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19-Jul-2005 16:47
romanb

last reply
08-Jan-2009 10:40
romanb

0 replies , 2,881 views

Thread Locked Welcome to the South America branch!

Welcome to the Thorn Tree's South America branch.

The countries covered by this branch are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile & Easter Island, Colombia (note spelling), Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.

We hope you find plenty of useful information about travelling to South America here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the some of these useful FAQ threads on this branch before posting a new thread:


Information about Antarctica can be found here.

If you are a returning user or a South America guru, please help us keep t... more »

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17-Feb-2003 12:08
Apollo

last reply
27-Jan-2010 16:15
Irene_Adler

70 replies , 152,180 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 5

South America FAQ thread

Zedd_at_LP writes: The countries covered by this FAQ are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile & Easter Island, Colombia, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela. Antarctica is covered here.

LP already have some information about the region in the World Guide, and also in the Postcards section.

Then there's the LP hostel booking site which can be found here: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.lone... more »

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09-Apr-2008 02:00
zerotres

last reply
23-Dec-2009 13:20
zerotres

24 replies , 15,922 views location: Brazil

Pages 1 2

Brazil Frequently Asked Questions

For the benefit of everyone dropping by the Brazil branch for the first time, please read this FAQ first. And I hope there can be some sort of way to moderate the thread to keep it updated and clean. I know there are some AWESOME regular contributors here who enjoy giving advice; I feel this thread can really help to condense the information available.

I'll go first, with some general thoughts from the South America FAQ. Many thank to Apollo for starting that thread and for a great idea. Hopefully we can have a similar thread for Brazil.

1) Use the "Search" function to find out if someone has already asked your question. Many questions have already been asked before, and regular contributors to the forum get tired of answering the same thing over and over again.

2) Read a few pages of posts. The most frequent... more »

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27-Jan-2010 06:46
crowdpub

last reply
10-Feb-2010 08:12
qwovadis

99 replies , 10,018 views location: Peru

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 7

Mudslides: Machu Picchu , Cusco, Aguas Calientes Update (sticky)

Below is information just obtained by http://www.lanewuspdate.com from an owner of a small hotel in Aguas Caliente where the tourists are currently trapped. Hope this helps inform.
Regular updates at: http://www.latinamericatraveler.com/Peru_Rains_Mudslides_Deluge_Machu_Picchu_Region.htm
LANEWSUPDATE.COM has just spoken with one of the owners of a hostel in Aguas Calientes. Francisco Seminario of Rupawasi Condor House Eco Lodge reported via telephone that there are helicopters currently evacuating tourists at this time. Yesterday 60 tourists were evacuated. He stated that one of his guests reported that additional U.S. helicopters are being flown in from Colombia and hopefully will begin operations this afternoon. The word is that they are currently in Cusco. However, these helicopters from Colombia carry only five passengers at a time.
Another reports is that individuals were at... more »

10-Feb-2010 11:15
Rock1984

last reply
10-Feb-2010 11:15
Rock1984

0 replies , 2 views

Entering Sth America one way and Brazilian visa

Ok I've got a few concerns not only about obtaining a Brazilian tourist visa, but also the problem with needing a plane ticket leaving South America for my airline to let me check in.
I've got my flight booked from Sydney to BsAs in September 2010 and plan on traveling SthAm for 12 months and flying home out of LAX. Even if I wanted to book a flight from LAX to Australia just before I leave in Sept, airlines only list flights 10 months in advance, so I wouldn't be able to.

As for obtaining a Brazilian visa, I've purposely left my plans relatively loose as to not tie myself down to set dates. The Brazilian visa application form asks for a set itinerary provided by my travel agent, as well as proof of departure from Brazil. How can I get around this if I'm unsure of dates and whether I'm going to fly or bus in and out of Brazil?

10-Feb-2010 11:01
griizzly

last reply
10-Feb-2010 11:01
griizzly

0 replies , 4 views location: Suriname

Volunteer work in suriname

Hi, I am heading to Suriname in April for a month, and was really hoping to do some volunteer work for stinasu. (Or another organisation.). I have emailed and haven't heard anything back from them, and I really need to know if its going to go ahead before I book my ticket. So 3 questions.

1. Has anyone done any volunteer work for them, what was it like?

2. Does anyone else know of any organisations which would like some help from a hard-working, semi dutch speaking environmental scientist?

3. Does anyone have contact details for stinasu, other than an email address so I can call them.

Thanks in advance!!!

10-Feb-2010 10:47
james500

last reply
10-Feb-2010 10:47
james500

0 replies , 4 views location: Peru

Inca Trail companies - advice re my shortlist

Hey guys, right the eternal question.. I have a shortlist of 3 companies to trek with. Just wondering if anyone could recommend any of the below, or if there are any other perators you reckon i should look at? Inca Experience seem to be the cheapest but then cheapest isnt always the best right..

  • Llama Path
  • Waykitrek
  • Inca Experience

Thanks

10-Feb-2010 10:05
james500

last reply
10-Feb-2010 11:24
Fieldgate

1 replies , 7 views

Mobile phone in S.America?

I've been traveling without a phone since Sept, but starting to find it a bit of a pain when trying to meet up with people etc. I touch down in Chile in a week or so, and then travel round Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and possibly Brazil over the next 2-3 months. Just wondering what the best way to get mobile would be - I have a phone, would I just have to buy a sim card in each country? How costly is it in S.America? Many thanks!

10-Feb-2010 09:15
holynoly121

last reply
10-Feb-2010 09:15
holynoly121

0 replies , 10 views location: Argentina

Can't decide-Buenos Aires or Madrid??

Hi guys, I'm a student looking to study in either Buenos Aires or Madrid in the fall of 2010 (late August-late December), and I can't make a decision! I was wondering if anybody here could tell me pros/cons of studying abroad in Buenos Aires (and if you know anything about Madrid, that would help too). Any advice would be appreciated, thanks so much!

10-Feb-2010 08:13
anistar

last reply
10-Feb-2010 08:13
anistar

0 replies , 4 views location: Brazil

Accommodation for carnival Paraty for sale

Hey all,

Have had an emergency come up and looks like I won't be able to go to carnival after all, I have a bed in a 4 bed female dorm with a/c and en suite booked at a hostel in Paraty from 12th Feb for 5 nights till 17th Feb going spare. I paid $48 a night for it so if you're interested and haven't yet booked your accommodation then email me/post a mesage here.

Thanks

Ani

10-Feb-2010 06:42
aekonen

last reply
10-Feb-2010 06:42
aekonen

0 replies , 11 views location: Colombia

Beaches and or La Ciudad Perdida

Hi All,
I am planning a two week trip to Colombia in March. I will spend a my first week with a friend in Cartagena and Parque Nacional Tayrona. I am up in the air about trekking to la ciudad perdida or exploring other beaches during my second week. I'd love some opinions and recomendations. Any safety concerns I should know about? I will be with one other woman my second week. One minute I feel very secure about it all, then I read something that shifts my perspective. Please set me straight!

Edited by: aekonen

10-Feb-2010 04:35
dtucker23

last reply
10-Feb-2010 11:07
forestt35

6 replies , 42 views

Amazon Rainforest

Would like to take a trip to the Amazon rainforest.

Details:

Trip length (including travel to & from U.S.): 7 or 8 days
Accommodations: Reasonably priced; Needs to be good enough to satisfy wife who would prefer, but does not need, luxury
Internet access: Would like it, as we are leaving young kids behind with the grandparents
Desired activities: Probably typical of such a trip (for example, wildlife hikes/viewing; river/canoe trips; canopy walks; fishing; etc.)
Location: Open to suggestions (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, etc.)
When: Late December 2010
Other: Would consider staying at more than 1 place, each for a couple of days

Would like specific suggestions.

Thanks

10-Feb-2010 04:21
remando

last reply
10-Feb-2010 04:21
remando

0 replies , 10 views

Salvador Carnival: Buying tickets for a Camarote

We'll be at Salvador Carnival on the 15th and 16th and are trying to get tickets for a specific camarote (Camarote Salvador), as our friends from Canada already got them. We phoned the place and checked online and it looks like it's not easy to buy them before getting there, not to mention the price now is over 1000 reials, double what our friends paid.
What should we do? Is there some way we can get those tickets before getting there? Should we forget about the camarote altogether and go for something else instead? Are they worth it anyways?
Any advice will be most welcome.
Thanks.

10-Feb-2010 03:51
orainn

last reply
10-Feb-2010 07:03
trekker502

2 replies , 18 views location: Chile & Easter Island

Accommodation on the W

Hi All,

I've been researching accommodation options for the Torres del Paine W trek and have reached a bit of an information overload at this point! I hope someone can take the time to help me out with a few specific questions which I haven't got 100% figured out yet....

1) (The classic!) How far in advance is it reccommended to book refugios? I'll be doing the trek in late March and I had hoped that since this is the end of the season, I might be able to book them once in Chile (beginning of March), when I have a better idea of exact dates. Is this wishful thinking? Should I book right now -- or am I already too late?

2) If I miss out on the refugios, obviously the other option is camping. The impression I have is that booking at campsites is easier - maybe a few days before setting out?

3) I've read accounts of people hiring camping gear in town before starting the trek,... more »

10-Feb-2010 03:13
tunabagel

last reply
10-Feb-2010 05:35
Threeshire

5 replies , 58 views location: Bolivia

Foreigners that have lived in Bolivia for 2 years and more please read!

Any foreigners that have been living in Bolivia for more than 2 years MUST vote in the april elections. This means you MUST register by 14th Feb to be able to vote. Im posting this as im beginning to realize that most resident gringos in La Paz have no idea that they have to do this and if they do not register and vote they are subject to the same restrictions that Bolivians that dont vote are - i.e. cannot do any official documentation, anything transactions over the counter in banks and cannot travel - . basically it is a pain for many things. You receive a little ticket to say you have voted and are often asked for it when trying to do the above. Now as foreigners i would imagine that most banks will not ask for this as they will not know that foreigners are supposed to vote so it might not be a problem but if you reply on any of these things it is best to be safe and register/v... more »

10-Feb-2010 03:05
Anitana

last reply
10-Feb-2010 03:05
Anitana

0 replies , 7 views location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Cuban salsa classes in Quito?

Hi all,

I've been reading that the Cuban community is growing in Quito!
(http://www.elmundo.es/america/2010/01/07/noticias/1262871685.html)

A friend and I are looking to return to Quito for a week or so this spring, and we would really like to find Rueda de Casino classes (or Cuban folklore teachers) in Quito. Can anyone recommend an escuela or profe from personal experience?

Mil gracias!

10-Feb-2010 02:11
bfjackson

last reply
10-Feb-2010 07:55
bamemory

1 replies , 15 views location: Argentina

Does Argentina shut down on July 9?

Does Argentina shut down on July 9 (Independence Day)? Would the holiday affect my travel plans either on or around that date? I'm planning on travelling from Colonia (Uruguay) to Buenos Aires on the 9th then spending the 10th, 11th and 12th there.

10-Feb-2010 02:02
rogermellie

last reply
10-Feb-2010 09:34
iandotanderson

4 replies , 41 views location: Colombia

London Heathrow to Bogota

Hey guys and girls,

I am planning to go to Colombia for 6 months or so to visit my girlfriend. I have been checking out ticket prices for mid May, and am just wondering if £565 seems like a good price for a return ticket with Virgin Atlantic/Delta?!
If anyone knows of any good websites, I would appreciate your help...

Roger.

10-Feb-2010 01:40
peppin3559

last reply
10-Feb-2010 01:40
peppin3559

0 replies , 12 views location: Argentina

Gualeguaychu Carnaval

Hi.

We are two friends. We are going to gualaguaychu next weekend, maybe on friday. We are looking for any kind of informatin, since we dont know nothing about it. We want to know, mainly were do we have to stay, in which zone, near the river or near the corsodromo, where is the party ? at night in the clubs or at day over the river ? we want to stay on a nice hostel and catch up with other travelers.

thanks

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