How do i explore south america?

houstongal says on May 27, 2008, 10:51:

Alyssa - How much traveling have you done in the past will be a good predictor on how you'll fare traveling solo and will override the "being a girl" concerns. You've made it through living in a big city (Boston) so I would assume you have the basic knowledge and skills to manage the advances of men. You'll most likely utilize all of your experiences during your trip! (Tip - Probably a good idea to delete your last name from a public forum like this!)

I'll let others comment on where to begin your adventure. Good luck and have a great time!

Culture is language and language is culture - Dr. Annamaria Napolitano

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webmanco says on May 27, 2008, 11:00:

One of many ocasions where the edit botom would be helpful.

Where to start?

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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romy says on May 27, 2008, 11:06:

I had posted on your other thread... Start off in Leticia, colombia from there out to the ocean down the amazon and do a big loop o0f the continent eventually ending up in Cartagena, Colombia to cap your trip.

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webmanco says on May 27, 2008, 11:08:

Although be careful while in Bogotá, you might not want to leave. :-)

...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ...

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cali373 says on May 27, 2008, 11:19:

I would start out in Brazil and work my way down to Buenos Aires. then on the way back through patagonia and make it to Peru via Bolivia. Chile does not interest me too much as it is geograpically similar to Argentina, but with less culture.

Smile if you are a thinker!

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Mononoke28 says on May 27, 2008, 11:22:

I think that no matter where you choose to go, you'll have a great time. If you don't end up in the bad part of town, you'll be ok.

Diana

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Bellita says on May 27, 2008, 11:28:

Go to Cartagena and Bogota for sure. :)

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jonas says on May 27, 2008, 11:40:

Maybe visit Colombia towards the end of your journey because otherwise you will continuously keep asking yourself why you did not spend much time here.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

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tal says on May 27, 2008, 11:48:

I think Argentina is a great introduction to South America, it is not such a culture shock, and has lots of tourists travelling with whom you can probably join and travel to other places like bolivia, peru, brazil, etc..... when travelling alone you are never alone!

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paulr says on May 27, 2008, 12:02:

I would agree with Tal(Hi Tal, how did your day go?) start in Argentina, it´s easy and safe to travel with a European feel to some of the places. It will ease you into your adventure very easily and you can converse with other travellers about you´re onward journey, perfect place to start. Don´t miss anywhere if you can help it, every country has it´s pluses and minuses and the beauty of travelling is finding them out yourself.

I´m another victim of getting to Colombia and staying, i am thankful that it was at the end of my S A journey.

Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.

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durito says on May 27, 2008, 12:11:

I went to guatemala (xela, a great place to study) and studied spanish for 6 weeks after I finished college 5 years ago, then headed south through all central america before flying to Colombia and on to the rest of south america. I'd never traveled by myself before and I had a great time. I really recommend Guatemala as a place to learn Spanish or maybe Ecuador if it has to be in South America.

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Robert Jorge says on May 27, 2008, 12:47:

No advice - others already told you what I would suggest. But for the record, I am very jealous. 1 year, free travel, money not an issue. Damn your lucky. Have a great time.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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BillBigD says on May 27, 2008, 13:35:

I agree with starting in BA. Hit Patagonia. I disagree with not going to Chile. Lake district and all the great wineries should not be missed. Peru is quite beautiful also.

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slguy says on May 27, 2008, 14:42:

as it happens, a board member here has a very nice hotel in BsAs that i understand is on the "don't miss" list. ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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RUV says on May 27, 2008, 15:16:

Argentina, Buenas Aires, other cities around there. Aviod the rainy season. I suggest you take a large some what empty suit case and buy stuff there. Cheap cashmire, leather goods, and other stuff. Leather shoes are inexpensive. If I can find it I will email you the address of the leather district. Also rent an apartment there, lots of them available and inexpensive, just do a google and you will find some. There are some PBH posters in Argentina.

Then start moving north. Selecting the countries and cities you want to go.

I really suggest you plan this ahead of time. You do not want to be carrying to much luggage and get stuck with no place to stay.

I also agree with Robert. Good luck.

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peteyw says on May 27, 2008, 17:52:

If this is a once in a lifetime South American adventure, these are my list of 'Must See' places. These are 4 places are unique in the world.

Start off in Argentina to get your feet wet, then head off to:

The Galapogos Islands (off coast of Ecuador)
The Amazon (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela; I recommend Manaus Brazil
as your jumping off point.)
Machu Pichu (near Cuzco Peru)
Christ The Redeemer (Rio, Brazil)

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houstongal says on May 27, 2008, 18:10:

jeje slguy....and if she's cute, the certain board member with the hotel in BsAs may actually be able to show her around the city on a personal tour!

Culture is language and language is culture - Dr. Annamaria Napolitano

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slguy says on May 27, 2008, 20:31:

i'm afraid to speculate, hg. he may still be giving the chef hamburger lessons...;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Liam101 says on May 28, 2008, 08:21:

I did this about 18 months ago. I spent 14 months travelling (with 8 in Colombia studying Spanish).

Buenas Aires is a great place to study Spanish with a vibrant nightlife and plenty of backpackers. It's almost European (or so they think) so a good introduction to the continent, to build awareness and confidence. Beware of the weather though as its freezing in June-August period.

Chile's an over-priced version of Argentina unless you go to Easter Island or the Lake Districts. Valparaiso is the only place worth seeing otherwise and that's a day-trip. It attempts to be European and in doing so appears as a poor European country rather than a great Latin country such as Colombia or Brazil.

Definately travel around Argentina with Salta, Mendoza, Cordoba and the Lakes.

Spend a few months in Brazil and travel the coast. Try and find small festivals as this is where you avoid the danger and meet the real people.

Bolivia is a great place but you need no more than 10 days. But it will be the best ten days of your trip if you pack it all in. Salar De Uyuni, Potosi, La Paz are the highlights.

Peru is incredibly touristy and as a result loses a bit of its Latin culture. Still Machu Picchu is a highlight. Book the tour and walk it. Arequipa as well has a good, but incredibly hard, trek through a canyon. Lima is ok as are the Nazca lines.

Ecuador is ok. A boring Colombia in my opinion. Quito is a decent city but its not Bogota. Plenty of cheap Spanish classes there though.

And Colombia is Colombia. Travel the length of it and dedicate the same, if not more time, as Brazil. You'll find plenty of tips here. And if you can try and tag along with sailboats to the San Blas islands from Cartagena to Panama as they are incredible.

Any further info then just send me a PM.

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durito says on May 28, 2008, 08:53:

I spent 6 months in Bolivia and could've spent much more.

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Liam101 says on May 28, 2008, 09:39:

I suppose it depends on what you are looking for and what you want to get out of a place.

When I was there Bolivia was pretty cold and being from the Uk I need to see the sun and ideally like to get that softly well-done red look when abroad and for that reason Brazil and Colombia appealed to me.

Although if you meet some cool and interesting people then spending 6 months in any country will be incredibly rewarding.

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deckstrouz says on May 28, 2008, 14:23:

Come to LOJA in the south of ECUADOR! I swear, this place is so easy to adapt to and learn Spanish, which is spoken so clearly here. I've been here for 9 months and although I'm ready to move on, I can honestly tell you something about this place with much confidence: it's safe, friendly and humble, with lots to see in and around. I doubt you'd regret it, and I could even hook you up with a casual English-teaching job if you like with some lovely people, Ecuadorian and foreign.

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slguy says on May 28, 2008, 16:33:

and hg gave you great advice, first - you really oughta get one of the mods to delete your name from your OP...

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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kinsley says on Jun 8, 2008, 01:56:

ah! Oh my! So much amazing advice. I've been getting really discouraged lately i'm so glad to have found pbh and thank you! No worries about my name though, Alyssa Kinsley is just my first name.

I'm so excited! wow. I need to do a lot more research before i can even really respond! I wasn't going to go to columbia at all or brazil, everything people had been telling me was so discouraging. I'm really rethinking everything I had thought about. I think i've been being kind of silly.

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monkeymelissa says on Jul 6, 2008, 13:18:

alyssa, you are really lucky. i agree with what a couple people have said that buenos aires might be a good place to start because the adjustment will be easier. from there you could head north up the eastern coast of brasil and catch the amazing beaches, (fly over venezuela) and spend a lot of time in colombia. if i were ou, i´d spend the most time in brasil in colombia. for your last month or two, you could head south again down the pacific coast and see ecuador, peru, and chile. i think the best way to travel south america is to follow around the entire coast and venture in to more central cities whenever you feel the need. don´t miss medellín!

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