1.
Posted by
nikki_xx
(Inactive 3 posts)
15y
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I am planning my rtw trip and would love to travel South and Central America but I haven't got a clue where to start!!
I want to be in Rio for Carnival, so I was thinking about flying into Argentina early Feb and travelling up to Rio. Where next?
I am basing this on around 3-4 months travel as I want to be in the USA by early June but can make it longer. Would like to fly as little as possible so I'm hoping for bus/train routes. Any websites would be good as I can't find any!
Also, what are the must see places? Routes and itinerary would be amazing!
I don't really have a budget for this as I will have alot of money as it's my first destination on my rtw trip..but would like to travel as cheaply as possible. I'm thinking hostels and couchsurfing!
Any ideas would be great! Thanks!
2.
Posted by
cat009
(Budding Member 28 posts)
15y
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Hi Nikki,
I was in South America for 2 months a few years ago, so hopefully can give you some advice. Your post is quite vague as you don't say what type of things you like doing ie. outdoors stuff, cities, adventure sports. Also South and Central America is a vast area and you couldn't hope to see it all in 3 years let alone 3 months.
Let me start by saying S. America is amazing and you'll have a brilliant time whatever you do. If you don't speak any Spanish I'd definitely recommend learning the basics. It'll really make things easier. Lots of people do speak English but many don't.
Public transport especially buses vary in quality & service from country to country but you can get around pretty well. We took a few flights just to save time really.
Good hostels are plentiful.
Everyone has a different idea of how to plan a big trip. Some people would plan it down to the last details, others would just set off and see what happens. We fell somewhere in the middle, with a sort of plan that evolved. I would advise to not try to do too much as you spend loads of time travelling. We did this for our first month but then slowed down a bit, which was much more enjoyable.
In 2 months we went to Argentina; Buenos Aires (very European), Iguazu (amazing waterfalls), Mendoza (great for Trekking & wine!) Chile; Santiago (not great), Lake District (suppossed to be great but bad weather spolit it for us), San Pedro Atacama (loads of good stuff in this area. Bolivia (Uyuni salt flats), La Paz (superb), Lake Titicaca (beautiful), Cusco and Machu Picchu (both really good)
Everything we did was pretty cool but if I was forced to select my favourites, they would be Iguazu, La Paz and Lake Titcaca.
Hope this helps. There's loads of good info on this website, if you dig into previous posts on the forums.
Come back to me with any questions you may have.
Hope you have a great trip.
Simon
3.
Posted by
kar077
(Budding Member 10 posts)
15y
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Hi Nikki,
I'm karla. Well I was reading your post and I would like to recommed you to travel to Peru. I was there six month ago and I dont know if it the same now, but when I was there I had an amazing experience. I had been to
Paracas (Ballestas Islands) -
Nazca Lines (I think is the name) -
Cusco -
Puno (titicaca lake)
It was really good 'cuz I could meet new people and also their culture.
so I think you should take Peru or Bolivia.
best wishes in your trip!
4.
Posted by
nikki_xx
(Inactive 3 posts)
15y
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Hey!
Thanks so much for getting back to me! Sounds like both of you had a great time!
It should be pretty easy to fit most of those places in actually with the plans we have at the minute so thanks!!
I do have a quick question though. We are trying to figure out out budget at the minute. How much would you guys recommend for South/Central America for around 4 months? We are planing to keep the cost a low as possible - even camping if we have to. I would hate to leave ourselves short while we are away!
Thanks again guys!!
Nikki