r/southamerica

I think the subreddit is in English, so I will keep this thread in english. I speak spanish, though, so your answers can also be in spanish if it is more convenient for you.

So I am thinking of traveling to Bolivia this summer. I am from Germany and have lived in Colombia for a time, so I know how the clock ticks over there. Bolivia, however, I don't know yet.

I will be in Bogotá and will go to Bolivia from there to Santa Cruz and I will also fly out to Bogotá and then go back to Germany. Overall, I think I will have around 4,5 to 5 weeks in Bolivia. My plan right now is to go to Santa Cruz and stay there for a few days, get to know the surroundings and stuff like that. After that I want to go to Sucre, from there to Uyuni and from there to La Paz. After La Paz, I'd like to go to Titicaca lake and then make my way up to Peru to Cusco and maybe Choquequirao. If time allows I would also like to got to the Peruvian pacific coast.

My question to you guys now is: Is that realistic regarding safety, travel times etc?

Things I'd like to include are:

- see a bolivian coffee plantation (and drink lots of coffee)

- have a view at the cordillera from a place that is not that high in the mountains

- maybe visit the amazonian part of Bolivia

- meet locals

- not hanging around too much with other tourists

- do the famous downhill bike tour

- taste as much different food as possible

- get to know the culture and the places I'm at

- get to know some history

- see a lot of nature (and cities)

- to hike a bit

So I know my plan above might be a bit too much, but I'd gladly appreciate some help and thoughts about my travel plans. Feel free to criticize, but please keep it friendly.

I would also be open for some secret tips and locations. Everything you can drop.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Edit: how about safety? I heard Bolivia is relaxed, but I'd rather ask.

Hi everyone, recently I took a trip to Guatemala, a little under 2 weeks with my sister and had so much fun I decided to begin planning an extended trip exploring South America this winter.

We will taking all our classes online for the semester so that will allow us to be flexible with dates & duration. My sister and I want to go to Medellin, Colombia / Cusco, Peru (Machu Picchu) / Santiago, Chile / Rio, Brazil / Buenos Aires, Argentina and possiblyyy but probably not Mexico City, Mexico (take that very lightly just a thought).

We will be flying from DC, want to maximize my money as much as possible since we’ll be paying tuition so thinking of strictly booking flights that don’t charge for carry on or only allow personal item. I plan to buy an Osprey 26+6 for this reason, if anyone has any other recs for bags lmk please!

Anywaysss, here are the flights I have found + costs breakdown.

Nov 13
Baltimore (BWI) to Panama (COPA allows a up to 3 day stopover for $50 more so figured why not)

Nov 17
Panama to Medellin, Colombia

$198 (personal item + carry on)

Nov 26
Medellin to Cusco, Peru

$207 (personal item only)

Dec 7
Cusco to Santiago, Chile

$133 (personal item only)

Dec 17
Santiago to Rio, Brazil

$109 (personal item only)

Jan 5
Rio to Buenos Aires, Argentina

$106 (personal item only)

Flight back to DC has not been decided on yet as I’m not sure if I should book it’s for $488 on Jan 15th 🫠 or gamble and hope for it to drop? Or possibly go to Mexico City on the 13th for $389 and fly to DC on the 18th for $189.

Let me know any critiques/recs you may have please! Literally anything that may be helpful in planning this trip would be appreciated (flights, accommodations, transport, food, etc whatever!)

Hola, me gustaría saber dónde puedo vender libros nuevos y de segunda a buen precio en Lima. Aunque también puedo hacer envío a todo el país. Muchas gracias

Hi all,

I have read through numerous posts about Mendoza, but I need some direct input.

Please share thoughts and input on plans below:

Day 1: Land Mendoza 11am --> Casa De uco (Saturday)

Day 2: Casa Day Uco- resort day

Day 3: Check out of Casa de Uco and have private driver take us to a vineyard (or 2 in the area) and then drop of us at a DIFFERENT hotel in Mendoza city or Luján de Cuyo region

Day 4: Vineyard or two in the Luján de Cuyo region

Fly to Santiago that night

Do you think this is reasonable?

Really struggling with the driver recs.

Does it make more sense to not to the resorts and just do day trips to the wine regions?

Really just interested in the asada part of Casa De Uco, not sure if that experience is offered elsewhere.

ANY input is great. Only fights are booked right now. thank you!

I’m seeing a mix of info online, and seemingly the official websites are t accurate.

We’re planning to travel from Salta to Uyuni by bus on 11/5 - doing a tour in Uyuni after this for 3 days, then travelling Uyuni to La Paz 16/5 (roughly), ~ a week in La Paz, then La Paz to Cusco 22/5. We are doing the Salkantay hike on the 25th, so won’t have much time to play with if we’re stuck. We were going to bus, but very happy to fly La Paz to Cusco if need be.

We can go from Uyuni to Chile if La Paz isn’t an option, but we would love to see La Paz if possible!

I know it’s still a week or so away, so might be hard to tell right now. However, does anyone have any info on these routes at the moment?

I have 6 days (full days, I’m not counting travel days) to spend in Brazil and really want to see both Salvador and Rio.

Any recommendations on how much time to spend in each? 3x3, 4x2 etc?

A little about myself, I’m a mixed black American (mom is African). Have always been fascinated in Brazilian culture in general. Salvador really appeals to me especially because of the Afro-Brazilian history.

But, also, I’ll be coming from an ice climbing/mountaineering trip in Bolivia. So, it would be fun to also just party and enjoy easy access nice beaches with reasonable safety (by Brazilian standards, I know you have to plan a little for this no matter what). I gather Rio is better for this?

Thanks in advance!