Tourists arriving in Uruguay during January spent 40% more than a year ago although the number remained almost similar, 315.000, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Tourism.
Samba school Salgueiro was crowned champion of Rio's fiercely competitive Carnival parades on Wednesday, knocking off a powerhouse rival and overcoming a shooting that left three dead outside its headquarters just months ago.
The Italian flagged cruise Costa Romantica with 1.400 passengers remained on Thursday midday anchored seven miles off the Uruguayan sea resort of Punta del Este after having suffered last night a brief blackout caused by a fire in the generators room.
The Italian flagged cruise vessel Costa Romantica with 1.400 passengers that was anchored seven miles southwest of the Uruguayan coast after suffering a power blackout was heading Thursday evening for Punta del Este to disembark travellers who will continue their trip to Argentina by land and ferry.
The Chilean government confirmed this week that Chile and Argentina will again be co-hosting the 2010 edition of the Dakar Rally which for the first time took place this summer in both South American countries including the crossing of the mighty Andes cordillera.
Eighteen cruise vessels, with a total 2308 passengers visited South Georgia Island during the month of January reports the South Georgia News & Events.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will become on Sunday the country's first president in the last 15 years to attend one of the samba-school parades at the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, the main event of the festival, his office confirmed.
New Zealand called for tighter controls on inadequately regulated shipping in the Southern Ocean, after the M/V Ocean Nova cruise ran aground off Antarctica. Although no one was hurt NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the accident highlighted the need for action before there was a disaster in the area.
All 65 passengers on board M/V Ocean Nova which run aground during an Antarctic cruise were safely transferred Wednesday afternoon to M/V Clipper Adventurer, which is currently sailing for Ushuaia, Argentina, reported the Argentine Navy and operator Quark expeditions.
CRUISE vessel M/V Ocean Nova grounded at Marguerite Bay, west of Debenham Island in Antarctica today, Feburay 17, but all onboard are safe. The vessel grounded two kilometers from the Argentine research station San Martin. An initial assessment of damage indicated that there was no imminent danger and no threat to lives.