Travel to South America to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work,

or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

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 South America

Intro

Backpacking in South America?

  • Backpacking through South America is a dance past local music, personal encounters, breathtaking natural areas, exciting moments and relaxed hot spots.
  • Features: Speaking Spanish, dancing salsa, learning tango, watching your stuff, respecting local traditions, admiring immense nature and experiencing culinary diversity.

Traveling in South America?

  • A trip through South America is a journey through cultures where life is celebrated, nature has a defining influence and indelible impressions are left behind.
  • Nature spotting: the Amazon regions, the Andes mountains, Iguazu Falls, the Pantanal, the Patagonian Peninsula and the beaches of Brazil and Colombia.
  • Animal spotting: from sloth to jaguar and from penguin to whale.

Internships in South America?

  • Internship sectors: health care, mining, agriculture, education, technology and tourism, among others.
  • Internship cities: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago.
  • Learning skills: communication, daring, empathy, flexibility.

Studying in South America?

  • Studies: basically all subjects and forms of education can be found.
  • Study cities: Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cuenca, São Paulo, Santiago.
  • Learning Spanish: Buenos Aires, Catagena, Cuenca, Cusco, Montevideo, Mendoza, Quito, Sucre.
  • Learning Portuguese: Florianópolis, Rio, Salvador.

Volunteering in South America?

  • Volunteer projects: particularly in the areas of conservation, medical care and social development.
  • Animal projects: protection of Amazonian birds, monkeys, sloths, penguins and whales.
  • Characteristics: volunteering possible from 1 or 2 weeks to several months.

Working in South America?

  • Jobs: paid temporary work can be found mainly in tourism and healthcare.
  • Work skills: commitment, empathy, patience, flexibility.

Working as a digital nomad in South America?

  • Favorite cities and islands: Buenos Aires, Cartagena, Florianópolis, Lima, Medellín, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Valparaíso.

Living in South America?

  • Language: Without mastering Spanish (or Portuguese in Brazil), it is difficult to function. English is not widely spoken.
  • Living Climate: In general, expats in South America perceive the lifestyle as more relaxed and the warm hospitality as a major plus.
  • The local emphasis on family and community is something to consider, though.
  • Healthcare: major cities generally have excellent healthcare, outside of that the quality can sometimes drop alarmingly. Seek advice on insurance policies that provide adequate coverage for proper care and also repatriation in case of emergency.

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South America: emigration, moving and living abroad per country

South America: emigration, moving and living abroad per country

Questions and answers per country about emigration, moving and living abroad in South America

Why live in Ecuador, why emigrate to Ecuador or stay for a long time?

Why live in Ecuador, why emigrate to Ecuador or stay for a long time?

Why should you live in Ecuador as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?

  • because there is a great diversity of landscapes and therefore something for everyone.
  • because the climate is temperate in many places. So you can easily cool down, or seek out the heat when you want to.
  • because there is a lot of cultural heritage to discover.
  • because it is one of the more affordable countries in South America.
  • because Ecuadorians are incredibly friendly and welcoming and there are also several expat communities. 

What should you pay attention to?

  • that you know some words of Spanish.
  • that prices can vary considerably between cities and towns.
  • that there are health risks.
  • that you are aware of the local culture, traditions and customs.
  • build a network to help you integrate more easily into society.
 
South America: typical South American habits, food customs, recipes and latin philosophies

South America: typical South American habits, food customs, recipes and latin philosophies

Latin and South American habits, food customs and remarkable philosophies

    Habits and customs in Brazil

    Habits and customs in Brazil

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    Habits and customs in Brazil

    • Brazilians are famous for their festive Spirit, especially Carnival, a pre-Lenten celebration known for its extravagant parades and costumes, combined with infectious samba music.
    • Brazilians love music - Beyond Samba, Brazil boasts a rich musical landscape with genres like energetic Forró, soulful Bossa Nova, and pulsating Axé.
    • Capoeira is an unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that blends acrobatics, dance, and music, is another famous aspect of Brazilian culture.

    What are the best recipes in Brazil?

    • Brazilians eat hot meals twice a day and have many regional dishes.
    • In a restaurant, the portions are often for two people, so it is useful to ask how many people the dishes on the menu are for. It is not necessary to tip in restaurants, this is usually already included in the receipt.
    • A visit to a typical Brazilian barbecue restaurant or “churrascaria” is recommended. Here you usually pay a fixed price for ''as much as you can eat''.
    • Popular in Brazil is the comida por quilo, a self-service buffet.
    • Feijoada is a stew with different types of meat.
    • Many snack bars offer salgados, these are fried snacks.

    What are the best drinks in Brazil?

    • Cafezinho (coffee) in Brazil is very strong and is offered in small cups.
    • People drink little tea, but a milkshake with fruit juice is extremely popular (vitaminas).
    • It is recommended not to drink tap water, but to buy it in the supermarket.
    • Well-known beer brands in Brazil include Brahma, Antarctica and Skol. These are comparable to our pilsner.
    • The national spirit is cachaça, made from sugar cane. This drink is the basis of the popular caipirinha, a drink made from cachaça, lots of sugar, lime and crushed ice.
    • Guarana is a soft drink known for its stimulating effect.

    What are the notable holidays and festivities in Brazil?

    • Carnival in Rio de Janeiro – The dates of the celebration vary each year, but it always starts on a Friday and ends on a Wednesday. The parades in Brazil are world famous for their samba music, dancers and beautiful costumes. Definitely something to put on your bucket list: Carnival in Rio.
    • Festa de Iemanjà – February 2, The goddess Iemanja belongs to the Candomblé religion in Brazil. In Salvador, people go to the beach dressed in white and throw offerings into the sea for the goddess.
    • Tiradentes – April 21, Tirandentes took responsibility for the protests against the Portuguese for high taxes. He started a call for liberation and is seen as a national hero in Brazil.
    • Boi Bumba – In June, Brazil has an atmospheric folk festival based on local myths and legends. The large puppets, parades, dance and music come from Portuguese, Indian and African influences. Festa Junina – June/July, this is the celebration of the birth of John the Baptist and in the northeast also the end of the rainy season. The festival is often celebrated in a wooden hut with a thatched roof.
    • Oktoberfest – The largest beer festival is of course held in Germany. Did you know that Blumenau in Brazil comes in second place? The city was discovered by the German Hermann Bruno Otto von Blumenau. Inspired by the Oktoberfest at home, it is also celebrated every year in Brazil.
    • Independence Day – On September 7 in 1822, Brazil became an empire and independent from Portugal. On this national holiday, parades take place throughout the country.
    • Fiesta de Nossa Senhora Aparecida – October 12 is the day to honor the holy Black Mary, the patron saint of Brazil.
    • Proclamation of the Republic – November 15 is a national holiday. Brazil became a republic on November 15, 1889, through a coup d'état by a group of military men and republicans.
    What are typical Argentinian habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Argentina?

    What are typical Argentinian habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Argentina?

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    What are the customs in Argentina regarding food?

    • Merienda time: The time, it is the time when it is time for snacks! Snacks are regularly on the menu.
    • Argentines love meat, lots of meat. From black pudding to burgers from the grill. A “parilla”, a grill restaurant, is worth a visit. If you are vegetarian, food will be a bit harder to find, although there are usually general salads available. In addition to meat, you can get pasta and pizza in almost all of Argentina. Only in Buenos Aires (and a few other larger cities) you can also find Asian food.

    What are the best recipes in Argentina?

    • A comedor is a small restaurant, where you can eat what people in Argentina eat! Usually a huge traditional meal with bread is served.
    • Asado is grilled beef. Asado is a way of preparing, barbecue style.
    • Alfajores are two biscuits with dulce de leche (caramelized milk) in between.

    What are the best drinks in Argentina?

    • Yerba mate is a type of tea. 'Yerba' stands for the tea/herb leaves, 'mate' is the drinking cup (kale) from which the yerba, poured with hot water, is drunk through a 'bombilla' (filter straw)
    • Quilmes is the local beer.
    • Malbec is a huge (wine) success in Argentina and is now synonymous with Argentina. Holidays and festivals in Argentina?

    What are notable holidays and festivals in Argentina?

    • The day of the May Revolution in 1810 is on May 25th. The national day of Argentina that is celebrated with parades, music and food. There are also speeches by dignitaries.
    • Every year in November the Marcha del orgullo is celebrated. The annual gay pride in Buenos Aires. With exuberant activities, music and dancing through the streets.
    • Tango is not just a dance. Tango is inspired and based on improvisation. The tango is horizontal. Dancing through life with high heels and a beautiful dress.Dancing through life with high heels and a beautiful dress. That feels festive and in Buenos Aires they dance on the streets.

    What are notable habits in Argentina?

    • Gauchos: Who has not heard of the gauchos? The gauchos are a mix between cowboys and Indians. They travel around the country on horseback.
    • It is about the well-known: A walk with the dog, it is customary to walk the same round in the village on Sundays or drive in the car, to meet neighbors and friends on the same streets.
    • Clap your hands, when you enter a house, there is usually no doorbell and even if there is one, still clap.
    • Polo: Polo is played in Argentina. It is hockey played on horseback. The best Argentinian teams come from Buenos Aires.
    What are typical Ecuadorian habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Ecuador?

    What are typical Ecuadorian habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Ecuador?

    What are the customs in Ecuador regarding food?

    • In Ecuador, people mainly eat a lot of rice, potatoes, pasta, chicken and cabbage. Often spicy but not spicy. The atmosphere in restaurants is often excellent because of the large number of musical groups that come in to perform their skills on the pan flute. If you are vegetarian or vegan, it can be difficult to find meals in Ecuador. A tip, be sure to specify what you do eat (i.e. ask for a plate of rice, beans and salad), that works better than specifying what you don't eat.

    What are the best recipes in Ecuador?

    • Arroz con Pollo is a dish of rice with chicken.
    • Lomo saltado is beef sautéed in onion and tomato with rice.
    • Churrasco is beef with fried egg.
    • Aji is the tangy sauce that you get with everything separately.
    • Cuy Chactado is a traditional Inca dish and should be tried by every traveler. While doing so, get over the fact that it involves grilled guinea pig!
    • Arepas are corn pancakes with cheese.
    • Fanesca is a dish of different grains, corn, potatoes and stockfish.
    • Llapingachos: Small fried cookies made of mashed potatoes and cheese.
    • Locro: Soup with potatoes, onions and cheese. Often served with avocado.
    • Tropical fruits: maracuya (passion fruit), bananas of all shapes and sizes, guava, pineapple, mango, chirimoya, naranjilla (sour orange).

    What are the best drinks in Ecuador?

    • Beer is available everywhere. Club and Pilsener are the Ecuadorian brands.
    • Soft drinks can also be found everywhere both well known and unknown brands.
    • The fresh fruit juices are delicious.
    • Enjoy a delicious fresh milkshake with tropical fruits.
    • An excellent thirst quencher is the Piaco, a drink made from lemon.

    What are notable holidays and festivals in ...?

    • New Year is lots of fire, papier-mâché cars and figures: one big party!
    • Carnival: nice and colorful with water fights and fruit and flower festivals.
    • Dia de los Inocentes: festival in Cuenca, Nov. 6, a hilarious parade of dressed-up men and boys that the whole city comes to see.
    • All Souls' Day: Nov. 2, in celebration people lay flower bouquets in cemeteries.

    What are the remarkable habits in Ecuador?

    • Ecuador is known for its strong family ties and sense of community. Family plays a central role in daily life, with extended family gatherings and a deep sense of respect and care for the elderly. Cultural festivals, such as Inti Raymi (the Sun Festival) and Carnival, are of great significance and are celebrated lavishly throughout the country.
    • Social norms and mutual communication: A little courtesy will get you a long way! A greeting is a must when you start a conversation. Whether it is short or long - say hello, shake hands and between men and women, a single kiss on the cheek is sometimes exchanged. Expect to use the same greeting when saying goodbye. 
    • Etiquettes & traditions: Ecuador is a long of traditions and is still fairly old-fashioned. Apart from greetings, respect for personal space is very important. So be sure to keep an appropriate distance during interactions unless you have developed a strong bond. People also value appropriate dress, especially at religious or business gatherings. Hospitality also plays an important role in Ecuador. 
    • Eating and drinking habits: meals are huge social occasions and can be long. As crazy as it sounds, don't arrive on time when you are invited somewhere. Always arrive a little later and make sure you are neatly dressed out of respect to the hoste. What does agree with us is that Ecuadorians say bon appetit (buen provecho) before a meal when dining out with friends. If you are invited home, the host says buen provecho to invite you to start eating. Food is always eaten with cutlery. 
    What are typical Spanish habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Spain?

    What are typical Spanish habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in Spain?

    What are the customs in Spain regarding food?

    • Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start. 
    • Many people love Spanish food, especially tapas. Spaniards eat as many as four times in a day.
    • Breakfast (el desayuno) is usually toasted bread with an espresso in a café. The most important meal of the day is lunch (la comida), which is taken extensively between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon. It is a hot meal, for example Paella. The third meal is the snack (la merienda) which is eaten when we Dutch think of dinner, namely between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The fourth and last meal is dinner (la cena), which starts at 10:00 p.m. and is a bit lighter than lunch. Tipping is common in Spain, and is usually just included in the price.

    What are the best recipes in Spain?

    • There are many regional specialties in Spain. For example, a lot of fish is eaten in the Canary Islands and gazpacho (cold soup) in Andalusia. A lot of spices are used. The most famous dish from Spain is paella, which is usually made with fish or chicken. Tapas are Spanish appetizers. Tortilla de Patatas, these are tortillas made from potatoes and egg.
    • Typical food is tapas! It is shared with drinks. Tapas are small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
    • A dessert that Spaniards love is flan, a soft custard made of eggs topped with a caramel sauce.
    • Typical Catalan dishes are rabbit with vineyard snails and Catalan sausage (butifarra) with white beans.
    • Paella: A rice dish with chicken and fish, peppers and various seafood

    What are the best drinks in Spain?

    • A truly Spanish drink is sangría.This is a mix of red wine, sugar, cognac and various (fresh) fruits.If the fruits such as orange segments, grapes and melon have sat in the mix a little longer, the flavor has also soaked into the fruits.
    • Spain is also known for its local wines, good wines are the Rioja and the Navarra.
    • Cava is the most famous sparkling wine from Catalonia made in exactly the same way as Champagne.
    • Want something to drink without alcohol?Then ask for Mosto (white grape juice).
    • It is not recommended to drink tap water. You can just get bottled water in the supermarket.

    What are notable holidays and festivals in Spain?

    • Las Fallas - In Valencia from March 15 to 19. Large statues are made by locals, usually of papier-mâché. During this festival there are large parades, paella competitions, fireworks and lots of churros eaten. On the last day, the statues are set on fire.
    • Semana Santa - Or Holy Week takes place a week before Easter. In Andalusia this is celebrated in a big way, furthermore processions are held in many cities.The death of Jesus and atonement take center stage here.
    • Sanfermines - From July 6 to 14, international running of the bulls in Pamplona. There are also fireworks, music and parades every morning.
    • Fería de Abril - This is one of the highlights of Seville's cultural calendar and is held in late April/early May. This festival is a combination of music (flamenco!), a market and a fair.
    • La tomatina (the tomato festival) - This festival is held annually in the village of Buñol, near Valencia. The tomato field battle attracts some 40,000 participants and is a spectacular event to witness. (Watching is also possible, but put on old clothes).
    • Belief in Spain: Eat a grape, every hour the clock makes a sound on new year's eve. Twelve times and it will bring you prosperity.

    What are the notable habits in Spain?

    • Siesta-Nap and relax time (shops are generally closed) when the sun is shining between 2.30 and 4.30 PM.
    • Tapas-Shared with drinks and in company, small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
    • Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start. 
    • Flamenco-Dance from Andalusia, with costumes and music with a soul.
    • Silvester evening: they will eat 12 grapes when the clock counts at midnight. When the clock ticks every count, one grape. It brings properity. Inside information: do not chew on the grape, otherwise your mouth will be full with residu. 
    • With Silvester: your underwear is the colour red, the next year will be lucky! When you are serious about this, burn your red underwear at midnight. And put money in your shoes, before midnight. 
    • Would you like to travel in the new year, make sure you walk around your suitcase. Chances are higher to make beautiful trips! 
    • In the New Year: "Feliz ano" is wished with a glass of cava (the Spanish champagne).
    • Kisses (two) are common as a greeting, also when you don't know each other well.
    • Manana, manana means tomorrow, in general do not stress out and take it easy. Do not worry the Spanish are not so strict with their punctuality, being late is common.
    • Cursing and talking loud is part of the culture. Often you can just follow conversations on the street.
    Happiness quotes & statements from Latin America

    Happiness quotes & statements from Latin America

    Quotes & statements from Latin America

    Throw white and yellow flowers in the sea. It will bring you luck! - Brazil
    Is it raining? Put a broom upside down in your house. It will stop raining. - Surinam
    When a bird poops on your head, it will bring you luck - Surinam
    Happiness quotes and statements from around the world - Theme
    South America Country Bundle: suggestions, stories and tips

    South America Country Bundle: suggestions, stories and tips

    Suggestions, stories and tips about South America on WorldSupporter

    South America: emigration, moving and living abroad per country
    South America: Updates & Travel

    South America: Updates & Travel

    Travel in South America?

    • Endless white beaches, rugged glaciers, dense rainforests and active volcanoes. These natural wonders can all be found in South America. Together with the ancient indigenous cultures such as the Incas, the colonial past of the continent and the warm Spanish and Portuguese speaking population, South America has everything to offer for an impressive journey.
    • In the northwestern area of ​​South America you can experience an extreme variety of cultures and nature.
    • Colombia alone has an enormous diversity of cultures, beautiful mountain landscapes, historic cities and tropical beaches.
    • Peru and Bolivia are countries with indigenous cultures such as the Incas. You can experience these at their purest in Cuzco and the famous ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.
    • In Venezuela you can find the Ángel waterfall, which, at almost a kilometer, is the highest waterfall in the world.
    • And then you have the relatively small country of Ecuador where you can find a great variety of nature. From active volcanoes to waterfalls and the jungle. The Guyanas, including the former Dutch colony of Suriname, are the smallest group of countries on the continent. Due to its colonial past, a great diversity of cultures can be found here. For example, cultures are mixed with Asian, African, Dutch and French elements.
    • Brazil is by far the largest country in South America, which consists largely of the Amazon rainforest with various untouched tribes. Due to the temperamental and colourful culture, there is always something to do in the Portuguese-speaking Brazilian cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and you can also find peace and quiet on idyllic white beaches.
    • In the Southern Cone of South America, you will find the Patagonia area, which is a real must for the adventurer. Here you will find both vast plains and the impressive mountain peaks of the Andes. It is said that you can experience all types of climates here in one day. If you want to experience a little bit of Europe again, you should go to Buenos Aires in Argentina. The Spanish have left their footprint here. In addition, there is the city of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, from where you can cross over to Antarctica.
    • If you speak a little Spanish or Portuguese, contact with the local population is one of the attractive aspects.
    • The South American temperament ensures that there is often more life in the brewery than in other parts of the world.
    • The impressive nature reserves are sometimes relatively close to each other (Amazon jungle and Andes mountains)
    • Experience nature in its most biodiverse and raw form in the Amazon region, hiking in the dry season or by boat in the rainy season. This largest tropical rainforest on earth is spread over no fewer than nine countries.
    • Trek through the high mountain peaks of the Andes and discover Lake Titicaca and the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, which was only discovered in the twentieth century. The Inca trail through the sacred valleys is one of the most famous and beautiful routes. Discover indigenous cultures such as the Incas and Uros in Peru and various tribes, such as the Yanomami in the Amazon region.
    • South America is one of the most musical continents. Dance the Brazilian Samba or melt away with the sensual music, Bossa nova. Go to Colombia for the most rhythmic salsa and to Argentina for the temperamental tango. Or experience the indigenous music from the Andes, Musica Folklorica, with the pan flute in the leading role.
    • South America has a beautiful collection of Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean sandy beaches. Catch a wave in Punto del Diablo (Uruguay) or party on the Ipanema beach (Brazil).
    • Dream away with the most mysterious mysteries, such as the Nazca lines in Peru, the staring Moai statues on Easter Island (see Chile) and the mountain Roraima in Venezuela.
    • Discover the always vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Stroll along the boulevard of Copacabana and dance to the samba in the favelas. Rio is a well-known hotspot, especially during carnival.
    • JoHotspots in South America
    • San Pedro de Atacama, desert village with excursion options to: the salt flats, steaming geysers and special rock landscapes (Chile).
    • Cuzco is the old Inca city where you can get lost for hours between the colorful markets and woolly alpacas & the old city of Arequipa (Peru).
    • Baños: known for its thermal springs, but also a beautiful area where many tourists go mountain biking, hiking, rafting and partying; Vilcabamba: western and modern place with a relaxed atmosphere and surrounded by beautiful landscapes (Ecuador).
    • Discover the always vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Stroll along the boulevard of Copacabana and dance to the samba in the favelas. Rio is a well-known hotspot, especially during carnival.
    • Choroni, popular beach destination (Venezuela).

    Updates South America

    • More about South America, updates and contributions, see the link below.
    What are typical South American remarkable holidays and holiday habits?

    What are typical South American remarkable holidays and holiday habits?

    Silvester evening is the last night in the year, the 31st of december. Silvester is the name of a holy pope. In general after midnight fireworks are burned. It comes from the belief that firework will keep ghosts away. 

    In Ecuador

    • Wear yellow underwear, that makes the next year financially well.

    In Colombia

    • Wear yellow underwear, that makes the next year for sure financial beneficial.

     

     

     

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    Arepas are corn pancakes/bread that can be eaten in all kinds of ways. If I understood correctly, arepas are mostly eaten like a kind of sandwich in Colombia (so cut open the arepa and put stuffing inside), while in Ecuador I mostly got it as a kind of thick pancake with other things on top.  ...

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    Activities abroad: home page

    Activities abroad: home page

    From language courses to gap year abroad, from work experience to volunteering abroad, from paid work to internship abroad, from mountaineering to diving and from backpacking to travel around the world

      What social activities can you do abroad?

      • Opportunities are found in the areas of helping, learning or studying. You can get involved to volunteer in a social project at a school in Africa, Asia or Latin America. You can get involved in nature, in a project with animals or cleaning the sea or beaches. Those who want to learn more can choose for example a language course in Latin America, Spain or South Africa.

      What work related activities can you do abroad?

      • If you want to gain work experience, and/or also earn money, go and work abroad. You can combine backpacking in Australia with temporary work. You can work on campsites in Europe or bush camps in Africa. You can pretty much go all over the world to work in the hospitality industry, hotels and hostels, in the healthcare sector or for example at a diving school.

      What sports activities to do abroad?

      • Have you ever thought of mountain biking, rafting (going down a wild river on a raft or rubber dinghy, climbing or canoeing), survival (which involves building rafts, climbing or canoeing), abseiling (descending a rock face while secured to ropes), zip-lining (whizzing down a cable), canyoning (starting at the top of a river and then climbing, swimming, diving down the bed) or caving (scrambling, wriggling and crawling through caves and crevices)?
      • Maybe you feel more comfortable on a bodyboard (on a half-wave surfboard, you surf the high waves lying down-with flippers), on a hang glider or while paragliding (with a parachute you float down a mountain or dune), hydrospeeding (on a bodyboard with flippers and a wetsuit on you go down a wild river via rapids) or Tiefschneeskiing (racing down through powder snow)?

      Check the pages below for more activities and inspiration and where to go and how to arrange it

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        Taal

        • In Zuid-Amerika worden veel combinaties aangeboden tussen een taalcursus & vrijwilligerswerk. Dit is leuk om aan het begin van je reis te doen zodat je de taal en cultuur alvast leert kennen. Locals vinden het erg leuk als je hun taal spreekt.
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        What are typical Spanish words and expressions?

        What about communication?

        • Spanish (or Castellano or Español) is the official language of Spain.
        • However, there are actually four main languages which are considered official per region. Catalan (Català or Valenciáno) is the official language in Catalonia, the B...

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        Al sinds 2000 regelt Wereldstage meeloopstages, projectstages en afstudeeropdrachten voor studenten op Curaçao. In de loop van de jaren zijn daar verschillende andere programma's en diensten bijgekomen zoals tussenjaarprogramma's, vrijwilligerswerkbemiddeling, werkbemiddeling en de begeleidin...

        Hostal Sunset

        Deze organisatie biedt accommodatie aan en heeft daarnaast een restaurant. Verder kun je er archaelogische excursies en duiktours boeken, een auto of fiets huren en tickets kopen voor een spectaculaire Rapanui dansshow.

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        SPOTLIGHT & FAVORITES

        SPOTLIGHT
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        1. What are the issues to bear in mind when emigrating?

        • Keep track of the emigration process; for example write down what to do and what you are going through in an emigration diary.
        • Make use of the media and guidebooks when researching possible destinations.
        • Get an i...

        FAVORITES
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        Arepas are corn pancakes/bread that can be eaten in all kinds of ways. If I understood correctly, arepas are mostly eaten like a kind of sandwich in Colombia (so cut open the arepa and put stuffing inside), while in Ecuador I mostly got it as a kind of thick pancake with other things on top.  ...

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        1. What are the issues to bear in mind when emigrating?

        • Keep track of the emigration process; for example write down what to do and what you are going through in an emigration diary.
        • Make use of the media and guidebooks when researching possible destinations.
        • Get an i...

        Recept: Quinoa recept!

        Ik had nog nooit van Quinoa gehoord, maar toen in afgelopen zomer in Peru en Ecuador was, kon ik er niet omheen. Ze stoppen het overal in; soep, salades, enz. Heerlijk!  Tot mijn grote verbazing was het ook in Nederland te koop toen ik terug kwam. Hieronder volgt mijn lekkerste (en makkelijkste...

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        WWOOFing is a great way to experience a country on a completely different way than when you 'just' travel. You generally perform work you haven't done before and live on a farm that you didn't know before. Besides all the reasons why you should pack your bag and start WWOOFing, please consider some ...

        Stories, tips and experiences from specific countries in South America

         Argentina - Bolivia - Brazil - Chile - Colombia - Ecuador - Guyana - Paraguay - Peru - Suriname - Uruguay - Venezuela

        Supporting Content:
        Recipes from Latin America or with a Latin twist by WorldSupporters - Bundle

        Recipes from Latin America or with a Latin twist by WorldSupporters - Bundle

        Recipes from Latin America shared by WorldSupporters

        Recept: Buñuelos de Nicaragua

        Recept: Buñuelos de Nicaragua

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        This recipe is traditionaly made around the holiday season, it compares to the Dutch "Oliebollen". It is a sweet, deepfried treat made from Yuca's (a cassave root) served with sugary topping called miel (honey) made from water, sugar and cinnamon.

        Peel the yuca (note this is not easy, you need a sharp knife and a bit of persistence) then cut the yuca up in smal pieces and put them in the blender. Add the quarter cup of water and mix until it is a smooth mush, add the crumbled cheese and mix it in well.

        Heat a pot with olive oil, while doing that put on a pot with the cups of water, sugar and cinnamon stick in it. Make sure it is kept just below boiling point.

        When the oil is heated take two spoons to shape a little bit of the dough into a ball every time. Deepfrie them until golden brown. Let them drip of and serve while still hot with the sirup over it, enjoy!

        Ready In: 50 min.

        Ingredients:

        • 1 big yuca (cassave root)
        • Salty cheese (feta would do)
        • 1/4 cup of water for the dough
        • 1 Cinnamon stick
        • 1.5 cups of sugar
        • 3 cups of water
        Recipe: Classic Guatemala Enchiladas

        Recipe: Classic Guatemala Enchiladas

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        You’ve probably heard of enchiladas before, but you might be thinking about a rolled tortilla filled with chicken, or beef, topped with melted cheese and sauce, which is more like a Mexican enchilada. These enchiladas -Guatemalan enchiladas- are made by topping a fried or toasted tortilla (called a Tostada) with lettuce, beets, onions, tomato sauce, fresh parsley, an egg slice…and the last touch, a sprinkling of dried Guatemalan cheese (Queso Seco). Parmesan cheese can also work. Sometimes people also add ground beef or chili spice.

        Buen Proveche!

        Ingredients for 25 Enchiladas:

        • 25 tostadas
        • 2-3 lbs fresh lettuce
        • 6-8 red beets
        • 6 boiled eggs
        • 4 dill pickles (optional)
        • 2 sliced onions (optional)
        • 1 large bunch of fresh parsley
        • pepper, salt
        • Queso Seco (dry cheese)
        • Sauce: 3 diced onions 5 diced tomatoes

        Procedure:

        • Some of the steps need to be made a day ahead, once these ingredients are ready you can start assembling the Enchilada.  Those ingredients are the filling, the onion escabeche, vegetable mix and tomato sauce.  The recipe calls for 1 head of garlic, which you will use in the filling recipe, in the vegetable mix recipe and the tomato sauce recipe. Feel free to adjust the garlic amount to your own personal taste.

        Filling:

        • Chop one of the red bell peppers, with half of the green beans, half of the carrots, half of the chayotes, half of the garlic head (or your adjusted amount of garlic), and half of the cabbage. No onions, beets, celery or tomatoes here.
        • Add a bit of oil to a large hot pan, and brown your beef.
        • Season with salt and pepper and add all the chopped vegetables.
        • Let it cook until all the liquid has evaporated.

        Onion “Escabeche”

        • Cut onions into quarters, and then slice and separate the pieces.
        • Mix olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.
        • Add onion rings and let them sit for at least 24 hrs in a covered jar.

        Vegetable Mix:

        • Julienne or chop the rest of the vegetables you had left over. You’ll use the remaining carrots, chayotes, garlic (to taste), and cabbage this time you’ll include the beets.
        • Cook them in boiling water, with the 2 bay leaves, except for the beets.  Those are cooked in a separate pot.  Don’t over cook them, it should only take a few minutes.
        • Mix the vegetables, and let them cool.
        • Refrigerate and mix with the onion escabeche.
        • Let this mixture rest for at least half a day.

        Tomato Sauce:

        • Cook the tomatoes, celery stalks and remaining red bell pepper and garlic (to taste).
        • Pure in the blender, return to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste

        Assembly:

        • Take a tostada, cover with a lettuce leaf.
        • Top the lettuce with the vegetable and escabeche mix.
        • Top this with the beef filling.
        • Next, top with tomato sauce.
        • Decorate with a few sliced hard boiled egg, sprinkle with dried cheese, and chopped cilantro.

        Ready In: 0 min.

        Ecuadorian Fruits :D

        Ecuadorian Fruits :D

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        Hola Amigos!

        Fruits are one of the main parts of a healthy diet, but also just simply DELICIOUS. Well, if you want a good choice of fruits, head out to South-America. It's FRUIT HEAVEN! The fruits here are sweet, fresh, without travel pollution and cheap, what else do you want? Well, today for you, my fruit amigos, I will describe some typical fruits which you can find in Ecuador and other parts of South America. I will not talk about the easily recognisable ones like pineapple, mango, grapes etc, but about the ones I was super curious about. Fortunatelly, there are so many that I can't even describe all of them so you'll still have to go on an adventure yourself. Hopefully, however, this blog can help you to get through an Ecuadorian market a little bit easier than I did, if you happen to be at one sometime.

        Maracuya (E: Passion fruit)

         

        YES! Let’s start with my ultimate favorite; the maracuya. Even though it looks totally different from the purple small passion fruits we get in Europe, it tastes somewhat the same and is a lot bigger (so better! ;)). This one is yellow with sometimes a little bit of green, and feels quite hard on the outside. To find the best ones on the market, I always pick the biggest and heaviest ones! They usually contain the most seeds. To start eating, either cut it through the middle and eat both halves, or take the top side off and use the maracuya as a bowl and just scoop out the inside. Some people prefer to swallow everything without chewing, however, I like the texture of the seeds since it makes it a little bit crunchy so I prefer to chew on it.

        Use: mostly used for juices since it’s a very sour fruit. But if you’re like my sisters and I, you’ll probably prefer to eat it like this!
        Price: 5/6 for 1 dollar

        Granadilla (E: Sweet passion fruit)

         

        Another passion fruit, yay! It’s an orange fruit with some light brown speckles on it and can be found at most markets. While the maracuya is sour and has a pretty strong flavour, the granadilla is a lot sweeter and the texture is even more like spawn. It might look a bit disgusting at first, but the taste makes up for it. If you like both, but find the granadilla not strong enough (flavour wise) and the maracuya to sour, then do like I do sometimes and mix them together in one of the fruits to get a combination of the two flavours

        Use: I think just for eating, and you can put it in some dishes too.
        Price: 4/5 for 1 dollar

        Taxo (E: Banana passion fruit)

         

        Yes, there is another one for you, passion frutas lovers! Where the name comes from? Well, I think you can take a guess while looking at the picture. The fruits are usually yellow/orang and quite soft when you touch them. Even though I cut it differently in the picture, I think the best way to cut and eat it is longitudinally. The texture is a little bit more tough (and so are the seeds, better just swallow them) than that of the maracuya and granadilla, and therefore it’s also a little bit more difficult to eat, but the flavour resembles that of the maracuya the most. Again it’s quite sour and it has a tangy taste.

        Use: it can be eaten raw (although that is rarely done), but it is mostly used for juices and ice-cream
        Price: 5/6 for 1 dollar

        Tomate de árbol (E: Tree tomato)

         

        Tree tomato is a strange fruit of which I haven’t really figured out how to eat it yet, except for just drinking it as a juice with a lot of sugar. It’s a kind of red-orange fruit that is more oval-shaped than a tomato, but when you open it, you do realize why they call it tomato anyway. When you eat it fresh, the fruit tastes very sour and kind of like a mix between tomato and papaya. I wouldn’t recommend doing this. However, the fruit can be used for juices and desert when boiled and mixed with sugar. In that way it still is a flavour I’m not used to, but it tastes quite good.

        Use: Juices/desserts/sauces
        Price: 6-8 for 1 dollar

        Lemons/limes/oranges

         

        I still haven’t been able to figure out which one is which. While the oranges are quite clear and have a bit of a dirty orange-green look, there are also other oranges that again look different. The same in terms of lemons and limes. There are so many that I can’t even start describing them all. I recommend you just buy and try some to find out for yourself!

        It’s BANANAs!

        There are several types of bananas in Ecuador (what else would you expect in a tropical country) of which I will describe the most common ones:

        Platana Verde (E: Green plantain)

        This banana is HUGE and NOT to eat raw. It’s an unripe green plantain with no flavour but it has a great texture for cooking. They go crazy for it here and you can find it everywhere. You can try to prepare it yourself by cooking and baking it, or by making patacones (one of the favorite dishes here), but I recommend you to just go out on the streets and get some ready made, because it’s a lot easier.

        Use: Many dishes, but not raw
        Price: 8 for 1 dollar

        Platano Maduro (E: Ripe plantain)

        The ripe version of platana verde. Again it’s huge, but this time it has a yellow colour due to the ripening process. Now it’s a lot sweeter, but still not very good to eat raw. They are eaten grilled, from the oven, with cheese, fried and they taste very good. While this one is a bit easier to prepare yourself, I would still recommend to buy it on the streets (you can see people selling them outside from the grill while you walk on the streets), since they know how to prepare it the best.

        Use: many dishes but again not raw
        Price: 8 for 1 dollar

        Orito (E: Baby banana)

        Orito is a tiny banana (about 1/3rd of a normal one) and contains just as much, if not more, flavour but more concentrated. It’s full of sugar and delicious to eat and the best of all, they are super super cheap. I use them to cook banana bread, or I eat them raw. They contain a lot of sugar though so don’t eat too many or you’ll start bouncing all over the streets.

        Use: raw! and I use it for banana bread
        Price: depends, but usually a bunch (about 15-20) for 1 dollar

        Platano Rosado (E: Red banana)

        Platano rosado is a banana with a red/purple-ish skin. It's full of antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin C and therefore very healthy. Additionally, many more health benefits are attributed to it, although I always remain a bit sceptical. What I know for sure though, is that these bananas are so sweet and delicious. I have eaten the big ones (I heard there are also small ones) and even though it was a bit too much for me at one, since I'm not very fond of bananas, it was soooooo good. So I would really recommend you to eat one if you find them :) 

        Use: raw, just peal it like a normal banana
        Price: Around 5-10 for one dollar

        Mora (E: blackberries)

        Blackberries in Ecuador are very different from the ones I’m used to in the Netherlands. The ones here are more sour and not very juicy, but they still taste good. They look basically the same, but are a little bit bigger and generally quite ‘expensive’ compared to other fruits.

        Use: juices, ice-cream
        Price: 2 dollars a pound

         

        Next to these frutas, there are of course many others like mango, pineapple (piña), strawberries (fresas), apples (manzana), watermelons (sandia), grapes (uvas), coconut (coco), guanabana, dragon fruit (pitahaya), prickly pear (tuna), papaya and so on. Maybe I'll describe some of the smaller fruits (tamarindo, some kind of small mango and another thing) which are eaten raw as snacks on the street in one of my next blogs or vlogs so if you want to know about that, make sure to follow me!

        I hope this blog helped you to get an idea of Ecuadorian fruits! At least I got to eat all of them while writing this haha. Have fun trying them out too if you get the opportunity!

        Chao! Hannah

        - this is a blog adjusted from my personal website https://hannahchanstravels.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/ecuadorian-fruits/ - 

        Recipe: Guacamole

        Recipe: Guacamole

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        Guacamole: easy, quick, delicous, healthy and vegan! Who doesn't love it? You can dip your nachos in it, spread it on toast or put it as a topping on your rice bowl!

        Here's how I make mine:

        Ingrediënts

        • 2 Ripe avocados
        • Jalapenos or chili peper to preference of heat (I prefer fresh, but you could use chili powder)
        • Half a (red) onion or a small shallot
        • 2 Garlic cloves (or less, or more)
        • Koriander
        • 1 Lime
        • Salt and black peper
        • Ground cumin

        Unlike many others, I prefer my guacamole without tomatoes because I feel it can make it to thin/watery sometimes.

        1. Slide open your avocados, take out the pit and put the flesh in a medium size bowl.
        2. Smash the avocados with a fork until desired consistency (I like mine chunky and not too smooth)
        3. Chop half the onion or the small shallot and the garlic in very fine pieces.
        4. Add the onion and garlic together with a pinch of salt and black peper, a pinch of ground cumin, a tablespoon of chopped koriander leaves, and the juice of half a lime.
        5. Mix well
        6. Add the jalapenos or chili peper to preference of heat
        7. Taste to see if you need more of anything: Salt? Lime? or a bit more heat?

        That's it! And so easy.

        Let me know when you try it! What is your guacamole recipe?

         

        Ready In: 7 min.

        Recipe: Peruvian Lomo Saltado

        Recipe: Peruvian Lomo Saltado

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        The first peruvian recipe that I learned how to make is 'Lomo Saltado'. This signature dish consists of meat, rice, fresh patatoe fries and various herbs and spices that are characteristic for the popular Peruvian kitchen. Try it out and discover the rich flavours for yourself!

        Ingredients for 4 persons

        • 500 gr of veal
        • 1 (red) onion
        • 1 green pepper
        • 1 tomato
        • 1 spring onion
        • 1 yellow aji (online or in specialised stores), or a fresh chilli
        • 2 cups of rice
        • 500 gr firm boiling patatoes
        • vegetable oil
        • soy sauce
        • 3 teaspoon of applecider vinegar
        • cilantro
        • garlic

        Instructions

        Preheat the oven at 200 degrees. Clean the patatoes and cut them lengthwise. cover them with a little oil, salt and pepper and bake them in 20 minutes. Boil the rice. Then cut the pepper, onion, chilli (without the seeds), the tomatoe and the garlic in small pieces. Cut the meat into strips, let it marinate for a little while in the soy sauce, vinagre, garlic, chilli and half of the cilantro. After that, bake the marinated meat for a short period on high fire. Add all the vegetables except for the tomatoe and bake for a little more. Finally, add the tomatoe and bake for a few more minutes. Serve together with the rice, fries and top with the cilantro. Buen provecho!

        Ready In: 30 min.

        Recipe: Quick and Easy - Ceviche

        Recipe: Quick and Easy - Ceviche

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        Ingredients for 4 people :

        -700g of White fish (eg. Seabass)

        -8 limes

        -1 onion

        -2 table spoons of evaporated milk

        -3-5 table spoons of fish stock (optional but highly recomended)

        -Parsley

        - you might put chillis if you want to spice things up

         

        Recipe:

        1- cut the onion in juliennes (thin stripes)

        2- cut the parsley in really small pieces and the chili in circles (remove the seeds so its not too spicy)

        3- make sure the fish does not have any bones and remove the skin, then cut it in bite size cubes

        4- put the fish in a bowl, add salt and pepper to taste and the juice of all the limes. then mix it all

        5- add the parsley, the chilli, the evaporated milk and the fish stock (optional) to the fish and mix

        6- let it rest in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before serving

        7- put the fish on a plate, then mix the onions with the juice that is left on the bowl and put them on top of the fish

        Tip: for a truly peruvian style ceviche, you can put some tosted corn around the fish.

         

        Ready In: 15 min.

        Ingredients:

        • 700g of white fish (eg. seabass)
        • 1 Onion
        • 8-10 Limes
        • Chilli (optional)
        • Parsley
        • 2 table spoons of evaporated milk
        • 3-5 table spoons of fish stock (optional but highly recomended)
        • salt and pepper to taste
        Travelling in Ecuador as a Vegan

        Travelling in Ecuador as a Vegan

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        As a vegan who loves travelling, you've probably heard that it's impossible to do it if you want to stay healthy. Well, I'm here to change that view and give you some tips for travelling as a vegan in Ecuador.

        When I went to Ecuador, I was doubtful about whether I would manage to stay vegan. I had been vegan for a year, and while it was rather easy in the Netherlands, I always thought that I would never be able to keep being vegan while abroad. Nevertheless, I did it with the help of some tips/tricks. 

        1. Cook yourself
        The easiest and best way (if you can use a kitchen) is cooking yourself. There are so many delicious recipes that contain some meat, but it's easy to substitute this meat for beans. Check out the arepas recipe on my page for example. Arepas are totally vegan, and if you combine them with vegetables and beans, very nutritious as well. The plantain recipe is also a very easy recipe for vegans which can be combined with all kinds of things. Basically, you can cook anything you were used to cooking at home as well, just check the ingredients. 

        2. Eating out? Ask for something specific. 
        This might sound strange, but it works better than asking "do you have something vegan?" or "can I have this without meat?". These questions often lead to misunderstandings, or even more questions. If you ask for rice with salad, or rice with beans or rice with beans and avocado, you will get it. Of course, in bigger or more international restaurants you might get away with asking for a dish without meat, but if you're at a bus station, or a smaller town or just local restaurants, ask for a specific thing. 

        3. Look for vegan restaurants
        Nowadays many places have some vegan restaurants, or restaurants with vegan options. Especially in the bigger and more touristic places in Ecuador (Cuenca, Quito, Otavalo, Banos, at the coast) you might have a chance of finding vegan things. For a start, in Tena, where I stayed for 3 months, is a great vegan restaurant next to Cafe Tortuga (which also has some vegan options). It is owned by a wonderful cheff and she makes just great dishes! In Baños there is a restaurant called Healthy Food which you can't find on Google Maps, but it is near Ponche Suizo and they have many vegetarian and Vegan options. Also in Baños is Zumo, a great restaurant at which they offer all kinds of dishes, also vegan, and if you ask they might even be able to make some adjustments to the non vegan dishes. But since Ecuador is a popular travel destination, you can find many options nowadays at more international restaurants. 


        Food at Zumo                                                                                   Vegan Streetfood

        Hopefully, this can encourage you and aid you in your vegan travels! Also in the rest of South America! Let me know if you have any more recommendations :)

        Cheers, 
        Hannah

         

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