If the hustle and bustle of everyday life has you burnt out and looking for a longer-than-the-usual vacation, consider traveling to the continent of South America and seeing all of the sights this continent has to offer. Even better, consider purchasing an international first class ticket to a country in South America to get your trip started off on a great note! You can find cheap and inexpensive first class tickets to South America through your local travel agent and you can compare prices of first class travel to different counties on many travel websites. It is worth looking at the different airfares offered for first class flights to South America. Affordable first class tickets and great deals on first class flights can be found if you are willing to invest some time researching. There are first class tickets to fit any budget and even last minute travelers can find great deals on unsold first class seats.
Why Plan a Trip Across a Continent?
Planning a trip across a continent is an amazing way to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Many travelers choose to fly to their destination and then opt for ground travel options like trains and buses. If you are so inclined, you can even rent a car or a bicycle for parts of the journey. The most important thing is to enjoy the trek across the continent where you will pass through countries, cities, and lots of down-home local provinces. You should check the weather before you plan your trip as you may be traveling through many different types of weather and depending on the activities you have planned, the weather plays a critical role in how much or how little you will enjoy this adventure. Snow, if you are planning to cross-country ski or snowshoe, is fantastic. Snow, if you were thinking about biking and rock climbing, not so great. So, plan accordingly. If your trip is mostly indoors, like museums and restaurants, go in the offseason. It won’t be as crowded and the travel costs will be significantly lower. Many travelers design their trips to continents around a theme and visit places that fit these themes. Some travelers go to the sites where famous movie scenes were filmed and others “eat their way” through a continent sampling eclectic and local cuisine in each area they pass through. It’s your vacation and it should be what you want it to be. Don’t be shy, give it a theme! If you are traveling with a group, chat with them about their expectations before you set any plans in stone. It is always a good idea to divide tasks up among the group, this way everyone has a “say” in what happens on the trip. Again group travel can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be a real nightmare if fellow guests don’t feel represented. Everyone should suggest places to go and things to see. Everyone should have a hand in the planning. This way, everyone knows exactly what to expect, which can go a long way to make sure no one is disappointed.
Ten Not so Known Facts About South America
- Largest Population- Brazil has the largest population at 202,033,670 in South America. It is also the fifth most populous city in the world in Sao Paulo. It also has the largest land mass in all of South America. It also has a very high birth rate but that is stabilizing.
- Highest GDP- Brazil has the largest GDP in South America. It is also the eight largest GDP in the world. It is the largest producer of coffee in the world. They are a founding member of the UN and the G20. Also, known for being part of BRICS.
- Oldest Average Age- Uruguay has the oldest average age at 35 years of age. Latin America total population is equal to 8.55% of the total world population. The median age in Latin America is 29.5 years of age.
- Smallest Population- Suriname is the smallest populated country in South America with 558,370 citizens living there. It is also, not surprisingly, the smallest country in the continent by size. Most of the people there live in the coastal regions. It is an extremely diverse group of cultures.
- Smallest GDP- Nicaragua has the lowest GDP at $5,452 per capita. It is equivalent to 30 percent of the world’s average. This is an all-time high especially compared with 1993, when it was at a record low of $2,806 per citizen.
- Youngest Average Age- Bolivia has the youngest average at 24.3 years.
- Largest Employer- This oil and gas producer was recently indicted for its role in Brazil’s largest ever corruption scheme called Java Lavato – car wash. It has reached an agreement to pay $682 million to Brazilian authorities.
- Most Foreigners- Argentina at 4.6%. Argentina has many expatriate groups and international schools. Great infrastructure, historic buildings, and neighborhoods make this country have a very European feel.
- Warmest Temperature- Argentina has the hottest temperature at 48.9 Celsius, which is the hottest temperature ever recorded in South America. Typically, Argentina has a much more mild climate with four distinct seasons. Take note that seasons in Argentina are reversed from those of the Northern Hemisphere.
- Coldest Temperature- The lowest temperature recorded in South America was in Argentina at -27 Fahrenheit. January is typically the hottest month in Buenos Aires with the average being 25 Celcius. The coldest average month is July at 12 Celsius. The wettest month is January with an average of 100mm of rain.
About Purchasing and Planning
The South American continent is situated mostly in the southern hemisphere, so you get great weather and beautiful conditions for most of the year. You visit the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and The Carribean Sea. South America is comprised of the following countries: Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Surname, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Colombia, Guyana, and Ecuador. The Falkland Islands and French Guiana are also part of the South American Continent. With so many choices of great cities and countries to see, it can be difficult to narrow your choices to a manageable handful or two.