BajaNomad

South American beaches and fishing?

Howard - 2-24-2019 at 01:59 PM

I have been lucky enough to have been to numerous countries in my life but have never been anywhere in South America.
I have a credit on American Airlines that I must use and why not somewhere that they fly in south America?
I would like to go around December or January to take advantage of their summer and vacation from our winter.

American flies non stop from Los Angeles to Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and San Paulo.

Has anyone been to those areas and been to the beaches? I'm looking for warm water, white sand beaches, decent fishing, maybe some diving and snorkeling and who knows what else?

Any personal feedback would be appreciated.

Bajazly - 2-24-2019 at 03:52 PM

My buddy was always taken by Buenos Aires but he was fishing for damas marrones and did pretty well. As far as pescado, not so sure but do report back, I am interested in heading that way myself.

AKgringo - 2-24-2019 at 04:31 PM

I was on my way to Chile in 2007, when medical issues that my dad in California developed caused me to scrub the trip. The trip was postponed for a few years, but things never came together for a variety of reasons, so I cannot give you any first hand reports.

With over three thousand miles of coastline, the climate gives you options comparable to Baja in the north, to Glacier bay in the south! From what I read, I believe that Santiago would be similar to central California, with a coast range to the west, a central valley turning to foot hills capped with the Andes to the east.

My plan was to wind up there late in their ski season for 'spring' skiing, buy a cheap car and tour for a couple of months. Not finishing the trip while I was still in pretty good shape will always be a top regret for me!

caj13 - 2-24-2019 at 05:28 PM

I would not recomend Sao Paulo as a fishing destination. You could probably get into some good stuff headed up north toward the mouth of the amazon, but thats tough going.

If its fish, I would stay on the west coast

bajabuddha - 2-24-2019 at 06:01 PM

DREAMING....

I'd stick to west coast of the continent. Mainly for the sheer spectacle of the Andes; there's more to a trip than just a sandy beach and waves, plus the side-adventures into Peru, Chile, etc.

Right now Brazil is not a happy place to visit, especially Sao Paulo or Rio. Those spots are for if you know somebody.

There's a lot to be considered here; not only your wants/needs but how much time you have and do you only wanna fish? There's a chitpot of options to you; even if it ain't Baja would be nice to hear what you do. South America is a BEEEG Country (SARC) and I wish you luck in your searches. Think of our west coast (including the country of Alaska) and turn it upside down, figger your climate choice(s) and investigate.

For snorkeling i'd recommend either Bolivia or Paraguay, great reef diving! :spingrin: :tumble:

[Edited on 2-25-2019 by bajabuddha]

mtgoat666 - 2-24-2019 at 09:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I have been lucky enough to have been to numerous countries in my life but have never been anywhere in South America.
I have a credit on American Airlines that I must use and why not somewhere that they fly in south America?
I would like to go around December or January to take advantage of their summer and vacation from our winter.

American flies non stop from Los Angeles to Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and San Paulo.

Has anyone been to those areas and been to the beaches? I'm looking for warm water, white sand beaches, decent fishing, maybe some diving and snorkeling and who knows what else?

Any personal feedback would be appreciated.


Patagonia has great fishing. Not very warm, but spectacular place.

pacificobob - 2-25-2019 at 10:42 AM

the coast of Peru is a super-arid desert. due to dry air from the south pole. it gets tropical closer to Ecuador

daveB - 2-25-2019 at 11:25 AM

Atacama Desert, considered often as the driest place on earth. Patagonia at its southern most, has mountains that have baffled mountaineers with their pointed crags, and near constant windy conditions, for decades; but father north, but still in the province of Patagonia, Argentina, they have beautiful spring and summer weather. We have friends from there, but have only seen their photos

TMW - 2-25-2019 at 12:21 PM

The Dakar Rally is in Jan. and usually has 10 stages and a couple of rest days. This year it only ran in Peru but other years it ran in other countries too, so who knows where it will go in 2020.

Just a thought.

BajaBlanca - 2-25-2019 at 02:47 PM

Being that I am Brazilian, I say GO TO SAO PAULO! Because there are no beaches in the city itself, you could fly, take a helicopter or rent a car (4 hours) to Ilhabela. From the internet:

Ilhabela is an archipelago off the southeast coast of Brazil. The main island, Ilha de São Sebastião, is known for beaches like Castelhanos, Curral and Jabaquara. On the island's west coast, Ilhabela city is home to the white-and-blue Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda church. In vast, forested Ilhabela State Park, trails lead to Gato and Água Branca waterfalls. Offshore dive sites include the Aymoré and Velasquez shipwrecks.

Praia Grande has fishing, Praia da Ilha das Cabras has diving, other beaches have waterfalls....

It will be very hot and very humid!

I haven't been to these particular beaches but I have been to zillions of other beaches north and south of Sao Paulo. They are so so so wonderful.

Drink a caipirinha in my honor (our traditional spirit is cachaca (pronounced ca sha sa) , which is made out of sugar cane. If I drink 2 of them, my body will NOT obey me any more Hahaha. If you are a meat eater, eat at a rodizio (pronounced ho di zee you) restaurant, also called Churrascaria - this is our typical Sunday meal which can be eaten any day,with a set price and all you can eat meat, veggies and salads.

Feel free to ask any questions and go already!