History and Culture
South America is a culturally diverse continent, with a fusion of the indigenous and foreign influences from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its colonial history essentially shaped its cultural landscape today. Although many of the South American countries were established after the Spanish and Portuguese colonisation, there have been several native tribes and civilisations existing in the continent long before, and cultural fragments of their era survived the test of time despite almost being completely obliterated. This dynamic cultural mix is widely evident in the region’s architecture, culinary, religion, music, language, and traditions.
Culture vultures will be delighted to immerse themselves in these rewarding local experiences and cultural highlights:
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Watch a tango performance in Buenos Aires, which is inherently tied to Argentinian culture — catch people dancing to the beat in theatres, milongas, and even on the streets.
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The port city of Manta in Ecuador affords visitors unprecedented access to ancient Manta culture.
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Engage and live with the locals on Lake Titicaca, where the sense of tight-woven community is strong and indigenous lifestyles are well-maintained.
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Attend the largest festival in the world, Rio Carnival, and get lost in the explosion of art, culture, music, and dance.
