From the samba music pumping from your taxi in Brazil, to the relaxed folk music and lifestyle of Argentina, to the boat trips down the Amazon, you will talk for years about your adventures in South America wherever your journey takes you.

Some of the major destinations in South America are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the party animal in you, Buenos Aires, Argentina for its history, scenery, and cuisine and of course, it’s wines, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador for the wildlife, and Cartagena, Columbia. Cartagena offers relaxed atmosphere, casual walks in tight cobblestone alleys, and a terrific cultural experience.

When looking for great dive sights in South America, one should primarily look to one of eight countries, Argentina, Brazil, Chili, Colombia, Galapagos Islands, Uruguay, Ecuador and Venezuela.
Other countries worth considering include; Bolivia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and Suriname.

Discussing the climate in South America needs to be broken into four different zones, just because of its size. The northern third of this continent, including Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Ecuador and Suriname is tropical but dry. The center including Brazil and Bolivia are both tropical and can be wet or dry dependant on the time of year and location. The southern third including Argentina, Chile and Paraguay is subtropical with high humidity. If planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, be advised the heavy rain season is February and March.

With the sheer size of South America, and it’s various climates, depending on why and where you are traveling to should determine when you should visit. Visitors arrive year round for vacation destinations, but generally December and January are the best summer beach months. However, if skiing is your thing, then head to Argentina and Chili in July and August because that’s winter. As far as the rain goes in South America, there is always a chance of rain all year.

Argentina - The best and most well known diving in this country is off the tip of Ushuaia, Patagonia, at the very bottom of Argentina. Here you find calm but colder waters so pack your dry suit. Your reward is the beauty above and below the water here, with great wreck diving, king crab and a variety of creatures.

Chile- There are two main dive locations off the coast of Chile, Easter Island and Robinson Crusoe Island.  Diving Chile requires a good wetsuit or dry suit, year round. Of the two sites, the water is warmer off Easter Island, averaging in low 70’s. F.  It also has some extreme “drop offs” and excellent visibility. Besides these dive suites, there is also the Tacas, Los Molles, and San Ferrnandez Island.

Galapagos Islands- Of anywhere in South America, if you have the opportunity to dive these islands, it will be one of the best dive experiences of your life.  Best dive sites include the Darwin Islands, Gordon Rock, Roca Redonda, Cousins Island and the Floreana and Santa Fe Islands.  You will need a heavy wetsuit or dry suit here because of lower water temperatures. Some of the “wildlife below” include trumpet, wale sharks, rays, barracudas, and butterfly fish. 

Brazil- Brazil brings mental pictures of music, dancing and great parties, however, it is also the location of some great dive sites. With over 45 shipwrecks in the surrounding seas, as well as just off shore, if you are a wreck diver, you are in heaven. The Abrolhos Archipelago islands are the location of excellent coral reefs off the coast of these volcanic islands. Then there is Fernando do Noronha where you can spend time with albacore tuna, barracuda, snappers, groupers and other species.

There are many flights into South American Airports, serviced from Europe, the U.S., France, Canada, and others, via Air France, British Airways, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and many others. Once you arrive in South America, travel between countries is fairly easy on Air Comet, Aerolineas Argentinas and others.

A major issue to watch out for is pickpockets, in any world destination city, because tourists are always “marks”. In South America, they often work in teams in order to distract you. Be smart and keep your money safe.

Unfortunately armed robberies occasionally happen, your life is never worth your money. Hence we recommend that you do not travel alone or use shortcuts through small or quiet alleys.

Before traveling to South America, visit your doctor and be sure your immunisations are up to date for travel to these countries. As Malaria is prevalent in South American countries. Your doctor may put you on preventative medication such as antimalaria tablets.