Know before you go: South America

Planning a trip to South America is a big project- so here are a few tips to get you started from the experts at travel website Into Latin America.

IT'S HUGE

Forget about traveling overland. Unless plan on spending days on long distance buses, you´ll need to take a few flights to get around - even within countries. Traveling by land from Lima to Cusco (for Machu Picchu), takes a hefty 26 hours but a flight will get you there in just 70 minutes. A good travel agent can help you take advantage of convenient flight routes; like direct routes from Lima to Iguazu. Machu Picchu, Buenos Aires and Iguazu work well together ; as do Machu Picchu and The Galapagos Islands. Or consider a Peru Only Tour - there´s a lot to see!

SEASONS

Changes in season can have a huge impact on when and where you travel. For the icy reaches of Patagonia, the optimum time to visit is the austral summer from November to March. June to September is the ideal time for wildlife-spotting in The Amazon; low rainfall means that birds and mammals venture further out of the forest in search of water. Unless you love rain and mud, avoid the rainy season of November to March in the mountain areas of Peru and Bolivia. Choose a specialist travel agent with local expertise to make sure you visit the right places at the right time.

THE AMAZON RAINFOREST - NOT JUST BRAZIL

The Amazon Rainforest isn't only in Brazil - it actually covers nine different countries in South America. Although Brazil holds the largest chunk of rainforest, it isn't necessarily the best place for your jungle adventure. The Peruvian Amazon has some excellent family-friendly lodges, the best macaw clay lick and in Manu, one of the most pristine sections of rainforest on earth. Bolivia and Ecuador also hold gorgeous tracts of Amazon rainforest - all easily visited on a South American holiday.

BOOK AHEAD

In 2011 the Machu Picchu authorities placed a daily limit on entry to the site. To avoid disappointment, you now need to book tickets in advance. Places on the Inca Trail are restricted and sell out months ahead of time. January in Argentina and Chile sees hotel rooms and flight seats fill up fast and in the Galapagos Islands, conservation efforts mean that there are only a limited number of boat places available. The message is: book early!

LEARN SOME SPANISH

A few words of Spanish will get you far and greatly enhance your holiday experience. Even in Brazil, most people will understand a few words. Try learning a few phrases before you go or even better, take a class in South America. Flexible, one-to-one classes start at just one hour and will give you a great insight into the continent and its people.

Into Latin America is only staffed by travel experts who have lived in Central and South America. .. the difference is in the detail.