Please keep in mind that these are just my humble opinions. I know a few of these will debated through the ages (see "best empanadas")...
Food:
Argentina "Best Empanadas"
Argentina "Best Humitas"
Chile "Best Produce"
Chile "Freakiest Seafood"
Chile "Consistently Great Wine"
Bolivia "Best Place for Vegetarian Restaurants"
Bolivia "Birthplace of Quinoa"
Peru "Best Ceviche"
Peru "3,000 types of potatoes"
Peru "Best Raspadillas"
Ecuador "Best Roasted Corn"
Ecuador "Best Indian Food" (say what?!)
Culture:
Argentina "Best Catcalls"
Argentina "Craziest Nightlife"
Best of:
Peru "Most Amazing Things to See"
Argentina "Most Fun"
Uruguay "Surprise, we are awesome too!"
Bolivia "Best Value"
Chile "Widest Spectrum of Landscapes" (mountain/ocean, desert/glaciars, plus, tropical island)
Colombia "Least-Andean Andean Country"
Ecuador (Vilcabamba) "Best Hostel in South America"
Ecuador ties with Bolivia for "Best shopping"
Wildest Experience: fleeing a massive wave as a glaciar crashed around our dinghy in Chile
Coolest New Experience: sandboarding in Peru
Craziest Unsolved Mystery: Nazca lines in Peru
Best Experience: meeting my family in Argentina and Chile
Worst Experience: sleeping on a freezing, non-moving train for 8 hours in nowhere, Bolivia
Special Recognition to:
Pucón, Chile - gorgeous volcanic lake and adorable german feel
Córdoba, Argentina - totally the coolest city in all of south america
Salta, Argentina - home away from home
Puerto Madryn, Argentina - most wildlife if one area
Cartagena, Colombia - the most beautiful city in south america
Montevideo, Uruguay - just because
Huanchaco, Peru - raddest beach town and close to cool ruins too
Ollantaytambo, Peru - a hidden gem
Uyuni, Bolivia - mind boggling high altitude landscapes
Food:
Argentina "Best Empanadas"
Argentina "Best Humitas"
Chile "Best Produce"
Chile "Freakiest Seafood"
Chile "Consistently Great Wine"
Bolivia "Best Place for Vegetarian Restaurants"
Bolivia "Birthplace of Quinoa"
Peru "Best Ceviche"
Peru "3,000 types of potatoes"
Peru "Best Raspadillas"
Ecuador "Best Roasted Corn"
Ecuador "Best Indian Food" (say what?!)
Culture:
Argentina "Best Catcalls"
Argentina "Craziest Nightlife"
Chile "Most made up vocabulary"
Peru "Best Beaches"
Peru "Most Spanish Influence"
Peru "Most Irritating People"
Peru "Best Beaches"
Peru "Most Spanish Influence"
Peru "Most Irritating People"
Colombia "Friendliest People"
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) "Hottest Men"
Santiago, Chile ties with Quito, Ecuador for: "Most like any US city"
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) "Hottest Men"
Santiago, Chile ties with Quito, Ecuador for: "Most like any US city"
Best of:
Peru "Most Amazing Things to See"
Argentina "Most Fun"
Uruguay "Surprise, we are awesome too!"
Bolivia "Best Value"
Chile "Widest Spectrum of Landscapes" (mountain/ocean, desert/glaciars, plus, tropical island)
Colombia "Least-Andean Andean Country"
Ecuador (Vilcabamba) "Best Hostel in South America"
Ecuador ties with Bolivia for "Best shopping"
Wildest Experience: fleeing a massive wave as a glaciar crashed around our dinghy in Chile
Coolest New Experience: sandboarding in Peru
Craziest Unsolved Mystery: Nazca lines in Peru
Best Experience: meeting my family in Argentina and ChileWorst Experience: sleeping on a freezing, non-moving train for 8 hours in nowhere, Bolivia
Special Recognition to:
Pucón, Chile - gorgeous volcanic lake and adorable german feel
Córdoba, Argentina - totally the coolest city in all of south america
Salta, Argentina - home away from home
Puerto Madryn, Argentina - most wildlife if one area
Cartagena, Colombia - the most beautiful city in south america
Montevideo, Uruguay - just because
Huanchaco, Peru - raddest beach town and close to cool ruins too
Ollantaytambo, Peru - a hidden gem
Uyuni, Bolivia - mind boggling high altitude landscapes