Where to travel in March? - South America or Middle East

We went to Argentina and Chile on one trip, our least favorite trip ever! Argentina was very disappointing, especially the run down city center in Buenos Aires. We traced early March as we were warned not to go later in the month.

Is that "10-12 days" for your whole trip, including travel time, or do you mean you would have 10-12 days on the ground at your destination? For such a short trip, it'll make a difference.

We did a 12-day trip to Colombia in February 2024 and loved it. It was our first trip to South America and convinced us we had been overlooking a fabulous continent (we're now working on fixing that - just got back a week ago from Chile, and are planning to mix in more trips to "the OTHER America" in the coming years). I think Colombia would fit the bill for you, it seems like a good choice for one's first trip to South America - it's relatively close and easy to get to - closer and easier than others). Here's a trip report: Trip Report: Colombia, February 2024. We used miles & points to get there; Colombia is fairly easy for that (we used American miles for the outbound and United miles for the return).

Morocco would be great, too, but it'll take a bit longer to get there/back, and I would guess significantly more miles/points. With your short window, I'd lean towards Colombia.

Can't help you with Peru or Jordan.

Hope some of that helps. Have a nice trip.

Hola/ Marjaba!

I can help with Peru and Jordan- I lived in Amman for 4 years and moved to Lima in June. If you have 10-12 days on the ground, that would be a perfect amount of time for Jordan, and I think the minimum you'd want in Peru.

Weather-wise, March in Jordan will be inconsistent. Amman and the north (where you won't spend a ton of time) will probably be pretty good, but you could get rain and cooler weather. In the south, Wadi Musa (Petra town), Wadi Rum, and Aqaba (only if you have time) will be warm but not too hot yet. You'll want to watch the rain forecast for Petra, because it closes if there is rain, but you should be alright. I haven't lived in Peru in March yet, but I know that Lima will be quite warm and sunny.

Peru has a good system of internal flights, buses, and colectivos. In Jordan, you will either need to rent a car or rent a driver.

For food, Peru wins, hands-down. Jordanian food is very good but it does get a bit old after a while. Amman has lots of good restaurants. Peruvian food is simply world-class.

If you were to go to Jordan, I'd do this:
-Fly into Amman, spend a few days there. Explore downtown and do a full-day trip to Jerash. Also do a day trip up to Umm Qais if you have time.
-Two to three nights in Wadi Musa, with one long, full day in Petra. You could also Petra by Night.
-Two to three nights in Wadi Rum
-A night or two in Aqaba if you want some beach time or R&R, but I wouldn't prioritize this
-A night or two at the Dead Sea on the way to or from Petra/Wadi Rum
-There's TONS of other things to see in the country, with you have time, especially within about an hour's drive of Amman.

In Peru, you'd want a few nights in Lima (it's an amazing foodie destination, but there aren't too many big sights other than walking along the malecon), at least 4 days for the Sacred Valley (you could easily do more), and perhaps the Amazon if you have the time and the money.

$1500 would be tight for both destinations, but probably doable.

The forum is a good example of how different people can visit the same place and come away with completely different perspectives. I loved Buenos Aires for the week I was there. We walked everywhere. Likewise, I enjoyed both Peru (Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Vally, Machu Picchu) and Chile (Santiago & Valparaiso).

Due to the current political climate between the countries I’d be hesitant to visit Colombia, but that might just be me. With the Middle East, it can be very hot in March. Decades ago I remember the temperature being 107 degrees in the shade at 7:30am. That was in Djibouti.

Whichever you choose there could be some culture shock if you’ve never been to South America or the Middle East areas.

I haven't been to Colombia or Patagonia, but I've been to the other places you mention and loved them all.

March should be a good time to visit Argentina as it's the end of their summer. We spent two weeks there and tho we didn't make it down to Patagonia we had plenty to fill the rest of the time (Buenos Aires, the pampas, Mendoza, Iguazu Falls, and a few days in Uruguay). Great architecture in Buenos Aires, lots of interesting history, and beautiful nature. The food was very good tho as a non beef eater (and someone who eats meat sparingly in general) I did find it a little difficult sometimes.

Peru is amazing, has some of the best food in the world, and if you like hiking of course there is the Inca trail (and other less popular trails). That really does combine history, nature, and hiking quite well.

Morocco is one of my favourite countries, tho I wouldn't say the food is the main reason to go. Lots of history on display in places like Fes, and you have the beauty of the desert and the Atlas Mountains. Definitely plenty to fill your time as well.

For Jordan, again food not the main reason to go (tho you will get to have some of the best knafe you have ever tasted), but you can't really beat places like Wadi Rum and Petra for scenery and history respectively. There are also quite a few ancient Roman sites further north tho I have not visited those. If you wanted to go to Jordan I might consider combining it with somewhere like Egypt for the time you have.

Good luck deciding, I think you'll have a great time at any of these.

We have visited Columbia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile in South America and love Peru as our first choice, but a close second and third are Argentina and Chile (Do a Cruise around the Horn of SA, it was amazing-also do five days pre-cruise in Buenos Aires and 4 days in Santiago after).
Peru is special and not expensive, plan some days in Lima, then to Cuzco for 2-3 days, then on to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. It was amazing.

You can't do Cruse around the Horn for $1500, but you can do Peru. We used PeruAgency.com for our tour of Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Cost was less than $1500, but not including airfare into Lima.

Been to Morocco and enjoyed it, but I doubt if you can do it for less than $1500.

We did Peru in late March, and the weather was great, but technically, the rainy season ends 31 March.