I would like to spend time in South America, but where ?......................?

Lots of good answers! There is a lot to love in South America. Also consider Central America, especially Costa Rica, which is peaceful, has a low crime rate, has beautiful natural attractions (volcanoes, rainforest, beaches), has very nice people, AND - has beautiful women!

But I also like Peru, with both the Andes and all the ruins as well as the Amazon, for adventure. The people of Ecuador are great and there are some amazing things to see there also. Argentina and Chile are more modern and cosmopolitan but are supposed to be fantastic - also more expensive.

First, land in Santiago, Chile. Go to Valparaiso and along the way visit the wineries....

Valparaiso is such a beautiful city...

Turn north and visit the Southern Observatory in the Atacama Desert (where in some parts it hasn't rained since at least the 1500's...

Studies have suggested that some river beds in the Atacama Desert have been dry for 120,000 years..

The Southern Observatory includes the Very Large Telescope (VLT) - four 8.2 meter telescopes working in tandem...

Now back to Santiago and a flight to Easter Island...

The Easter Islanders conducted an experiment from about the years 1200 to 1522 that is a mirror of the experiment the entire world is conducting NOW...

"What will happen to an isolated habitat (like the Earth) when the carrying capacity is exceeded and the environment is trashed???"

In the case of Easter Island 90% of the population perished and their civilization was destroyed...

I imagine that the result of the experiment with the whole Earth will be as bad or worse...

In my opinion nothing can be compared to Ecuador! It is the true paradise, the most beautiful place of South America, it has everything to thrill you :) Volcanoes, jungle, Amazonia, 700km of beaches, open hearted people, great food and drinks, cheaper and safer campings, and yes, Ecuador is safe, it is not like in other Latin countries, in Ecuador you may relax and enjoy your every minute there :) We love Ecuador, we have 4,000 free pictures in our open gallery www.naturemethod.com/ecportal.html plus some useful links are there too, including tickets and hotels and everything :) Have a nice trip!

PERU!!!

FIRST what you want to do and how much money to spend ( most of S,L. is cheap and friendly) You want History,ruins and juggle Colombia and Peru.

You want beaches,Jungle,rivers,party and beautiful girls Brazil (Rio Janeiro)

Colombia!

You're certainly entitled to that opinion, Prometheus.

Peru is great for starters!