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Iguazu Falls is one of the top destinations in South America

Iguazu Falls is one of the top destinations in South America.

The Iguazu Falls is one of the largest collections of waterfalls in the world. There are about 275 waterfalls spread across 2.7 kilometres of the Iguazu River. The Iguazu Falls are located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and can be viewed from both sides. Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth.

On the Brazilian side, the easiest way to get to the falls is from the town of Foz do Iguaçu. The falls is about 20 km from the town centre of Foz, and can easily be accessible by public bus or taxi.

Crossing over the border to Argentina, the closest town you can base yourself is the town of Puerto Iguazu. The town is roughly 40km from the Argentinean side of the falls, and is accessible by public bus or taxi as well. The Argentinean side has 2/3 of the falls, and is where you will find the most spectacular views of the falls.

Best seen from the Brazilian side is the spectacular Devil's Throat, garganta del diablo, where fourteen falls drop 350 feet with such force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of spray overhead. Watch for the rainbow!

The Argentinean side has the top view of The Devil’s Throat, and has several walks to view the rest of the waterfalls. The national park is enormous, and one can easily spend a couple of days taking in all the breathtaking walks and activities that are on offer. Getting from the entrance to The Devil’s Throat on its own would take nearly an hour, taking both the train and walking the 1 km of walkway towards the edge of the Devil’s Throat.

The park also offers a river cruise, where you can see the exotic wildlife native to the area, and a cruise is also available to get to San Martin Island, one of the islands at the basin of the falls where a few more walking trails can be explored. Taking a cruise back to the start instead of the train from the Devil’s Throat is a great idea. One can see the exotic and varied wildlife in along the Iguazu River and experience being on the big river that feeds the falls.

Iguazú Falls, called Foz do Iguaçu in Portuguese, and Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish, lie on the Argentina - Brazil border and are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Tours to "Quantum of Solace" Shooting Places

Much of the shooting of the new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace", was held in several countries in Latin America. Now, Chile, Panama and Mexico offer tourists some original route travels in the footsteps of the world's most famous superagent.

In Chile, travelers can stay at the Radisson hotel in the colonial port city of Antofagasta - this is where the film crew lived while shooting. It is offered to make excursions to Paranal observatory and town Bakedano (Baquedano), where there was a movie set. Adventures await guests of five-star luxury hotel Explora en Atacama, which is located in an oasis in the Atacama Desert. In addition, tourists are encouraged to visit the vineyards near the Chile' capital Santiago.

The modern capital of Panama is also used to shoot street scenes. Tourists can see the old district of Panama City - Casco Viejo, many buildings that served as props for the film, and sail through the Panama Canal. Art Hotel Coral Lodge on the Caribbean coast is ideal for relaxing in the style of James Bond. Also, travelers are invited to travel by train from the city of Colon in Panama City and spend a few days in the hotel Canopy Tower, which is a refurbished military observation base.

Mexico offers recreation on the coast of the Gulf of California. From January to March you can watch the feeding of young whales in shallow lagoons. In addition, tourists can stay in one of the luxury hotels in the resort of Loreto, where the best beaches in Mexico.

Whale watching has become one of the most popular attractions ...

Whale watching has become one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Latin America: last year alone the number of travelers who come just for this, more than a million people.

Moreover, many South American countries, notably Chile, argue that whale watching can be a much more profitable and more profitable than their extermination. In Chile, have commercial whaling has already been banned, and along the coast will be organized the whale sanctuary.

According to official statistics, in 2006, whale watching has brought to Latin America about $ 80 million, reports Reuters. Total income from this industry is about $ 1 billion in 90 countries annually.

Now in South American waters are inhabited by about 64 species of whale, which is 75% of the world's diversity. It is worth noting that the whale watching - is a popular form of ecotourism around the world, such as Iceland, Australia and South Africa.

Brazil is also great for whale watching trips. Florianopolis, in Southern Brazil, is where southern right whales appear during the months of June to November. As June is winter in Florianopolis, it can be quite cold, so best to visit in October or November if you want to see whales, plus have a beach vacation (Brazilians will tell you that Florianopolis has Brazil’s best beaches).

At the same time of year (June to November), the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina sees the same right whale migrations - Puerto Madryn being the best base for whale watching trips.

Chile invites tourists...

Chile is preparing to take more and more tourists and promises its guests a multitude of different kinds of attractions. In this way, now it is developed the route "Chile Way", which will unite all the natural attractions of the country from north to south. The total length of the well-equipped route is 8500 kilometers. To overcome the selected areas will be possible on foot or by bicycle. In part, these roads have already been discovered in Patagonia and around Sanyago and fully route should be formed by 2015.

Still popular type of tourist attractions in Chile is whale watching. This is one of the best places in the world, here all year around you can see different kinds of whales. In the highlands tourists are offered a variety of winter classes - from alpine skiing to golf in the snow. There is a growing demand for wine, and on gastronomic tourism in the country. In addition, the coast of Chile is among the most popular cruises in South America.

It is worth noting that the race Paris - Dakar moved to South America until 2011. On the territory of Chile route will pass through the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. In addition to the direct participants in the race, the country expects to take a large number of spectators.

Global hotel chains are prepared to accommodate the growing number of tourists in Chile. A year ago there was opened Hotel & Spa Tierra Atacama - a small boutique hotel with the views of the volcano Licancabur. In March 2009, guests will take W Santiago -  the first luxurious hotel chain W in South America.

Samba and Rio de Janeiro...

Exactly 440 years ago on the shore of one of the bays on the eastern coast of Brazil, the current city was founded, which for more than a century, each year in early February, attracts worldwide attention. Because another of the same colorful and crazy spectacle, as the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the world has not come up. The peak tourist flow in the Rio de Janeiro is in February, when the whole city becomes one big carnival.

Samba - Brazilian dance, implying the characteristic movement of her hips. Performed by women during the carnival procession, although it can dance in one place. Carnival samba - dance of the individual or group, so the partner does not imply. Costumes for the carnival samba include:  bikini, a hat with ostrich feathers, and shoes or boots on a high platform of gold or silver with rhinestones. Since  the 50-ies samba became popular outside of Brazil as a pair of dance, and now samba is included in the program of Latino-American sporting ballroom dances.

Sambadrom and Brazilian samba

Sambadrom - this kind of narrow the stadium, with the two sides of which the rostrum, and in between the road and move to a competing school (each about 4000 people). The length of this passage is about 700 meters, and this distance must be overcomeed in 80 minutes. Before the next traffic school sky explodes with fireworks, and then starts the actual samba - each school is its own. The column moves very slow, constantly stops and repeats the dance in a circle. Needless to add, that each school has its own samba. After 100-200 meters crowd dancing people share the huge moving platform hoisted on their fantastic designs and vivid pictures. The combination of an unforgettable show with a bang orchestra and hundreds of drummers beat out a rhythm, creates a pressure energy that is impossible to describe - better once to see and hear in person!

Brazilians love to complain to the newcomers. They say people are poor, the 358-day struggle for existence , that'd why go on a  carnival and then a week at full steam, with no sleep or rest, charged with energy and positive emotions in the year ahead. This is, of course, an exaggeration. In the interval between the carnivals local people work themselves, too, not too much bother, but 2 or 3 hours afternoon siesta for coffee with a cigar - is sacred. And the beach is close by - they day and night show off their naked charm. There are other joys besides the carnival - one of which is football. But, still, looking at the giant statue on the hill, stoically looking at the whole uproar in February, I would like to paraphrase Voltaire: if the carnival in Rio didn't exist, it should have been invented!

Carnival show «Samba's Queen»

Brazilian samba - is the "Brazilian tornado" is vivid, sunny, without a doubt the most successful show in the capital. Carnival show «Samba's Queen» - is the Brazilian Carnival all year round, is the Brazilian Carnival in your guests.

The triumph of beauty and rhythm - is a whirlwind 15 flexible topless dancers with a royal bearing produce a hypnotic effect. Sparkling samba excites even the air.