Peru, Argentina, or Ecuador? What country should I visit?

Question

My husband and I are thinking about making S. America our destination on our next big trip. I am interested in visiting Argentina, but Peru and Ecuador intrigue me as well. I know Peru has Machu Picchu and Ecuador has the Galapagos. I like ot do a lot of research early, so any advice will be appreciated!

Answer 1

Definitely Argentina.

Iguazu Falls is one of the most beautiful parks I've ever visited. Or go to Salta and take a drive through the beautiful landscape (plus get really nice and inexpensive llama wool and alpaca clothing, blankets, etc). The best place of all is lovely Buenos Aires - the music, dancing, wine, food and beautiful people everywhere!

You won't regret it.

Answer 2

Peru Vs Ecuador Travel

Answer 3

I was in all three countries and it really depends on your interests. In my opinion Ecuador was the the least interesting, it has natural beauty, but so do Peru and Argentina. If you are interested in learning about about history and indigenous cultures then Peru is a fascinating place, do the Inka trail to Macchu Picchu, not only do you see incredible ruins but the Andes are amazing! You can also visit the Peruvian Amazon, I hear that its even nicer than the Brazilian Amazon. Cusco is a nice place to visit, its a real tourist trap and the locals are not as friendly as in other regions of Peru, but its a good place to jumpstart your tours and shop for local crafts.
Argentina is also a very fascinating city, the people are are really outgoing and its a great place to shop, the food is great and so is the nightlife. You can also take the super-first class buses to Foz de Iguazu or Tierra del Fuego.
Both countries are amazing, but two completely different experiences.

Answer 4

I spent three months in Ecuador and a few weeks in Peru. I would DEFINITELY check out the Galapagos! It was amazing! I loved it. I would recommend staying on a cruise ship not in a hotel and remember, you are not permitted on 99% of the Galapagos without a certified tour guide. Most guides speak fairly good english but it helps if you speak a bit of spanish. Ecuador has some nice beaches that aren't too touristy (check out Esmeraldas but I am sure there are better ones too). Ecuador has a lot of cultural and architectural history to offer but not much in the way of luxury. Peru was really nice. Lima felt like an old Spanish city. The architecture was beautiful. Machu Picchu was really cool. I really enjoyed Cuzco (this is where most people stay while they visit Macchu Picchu). It was fairly touristy but had an old peruvian small city feel. There was traditional food, music, wares. It is definitely a trip that I recommend to my friends and family.

Answer 5

I am peruvian and i don't want to tell you "come to my country because is the best"
I haven't been in Ecuador nor in Argentina but what i can tell you about Peru is that i recomend you if you likes culure. My country is mostly for turists that likes culture, and see lots of things in few time. The most important thing in Peru is Machu Picchu but there is so much more to see in here such as a modern capital (Lima) colonial cities (Arequipa and Cusco), an awesome gastronomy, 5000 years of history (Incas are not the only culture that lived here! they only lived from 1300 to 1535 but there is 5000 years of culture before that), lovely and warm people and a mixture of nature.
From what i have heard, Argentina can be ecomend if you are looking for big modern cities and Ecuador if you are looking for a raw nature and culture.

Answer 6

Peru remains our very favorite destination. The rain forest if you like nature, Cuzco and Machu Picchu if you like fascinating ancient ruins, native crafts (we think much better than Ecuador), and "magic."

Ecuador is charming also. And the Galapagos are a must if you're a nature lover. It's getting over-traveled so you may not want to wait.

We have not been to Argentina, but our impression is that it's the least "South American" on the continent, with its eyes more toward Europe. Also, wonder how friendly they are to Americans these days. But still would like to visit it some day.

And, don't rule out Chile, a land of real variety, plus Easter Island.

To check out our trips to South America, http://jackmaryetc.com/

Answer 7

Ecuador it's definitely the best. Extremely tropical. It has it all. Galapagos, Cotopaxi, The city of Guayaquil, the crazy amazon, the beaches, the Afro Ecuadorians culture territory. I loved it a lot better than Argentina, if you are going to experience something with more things American like or European like, then what's the point of going to South America? Peru...Machupichu is about the main attraction...then there is really nothing besides that.

Answer 8

Listen here, I'm from Ecuador, and unlike the other people that has answered this question, I won't tell you go to Ecuador just because I'm from there. True, my country has a lot to offer, and so the other countries. If I would have the money, I would go to Peru, just because I would like to be in Machu Picchu, pictures I’ve seen of that place are so great and it looks so peaceful. Argentina is also a great place to visit, I’ve seen pictures of their beaches, their women, and of course, since I’m a soccer fan, nothing would be greater than being in Monumental Stadium or Bombonera in the middle of a classic soccer game between River Plate and Boca Juniors. Nightlife I guess is awesome everywhere as long as you go with a great group of friends, so don't take that into consideration when you decide where to go. Someone says Argentina has different weathers and landscape, well, this person doesn’t know anything about Ecuador for example, we do also have 4 different regions:

1 the coast, hot most of the time, beautiful beaches as Salinas, Montañita (this is a hell of place, lots of fun), Bahia de Caraquez, Manta (great place since the Americans have a military base there), Atacames, just to name a few. Other cities like Guayaquil, this one has changed a lot in the last 10 years, there is a lot to do and see, but, honestly, it's just like any other cosmopolitan city, I don't mean is ugly, I just don't know exactly what kind of travel you like.

2 the mountains, aka sierra, nice weather, you'll find the capital city, Quito, and few minutes away from there, the middle of the world, it's the only place in the earth where the equatorial line pass through a place you can visit. Ambato, if you go right now, you will presence a volcano ready to go boom, just don't get to close he he, Tungurahua is the name. If you like climbing, then you have Chimborazo, Cotopaxi to name a few. Cuenca, beautiful city, it's like a little piece of Spain in South America, if you decide to go north, the lakes area, like San Pablo, you'll think you are in heaven. There are others like Yaguarcocha (lagoon of blood), Cuicocha, etc.

3 Amazon, well, the name says it all. never been that close before, but for what I’ve seen on TV, it might be the adventure of your life.

4 insular, where you find Galapagos Islands, our best presentation card, nowhere in the world, you'll find a place like this one. Animals and vegetation that you can't find anywhere else, white sand beaches where you can swim with sharks and whales, etc etc .......

So if I were you and would have the money, I’d go to all three places. Now, in my case, being from Ecuador, living somewhere else but from Ecuador, I’d choose Machu Picchu first, and then Argentina. just my personal opinion, the rest of Peru doesn’t catch my attention, it's not like I think the place is awful, no way, but I find it similar somehow to my country, and I would like to go to a "different" place, and that's exactly what machu picchu is.

Again, if you like nature, definitely Galapagos Islands is your best choice, and forget about the rest of Ecuador if you want to, although you will have to go to Guayaquil first and then the islands.

Answer 9

Anything I state here is from a personal and professional point of view(fellow traveller and Owner of a Travel Agency). Certain things come to mind:

1- When do you plan to travel?(The weather may be a factor)
2- For how long?
3- Looking to explore on your own? Looking for a Tour?
4- Air/Hotel? An "All-Inclusive"?

Speaking for myself, I like Peru. And it has nothing to do with Machu Picchu. It is all about the Peruvian culture, the scenery, the diverse food offerings(Spanish influences prevail). If you just want to be a tourist, then Argentina's your best bet.

Answer 10

I can't speak for Ecuador. As far as Peru, yes Machu Piccu would be worth visiting, but it takes several days to get there and back. Why waste those days in a bus when you could be site seeing.

But here's the real answer. You need to visit CHILE.

Chile has the driest desert in the world, all the way down to the antartic. it's got Easter Island. It's a beautiful place that you'll truly fall in love with. Don't count out Chile!

Either way you go, have a lot of fun.

Answer 11

Hi. You are right: Perú has Machu Pichu and Ecuador has the Galápagos, two great destinations. However, Argentina has much more to offer if you are thinking of a long trip. We have all the climates and landscapes. In the northeast, we have the Iguazú Falls in Misiones province, a marvel surrounded by tropical forests. In the northwest, we have mountains of hundred colours and some historical cities from times of the Spanish colony. To the south, we have the huge Patagonia where you can visit, either the majesty of the Andes mountains and their reminiscence of the Swiss Alps, or the never ending Atlantic coast (whales watching around October), along which you will reach the most suthern city of América, Ushuaia, also with lakes and great views. In spite of the fact you will have long distances to cover, everywhere here is worth visiting. If you want to know more or ask about any specific place, just let me know and I will find links for you to have a look at our touristic places. Regards. Ercilia