[Cancuk]

I spent 6 months in South America between Feb. and July of '05. The only countries you need a Visa too are Brazil (maybe Suriname and those as well, but [censored] 'em).

Go to Boliva/Peru if you want culturally different. Especially Boliva. It was by far our favourite country;the people, the andes, the culture, everything about it was unreal. It is quite rough though, so be ready for that. Don't plan on doing too much in the little time you have. Pick up the lonley planet guide to Bolivia and decide what you want to do, and pick a couple places around La Paz. From there you can go to Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol, down into the Jungle and the city of La Paz itself is spectacular.

Forget the Piano lessons.