Continental overview

South America

4 countries · 5 guides · Top regions: South America

Discover the authentic stories and cultural insights that locals across South America share with CoraTravels. Explore the countries, popular travel styles, and standout guides that make this continent unique.

Countries in South America

Browse 4 countries guides like a local.

🇧🇷 Brazil

Experience authentic Brazil beyond Rio's beaches and Amazon jungle fantasies. From jeitinho brasileiro (creative problem-solving) that drives locals crazy and keeps country running, to futebol religion and Carnival obsession, feijoada Saturday rituals, and warmth that makes strangers family - discover Brazil through eyes of Brazilians who navigate bureaucracy, embrace diversity, and party harder than anywhere on Earth.

1 featured cities · Average budget level 2

🇨🇴 Colombia

Experience authentic Colombia from locals tired of narcos stereotypes - Bogotá's intellectual cachacos navigate altitude and safety reality, Cali's salsa locals dance every night you don't, Cartagena's gentrification prices out Afro-Colombians who built culture tourists consume. Where locals navigate 'paisa' warmth vs robbery paranoia, berraquera (grit) through 60-year conflict trauma, aguardiente toasts masking inequality. Digital nomads discover COP 2.5M-4M/month ($600-1,000) paradise locals can't afford. Medellín's transformation story incomplete - locals remember Pablo, resent transformation tourism, embrace economic reality.

3 featured cities · Average budget level 1

Popular travel styles

Trending themes locals say define South America right now.

Local guides for South America

Hand-picked destination notes to help you experience South America like a true local.

Featured destinations

Popular local notes to get you started.

Buenos Aires skyline Argentina

Buenos Aires, South America

Buenos Aires: The Paris of South America

European Complex: Porteños think they're more European than Latin American - don't call them Latino. Therapy Culture: Everyone has a psychoanalyst, Freudian psychology part of daily conversation. L…

Florianópolis skyline Brazil

Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

Florianópolis: Island Magic Meets Brazilian Tech Hub Paradise

Silicon Island Nickname: Tech startup hub of Brazil, locals (manezinhos) watch newcomers transform island, love-hate relationship with development. 42 Beaches Selection: Island offers beach for eve…

Medellín skyline Colombia

Medellín, South America

Medellín: City of Eternal Spring

Paisa Pride: Antioquia region has distinct identity, locals more proud of being Paisa than Colombian. Pablo Escobar Tourism: Locals tired of narco-tourism but understand economic necessity, complic…

Cusco skyline Peru

Cusco, South America

Cusco: Where Inca Stones Meet Living Quechua Culture

Altitude Shock Reality: 3,400m elevation hits visitors hard, locals chew coca leaves daily and have enlarged lung capacity from birth. Inca Stone Foundations: Colonial buildings built on perfect In…

Lima skyline Peru

Lima, South America

Lima: Where Ancient Meets Modern Peru

Gray Sky Syndrome: Overcast 8 months yearly, locals call it 'eternal winter' despite no rain. Ceviche Time Rules: Only eaten at lunch, never dinner - locals will judge you for ordering it at night.…

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