South America (on a budget!)

[fakeplasticgirl]

Has anyone been around south america? In particular am thinking of visiting bolivia, peru, ecuador and colombia over roughly a 12 week period (possibly a bit of brazil or argentina too if money and time allows?) How expensive is it? What are the must-sees? Is it easy to bus around? Is it ok if you're by yourself? Any tips/ general advice appreciated Many thanks!

 

[temper_tantrum]

According to my ongoing travellers-I've-met poll, Argentinian men are the most attractive on the planet. So schedule plenty of time there (and take pics please )

Edit: Sorry, this may not be the most helpful post

 

[Fingers]

the countries you are visiting are fairly cheap. I would budget yourself about £150 a week to stay in reasonably nice places. Brazil is the most expensive out of the lot and argentina was dirt cheap when i was there six years ago but might have got a bit pricier since.

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

thanks... is that £150 a week altogether, or just for accommodation? How was your trip?

 

[Fingers]

ah my trip there was one of the best things i have ever done. you will love it. I am lumping everything in with the £150 inc a few nights out/beer. When I arrived in Bogota I stayed at the excellent Platypus hostel and it was £4 a night for my own room!

if you have a load of questions post them and i will try to answer them, i suspect there are a few people who have been more recently than me though.

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

thanks will probably have to send you a PM at some point if I end up going if that is ok? (still trying to decide on a continent!) How long were you there for? Does that also include the cost of toursity things like trails or would that be on top? *saves*

 

[TitanSound]

Crispy and Sparrow recently completed an epic trip across South America did they not?

 

[moonsi til]

I understand that you are wanting to travel independtly but check out the SA section here www.oasisoverland.co.uk

 

[Crispy]

Argentina is still cheap (according to people we met - we didn't go there). Bolivia is about twice as expensive as teh Lonely Planet says, cos their economy has been on the up recently. Peru and Ecuador are more expensive, especially the touristy stuff in Peru (Machu Picchu, Nazca Lines, etc). Columbia is supposed to be fantastic, and I wish we'd gone there instead of Chile (which was pretty boring).

I can PM you a link to our blog if you like? Should give you a flavour of the places we went

 

[Fruitloop]

perplexis did this big style. Send him a PM, I think he's still around a bit.

 

[Fingers]

thanks will probably have to send you a PM at some point if I end up going if that is ok? (still trying to decide on a continent!) How long were you there for? Does that also include the cost of toursity things like trails or would that be on top? *saves*

Of course, PM no problem. I would add the Macchu pichu type stuff on top but saying that, we did a four day jeep trip of the salar de uyuni for $60US inc food and accommodation, just take booze and fags job. probably more like 100US now but well cheap. the macchu pichu day is a little pricey (relatively speaking)

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

thanks urbs I think as soon as my plans become a bit more concrete the PMs will start flying!!!

 

[Crispy]

Yeah, the salt flats are unmissable - best thing we did.

 

[Big Gunz]

Yes Argentina is dirt cheap (£5 for fantastic quality steak and fritas) as an example and Brazil is pretty expensive, almost European in prices. But to be fair to Brazil it is a fantastic place with so much to see and do and is in my top 5 favourite places.

According to my ongoing travellers-I've-met poll, Argentinian men are the most attractive on the planet. So schedule plenty of time there (and take pics please )

Edit: Sorry, this may not be the most helpful post

As for totty well the Brazilian men seemed to get the attention of the various Aussie and Brit girls I was hanging out with, Argentinian not so much.

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

Mmmm...hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro looks pretty immense...

 

[Sweet FA]

the excellent Platypus hostel

Yeah, class place and incredibly helpful staff.

Colombia is supposed to be fantastic

It is - I'd intended travelling through to Ecuador but ended up staying for a year! So much to see and do; Caribbean coast, jungle, mountains, amazing people (generally), excellent drugs Ecuador's a fantastic place too (though yes, slightly more expensive).

Chile (which was pretty boring)

What, the whole country?!

 

[Crispy]

What, the whole country?!

Well, no We didn't see much of it tbf, but it was expensive and very european. Could have been in Spain for all we knew!

Valparaiso, however, was fantastic and I wish we could have stayed for more than 3 days.

 

[davesgcr]

Put the blog up please (if its ok ?)

 

[Crispy]

Nah, it's full of real names and stuff. Not for the boards