Latin America vs USA: Can South American Travel Rival Classic American Experiences?
As political tensions and rising costs make some travellers reconsider traditional American vacations, a compelling question emerges: can heading south of the border provide experiences that equal or even surpass those found in the United States? Travel correspondent Simon Calder explores this intriguing possibility in his latest column, drawing direct comparisons between iconic US destinations and their Latin American counterparts.
The Shifting Landscape of American Travel
"Is going to the USA embarrassing now?" This provocative headline from a recent Premium Independent story captures a growing sentiment among certain travellers. With political controversies surrounding figures like Donald Trump, immigration enforcement actions, and even athletes expressing mixed feelings about representing their country, some question whether the America they once admired still exists. Beyond politics, practical concerns also arise, including soaring transatlantic travel costs and new surcharges like the $100 per person fee for foreign visitors to top US national parks.
Simon Calder finds himself contemplating these issues while enjoying coffee on a sunny terrace in El Calafate, Argentina. The atmosphere reminds him strikingly of a previous visit to Aspen, Colorado – the same holiday mood, the same sense of good fortune. Yet here he is in South America, where the political controversies surrounding Argentina's President Javier Milei don't seem to generate the same strong reactions from travellers as those surrounding the White House occupant.
Direct Destination Comparisons
Mountain Landscapes: While Yosemite National Park offers magnificent scenery and superb hiking, Chile's Torres del Paine presents an even greater outdoors experience than California can provide. These dramatic rock towers overlook a mosaic of lakes, with world-class treks available for adventurous visitors.
Ultimate Road Trip: Forget Route 66 – get your kicks south of the border on the Panamericana instead. This epic highway stretching from Alaska to Ushuaia truly comes into its own as it snakes through the volcanoes of Central America. The stretch through Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama represents the highlight, though travellers should note the road is interrupted where the Darien Gap begins.
Beach Cities: Miami Beach remains a dream Atlantic location, but Rio de Janeiro upstages the Florida strip with its succession of beaches populated by beautiful people, backed by a hinterland full of drama and indulgence.
Quaint Historic Towns: While Charleston, South Carolina and Stockbridge, Massachusetts overflow with charm, so too do Latin American alternatives like Antigua in Guatemala and Popayan in Colombia, each offering rich historical atmospheres and architectural beauty.
Unique South American Alternatives
Island Escapes: Instead of Hawaii or the Florida Keys, consider Easter Island (part of Chile) and the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador's territory). Each destination offers nature at her most intense and remote, with unique ecosystems and cultural experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Canyon Experiences: Yes, there's only one Grand Canyon, but travellers can head south from Arizona across the Mexican border to Chihuahua and board the Copper Canyon Railway. This remarkable journey rattles beside an equally impressive geological gash in the earth's surface, all the way to Los Mochis on the Pacific coast.
River Cruises: A sunset boat trip on the Mississippi in New Orleans remains a tourist favourite, but the Demerara River cruise offered in Georgetown, Guyana provides a compelling alternative. Within minutes, visitors feel deep in a South American wilderness, with the added bonus of unlimited rum.
The Uniquely American Experience
Calder acknowledges that some destinations remain truly unique to the United States. Manhattan's skyline, Las Vegas's neon spectacle, and Orlando's theme parks have no direct Latin American equivalents. The travel expert invites readers to suggest their own substitutions, encouraging a broader conversation about alternative travel experiences.
Simon Calder, known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he continues to explore key travel issues and their implications for modern travellers seeking meaningful experiences beyond traditional tourist trails.
