A month backpacking in Latin America ?
August 29, 2010 by admin
Filed under latin america travel
Just a vague idea i have for summer 2012/13. I plan to spend around in a month in Latin America travelling from Britain. I have a couple of places down as definite visits; The Galapagos Islands, Machu Pichu and the Angel Falls and would love to visit Venezuela, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Ecuador.
However as this is my first trip to Latin America, I would like to know whether I’m fitting too much in and my tour would leave me exhausted and regretful having missed out of exploring the final details of the countries I’m travelling to ?
I would also like to know an around about cost of all this, it would be on a budget and I wouldn’t wish to splash out on anything grand of course.
Thanks in advance.
I recommend you narrow down your travel to just one or two of those countries.
A single country in Central America could easily fill up more than a month by itself. Visiting five large South American countries in one month is going to leave you missing out on a lot of the wonders that the countries offer — there’s much more to Ecuador than just the Galapagos, and there’s much more to Peru than just Machu Picchu.
Latin American countries can be done reasonably on a budget — they’re not as expensive as popular European destinations, for example — however, it also depends on where you go. Often times, all of these countries offer a wide range of accomodations: from basic rooms to luxury, so it shouldn’t be too hard to stay in a budget.
If I were to choose one of those countries, it would be between Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
Brazil is amazing, but I found the other three countries closer to my budget (but remember that Brazil also has its fair share of budget accomodations).
Venezuela is also beautiful, and I enjoyed my time there, but it’s not the best country for a first-time traveler to Latin America.
In short, choose one or two countries. Research them very well — learn about opportunities to explore the main attractions, along with the local cultures, and exploring the natural beauty as well.
South America is one bloody big continent. Brazil alone is bigger than North America.for instance. It took us 40 hours by bus to go from Rio to Buenos Aires (Good Air). There is a wonderful waterfall en route. San Paulo is a dump btw.
You cannot see everything in one summer even with a light plane and a fortune so plan a tight iteinary around your interests and budget.
References :
I think it’s been too long since oldtimer cracked a geography book. Brazil is about one third the size of North America. However, he is absolutely right about you not being able to get around to all the places you want in one month. You can easily spend a month just backpacking and site seeing one of the small Central American countries. As far as cost, food can cost from a dollar US for a tamale or humita to five or six for a simple restaurant meal. Lodging can be a couple dollars in a budget hotel/hostel up to many, many dollars in the tourist areas. Don’t forget the entry and exit taxes that most of the countries charge at their border crossings. For a one month visit you may well want to pick one of those countries on your list and do some serious research on just that one.
References :
I guess u want too much for just a month of visiting LA. Your best option is to choose no more then 2 countries. In that case you will have a possibility to see some interesting things and not to be over exhausted. I suggest for example, Peru and Ecuador. I was there this year, staying in every city just for a couple of days. And was able to see pretty much. Although I’d prefer not having such a rush.
As for money, I’ve spent about 1000$ for 2 weeks (not including air tickets to LA). But now I know it could be even cheaper. Of course, final amount of money depends on accomodation (my choise is staying in local houses with native residents: you may find about this on CouchSurfing site; it’s free but over more, you will get a full immersion into local life cause these people are really interesting), transportation (buses are the best option: you will be able to see nature, villages and a lot of interesting places en route, besides, it’s quite cheap), sights (Machu Picchu and Galapagos will cost you much more money than ordinary sights cause they are brands) and food (local joints are very good, food tastes like home meal and cost a little, touristy restaurants don’t have this atmosphere).
PS I’m planning on backpacking in other parts of LA in 2012, and planning on to spent a whole year there. And even now I think this time is not enough.
Anyway, hope you will have a great time there. Cause LA has a unique vibe in my opinion.
Take care!
References :
I recommend you narrow down your travel to just one or two of those countries.
A single country in Central America could easily fill up more than a month by itself. Visiting five large South American countries in one month is going to leave you missing out on a lot of the wonders that the countries offer — there’s much more to Ecuador than just the Galapagos, and there’s much more to Peru than just Machu Picchu.
Latin American countries can be done reasonably on a budget — they’re not as expensive as popular European destinations, for example — however, it also depends on where you go. Often times, all of these countries offer a wide range of accomodations: from basic rooms to luxury, so it shouldn’t be too hard to stay in a budget.
If I were to choose one of those countries, it would be between Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
Brazil is amazing, but I found the other three countries closer to my budget (but remember that Brazil also has its fair share of budget accomodations).
Venezuela is also beautiful, and I enjoyed my time there, but it’s not the best country for a first-time traveler to Latin America.
In short, choose one or two countries. Research them very well — learn about opportunities to explore the main attractions, along with the local cultures, and exploring the natural beauty as well.
References :
Extensive travel in Latin America.
I agree with your other answers. There’s so much to see in South America!
If you go with Peru and Ecuador you would get a chance to see Machu Pichu and the Galapagos. One thing to keep in mind is that visiting the Galapagos can be expensive, possibly eating up half or more of your month’s budget. But the rest of the trip could be very economical.
Plus between the two countries you can see some amazing things… waterfalls, hot springs, active volcanoes, amazing beaches, rain forest, cloud forest, and of course Inca ruins (in both countries). You could easily spend a month in just ONE country and see just a fraction of what they have to offer.
References :
http://www.life-in-ecuador.com/
http://www.inside-peru.com/