[1] Disney's trip was conducted under the auspices of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs (CIAA) in order to promote cooperation between the United States and various South American nations.
[3] The film begins at a temporary studio Disney improvised for his traveling entourage of artists, musicians, and writers at a Rio de Janeiro hotel.
The parrots inspire Jose Carioca, a companion to Donald Duck who debuts in the Aquareia do Brasil segment of Saludos Amigos and appears again in The Three Caballeros.
The group next flies to Montevideo, Uruguay where they observe locals fishing on the harbor's waterfront, enjoying beach resorts, and basking in the mild weather.
Traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the group draws inspiration from the city's architecture, street life, and recreational activities like football and polo.
Flying west across the Andes Mountains to Santiago, Chile, artists created sketches of the high peaks, serving as inspiration for Pedro, the anthropomorphic airplane segment of Saludos Amigos.