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posted
19-Jul-2005 16:47
by: romanb »

last reply
08-Jan-2009 10:40
by: romanb »

0 replies , 1,917 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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posted
17-Feb-2003 12:08
by: Apollo »

last reply
17-Nov-2009 09:39
by: riograndita »

83 replies , 144,187 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 6

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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posted
09-Apr-2008 02:00
by: zerotres »

last reply
25-Sep-2009 22:41
by: zerotres »

24 replies , 10,707 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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posted
25-Nov-2009 13:35
by: madziabis »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 13:35
by: madziabis »

0 replies , 4 views location: Peru

Colca Canyon without a guide - some questions

Hi

We want to do 3-day Colca Canyon trip. We were quoted 135 soles pp for 3 days including visit to Cruz del Condor. This price doesn't include Colca Canyon entrance fee. The program is Arequipa - Cruz del Sur - Cabanaconde - trek to Llahuar - trek to Sangalle - trek to Cabanaconde - back to Arequipa via Chivay.

Now, I don't know how much cheaper is it going to be to do this on my own, but the cost is not a point in here. My question is if it's easy to do it without a guide. I mean, can we get lost? And is this the best option in terms of the route?
We don't want to carry tent. Is there accommodation easily available at Llahuar and Sangalle?
Do we need to carry food or it can be bought on the way?

Thanks for your help
Magda

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posted
25-Nov-2009 12:57
by: TreckingSoon »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 12:57
by: TreckingSoon »

0 replies , 11 views location: Peru

Santa Cruz Trek - any suggestions for a reliable tour agency to use?

Hi there,

I'm hoping for some suggestions on tour companies that you have had a positive experience with in the Huaraz region. I'm planning (hoping) to do the Santa Cruz trek December 21-28th (somewhere around there) and am not sure how to book ahead of time and who to book with... many website links aren't working so I'm finding it a bit of a challenge. We're planning on staying at the Lazy Dog Inn before or after the trek.

Thanks for your help!
T.

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posted
25-Nov-2009 12:38
by: daniellefromnz »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 12:38
by: daniellefromnz »

0 replies , 14 views

Route planning....

My friend and I are currently in Santiago... tomorrow we fly to Arica and plan to go to Arequipa or Lake Titicaca for a few days and then head on to La Paz in Bolivia. We are quite keen to see the salt lakes Uyuni too. We are flying out of Rio de Janeiro on the 20th of December.

Our plan was to see La Paz and things in Bolivia, then travel to Iguazu falls, and then go to Florianopolis and head up to Rio from there, stopping along at any interesting places in Brazil along the way.

Our problem is that we can´t figure out the best way to get from Uyuni to Iguazu falls.

We cant really afford expensive flights, but also dont want to be stuck travelling on uncomfortable buses for 50 hours or anything!

Any ideas?

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posted
25-Nov-2009 12:34
by: eljefe628 »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 12:34
by: eljefe628 »

0 replies , 10 views location: Chile & Easter Island

Hosterias in Southern Patagonia near Punta Arenas

I'll be flying into Punta Arenas with my girlfriend in late march and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations about hosterias in Southern Patagonia.

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posted
25-Nov-2009 12:27
by: spazmoid »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 12:56
by: mason101 »

1 replies , 25 views location: Colombia

Colombia - planning and not knowing what to plan :(

Hi

I need some help. I’m Australian and my boyfriend is Colombian and we are planning a trip (we guess for about 4-5 weeks next July-Sep). Even though you might think why I need help because he is Colombian, well like many people from their own country they don’t really know their own backyard!

I have never been to South America and I find information hard to find about Colombia. No books are actually in stores here and there is no lonely planet pilot guide DVD  I have no idea about what to budget, where to go and what to see. I want any info/tips/help on the country because I feel like an idiot not knowing anything and annoyed/frustrated that I can’t find any literature to actually learn anything! Can someone please help me?

Thanks

P.S We will also stop over in Lima or Buenos Aires and have the possibility of going to Panama and/or Venezuela depending on how much leav... more »

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posted
25-Nov-2009 11:52
by: tangosol »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 11:52
by: tangosol »

0 replies , 8 views location: Chile & Easter Island

hostels Puerto Natales & camping Torres del Paine

Hello,

I have 3 questions:

I´m heading to Puerto Natales next week and have been looking for hostels on the internet. Has anyone been to Backpacker El Refugio and Backpacker Kawahkar? How are they? Some suggestions?

I´m also planning to do the W trekking at the end of next week. Is it easy to buy dehydrated food in one of the shops there, cause I´ll be camping. It´s in fact not possible to find that kind of food in Bariloche & Puerto Varas.

And If you know a good address where I can rent camping gear, that would be great.

Thanks a lot,
Paula

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posted
25-Nov-2009 11:44
by: vikkyqi »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 11:44
by: vikkyqi »

0 replies , 7 views location: Argentina

camp stove fuel

We're planning to do some trekking in Patagonia this december and are wondering what types of camp stove fuel are available there. We have a propane stove and an isobutane stove. I've heard they only sell butane but we're having a hard time finding a good light weight butane stove. Does anyone have experience with this?

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posted
25-Nov-2009 11:26
by: benaus »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 11:26
by: benaus »

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

galapagos multisport

Hi I have been looking into a trip in early june or late may 2010. I have been looking at some of the so called "multisport" options, with some hiking, mountain biking and kayaking. I am interested if anyone has either done one of these options or has any information about them. I guess i dont want to be stuck on a boat all day with short stays on beaches and rather be out doing something whilst watching the wildlife, although a lot of these trips seem to be closer to the larger settlements and might be able to be done independently.
thanks
ben

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posted
25-Nov-2009 10:03
by: teresaperu »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 11:43
by: CascadeBob »

1 replies , 20 views location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Jungle in Ecuador

We had a fabulous jungle boogie in Ecuador in an inexpensive (140 dollars) programme lead by botanist Raul Nieto who has very simple lodge deep in the lowland rainforest not far from Quito. Off-the-beaten-track and free of tourism, we went on a 3 hour bumpy truck ride followed by a 6 hour trek deep into the jungle where you set up camp. Did all sorts of stuff - swam in waterfalls, saw loads of amazing birds and butterflies (it's one of the ten most bio diverse regions in the world), got wee-ed on by a group of brown-headed spider monkeys (!)... You can see pumas and jaguars if you're lucky...we only saw their footprints. Be prepared for lots of mud and being kept awake a night by all the sounds of the jungle including the howler monkeys! The last day of the trip we went back to Raul's lodge in Puerto Quito and learned how to make chocolate from cacao seeds (that come from a small comm... more »

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posted
25-Nov-2009 07:56
by: salsaeva »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 09:59
by: qwovadis »

2 replies , 31 views location: Brazil

Single rooms in Rio de Janeiro

We are two ladies from Sweden traveling Brazil in January. We do need help finding single rooms in Rio from the 2 of January. Is there any private rooms avaliable? The hostels just have doubles and we really do need a low budget alternative. So greatful for your help!

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posted
25-Nov-2009 07:30
by: mmarrcinn »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 12:51
by: mmarrcinn »

2 replies , 33 views location: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Riobamba-Aluasi railway

Hi,
i have just read that it is not allowed anymore to travel on the roof of the train. Is that true? if yes, is it worth to take the train trip anyway?
thanks

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posted
25-Nov-2009 07:17
by: sonnywhite »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 10:11
by: qwovadis »

2 replies , 39 views location: Colombia

Getting US dollars to exchange in Venezuela!

Hi! I've read a lot of info on these forums about the black market exchange rate in venezuela etc. But I can't find info on this.

Currently in santa marta and heading to venezuela soon. I have limited us$ in cash, some euros and about $450 in traveler cheques. How can I get more us$ in order to benefit from the black market exchange rate in venezuela?

Should I take colombian pesos with me and exchange at the border, or exchnage those for us while still in colombia?

Anyone know if there are any atms in santa marta dispensing us$?

Any advice much appreciated!

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posted
25-Nov-2009 06:08
by: loneboy »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 10:18
by: qwovadis »

1 replies , 22 views

Flights to Europe from SA/US

Hey.

I am soooo happy to be returning to SA again!

I will be doing 3 mths of spanish courses in Buenos Aires from early February, and I will travel for a few months after that. I was thinking about going to Iguazu (missed it the last time) and then doing coast of Brazil for a few weeks before I hit Colombia where I will be spending a month or so. Other than that I dont know where Ill be going.

Could someone pls give some advise on how to get airtickets? It would be a lot of unneccesary travelling heading back to BA for a homebound (Oslo) flight.

I know it's possible to travel cheap from Miami to Oslo, but where can I Get cheap to Miami from SA?

Any other options are welcome:)

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posted
25-Nov-2009 05:55
by: Harry05 »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 07:50
by: yaofeng »

1 replies , 26 views location: Colombia

Jungle experience near Leticia

In march next year I will be travelling (by myself) through Colombia, also thinking about visiting Leticia. About that a few questions (speak reasonable spanish, so no english speaking guides needed):

  • Is the jungle near Leticia worth visiting if done already jungle tours in countries like Venezuela and Ecuador, also considering that march will be rainy season?
  • If going I just wanna show up in Leticia, will it be possible to get decent budget accomodation and good tours (which I have to join, because I'm travelling by myself)? Recommendations about budget ho(s)tels and tours?
  • Which area will be best to visit compared to price/quality: PNN Amacayacu, Puerto Narino, Rio Yavari (I don't really care about luxury, atmosphere and experience are much more important)?
  • Also thinking about going to Puerto Narino by myself, will I be able to do good tours there (it might be more diffi...
more »

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posted
25-Nov-2009 05:47
by: marcyk »

last reply
25-Nov-2009 05:47
by: marcyk »

0 replies , 14 views location: Argentina

ceramics in Buenos Aires

I am a ceramic artist from Hawaii interested in visiting ceramic museums, galleries or studios in Buenos Aires. I will be there over the New Year's holidays. Will that be possible? Where should I look ?
Thanks!

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