What better way is there to close out your 2011 than by taking one last major vacation? While the northern hemisphere lets winter set in, let the hot and heavy South American continent create the most magical holiday memories for your last month of the year. For inspiration, here are our top 4 perfect destinations for ringing in 2012.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is largely lauded as the major cultural capital of Argentina, if not the continent. As well, it is the colorful capital of the country. Relax in the historical downtown and relish in the beauty of the European-style architecture, earning the city its nickname as "The Paris of South America," before heading to the nearby Punta del Este beach where all the fun happens. There, dozens upon dozens of bars and nightclubs are open all night to cater to partygoers looking to make the last minutes of the year the best ever.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The more than 600 year old Inca citadel is actually great to visit all year, but going for Christmas or New Year's will surely make for a milestone Peru holiday. What better way to celebrate the dawning of 2012 than at the top of Huayna Picchu, the mountain right behind the ruins, gazing at the iconic Peruvian archeological site? Visit Machu Picchu at sunrise to see it in its most glorious state, then spend the rest of the day on a Machu Picchu tour to get a feel of the ancient history that the Spaniards somehow managed to skip over.
Paraty, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, as part of most Brazil vacation packages, tends to get all the attention most of the year, but when the new year rolls around, Paraty is the place to be. Tourism facilities here are fully developed and travelers will find all the comforts and indulgences they're looking for in order to satiate the lusts of New Year's. Handfuls of the best nightlife options in South America make Paraty the destination for dressing up, getting fancy, and going out on the town with a bang.
Valparaiso, Chile
Your Chile vacation packages will take you to the capital of Santiago, but you want to be in Valparaiso about 1.5 hours away by vehicle. The seaside town comes alive as over a million people annually travel there to watch the incredible fireworks display illuminating the Pacific coast. The next day when you're recuperating from the night's festivities, enjoy the brilliant Chilean sun and sand of some of the most magnificent beaches in the country.
This article about holidays in South America was written by a travel expert at Latin America For Less who specializes in helping you organize best value Chile vacation packages and fully customizable Brazil vacation packages.