Planning to travel Central and South America alone

its a wnderful p;lan and a gorgeous deal

I actually travelled south America the first time when I was 17 years old! I have done that trip several times and I really hope to d it so soon. I guess in Colombia you can not miss Cartagena, La Guajira, Villa de Leiva. In Ecuador the Churches of Quito, in Peru Arequipa is a beautiful city. In Chile you have to see Chungara and the Whole Highlands.
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[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. Link to Forum Rules added. ]

South America is no more dangerous than being in dowtown Hong Kong or any major city in the world: do something stupid and you will get in trouble. Do what locals do and you'll have fun!

Depending on your time limitations, I'd choose:
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Argentina
- Brasil
- Jamaica
- Aruba

Being from Colombia, i'd recommend:
- Cartagena (include Islas del Rosario)
- Parque Tayrona (if you like camping)
- Cabo de la Vela (as above)
- Bogota & surroundings
- Providencia (island off the coast of Colombia)
- Ciudad Perdida

cheers,

Tripoholic
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[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. ]

alicia your plan sounds very interesting. have you looked at any routes for your trip yet? im trying to get some tips as well because I too am travelling central and south america alone and i am a young gringa as well. I am trying to consider the best route for my trip. If you have any imformation please pass it along! and if you have any questions about central america im living there right now in costa rica...

Just thought I'd pipe in. Im going to be in Columbia (the start of my Sth American trip) from about October 20 to October 30! If anyone is going to be there then Id love to meet up! :D

Hey! I am going through central america to south leaving in Eugene, Or in December and arriving in Rio in February with a group of students who will be conducting research on Indigenous Spirituality. We really need travel companions who are dedicated and organized and who are interested in joining us. We have no problem meeting you and picking you up, I speak Spanish and I will be driving our van. We would really like to go down the western coast of Mexico to Palenque and then continue on the West till Panama where we will cross with the ferry and join the Pan American hwy. If you'd be interested, friend me on Facebook (Rocky Ross) and I will send you my phone number so we can chat a little about details! You seem like a very adventurous and awesome teammate.

Hope to hear from ya,
Raquel (Rocky)

SometimesI travel alone. It's not a big deal for me

safest route through mexico is the east coast via RGV texas

Hi,

I'm a 21 year old Australian and I'm going to South America for 3 and half months at the end of year. I'm wanting to start with Chile and Argentina and work my way up to Mexico. I'm traveling solo but am a bit scared. I'd love a travel companion to travel Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil with me from mid October to the end of November. Any travel hints and advice would be lovely! Good luck to the rest of you traveling off and to those of you who have gone it sounds like you've have a wonderful time!

Jessie-Mae

Hi Alicia

I'm a Londoner, female and plan to travel for 4-5 months in South America begining of November this year, I'm in the same situation and pretty much share your excitment and anxieties.

My destinations include Peru, Venezuela and the Guianas but I'm pretty flexible about things so it would be good if we could keep in touch even if it's just to link along the way.

Oh and Brazil I definitely plan to do in February so that I'm there for the Carnival! on the same wave length there!

Look forward to hearing from you and anybody else planning to do the trip end of this year or Carnival next Feb.

Aisha