| South America is home to lands of fierce | | | | |
| mountainous beauty, traces of ancient | | | | Flights connect Rio with all of Brazil and |
| civilisations, superb tropical coastlines, | | | | Latin America, as well as many other major |
| alluring food and music, and pulsating | | | | cities. Buses depart for most destinations |
| festivals - in short everything your need for | | | | from Novo Rio Rodoviaria. |
| the ultimate travel experience. | | | | |
| | | | City buses are often crowded and struggle |
| Lima | | | | through Rio's traffic. Rio has an excellent, |
| | | | air-conditioned subway system but it only |
| Peru's sprawling capital sits in the center | | | | covers points north of Botafogo. |
| of the country's desert coastline. It's a | | | | |
| grimy, polluted place but one of charm and | | | | Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury |
| friendliness with a wealth of compelling | | | | resorts |
| architecture and great museums. | | | | |
| | | | Check on the internet for the range, location |
| Transport:getting there and getting away | | | | and cost of hotels in Rio de Janeiro |
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| Lima's Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge | | | | Events:what's on and what's hot |
| Chávez services most international and | | | | |
| domestic flights. The airport is best served | | | | *Carnaval is the five-day |
| by taxi as buses tend to be crowded. | | | | internationally-famous extravaganza beginning |
| | | | at midnight on the Friday before Ash |
| Buses connect Lima with Bolivia, Chile and | | | | Wednesday. Dancing, parades, head-dresses and |
| Ecuador as well as all over Peru. They are | | | | flaunted bodies make up this unforgettable |
| slow and can be uncomfortable. | | | | spectacle. |
| | | | |
| Ocean liners berth at Lima's port of Callao. | | | | *The Fiestas Junina's is celebrated in public |
| | | | squares throughout June. |
| Lima is a sprawling congested city and public | | | | |
| transport is disorganised. Taxis are | | | | *August 15 sees music, colorful stalls and a |
| plentiful but unregulated. Fares must be | | | | parade celebrating the Festa de NS da Gloria |
| negotiated which is difficult if you don't | | | | do Outeiro. |
| speak Spanish and taxis can be dangerous. | | | | |
| | | | *Festa da Penha is one of the largest |
| Micro and combi buses are cheap and the | | | | religious festivals in the city. It's held |
| destinations are placed in the windshield. | | | | every Sunday in October. |
| This makes things difficult if you're not | | | | |
| familiar with the city. | | | | Buenos Aires |
| | | | |
| Lima is not pedestrian-friendly owing to | | | | Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires is unique |
| congestion and pollution. Walking is only | | | | among South American cities in that it |
| advised within neighbourhoods. Between | | | | radiates the ambiance of the Europe of a more |
| neighborhoods a taxi is necessary. | | | | gentile age. But don't be fooled. You'll |
| | | | quickly find it also has a trendy chic side |
| Climate | | | | and a population that makes flair into an art |
| | | | form. |
| Hot and humid all year round with little | | | | |
| rainfall. | | | | Transport:getting there and getting away |
| | | | |
| Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury | | | | Buenos Aires is a major transport hub for the |
| resorts | | | | southern part of South America and has two |
| | | | airports. Regular ferry and hydrofoil |
| Check on the internet for the range, location | | | | services connect Buenos Aires with Uruguay. |
| and cost of Lima hotels | | | | |
| | | | Getting around Buenos Aires is easy. The city |
| Events:what's on and what's hot | | | | boasts an efficient underground known as the |
| | | | Subte and a round-the-clock bus system. Plus |
| *Semana de Lima between 12-19 January | | | | the major tourist attractions are near each |
| celebrates the founding of Lima in 1535. | | | | other so it's well worth exploring on foot. |
| | | | |
| *Carnaval is celebrated on the last few days | | | | Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury |
| before Lent with music, dancing and water | | | | resorts |
| fights. | | | | |
| | | | Check on the internet for the range, location |
| *Semana Santa in March-April is marked by | | | | and cost of hotels in Buenos Aires. |
| processions throughout the city. | | | | |
| | | | Events:what's on and what's hot |
| *Independence is celebrated on 28-29 July. | | | | |
| Large rock concerts are popular around this | | | | * Buenos Aires Tango is a tango festival that |
| time. | | | | takes place between late February and early |
| | | | March all over the city. |
| * Festival of Santa Rosa de Lima is on 30 | | | | |
| August at the Santa Rosa Monastery. | | | | * The Feria del Libro annual book fair |
| | | | celebrates Latin American literature in April |
| Rio de Janeiro | | | | at the Centro Municipal de Exposicions. |
| | | | |
| Rio sits between imposing mountains and the | | | | * Mid-May sees the art fair, Arte BA. |
| glorious beaches washed by the warm waters of | | | | |
| the Atlantic and is a true hedonistic heaven. | | | | *More tango related activities on June 24 |
| The rhythm of the samba is rarely absent from | | | | when aficionados remember Carlos Gard el, the |
| this city in which every day is a | | | | man who made the tango famous. |
| celebration. | | | | |
| | | | *December features the Campeonato Abierto |
| Transport:getting there and getting away | | | | Argentino de Polo. |