pack accordingly: for Cartagena, pack a hat, sun-glasses, (loads of) sunscreen and flowing dresses while Bogota calls for jeans and scarfs and sophisticated western wear. south america tours

6. Getting around in Colombia

Flights might be the best option for inter-city travel, especially when you have to cover so much in little time - and it is not expensive. Go to the local sites of LAN, Avianca or Copa for better deals.

Public transport, like anywhere else in the world, is the cheapest means to get around within a city. Medellin has a fantastic metro system and I recommend riding it at least once. Bogota's version of public transport, after many failed attempts at a metro, is the Transmilenio - a bus rapid transit. Quite efficient, this can be a little hard to figure out, but not impossible. Ask if you don't understand - the people are very helpful.

If you must take a cab, refrain from hailing it off the road. Download Easy Taxi  or Tappsi - these apps are popular and a safer way to hail a cab.

7. Consider investing in a travel guide

Yes, even if you have done all your research. And this is mainly to keep track of all the trivia and history tidbits these guides offer, and not to follow a certain trail. I was blown away by how rich in history Colombia is and found that my travel guide was a good story teller. south america travel

8. It is not imperative to be fluent in Spanish to visit

 I hardly know any Spanish and I had a blast! Not a lot of people speak English (especially in Medellin) but a fair amount of them do. People in Colombia are very helpful and most of them are patient enough to see you awkwardly act out words. Carry a piece of paper and pen if you must (this was handy for me when I had to ask around for Transmilenio route numbers in Bogota - the Transmilienio staff spoke no English).

I will recommend a week of language-learning app Duolingo though. Practice basic words that will help you get around.

9. Go with an appetite

There are plenty of international food options available in Colombia but please do try the local cuisine. Try the Ajiaco (a Bogota staple soup made with chicken, three varieties of potatoes, and Colombian herbs), Cazuela de Fríjoles (red bean stew), Arepa (a flatbread made of ground maize dough or cooked flour), Empanada ( a popular street food made by folding dough or bread with meat or cheese stuffing) and if you dare, Mondongo (soup made from diced tripe slow-cooked with vegetables). south america tours

10. Haggling is accepted

This is true for certain means of transportation like taxis off-the-road and (especially) street vendors. I bought a necklace from a street vendor for $10COP. He quoted $50COP to start with. Ha! Look out for them on the streets of Bogota and Parque Lleras in Medellin. And remember to definitely haggle when buying sombreros in Cartagena!

This should be good preliminary preparation. Colombia is a wonderful country and I highly recommend you plan your next vacation there. Oh, and don't forget to carry your camera! explore south america

Galapagos Islands Information

A trip tothe Galapagos Islands will be the journey of your lifetime. Located 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian mainland, the archipelago consists of 13 major islands,5 of which are inhabited. Find out more about the famous Islands by taking virtual trip with us!

Galapagos Islands The Island's interesting volcanic geology, as well as its rich flora and fauna have been admired and studied by numerous travelers, scientists, and nature-lovers. Scientists are still faced with the mystery of how such a large diversity of species could develop in a remote location like the Galapagos Islands.(South America tours)

The main reason for tourists and nature lovers to visit the Galapagos Islands is the multitude of animals, freely romping about that are known to most people only from the Discovery Channel.

If you are interested in who first set foot on the islands -whether it was the Incas, refugees, pirates or seafarers - find out more about the human history of the Islands. Speaking of men on the Islands, Charles Darwin, was one of the first to visit as he was fascinated by the natural history of the archipelago. His five-week stay gave him the impetus to develop his famous Theory of Evolution.

The Galapagos Islands are blessed with pleasant weather all year round, so there is no “best” time to visit the precious islands. However, you may consider factors such as high season vs. low season and the climate. Whether the trip is for yourself, your group, or your family, check out when to go to the Galapagos Islands. (South America travel)

When is the best time to visit the Galapagos?

The Galapagos is a place that can be visited at any time. There are two seasons. the warmest is between December to May when the sky is always clear and the sun shines strongly. If you love to dive, the best time to visit is between June and November because the temperatures are a bit cooler, and you will have a better chance to observe the Galapagos’ famous marine life.

Galapagos Turtles Galapagos Dry Season

From June to December the southern trade winds bring the colder Humboldt Current north to the Galapagos. This means that the water is cooler, and a layer of high atmosphere mist pervades the island skies. (South America tours)

In effect, the highlands of the larger islands are kept green and lush while the sea level islands and shorelines have little precipitation. Thus, June to December is generally called the "dry season" which is known for its blue skies and mid-day showers.

During this season the tourists may observe a large number of species around the islands and in the sea such as giant tortoises, humpback whales, blue-footed boobies, cormorants, oyster catchers, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, masked boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, lava herons, brown noddies, and penguins. Due to the water temperature, it is the perfect time for diving.

Galapagos Sea ​​LionsGalapagos Warm Season

The time period between December and May is considered the "warm season." During this warmer season, the Galapagos' climate is more tropical with daily rain and cloudier skies. Also, the ocean temperature is warmer for swimming and snorkeling. (South America travel)

During this season the tourists may observe a large number of species around the islands such as marine iguanas, sea turtle, land iguanas, flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatross, and blue-footed boobies. Since the water's warmer, snorkeling is highly recommended during these months.

Galapagos DivingGalapagos Weather for Divers

The Humboldt Current's influence brings cold waters especially during the misty, rainy season (cool weather) from July to December. "El Niño" current may bring warm waters to the Galapagos and will make the surface warmer and rainfall increase (January to June). (South America tours)

The water temperature varies during the year

January to June: from 70°F (21°C) to 80°F (27°C)

July to December: from 65°F (18°C) to 75°F (23°C)

Travel with us, South America Peru Tours - SA Peru. We can offer you trips throughout the most highlighted destinations in South America. We will take you to the best parts of Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina y Bolivia. Come with us and enjoy!

Tips For Backpacking South America

1. Bring Offline Activities

Traveling to different cities around South America means you’ll be taking the bus. If you’re doing the typical backpacker circuit, be prepared for plenty of overnight bus rides. While you can spend a lot time gazing out at the beautiful scenery, it’s also wise to bring some offline activities to occupy your time. Download apps and games that work without WiFi, bring a book, write in your journal, knit, draw, or do anything else that you enjoy to pass the time. Travel tip: Use this time to practice your Spanish or Portuguese (depending where you are). These buses are typically full of locals, so you’ll essentially have access to a free language exchange.

2. Watch What You Eat

The food is South America is delicious, but it can also be dangerous for your waistline. Because Brazil, Argentina and Chile tend to be more on the expensive side, I typically opted to cook in my hostel. However, once I was in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, I could get a three-course meal for around $1. As a result, my food intake increased (as did my pant’s size). While the local eateries that offer these traditional meals are worth frequenting, try to eat only half of your food and add lots of active adventures into your itinerary.

3. Wear Pick-Pocket Proof Clothing

Like I mentioned before, you’ll most likely be taking a number of long bus journeys in South America. Therefore, falling asleep on these buses is inevitable. Theft and pick-pocketing are common throughout South America. Instead of trying to stay up all night or losing your hair worrying about your belongings, wear pick-pocket proof clothing from retailers like Clever Travel Companion. These garments allow you to keep valuables inside of your clothing close to your body, so nobody even knows you have anything on you.

4. Interact With Locals

Every country in South America has a unique culture worth exploring. The best way to do this is by interacting with locals. While the bus is a great place to strike up a conversation with locals, you can also use resources like Couch Surfing to find a local host or Viator to book local tours. I also love Visit.org for booking unique nonprofit-led experiences that benefit the local community I’m visiting.

5. Bring Your Sweet Tooth

In many places in South America, you will be surrounded by delicious cakes, cookies, pastries and candies. I especially noticed this in Brazil, where it is not uncommon to eat sweets for breakfast. In fact, at all of the Brazilian hostels I stayed in, treats like chocolate cake with sprinkles and chocolate sandwich cookies were served in the morning.

6. Take A Photography Class

South America is full of surreal and otherworldly landscapes.These beautiful sights include Patagonia, the Uyuni Salt Flats and Iguazu Falls. Scenery like this deserves more than a quick snapshot. Before your trip, take a photography class to hone your skills,. If you have the money invest in a DSLR for professional looking shots. If you have any interest at all in photography, South America is a great destination to play around and get creative using beautiful landscapes as a backdrop.

7. Know the Exchange Rate

The exchange rates vary considerably from country to country in South America. While travelers can stretch their dollar very far in Bolivia and Peru, popular tourist cities in countries like Argentina Brazil and Chile can be expensive. If you’re on a budget, look up which cities are the most affordable beforehand. I noticed in Argentina the farther south I went – basically the farther into Patagonia – the more expensive things cost. My usual chicken sub went from being 10 to 15 Argentine Pesos (less than $1) in Buenos Aires to 45 to 60 Argentine Pesos ($5.50 to $7) in Bariloche. By the way, here’s everything you need to know about the US dollar exchange in Argentina.

Bring a mix of US cash, debit cards, credit cards and foreign currency with you. It is not uncommon outside of big cities, especially in Patagonia, for ATMs to run out of cash, so it’s good to be prepared. This happened to me in El Calafate — right as I was attempting to book tours to Perito Moreno and Torres del Paine National Park. Despite begging and pleading for the travel agencies to let me use my credit card they would only take cash. Luckily, someone I had met on the road trusted me enough to loan me the money — aren’t travelers the best? — and I paid them back in the next town. Additionally, tell your bank and credit card company you’re leaving the country beforehand. If you don’t, you may find yourself with a frozen account.

8. Sometimes “Roughing It” Isn’t the Best Option

Moreover, don’t always think “roughing it” will save you money. Making use of the shelters on the “W” circuit in Torres del Paine and camping your way through the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu are quite expensive. In fact, one night in a “refugio” in Torres del Paine will cost about $40 to $60 – and that only includes the mattress. Camping in the park is free if you bring your own gear; however, this can be tricky as the hike is difficult at times and you will have to carry your own equipment. Moreover, to trek with a good company for the Inca Trail will cost about $500 to $650 including entrance fees.

9. Check the Weather for the Places You Want to Go Beforehand

While most people check the weather for the first city of their trip, it is a good idea to look it up for each area when traveling inSouth America. For example, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you may be able to walk around in shorts and tank top, while heading to Bariloche in the same country may require a hat and coat. Furthermore, don’t think because it is a certain season in your destination the weather will match that season in your home country. Autumn in Patagonia or Brazil is a lot different than autumn in New York.

10. Try the Local Specialties

There are many preconceived notions that exist on what “South American food” is like. The truth is that each country, and even the different cities within a country, has its own local specialties. Argentine empanadas are delicious; however, the ingredients differ from city to city. In Brazil eating açai is more than just a treat, it’s a cultural experience. Ceviche in Peru, cuy in Ecuador, seafood stews in Chile, giant steaks and matte tea in Argentina, barbeque in Brazil – these are just some of the delicious options waiting for you on your backpacking adventure.

11. Prepare Your Liver

Not only do the countries of South America feature unique and appetizing foods, many are also known for their national drinks. In Brazil, you must try the “Caipirinha,” a strong cocktail made with cachaça, sugar and lime. Moreover, Argentina is world-renowned for its red Malbec wine, while the Pisco Sour, created using pisco and lemon juice, is typical of Peru and Chile. In Colombia, savor “Aguardiente,” or firewater, made from sugar cane molasses converted into alcohol. The proof is usually 60%, and many times sugar is added to sweeten the drink. For more on this, check out International Booze Cruise: The Best Local Cocktails From Around The World.

12. Keep a Loose Itinerary

With such convenient bus transportation, keeping a loose itinerary is easy. You can arrive in a city, peruse the different bus routes, then figure out where you want to go. I’d advise talking to other travelers in your hostel to get recommendations. For example, when I arrived in Bariloche, Argentina, I immediately went and booked a bus ticket to El Calafate, simply based on the fact that I had read this is what you were “supposed to do in Patagonia”; however, after speaking with other backpackers it became sadly apparent I was skipping El Chalten, a hotspot for hiking. If I had waited to book my ticket I could have stopped there first and then moved on to El Calafate.

13. Plan Your Big Hikes in Advance

That being said, you should plan out any big hikes in advance. For example, if you want to trek the Inca Trail you’re going to need to book it months in advance if you want to ensure you have a spot. Moreover, doing the “W” circuit in Torres del Paine, or even a shorter version of it, requires some beforehand planning. Will you camp, stay in a refugio, or book a nearby hotel? Are the refugios open when you’re going? If it’s high season, they may even be booked up. Where will you store your pack? Will you trek with it? I’d also recommend checking the weather, as this windy park can be difficult to trek when stormy.

14. Bring A Sense Of Adventure

No matter what thrills you, you’ll find it in South America. Surfing Rio de Janeiro’s beautiful beaches, hiking glaciers or ancient ruins, hang gliding over picturesque Patagonia, trekking the Andes or Amazon and scuba diving the clear waters of Paraty – these are just a few of your options. Simply backpacking South America is an adventure in itself, as you never know whom you’ll meet, what cultural discoveries you’ll make or where you’ll end up the next day.1

I felt particularly lazy one night when I was in Paraty, Brazil. Nevertheless, I went to the beach bar across the street from my hostel for a Caipirinha just to feel social. I ended up hanging out with locals all night, learning how to forró dance and going to the town’s signature nightclub, Paraty 33. It ended up being one of my most memorable nights of the trip. For the full story, check out Breaking Language Barriers: A Date Without Words In Paraty, Brazil. 

15. Know Where You Need to Take Extra Precautions

I don’t care if you’re in your hometown, you should always be alert. Bad things happen everywhere, not just when you’re traveling. That being said, there are certain cities – and areas within cities – that you need to be extra vigilant in.

When arriving at a hostel, I always make sure to ask the staff to circle the areas on my map that are more dangerous. For example, when in Buenos Aires, the hostel staff told me to be very careful when walking around in the southeast part of the city near La Boca. Not listening, a friend of mine not only went and walked around the area alone, but also made it obvious he was carrying a camera and stored it in his backpack – where it was completely out of his sight. It wasn’t surprising to me that by the time he returned to the hostel, his camera had been stolen. On a bus ride in Bolivia, where you should always be on high alert, one traveler fell asleep with her DSLR camera sitting in her lap. 

Best Things To See in Lima City Part 2

The Magic Water Circuit

The Parque de la Reserva was originally opened in 1929 to commemorate all the civilian reservists who fought in the defence of Lima during the War of the Pacific. But more than 65 years later Parque de la Reserva became one of Lima's most visited tourist attractions.(best Peru tours)

In May 2007 a water and light show called the Circuito Magico del Agua (The Magic Water Circuit) was inaugurated. The Magic Water Circuit has the Guinness Book record for the largest fountain complex in the world, displaying 13 distinct fountains and many are interactive. All of the fountains are illuminated at night, many with continuously changing color schemes. A colorful laser light program synchronized with classical and Peruvian music makes the fountains sparkle and shine as the water flows in unique patterns and shapes.

Archeological Museum Rafael Larco Herrera

Founded in 1926, the Larco Museum showcases remarkable chronological galleries providing an excellent overview on 3000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museum features the finest gold and silver collection from Ancient Peru and a famous erotic archaeological collection.

For an unforgettable experience, Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45.000 classified archaeological objects. Its masterpieces are considered worldwide icons of pre-Columbian art, after being exhibited in the world's leading museums.(south america tours)

We highly recommend taking a guided tour through the museum which is really worth the few Soles extra. And a good way to end your visit at one of the best museums in Lima is stopping for a drink or an excellent meal at the restaurant.

The District Barranco

Unfortunately only a few tourists find their way to the beautiful district of Barranco. Once it was Lima's beach, pleasure and entertainment district for wealthier Limeños (during the colonial and republican times). Barranco was at the beginning of the 20th century home to famous Peruvian writers and artists which gave the district a unique character.

Luckily Barranco could save not only big a part of its colonial charm but as well its special character and charisma. The daily life in Barranco is more relaxed and quieter than in the rest of Lima. The city center invites you to stroll around, visit old colonial and republican houses and enjoy the numerous other amazing sights that Barranco has to offer. (south america travel)

As soon the sun goes down Barranco awakes and becomes the place for dancing and partying. The streets around the Parque Municipal (Municipal Park) get crowed. Cosy restaurants offer excellent typical Peruvian food. Pubs, discotheques and night clubs invite their guests to an exiting night. And the famous Peruvian peñas stage folkloric music shows, in particular Afro Peruvian and Criollo gigs.

Surquillo Market

Located in the district of Surquillo, the Surquillo market is just a few blocks from Parque Kennedy in Miraflores, only a ten minute walk on Av. Ricardo Palma over the bridge. The mercado in Surquillo is an enormous, genuine and bustling place where locals do their everyday shopping. It offers great quality food for amazingly low prices. A wide range of fresh Peruvian fruits, vegetables, herbs, meat, fish, seafood and even harder to find ingredients await you. (Peru destinations)

Around the market hall are hundreds of small stores selling everything from kitchen and table ware, groceries and even clothes. And along adjoining Calle Narciso de la Colina a gastronomic boulevard was opened in 2010, where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a delicious Peruvian meal.

Park of Legends Zoo

The Parque de las Leyendas is Lima's traditional zoo. But it's much more than that. It is located amidst a big part of Lima's most extensive ancient city and is one of the most important pre-Hispanic complexes at the central Peruvian coast called the Archaeological Complex of Maranga. The park successfully manages to combine ecology, archaeology, education and relaxation.

While wandering around the extensive area you can't miss the pyramidal structures that served different ingenious civilizations as temples and burial grounds. In the Parque de las Leyendas are some very interesting museums like the Museo Ernst. W. Middendorf, displaying artifacts and mummies found in the different religious and ceremonial center's, the Museo Petroleo, offering an educational exhibition about the process of exploration, exploitation and the transforming of crude oil and its derivatives and finally the Museo Celestino Kalinosky with an amazing butterfly exhibition.

The zoo itself is focusing on the Peruvian flora and fauna. It's divided into the three principle climatic regions of Peru: costa, sierra and selva (coast, highlands and jungle). Animals from all over Peru can be observed here. The coastal region is represented by pelicans, cormorants, sea lions, penguins and turtles; the highlands by llamas, vicunas, guanacos, pumas, condors and owls; the jungle by monkeys, jaguars, snakes, toucans, parrots, coatis and crocodiles. (Peru holidays)

But you find "international animals" as well. In 2010 the big cats were freed from their tiny cages and moved to more species-appropriate big enclosure, the "Felinario" which resembles more their natural habitat. Here you find lions, pumas, tigers and jaguars sleeping in the shade, running around or playing. Other non Peruvian animals include giraffes, hippos, zebras, buffalo, bears and ostriches.

Travel with us, South America Peru Tours - SA Peru. We can offer you trips throughout the most highlighted destinations in South America. 

Best Things To See in Lima City Part 1

where you can still see the colonial part and the modern areas. Narrow streets cluttered, baroque churches. Colonial structures clad with elaborate balconies. The capital of Peru is surrounded of a variety of restaurants and museums stuffed with pre-Columbian treasures. The web of streets set in 1532 is still full of life. Lima is, also known for its gastronomy that if you have the chance to pass by here you can´t miss out the opportunity to try these exquisite dishes. best Peru Tour experience.

Lima Main Square

The Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas (as it was known until 1990), is the oldest public place in Lima. In 1535 the conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded on the area of an existing indigenous settlement the city of Lima. He designed a main square in the central part of the future city Lima with all important institutions built around it.

On the north side of Plaza Mayor is the Palacio de Gobierno, the presidential residence and in colonial times the location of Francisco Pizarros house - later the Palace of the Viceroys. On the east side you find flanked by the Archbishops Palace the Cathedral of Lima. The Palacio Municipal is located on the west side of Plaza Mayor. Depending on their importance and rank wealthy and influential immigrants were allowed to build their mansions on properties near the Plaza Mayor. In colonial Lima the main square was the economic center of the city. The arcades in front of the main buildings, the small today called Pasaje Olaya and other adjoining streets were full of all sorts of shops. The plaza housed for a long time Limas big food market.(best Peru Destination)

The Plaza Mayor was also the ceremonial center of old Lima. Here all important events took place: religious, state and military processions were held and all kinds of festivities and entertainment. The Spanish Inquisition used the Plaza Mayor for public executions of their condemned. Already in 1538 the first bullfight in Lima was held on Plaza Mayor and many others followed until the construction of the Plaza de Acho. In 1821 General Jose de San Martin declared here the independence of Peru. In it's over 500 year old history the Plaza Mayor has seen all important events of Lima and Peru. It was modified, remodelled and reconstructed many times, but its layout and significance still remains unchanged.

Museum in the Convent of San Francisco

The Church and Convent of San Francisco is besides the Cathedral of Lima probably the most significant religious complex in Lima and the most successful and impressive monument of Colonial architecture in whole Latin America. One of the "must-do's" in Lima is a highly recommended tour through the monastery. It gives an impressive inside on how religious life was during Spanish colonial times.

Coming into the monastery at the side portal of the building you enter a completely different world showing the importance of the Catholic church in Colonial times. Absolutely amazing are the beautiful preserved wooden stairs, the impressive Moorish dome over the main staircase, the outstanding library with over 25,000 volumes, the "Zurbarán - Hall", small chapels, distinctive religious paintings, small patios of typical Spanish style decorated with lovely tiles from Seville and the overwhelming former glory and wealth.(south america Peru tours)

Definitely the absolute highlight of the tour is the descent into the convents catacombs that served until 1808 as a burial ground. An estimated 30,000 deceased are buried here. Quite extraordinary: the monks arranged the remains according to bone types. Absolutely worth seeing!

Torre Tagle Palace

Considered one of the most magnificent buildings in South America, this unique mansion shows the elegance and grace of the architecture in the early 18th century. It was built in 1730 by José B. Tagle, the Marquis of Torre Tagle and treasurer of the Royal Spanish fleet. His coat of arms is still visible above the door.

Flanked by two impressive carved wooden balconies (in our opinion the most beautiful ones in Lima), the stone entrance is carved like the ones you normally find at a church. The inside court is a typical Seville style patio with extraordinary wooden balconies and galleries (beautiful!). The main hall is still furnished with lovely pieces from the 18th century. Today this best example of Colonial architecture in the country houses the Peruvian Foreign Affairs Ministry. Unfortunately it can only be visited after prior coordination or as part of a city tour offered by some tour operators in Lima.

House of the Aliaga Family

The "Casa de Aliaga" is the oldest Colonial mansion in Lima, maybe even in whole South America. The house has been owned and lived in by the Aliaga family and their descendants since Franzisco Pizarro granted the land to Jerónimo de Aliaga in 1535. Originally there was a pre-Colombian altar on that plot of land owned by "Curaca Tauli Chusco" (the reign of the Rimac valley).

Even if time, weather and pollution seem to slowly destroy the facade, the beautiful balcony is still impressive. Absolutely amazing is the inside: the inner patio is extraordinary and an imposing wooden staircase leads up to the elegant salons that are richly decorated with Colonial furniture.

The Casa Aliaga can be visited either with special tour operators in Lima or after prior arrangement with the Casa Aliaga. They as well can recommend specialized private tour guides if you wish to visit independently. Or book an absolutely stunning (but pricey) lunch or dinner with them. An incredible experience!

Presidential Palace

In 1535 Francisco Pizarro founded Lima and built his "palace" exactly on the same place where the main authority of the Rimac Valley at this time, the curazco Taulichusco, had his residence. When Lima was granted the title of Viceroyalty the "Casa de Pizarro" became the first Spanish Viceroys Palace in Lima.

Located at Lima's Main Square, called Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas, the palace is used as official residence of the Peruvian president since independence and today is also the central seat of the Peruvian government. Due to destruction by earthquakes and fires the Government Palace has been rebuilt, restored and remodeled numerous times, so today just a tree that Francisco Pizarro is assumed to have planted, might be the only remaining original piece. Nevertheless the last main construction works on the building in the 1930s gave this historical monument an impressive beauty and elegance. great Peru tour.

The Palacio de Gobierno is as well open to the public, but access may be restricted. It's necessary to either call or make an appointment at the public relations office around the corner. Best ask the guard in front of the Government Palace for directions and take your passport with you. Once inside you can enjoy the amazing patios, the richly decorated lounges, the impressive and beautiful entrance hall and all the other unbelievable treasures of nearly 500 years history of Lima yourself.

South America Peru Tours - SA Peru. We can offer you trips throughout the most highlighted destinations in South America. 

Interesting Facts About South America

I wonder. I’m a curious person. Haven’t you ever wondered how some things came to be? Why is Brazil have nearly half the land in South America anyway? Whose butt where they kissing. It all makes perfect sense when you look back into history. First lets take a look at how both North America and South America got its name. The name comes from the explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci.

When Columbus was exploring new lands he believed that he was in Asia, not in South America. Amerigo is the person that thought Columbus was actually in a new land, not Asia. Since both Europe and Asia are named after women the name America is the feminine version of Mr. Vespucci’s name. Now can you guess where the United States of America got its name?

Now on to why the Spanish where bullied out of nearly half of the land in South America. When the Europeans were exploring South America they didn’t know how far east the lands would go. There was a dispute between Portugal and Spain about who would own the new lands.

The Pope decided to split the new world into two equal parts, Spain would take control of everything to the West of the line of longitude and Portugal would have everything to the East, which included all new discoveries in Africa and Asia.

Called the Treaty of Tordesillas, it was ratified by Spain in 1494.That is why ladies and gentlemen, Brasil controls almost half of the land mass in South America. The French didn’t pay any attention to this treaty which is why you see French influence throughout Canada and parts of the United States, like New Orleans.

Throughout all of South America you are going to see things that reflect the impacts that both Simon Bolivar and Columbus gave to the region. Simon Bolivar is a military general born in Caracas, Venezuela that helped much of Latin America get its independence from the Spanish Empire. Columbus, well if you didn’t know that Christopher Columbus is one of the most important explorers of the new world then you shouldn’t really be reading this post now should you.

Know South America with SA Peru.