South America?

Question

When backpacking South America, what are the must-see's? Any recommendation with regards to mode of transport, routes, etc? We have about a month or so... How expensive is it? e.g. per night accommodation? Are there youth hostels around?

Answer 1

There is so much to see its hard to pick just one must-see, just go and take it from where you arrive. Bus works really good in Chile and Argentina, bring a dictionary in Spanish (or Portuguese if going to Brazil), flying is quiet cheap as long as you fly within countries, tons of cheap accommodations, haven't really been to youth hostels that much but "regular" hotels are from a few bucks and up, look at the room before deciding, I would say a travel-guide is if not absolutely necessary at least good to have when arriving at new places without having a clue where to go for hotels, bars and stuff like that. Nice for planning a few days ahead. The apparent risk is of course that of ending up at the exact same places as all other "gringos". What more? Don't bring your whole wardrobe, clothes are cheap and laundry services ridiculously cheap. Bring dollar bills in small amounts as dollars are always working throughout SA. May be convenient when arriving at new countries for paying taxi fares or so before having changed to national currency. Well just a few tips... Just go ! South-America is friendlier than its reputation!

Answer 2

Hey,
There are a lot see in South America, but in a month it is not enough time, so I guess your trip is focus in one particular area. If you go south you have to go to Buenos Aires, Punta del Este, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, beaches (Uruguay), dessert (Chile) and some rain forest (Brazil).

You can also focus in the Ande's countries you can visit Bolivia, Lima and Machu Pichu (Inca's ruins) also Ecuador, Quito and Guayaquil are really nice cities and if you have the money and time Galapagos Islands. There are also good beaches in this area (surfing beaches also) even they are more

More north you can find Colombia and Venezuela with a mixture of Caribbean style and mountain. You can visit Bogota, a really cool city, go to the coast and visit Cartagena, Barranquilla and San Andres Island. Venezuela has a little of everything you should go to Canaima National Park (Rain forest), Los Roques National Park (Small islands in the Caribbean, Margarita island (Casinos, nightlife, beaches, etc) and also to Caracas.

Answer 3

I believe that the biggest must see is SA is Machu Pichu (Cusco, Peru). Everything downthere is cheap so that shouldn't be a hasle. However plan ur trip so that u know exactly how much time you have in each place. Cusco is relatively more pricey than other locations, just because it is highly touristic.

Try to concentrate your trip to visit maybe 3 or 4 countries if you must. You want to really enjoy it.

Answer 4

http://www.welcomeargentina.com/

There you'll have info about argentina. I tell you the dollar peso relationship is 1 dollar= 3 pesos, which is cheap. There are many hostels which are really cheap.