Bolivia

The heart of South America, where the lofty Andes fall away to sweaty jungle.

Bolivia may be one of the poorest countries in South America, but its cultural wealth, the vastly differing Amazonian and Andean landscapes, and the remnants of mysterious ancient civilizations make it a rich and exciting destination if you're looking for more than postcards.

This landlocked country is sometimes compared to Tibet - it's the highest and most isolated of the Latin American republics. It is also the most indigenous country on the continent, with more than 50% of the population maintaining traditional values and beliefs.

President Evo Morales has declared a national state of emergency following heavy rains and severe flooding across the country. Fatalities, evacuations and damage to roads and bridges have been reported. A red alert is in effect for all provinces, with Chuquisaca, Beni, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz being the worst affected. Travelers should monitor local news and expect some disruption to transport and other services.

Street protests, strikes and demonstrations are reasonably common in Bolivia and have the potential to become violent. Some protests, particularly in rural areas, can lead to road blockades that disrupt transport and can remain in place for weeks or months. Border crossing can be affected. Travelers should avoid becoming caught up in such events and check local news sources to be aware of any developments.

Travelers contemplating a visit to the silver mines of Potosí should be aware of the potential health risks before they set out. Check the Potosí pages of World Guide for more details.

Chile

Play hard in the scorching sun or Andean snow in this land of extremes.

From salty desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is a gobsmacking reminder of nature's beauty and power. This narrow trickle of a country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes to keep adventure nuts slavering for a lifetime.

Travelers are mostly drawn to this string-bean country because of its spectacular Pacific coastline and Andean highlands, as well as the adventure sports on offer. But if you're here for more than that, then Chile will have gastronomes going gaga over its good food and cracking wines.

Peru

Contemplate the imperial ruins of mighty cities and dabble in the Amazon Basin. Peru had a rich cultural life thousands of years before Pizarro turned up in funny clothing. Wander around colonial cities that echo the legacy of Spanish conquistadors, explore the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco, visit the lost city of Machu Picchu and ponder the enigma of the Nazca Lines.

Peru also boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in South America. The beautiful Peruvian Andes issue a siren's call to top-class trekkers. These mountains are also home to squillions of indigenous highlanders, who still speak the ancient tongue of Quechua and live a traditional way of life.

Peru is currently in the middle of its wet season; the government has declared a state of emergency in the departments of Tumbes, Piura, Ucayali and Lambayeque due to severe flooding. Travelers should monitor weather forecasts and expect some disruption to transport services.

Recent demonstrations in the city of Ayacucho over agriculture laws have resulted in injuries and fatalities. Travellers should exercise extreme caution and avoid any large public gatherings.

Areas where the government is conducting counter-insurgency campaigns have been designated 'emergency areas' and should not be entered. The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) guerrilla movement is still known to conduct occasional operations in the Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Junín and San Martín areas. Border areas with Ecuador and Colombia are dangerous due to the presence of drug traffickers. The Cordillera del Cóndor region, near the border with Ecuador, is planted with landmines.

Cuba

Beguiling, confounding, frustrating and bewitching: Cuba does it all.

Epic colonial architecture, libidinous young salsa dancers, Che Guevara murals, white-powder sandy beaches, swaying fields of sugar cane - the images of Cuba are as transfixing as they are timeless. This is an island of unique historical heritage floating amid a sea of encroaching globalisation.

Travel in Cuba can involve anything from sipping mojittos at an all-inclusive resort in Varadero to scraping the spit and sawdust off your shoes outside the Casa de las Tradiciones in Santiago. The burgeoning tourist sector rubs up against the Cuba of communist myth.

Venezuela

If you could channel-surf for landscape, Venezuela would tire out any remote.

Venezuela is epic in proportion: it boasts South America's largest lake and third-longest river, the highest waterfall in the world, the longest of all snakes, and some of the most spectacular landscapes you'll ever see.

There are the snowcapped peaks of the Andes in the west; steamy Amazonian jungles in the south; the hauntingly beautiful Gran Sabana plateau, with its strange flat-topped mountains, in the east; and miles of white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast.

Brazil

Which is wilder - the jungle or the people?

Brazil is South America's giant, a dazzling land of pristine beaches, steamy jungles and manic metropolises. Music and dancing are as integral here as eating and sleeping, and you'll find as many regional styles as there are shades of people, from samba's sensual rhythms to Bahia's axé -charged beats.

While it may not be the Eden of popular imagination, Brazil is still a country of staggering beauty. There are stretches of unexplored rainforest, islands with divine tropical beaches, and endless rivers. Then there are the people themselves, who delight visitors with their energy and joy.

America

The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. The Americas cover 8.3% of the Earth's total surface area (28.4% of its land area) and contain about 14% of the human population (about 900 million people). The Americas may alternatively be referred to as America."America seems to have everything and yet has almost nothing. It's unbelievable. In that vast, beautiful, powerful land of unprecedented abundance live some of the most unhappy people on earth. Oh, generally speaking, they complement all that affluence by being generous and energetic and, except for their ruling class—which is wormy with evil like ruling classes everywhere—rather decent."

USA

USA: a global brand, a cluster of seductions, a wealth of surprises.

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

The US was fashioned from an incredibly disparate population who, with little in common apart from a desire to choose their own paths to wealth or heaven, rallied around the ennobling ideals of the Declaration of Independence to forge the richest, most inventive and most powerful country on earth.

Restrictions on airline carry-on baggage are in place throughout the US. For details check the Transport Security Administration website.

Panama

Falling under the radar of tourist crowds, Panama's divine natural gifts shine.

While Panama is known mostly for its famous canal, the country's natural attractions offer an irresistible lure to far-sighted travelers. This oft-overlooked country offers some of the finest birding, snorkeling and hiking in the Americas.

Panama's charms include its stunning coastline of palm-fringed beaches, its astounding wildlife - boasting an incredible diversity of tropical birds - and its proud, vibrant indigenous peoples, such as the Kuna. While in Panama, you'll find it hard to shake the inescapable feeling that you're in on a secret the rest of the traveling world has yet to discover.

Bandits, smugglers, Colombian guerrillas and paramilitary forces make the area of Darién Province between Yaviza and the Colombian border along the upper Tuira River unsafe. However, the vast majority of Darién National Park is relatively safe - travel with a guide is recommended.

There have been reports of armed criminals targeting travelers at Madden Dam in Chagre National Park.

Nicaragua

A land of poetry and revolution, lakes and volcanoes, war and peace.

To the new generation of travelers, Nicaragua represents booming beach breaks, volcano hiking, island paradises and laid-back colonial towns. It seems that the message - 'the civil war finished decades ago people!' - has finally gotten across to a world who had the country pegged as a troublespot.

Yet the iconic images of idealistic young people giving their lives for a dream of liberty endure, and Nicaragua remains a land where people, whatever their beliefs, tend to go beyond cheap chatter. A place of artists and poets, the country's people are an even greater asset than its natural splendor.

Incidents of banditry occur in the remote North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN), particularly around Bonanza, Siuna and along the Honduran border. Travelers should exercise high levels of caution when visiting these remote areas.

Guatemala

Mountains and Mayan culture: Guatemala gives you a double shot of Central America.

Despite its past turmoil and political instability, travelers are returning to Guatemala because it offers Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes the most devastating and its history decidedly intense.

Guatemala is the Mayan heart of Central America, though the government has touted and tortured the Maya - sticking their pictures on brochures and guns in their faces. However, indigenous culture survives in the ancient ruins of Tikal, rituals of Chichicastenango and blazing colors of Mayan dress.

Travel in Guatemala is generally safe, but a relatively high level of violent crime is committed against foreigners. Vehicle-jackings are almost an everyday occurrence, especially in Guatemala City. Intercity travel after sunset should be avoided. Travelers should exercise extra caution on the roads in rural areas, particularly in the northern and western regions. When taking photographs in rural areas, be aware that some locals believe foreigners come to kidnap children.

Costa Rica

Hang ten in this peaceful oasis: the local wildlife highly recommends it.

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

Costa Rica, despite being such a tiny nation, draws well over a million visitors every year - and you can see why. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise a cloud forest one day, climb a volcano the next, and finish passed out on a hot sandy beach.

Ecuador

Ecuador may be tiny, but it sure packs a spectacular punch.

The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes, dense rainforest and sublime islands - all in a nation no bigger than the US state of Nevada.

Once a banana republic, Ecuador's politicians still pocket the wealth accumulated from its treasures: a picture-perfect capital, the all-consuming Amazonian jungle, breathtaking wildlife reserves, ancient sites, remote indigenous villages, and, of course, world-famous tropical beaches.

Heavy rains and floods across Ecuador prompted the national government to declare a state of emergency in February, and the inclement weather continues. Travel to Quito was badly affected by a landslide on 31 March, and floods around the city of Loja have caused serious damage. Travellers should expect delays to transport services, and very poor road conditions.

Tungurahua volcano, south of Quito, is currently more active than usual, prompting authorities to declare a red alert and evacuate nearby residents. Visitors are prohibited from going near the volcano, and entry into the city of Baños is limited. Travelers should heed local advice and be aware that an eruption could occur at any time.

There have been several reports of robberies and rape on Volcán Pichincha, near Quito. Armed with machetes and guns, the robbers have attacked groups of hikers on the main trail up Rucu Pichincha from the telefériQo. We're hoping these attacks will cease with a planned increase in security, but it's best to check with your embassy or with South American Explorers for an update on the situation before considering a hike here.

There is a high risk to the security of those traveling in the northern areas of Ecuador that border with Colombia because of kidnappings, military and guerrilla activity and increased crime. Landmines are also present in the Cordillera del Cóndor region, bordering Peru. These areas should be avoided.

Suriname

Lush jungles teem with wildlife; diverse cultures coexist in the sultry heat.

With a buzzing capital full of Dutch colonial architecture and a wild interior riddled with rivers, waterfalls and wildlife, exotic Suriname is an adventure traveler's dream. Its extraordinary ethnic diversity makes for phenomenal, spicy cuisine and friendly, open-minded people.

It's not always easy to get around this river-heavy, forest-dense country, and the mix of languages can make it hard to communicate. But, with a little perseverance, travelers will be richly rewarded as they stroll the streets of gorgeous Paramaribo or watch giant turtles emerge from the sea.

Falklands

More fireside crumpets than Latin fire.

Though it's neighbored by South America and Antarctica, the Falklands are British through and through, with peat fires burning in every hearth and teatimes to set your clock by. With only a scattering of inhabitants (half of whom are British military personnel), it's hardly Touristville.

The real lure of these remote isles is the wildlife: breathtaking marine animals, and seabirds living large among the cliffs and along the windswept beaches. The intriguing human history here, strongly linked to the sea, is evidenced by several shipwrecks dotted around Stanley Harbour.

Colombia

Begging to be discovered, Colombia's got everything but crowds.

Vibrant cities with soaring skyscrapers, elegant port towns cut by cobbled alleys and bougainvillea-shrouded balconies, spectacular national parks from tropical to heavenly-high-alpine, cruise boats, party buses, late-night salsa dancing and glorious shopping. This is Colombia we're talking about!

On the surface, Colombia is a seemingly untroubled country. Media reports, however, still speak of coca fields, violent crime and kidnappings. Beyond the headlines is a thriving society with a rising middle class, some of the best health care and universities in South America, and improved security.

Travelers should exercise vigilance at all times due to the level of violent crime. Although kidnapping and homicide rates in urban areas of Colombia have dropped in recent years, they remain high. Outside the main tourist areas these dangers are greatly magnified - avoid any off-the-beaten-track travel. It's best to stick to the main routes and travel during daytime only. Regions to avoid include border areas with Ecuador and Venezuela, where criminal, guerrilla and paramilitary activities are a threat to travelers.

In April 2007 a carbomb exploded in Cali, sparking fears that a renewed campaign of violence in urban areas by the FARC may be underway. Travelers should monitor the news for any details of further attacks and respect any local advice regarding safety.

Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travelers.

Mexico

A country so lively that even Day of the Dead is a hoot.

Mexico is a traveler's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialized cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, deserted beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna.

This mix of modern and traditional, clichéd and surreal, is the key to Mexico's charm, whether your passion is throwing back margaritas, listening to howler monkeys, surfing the Mexican Pipeline, scrambling over Mayan ruins or expanding your collection of posable Day of the Dead skeletons.

Travel in Mexico is generally safe. However travelers are targeted by criminals in well-touristed areas such as Mexico City and the beach resorts. Most of these incidents involve petty theft but more serious crimes such as kidnappings and sexual assaults do occur. Recently, there have been reports of violent armed robberies by paramilitary-style criminals in Baja California, who have been targeting American surfers. Travelers should use common sense at all times to avoid any potential risks and take extra caution at night.

Violence stemming from Mexico's drug trade does occur throughout the country, particularly in Sinaloa, the northern border states and recently in Acapulco. Travelers should avoid any obviously dangerous situations and respect any local advice regarding safety.

Dominican Republic

Bounce between carnivals and glide between manatees.

The white-sand beaches, impressive mountain ranges veined with spectacular rivers and waterfalls, and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are just part of the Dominican Republic's appeal. Whether you're looking to party, relax or explore, the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer.

El Salvador

Hiking, surfing, history - and hardly another tourist in sight.

Its name still evokes images of the brutal civil war fought throughout the 1980s, but the bloodshed is long over - the volcanic landscape remains the most turbulent aspect of El Salvador. Friendly locals like to chat, diverting your gaze from the gangs and refugees to beautiful broad valleys.

El Salvador has rich forests and craggy mountains that make for great hiking. But the people of El Salvador are surely its richest resource, and the best reason to come. Direct, friendly and unjaded by mass tourism, most Salvadorans are genuinely happy to chat or help you out if you're lost.

Roads and highways can be subject to criminal activity; travelers should exercise caution, particularly on public buses. Avoid any travel at night. Travel to regions bordering Guatemala can be risky, due to local drug turf wars. While foreigners are not targeted, they may be unlucky enough to get caught up in the violence.

Guyana

A land dense with monolithic natural treasures.

Guyana's natural attractions are spectacular, unspoiled and on a scale that dwarfs human endeavor. While lingering effects of Dutch and British colonization make for an unpredictable political and demographic climate, the Guyanese are doing what they can to make their country an ecotourism haven.

Guyana has immense waterfalls, vast tropical rainforests and grasslands teeming with wildlife. There's still a hint of frontier wildness about the country and a few rough edges in the capital Georgetown, but the treasures that await are more than adequate reward for the willing traveler.

Travel Warning: Areas to Avoid

Home invasions, carjackings, kidnappings and shootings are not uncommon in Guyana, particularly in Georgetown and New Amsterdam. Georgetown's Tiger Bay and Stabroek Market areas and all of the city's south should be avoided after dark. The east coast of the Demerara river is also a high-risk area, particularly the villages of Buxton, Friendship and Annadale, as is the highway from Timerhi to Linden.

Argentina

The home of the sultry tango does a good line in fiery soccer and juicy steaks.

Argentina's pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavored sophistication, and a passionate culture - are as tempting as ever. The silver lining to the financial cloud is that it's now one of the best travel bargains around. This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to blend in with the locals.

For residents of the Northern Hemisphere, Argentina offers travelers the possibility of enjoying two summers in one year, but the country's great variety and elongated geography means visiting is pleasant during any season. Patagonian destinations, such as the Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz, are best visited in the summer months (December to February ) when the weather's milder and more services are available. Outside this time, services thin out and public transport becomes trickier. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Buenos Aires (the summer is hot and humid). Mendoza, Córdoba and the Lake District are all spectacular in autumn, when the leaves are fiery reds and yellows, the temperatures are comfortable and the crowds are few. Northern Argentina, including the Iguazú Falls in the subtropical Misiones province, is also more pleasant in the Southern Hemisphere's winter or spring when heat and humidity are less oppressive. Ski season runs mid-June through mid-October, and the resorts are most expensive and most crowded during July and August when every porteño (person from Buenos Aires) seems to be on the slopes. The most expensive times to travel are the Argentine vacation months of January, February and July. Argentina's climate ranges from subtropical in the north to humid and steamy in the center, and cold in the south. The upper Andes region has erratic rainfall, flash floods (in summer), searing heat, snow at higher elevations, and the Zonda - a hot, dry wind. The lowlands receive sufficient rainfall to support swampy forests and upland savanna, but rainfall decreases towards the west; shallow summer flooding is common in the east. The winter dry season is pronounced, and the summer heat can be brutal. The flat Pampas areas are also vulnerable to flooding. Patagonia is mild year-round in the east and glacial in the south. Patagonian weather ranges widely during the year, from relatively temperate in the northeast to glacial along the Andes to fairly chilly in the far south.

Travel Warning: Yellow Fever Alert

Due to an increase in cases of yellow fever in early 2008, travelers to the northeast and north of Argentina, including Puerto Iguazú and all areas bordering Paraguay and Brazil, are advised to get a vaccination before departure.