South America is perhaps as well travelled as any region in the world other than, perhaps, Europe.  Over the years it has earned a reputation among budget backpackers and luxury travellers alike as a destination worthy of not just a surface exploration, but one that is much more in depth.  Thus, getting off of the beaten track, or “the sidewalk” as we call it here in Vagabundo Magazine, is becoming increasingly more difficult.  As such, I have listed some of my favourite places to “get off the sidewalk” in South America.

Quilotoa Crater Lake, Ecuador

Quiltoa

Maybe the most impressive sight in all of Ecuador is a place that remains relatively off the beaten track.  The most likely reason why it has yet to gain the type of traffic that it deserves is that it sits off the usual tourist “highway” in Ecuador that takes people from Quito to Tena to Banos then off to Cuenca and the coast or Peru.  However, if you are in the country Quilatoa is a must see and well worth the couple days you’ll have to spend to get there.  Not only is the crater impressive but the surrounding highlands are incredible as they are covered with the beautiful colours of the various farm crops.

Concepcion, Paraguay

You’ll definitely see more horses in Concepcion than tourists.  In fact, be prepared for strange looks by locals, followed by curious and pleasant greetings, as you walk through town.  It’s not all too often that tourists come to Concepcion, but those who do likely fall quickly into the calming sense placed upon them in town.  In the early evening just pull up a chair on the main drag of town with a nice meal and a beer in hand and enjoy watching people cruise by on scooters and motorbikes as they wave to everyone in town.  This is small town Paraguay at its finest.

Capurgana, Colombia

Capurgana

Up near the border with Panama sits one of the most under-rated travel destinations in Colombia.  It has largely been neglected by tourists, however, not because it isn’t worthy of a visit but because it sits in the middle of a part of the country still often plagued by narco-traffickers and guerrillas.  However, this Caribbean gem is starting to change and as it become safer more and more people are making the journey to enjoy this tropical paradise.

Punta Sal, Peru

Just down the highway from the backpacking hot spot of Mancora, Peru sits the sleepy beach village of Punta Sal.  While Mancora beats constantly 24 hours a day, Punta Sal seems to never be in a hurry.  Moreover, the beach in Punta Sal is much cleaners, quieter, calmer and even seems warmer than that of Mancora.  If the noise and hassle of the beach at Mancora doesn’t seem worth your struggle head up to Punta Sal to get away from it all.

Guyana

Guyana

The country of Guyana seems to be its own worst enemy when it comes to tourism.  The capital city has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous in the Americas and maybe the most significant news event in recent years was a massacre that took place in Jonesville.  However, Guyana might be the one off-the-beaten-track destination in South America with the most potential.  It has one of the most well kept pieces of the Amazon basin, it has a rich indigenous tradition, and one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls.  Guyana should be a part of your South American travel plans, despite the bad news it often receives.

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About the Author

Brendan van Son is the Editor-in-Chief of Vagabundo Magazine as well as his personal website Brendan’s Adventures.