I traveled this year six months in Venezuela, Colombia & Ecuador and are all beautiful places! But Ecuador wins because is cheaper (you can eat in the Quito center with 1,25$!) and there is everything: mountains, volcanos, pacific ocean, amazonia, shamans, indios, otavalo market, galapagos, mindo, ancient sites... enjoy!

Any of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Chile or Ecuador will do. There is no way to get enough of this amazing continent with just one trip so I suggest you go there for at least 2 weeks. On my first trip I spent 1 week in Ecuador where I visited Quito and the Amazon, it is a good idea to visit the Amazon when in Ecuador cause the lodging is cheap, then flew to Lima, Nazca, Cusco and took the train to Macchu Picchu. It was a fat, full trip and I would suggest it to anyone. Another good idea is to spend a 6-7 days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, visit Iguazu falls from there, visit Montevideo which is very close (30min by plane) and that way you'll get to see another country as well (Uruguay) and then go down to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. At least 2 weeks for this trip too.

Chile has every kind of landscape you may want to see. Deserts, forest, mountains, ski resorts, beautiful beaches, volcanos, lakes, gorgeous flora and fauna, well developed cities, ecoturism, geisers, glaciars, salt flats, and counting

I think Venezuela They have everything: rainforest, mountains, beaches, llanos,.... I was lucky to have a very nice trip there and I was unlucky that I didn't had more time.

Peru... amazing history, beautiful scenery, the most micro climates you'll find anywhere in the world from rain forest to high plateau to desert, the country has everything and one of the new wonders of the world of course: Macchu Picchu...

I lived in Santiago, Chile for a couple years and it is an amazing place. In truth it is not nearly as third world as the neighboring countries. It has anything you would find in the US or whatever modern place, and still gives a great experience of what South America is like.

Mexico. Specifically Mexico City for three days, then a few days in Cancun and one day at Chichen Itza

Country: Peru City: Lima Reason: Peru is (although still considered dangerous) one of the safest destinations in South America, 'yet' it profferes the continent's quslities. Get a deeper rundown by somebody that lives there or on the internet about where to stay and what places to avoid. Source of knowledge: I'm a white guy living in Lima

well... it depends... but I totally recomend Brazil, my country. Big country, different and breathtaking landscapes (beaches, mountain, forests)... can you tell me how long u intend to spend travellong?

Come to Brazil!

I landed for first time in South America last year, in Argentina, and I couldn't absolutely regret that choice. Argentinian style and character enchanted me, as well as the many natural wonders you can see there, from Fireland to Glaciers in Patagonia, from Rio de la Plata to Iguazu Waterfalls

Peru is my favourite country in South America. Great sites, history..the people are friendly. If you know Spanish it's even better. If you don't the tourist places are all pretty good with English. Buenos Aires is my favourite city and it is an absolute party! I would recommend that if you want a real true South American experience though, stay away from the cities. I think if you don't know Spanish well enough to be confident in using it, big cities will have English speakers, but the true South American experience is out of the cities and therefore Peru is the place to go, because they have plenty of English speakers in the tourism/hotel/hostel industry.

I would say difinitely Ecuador. There's a lot to do. You can see many important parts of South America just in Ecuador. There's the Amazon rainforest, the Andes, the coast, and the Galapagos islands in general. Life is really exciting if you want to go out at nights. If you want you can camp in the crater of a volcano, hang out with people in the center of Quito (the capital), go party, etc... whatever you want you can find in Ecuador. Appart from everything things in Ecuador aren't expensive at all. There's is delicious food, and Ecuador would be my recommendation.

for the first experience try to choose the country which differs the most from anything you've already seen! try to choose the place which arise the biggest mystery for you :) it's probably the place you know the least!

Brazil!!! You can find everything you want here: beaches, mountains, forests, deserts, lakes, waterfall... we only don't have snow! Big metropolis with plenty things to do, and historic cities as well.

Argentina. Buenos Aires was one of the nicest cities I visited in South America. It has a very European feel to it as well.

Bolivia! Authentic, beautiful, inexpensive... Andes and the Amazon!

I would start with Buenos Aires. It is a huge city with many great things to offer from cultural events, restaurants, a wonderful night life...and excellent shopping.

I would go to Peru too. There you can 'see' the most of any place in South America. You have the jungle, the beach, the high mountains, 'urban' cities, and also some of the best archaeological sites in the world.

There is a BIG continent,with a lot of options, depends of when you are going to travel,how much budged for expenses,how much time do you have and what kind of turism do you like. For precolombian cultures, Peru is your option you may enjoy also beautiful jungle, andean and coast landscapes, also good gastronomy. There is Nazca lines, ballesta island, titicaca lake with Uros island,arequipa's colca canyon,Cusco Incas ruins (well known Machupicchu among others)Mancora beach for surfing somehow close to Chanchan ruins and in the jungle Manu park. For exciting nightlife,good wine and wonderful beef and pizza i suggest you Argentina,Iguazu falls in a tropical climate,for patagonia scenery whales watching Peninsula Valdez, Perito moreno Glacier in Calafate and Ushuaia wich is known as the last city of the continent,for wonderful andes mnountain related experience mendoza its your choice where you may taste excellent wines also Bs As the capital its full of tango and cultural events a city with an architectural mixture very nice. Chile also have the patagonia's biggest glacier may have a trekking on the Torres del paine National Park,Easter and robinson crusoe islands, Atacama desert,La serena,Elqui valley, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar beach, its a very safe country good wine too and excellent seafood, in a big city as Santiago, they respect traffic lights even peatonal signs wich is very rare in all latin america in general, its no so cheap but you wont get broke either a little bit more expensive than Bs As. Brazil, full of colour and wonderful beaches, Copacabana, buzios,and so more nature landscapes are amazing also have the Iguazu falls, its no expensive but have to be very careful in Rio to not get lost,nice people very cheerful in Bahia, the amazon rainforest region its atonishing,Minas gerais and santa catarina also worth a visit,its not so expensive and food is ok. Bolivia its a good choice too, you will need to travel lighter because everything its so cheap you want to buy all!!, Santa Cruz, Uyuni or Tunupa Salar its the world's largest salt flat, Titicaca lake, has also some precolombian ruins all over the country, the oruro carnival its awesome,cochabamba worth to visit biggest market La cancha and in Villa Tunari the Inti wara yasi folklore and precolombine culture all together. Uruguay also have good spots too if you really have short time and just want to be a little quiet, people are friendly and very nice, in uruguay a must see option would be Punta del Este wich has a great nightlife, Colonia del sacramento and with a plus las Termas wich is a wonderful relaxing paradise. Ecuador Galapagos island must to visit!!! great beaches for surfing, ecuator line spot and also a big deal in the precolombian ruins.Cheap, safe just have to be careful with the climate variations and altitude. Venezuela and colombia have a caribbean sea so it has to be really good,but never been there so could not give advice at all.

I'm a bit biased maybe, but I think you would be well of with Chile. It most definitely has its pro and cons though... It might be a bit more expensive than other countries considering they're financially more set. But like others have said before the variety in landscape is simply unimaginable. You can literally see snow and desert in one country. You can visit mountains, ski, go to a spa resort, ... But you can also go to some of the most pictoresque beaches you've ever seen: water you can see through, white beaches, protected wildlife (pinguins, dolphins,...) Or go more to the North and find desert, cacti, oases, ... During winter or summer you can easily choose between the cooler South and the hot North. The history this country holds is also very interesting, the culture incredible really. But it does not hold as many historical sights, like Macchu Picchu but it does have the Eastern islands. The capital however has never really caught my attention. Should you choose to go, I strongly suggest: La Serena (North) and Valparaiso. I've been to both and loved Valpo especially (the little hills), the colours, the sights, the local art, architecture, simply wow! And go for at least a month, even then you won't get around ^^ Enjoy any trip you should make! Greetz, Rebbie.

my first "big traveling" was in south america. i've been to chile, argentina adn brazil and it was great

Peru - Mancora Beach and Cajamarca.

I have to say Argentina and Brazil. Buenos Aires is a great city with a very interesting combination of cultures. Besides there are great views, great restaurants and the people are great. The whole country is beautiful and there is a lot of views to choose. In the case of Brazil, the colours and landscapes of this country are amazing. The people are so nice and happy. Of course, the beaches are the best...

nobody has mentioned Bolivia, which is the most beautiful country in South America, and one fo my favourite in the world! it's poor, and you can't have too many claims if you travel there...but I promise it's a country that you'll never forget for its beautiful landscapes, people and culture! best spots to visit: the jungle starting from Trinidad, la Paz, Titicaca lake,Sucre, Potosì and Salar de Uyuni. hope this was useful!

Ecuador. The Amazon, Highlands, Volcanoes, Quito, Galapagos....better than Peru IMO. Bolivia is a clsoe second though! All depends on your interests.......

We're going back next year for our third time, it becomes very addictive I promise you. Argentina / Brazil would be agood place to start, with both amazing cities (Rio / Buenos Aires)and national parks (Patagonia,Iguazu). First trip could be 2 weeks but would recommend 4 if you van take the time. Depends where you're based in terms of how long to get there. Peru, Bolivia,and Chile should be next.... The possibilities are endless - the only certainty is YOU WILL GO BACK!

I just come back from Argentina, and for a first step in South America, I would say it's the best. The North West ( Salta, Jujuy..) is a good first experience of the Andes's life style. It's so close to Bolivia.... But all the country is a wonder!!! and really nice people there.

I love Argentina... the vibrant, bright colors or pulsing Tango beats of Buenos Aires, the beautiful Andes mountains and windswept plains of Patagonia, the jagged blue and white glaciers, the diverse and unique wildlife. It is a beautiful country with a beautiful culture and people.

Brazil :)