Arequipa is a beautiful city, but we had problems getting to our hostel, because the taxidrivers only offer to -- actually they forcefully take you to hostels where they get comission for every gringo they bring.
Bogotá … I love so much Colombia and Bogota it is a beatiful capital! I love it.
Medellín … Medellin is a great place to visit, but better if you know somebody there. I had friends to show me around. The food is great, women are beautiful, and the people friendly. However, there are definitely things to be cautious of, like any large city.
São Paulo … If you can arrange a walking tour, take it. If not, try to visit the Edificio Banespa. It is the tallest building in Sao Paulo and will give you an excellent view of the city.
I've been in Saquarema last February and what a great surprise Ii had with the very nice city and amazing beaches. The average prices are half than Rio prices. I recommend to visit Saquarema -- it's really nice and sunny!
Córdoba … Cordoba is beautiful, beautiful city -- and the great mosque of Cordoba is breathtaking. It was such a beautiful place it made us want to cry.
If you want to enjoy a safe and beautiful place with all the basic commodities, you should visit Ubatuba.
I would like to share information regarding a restaurant, El Mexicano, which is a hidden gem for cheap and good quality food in Matagalpa. The owners are very friendly and the menu is excellent -- the tacos, nachos, and enchiladas are to die for. Go and enjoy some good food.
Villarrica is a relaxed little town on Lake Villarrica, it's much nicer than touristy Pucon.
If anyone is looking for an excellent Spanish school, I highly recommend the 'Spanish School San Pedro'. All the teachers are fully trained, and they have an excellent assortment of language and history books. Lessons take place under palapas outside in a beautiful garden. I spent about 3 month there all together, and learned a huge amount of Spanish. It's located next door to the Solar Pools.
Baños … We found that Banos was the high spot on our vist to Ecuador.
Buenos Aires is amazing! We spent a week there and were completely entertained. Don't miss Recoleta. The food and shopping are fantastic -- and cheap. Do not waste a day going to Tigre -- it's boring.
A beautiful place by the "sea!" Nice people, an enchanting island (Isla del Sol! Amazing!), Cerro del Calvario (at four thousand meters with an unbelievable view), home to Virgen de Copacabana church, Incan ruins. I would definitely recommend it as a place to go!
I've been in Puerto Madryn twice in my life, and the second time was the best.
Boquete is a lovely place. But a bad man there runs a hostel called Hostal Paraiso, he may approach you at the bus stop there. His name is Pancho or Francisco. He acts friendly, but the man is a cocaine fiend, and I`m pretty sure he was selling drugs at the hostel. He stole about $30 from us (by refusing to give us our change) and attacked us verbally with threats when we argued with him about it.
If you visit Argentina you cannot miss Esquel. The city doesn’t have a lot, but the area is fantastic. If I could, I would go back every summer.
Arraial d'Ajuda is a very special place -- beautiful people, cool people, nice beach. There are so many things to do and to see. It's one of the best places in Brazil. I loved it.
We're just leaving Taganga now. Our friends were robbed at gunpoint last night and we talked to three other groups of people who were robbed with knives during the last week. The people in the town and police were very apathetic about it. I was also told of two incidences (in the last week) of police searching/intimidating backpackers looking for contraband/bribes as well.
A beautiful city! It was a great surprise to know Montevideo and I recommend everybody to do the same. You won't regret it.
