My favorite meal of the day? Breakfast. I could eat cereal for all three meals, actually. Pancakes, waffles, eggs — bring it on. When I read ‘breakfast served all day’ on the menu, my tastebuds start prepping for the party. When I miss a free breakfast included in a hotel rate, it’s not going to be a good day. After spending three years in South America, it’s time to present the breakfast of champions from the Andes of Argentina to plains of Peru.

Argentina

A quick coffee or maté with a medialuna is the typical Argie breakfast, although I can hardly stop at just one medialuna (a croissant, but better). These two delectable items play homage to the café culture around the big city. Lingering over a cup of coffee while you try to piece together the previous night’s festivities at the boliche (club) is a Saturday morning must. Oh! Almost forgot the dulce de leche. Yes, even at breakfast this sugary treat is served.

Perú

After recently spending 10 days in this incredible country, I am more than mildly obsessed. Note to all travelers: there is so much more here than meets the eye (i.e. Machu Picchu). Perú is a land of diversity. It’s got mountains, jungles, cities, etc. Different regions eat different things, but the main standout here is the pan con chicharrón, a sandwich of braised pork, sweet potato and spicy sauces on french bread. I couldn’t dream up a better hangover cure than that! I can definitely speak to what I ate in the mountains during last week’s 5 day trek, and that’s quinoa soup with raisins. Mmmmm!

Colombia

Can we get one thing straight for a second? It’s ‘Colombia’ not ‘Columbia’ y’all. Shit. It’s embarrassing when people get the country confused with the school or brand. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, Colombian’s are super passionate about their coffee. Like, prideful AF. Go to Colombia and try not to visit a coffee plantation. (Ok, I’ve been twice and hung out on the beach the whole time BUT STILL. It’s hard.) I think this is why everyone loves Colombian women – because they are amped up on coffee which zaps their appetite, so they drink liquid gold and eat exotic fruit like bomb granadilla (sweeter version of passion fruit) in order to stay upright every day. The good life.

I’m only kidding. Sort of. Colombian’s love their arepas with scrambled eggs, diced tomatoes and scallions. A Medellin fave is the calentado made with leftovers like beans, rice and chicharrones.

Brazil

Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuice. Good for the body, good for the soul. But yeah, Brazilians love their fruit juices, and don’t even get me started on açaí. Nevermind, I’m already started. If you’ve never tried this unbelievable source of purple energy, you are living under a rock, or aren’t very adventurous, or don’t enjoy eating. Maybe you don’t have tastebuds. Just TRY IT. It’s life changing. Other breakfast goodies, or café da manhã, include fruits, coffee, cheese, ham, bread and pastries. Pão de queijo (soft, chewy cheese rolls) are the bomb.com.

Ecuador

Breakfast tends to vary by region in Ecuador, but many places serve the staples: coffee, fruit juices, scrambled eggs and toast. A local favorite are plantains, often mixed in with eggs, cheese, and tortillas. Not a coffee drinker? You should be to handle this culture. Just kidding. There’s another option for you – try colada de avena, an oatmeal drink flavored with orange, sugar and cinnamon.

Chile

AVOCADO TOAST FOR THE WIN!!! Like most Americans right now, Chileans adore this scrumptious greenery. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Mashed avo on grilled bread with a pinch of salt is heaven on earth. Come to think of it, I’m almost at the end of this food post. I may just have to go make myself some avo toast after all is said and done. I can hardly concentrate on anything else right now. Uhm, okay. Focus. What else do Chileans like? I fell in love with strawberry juice while in Chile last year, and I adore the locals even more because they introduced me to it. Now I’m going to have to make a run to the store for some fresh strawberries. It’s blender time. I sincerely hope I made y’all as hungry as I made myself!

Hungry? Why wait? Grab a seat on the next flight out of town for a bite of these South America staples. LAN & TAM (soon to be LATAM) Airlines operates direct flights from New York, LA, Miami and Orlando to the above LatAm destinations! It’s time. The exotic fruits are waiting on you.

Over to you! Been to South America? What are your favorite breakfast eats?