Avila National Park, Venezuela

El Avila National Park (1958) is popular among hikers and campers from the Caracas area;
including Naiguatá Peak and other formations in the Coastal Range, the park supports a variety
of wildlife at elevations ranging from about 400 to more than 9,000 feet. El Ávila is known as "el
pulmón de la ciudad", the lungs of the city, since it serves many different functions for residents
of Caracas, the most basic of these being navigation: the peak of El Ávila marks the north of the
city. It is home to the longest cable car ride in the world, as well as activities like running,
biking, rock climbing, camping, and zip-lining. 

Pico Bolivar, Venezuela

Pico Bolivar is the highest peak in Venezuela at 4978m (16332ft) above sea level and is named
after Venezuelan independence hero Simon Bolivar. Located in Mérida State, its top is
permanently covered with névé snow and three small glaciers. It can be reached only by walking;
the Mérida cable car, which was the highest and longest cable car in the world when it was built,
only reaches Pico Espejo.
 Ciudad Perdida, Colombia

La Ciudad Perdida, or Lost City in Spanish, is a special landmark in South America, and one of
the must-visit places in Colombia. The Tairona people built the city deep in the Colombian forest
around 800 AD but abandoned it during the Spanish conquest.
The city was ‘lost’ to all outsiders for hundreds of years until it was rediscovered by accident in
1972, when some local treasure hunters stumbled across some stone steps leading through the
jungle.

Tayrona National Park

The Tayrona National Park in northern Colombia is a protected area where the lush tropical
jungles meet the Caribbean coast. It is an area known for its pristine beaches, many of which
offer an extraordinary experience if you decide to camp in Tayrona. The park presents a
biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, featuring a
variety of climates (mountain climate) and geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900
meters above sea level. The park covers approximately 30 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of
maritime area in the Caribbean sea and approximately 150 square kilometers (58 sq mi) of land.
It was the second most visited national park in Colombia in 2019, with 458,755 visitors.
 Basilica del Voto Nacional, Ecuador

The Basilica del Voto Nacional (or the Basilica of the National Vow) in Quito, Ecuador is an
iconic South American landmark that’s famous for its architecture and rich history. The
Basilica is located in the heart of the city just steps away from the Historic Center and is one of
the top things to do in Quito.

Construction on the Basilica began in 1892, and the Basilica was opened in 1899. To this day,
construction on the Basilica has not been completed. Legend has it that if construction on the
Basilica is complete, the world will end.

Farley Hill National Park, Barbados

Building of Farley Hill house began in 1818, with additional rooms being added over the next 50
years. It eventually grew to be regarded as the most impressive mansion in Barbados. In the mid-
nineteenth century the property was owned by Sir Graham Briggs, a wealthy British planter and
legislator. Briggs improved not only the house, but also the gardens, importing many new plants
and trees into the island.

In 1957, the house was used in the film Island in the Sun but was destroyed by fire in 1965.
Farley Hill was officially opened as a national park by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1966, the same
year Barbados gained independence.
 Arepas, Venezuela

The arepa is a symbol of Venezuelan gastronomy and one of the most common pre-
Hispanic foods still popular in Venezuela. This flatbread sandwich made from ground maize
dough or cooked flour can be filled with just about anything, from cheese to meat to
eggs.  eaten in the northern region of South America since pre-Columbian times, and notable
primarily in the cuisine of Colombia and Venezuela, but also present in the cuisines of Bolivia,
Panama and other countries.

Banjeda Paisa, Colombia

Bandeja paisa (Paisa refers to a person from the Paisa Region and bandeja

is Spanish for platter), with variations known as bandeja de arriero, bandeja montañera,
or bandeja antioqueña, is one of the most representative meals in Colombian cuisine, especially
of the Antioquia department and the Paisa Region. Bandeja paisa is a dish that combines ground
beef, fried pork rinds, fried plantains, rice, and red beans, topped with a fried egg and avocado
slices. The origin of the bandeja paisa was influenced by several different cultures that inhabited
Colombia throughout the centuries, including the indigenous peoples of Colombia, as well
as colonial Spaniards and Africans. In the 19th century, French and British colonialists also
brought their cuisine with them.
 Encocado de Camarones, Ecuador

One of the best dishes to showcase this marine bounty is the encocado de camarones. Similar to
a Thai curry, but without the Asian spices, encocado is made from fresh coconut milk, bell
peppers, onions, garlic, and tomato paste.
These ingredients are first blended into a paste, then heated up. Once ready, the prawns are
sauteed in this sauce for a few minutes, and the dish is served topped with freshly chopped
cilantro.