Americas - South America
Messages: 75,112 - Threads: 13,007
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 »
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 »
Apr 8, 2008 9:00 AM
zerotres
last reply
Feb 12, 2013 12:44 PM
gustaveeiffel
31 replies
83,811 views
location:
Brazil
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 »
Nov 16, 2012 7:58 AM
mendocinateacher
last reply
May 23, 2013 7:00 PM
trent84
113 replies
25,199 views
location:
Argentina
UPDATE Reciprocity Fee Pre-payment- starting Jan7,2013 at ALL Entries
http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesibleingles/?noticia=1632 (so far, in Spanish only)
Pre-payment has already started, no problems reported so far, it just does not become obligatory until 28 DECEMEBER 2012 for flights to Aeroparque or for Ezeiza International Airport, BA. As of Right now , it is still an option to paying on arrival. As of January 7, 2013, it is scheduled to apply for all entry points, everyhwehere, by land sea or flight.
You register for the pre-payment site and pay here:
https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/
Also, an explanation of the procedure is set out there as well.
The National Imm... more »
May 25, 2013 4:30 PM
urchin79
last reply
May 25, 2013 4:30 PM
urchin79
0 replies
23 views
location:
Peru
Peruvian
Hi all, I have poor internet access and trying to book a flight with Peruvian. I gather there is no Gringo tx but is there an "airport use" tax from Lima to Cusco? It mentions this in t&cs but cant be sure. ANy help great!
May 25, 2013 1:31 PM
CEEJAYTREESA
last reply
May 25, 2013 3:50 PM
polyglot25
1 replies
41 views
location:
Chile & Easter Island
bus trip SANTIAGO to Buenos Aires
Hello! request advice/recommendation re: BUS travel from Santiago to Buenos Aires for 2 adults.
Straight through. We are spending most of our time in BA.
Would like to depart Santiago September 13, 2013. (flying from Quito to Santiago the 12th).
1. Bus companies
2. Terminals
3. Reciprocity fee for crossing into Argentina?
4. Types of buses and seating available, we are interested in comfort, preferably not squished, I'm kind of an old broad.
We are carrying only small day pack each, and small (really) rolling carryon so lugging lots of bulky luggage is not an issue.
Thank you for any advice, recommendations, and/or observations you care to share.
Sincerely, Theresa
May 25, 2013 1:04 PM
worldcuriousdonna
last reply
May 25, 2013 5:02 PM
polyglot25
1 replies
32 views
Amazon tour ideas
Me and my partner are doing some travels in South and Central America next year in April and May. One must for us is to see the Amazon Rainforest. Covering such vast lands, I would like to know if there is a particular place where the most/best tours run. I have seen the majority of tours happening in Peru, Ecuador and Manaus. I would imagine that Manaus is the best being in the heart of the Amazon but I may not be correct! Any advise on this would be useful as not really sure where to start as my knowledge is limited on what companies to go with and where particularly in the Amazon to visit.
Many thanks, Donna
May 25, 2013 12:43 PM
drxx
last reply
May 25, 2013 4:15 PM
amobr82
1 replies
47 views
location:
Brazil
Iguacu falls - Vila Velha what to see on the way in 2 weeks ?
Hi guys,
Im landing in Iguazu on 20.08 in the morning and have around 15 days to start my internship in Vila Velha hospital. I want to travel by bus in between and I dont know what would be the best to see/do. Obviously I will spend some time looking the Falls but what next ?
What would be nice on the way or around. I dont mind a little detour. All advices are much appreciated
Thanks !!!
Michal
Edited by: drxx
May 25, 2013 11:47 AM
sunshanita
last reply
May 25, 2013 11:47 AM
sunshanita
0 replies
16 views
location:
Peru
Does anyone know the agency Kipachi Peru Travel? Feedback please!!
Hi,
I'm going to South America soon and am looking to book the Salkantay Trek to Macchu Picchu. I might use a company called Kipachi Peru Travel. yet I can't find reviews for them anywhere.
Has anyone have some feedback for me? Are they trustworthy and organized?
Please help.
Thank youuuu :)
ipad/smartphones
I'm back packing around Argentina and Colombia in June and am trying to decide whether to take my ipad and smartphone or not. Should I be worried about leaving my ipad in my hostel when I head out at night? I know most have fairly secure lockers but is there still a risk of it being stolen?
Also, is it worth my while? What is wifi access like in both countries? On the subject of phones, are the roaming charges so punitive that I'm better off buying a cheap phone and sim card locally and using them instead?
Appreciate and advice,
Thanks,
Enda
May 25, 2013 8:38 AM
London_Khh
last reply
May 25, 2013 3:54 PM
polyglot25
1 replies
44 views
location:
Bolivia
The road from Tarija to Sucre: Any different from on to Tupiza?
Hi all
Currently I'm in Tarija in Bolivia.
I've taken my fair share of very dodgy bus rides in places like Laos and Indonesia - drivers going ridiculously fast on old buses/minibuses on roads with sheer mountainous drops. And I have a fairly high tolerance as a result.
However, I've heard some particularly bad things about the road from Tarija to Tupiza. Night buses in particular.
Now - I'm not doing that. But I am going from Tarija to Sucre (night bus). And looking at a map it seems to go partly the same route.
We go down Route 1 to Potosi. Route 20 comes off part of the way along - which goes on to Tupiza
My question: Is the road from Tarija to Potosi as bad as the road from Tarija to Tupiza. Or is the dodgiest part the road we don't do - route 20?
Anyone done the road from Tarija to Sucre by night?
k
more »
May 25, 2013 12:00 AM
raerabbott
last reply
May 25, 2013 7:58 AM
raerabbott
4 replies
103 views
Need help choosing a destination!
Hi everybody,
I am 20 years old and taking a semester off of college in the fall to volunteer somewhere in South America...location TBD, which is the problem. There are tons of programs and opportunities pretty much everywhere, and once I started looking into it I realized my search would be much easier if I narrowed it down to a place, or a few places. But I'm not sure how to find the best place for me! Any help would be very much appreciated.
I want to live in or right outside some sort of city. I love cities because they're such cultural centers and I like to have things to see and do and people to interact with- anywhere that it's easy to meet people and a decent amount of them are young would be great. Music is especially important to me. I adore Hispanic music and would love to live somewhere where I could see it live and dance; would be even more awesome if I could lear...
more »
May 24, 2013 11:58 PM
Aussieteachers
last reply
May 25, 2013 9:54 AM
inaciomartinelli
3 replies
79 views
location:
Brazil
Paraty over Christmas and New Year
Hi,
My girlfriend and I are travelling around Brazil in December and January. We are thinking of basing ourselves in Paraty for a while. Is it possible to stay here and venture out for day trips around hot spots? We dont want to go onto Ilha Grande over New Years as we have heard from locals that is it mayhem and not so nice. This was our original plan but are now weighing up our options to stay somehwere and trip around.
Anyone have any good suggestions? Anyone have a cracking place to spend NYE?
Cheers
Aussieteachers
May 24, 2013 8:35 PM
jasonsj
last reply
May 25, 2013 4:09 PM
BanjoDan3
1 replies
42 views
location:
Argentina
Paraguay visa for US citizen in Posadas
Has anyone obtained a visa for Paraguay in Posadas, Argentina for entry through Encarnación? If so, how long did the process take? Some of what I've read said as little as one hour, and I'm hoping that's really the case.
(Cross-posted in Paraguay forum.)
May 24, 2013 8:35 PM
jasonsj
last reply
May 24, 2013 8:35 PM
jasonsj
0 replies
22 views
location:
Paraguay
Paraguay visa for US citizen in Posadas
Has anyone obtained a visa for Paraguay in Posadas, Argentina for entry through Encarnación? If so, how long did the process take? Some of what I've read said as little as one hour, and I'm hoping that's really the case.
(Cross-posted in Argentina forum.)
May 24, 2013 6:44 PM
missfrugal82
last reply
May 24, 2013 6:44 PM
missfrugal82
0 replies
30 views
location:
Colombia
Bus from Bogota to Medellin in June- ok?
Hi
I am landing in Bogota airport on 1 June. Does anyone know if its ok to travel by road from Bogota to Medellin in June due to the rain? Also, from the airport (El Dorado International airport), can I get the bus to the downtown bus terminal and buy a ticket from there to Medellin, or do I have to go to another bus terminal to get the bus from Bogota to Medellin? Also, does anyone know do you have to buy bus tickets in advance from Bogota to Medellin route or will I be ok just turning up and buying it there and then?
thank
xs
May 24, 2013 6:00 PM
Anwer
last reply
May 25, 2013 5:32 AM
chillumburning
4 replies
126 views
location:
Argentina
I need help please.
I'm Libyan and I tried to get Argentinian tourist visa in argentina embassy in libya but I got refused ? What I should do ? Can I inter argentina by other visa ? By American Latin visa maybe ???
May 24, 2013 5:40 PM
quebraley
last reply
May 25, 2013 8:00 AM
SouthAmericanRo...
2 replies
71 views
location:
Peru
Trek Salcantay to Choquequirao
Hello all, I need a quite difficult info (i guess). I would like to do a mix of the Salcantay trek with Choquequirao.
My idea is to start the Salcantay trek and, after the second day, at Collpapampa, turn left towards Choquequirao and then from there back to Cuzco (without heading to Machu Picchu).
Ive asked inumerous tours agencies about this and they dont even want to quote me a private trek. I guess most dont understand or dont want to arrange that trek.
So I seek anyone here who has info about this. I would be doing this on my onw, I guess, carrying all my stuff.
Thank you very much!!
May 24, 2013 1:59 PM
meldois
last reply
May 25, 2013 12:37 PM
markandjade
7 replies
199 views
location:
Peru
train for Machu Picchu ?
I ha ve my tickets for Machu Picchu on June 13, I will leave Cusco on June 12 and intend to spend the night of the 12 in Aguas Calentes.
How can I reach Aguas Calientes ? I think the best way is to take the train from Ollantayambo? Is it easy to go from Cusco to Ollantayambo ? How long does it take ? At what time does it get dark ? ( for the time of the train ) Which train is it nice to take ? Better book ? on internet ? PERU Rail or INCARAIL , or just walk in at the train station ?.
For Machu Picchu site ? necessary to get a guide ? If yes do we just walk to the site and get one at the entrance ?
When going back what would be the nice way to see the rest of the sacred valley for 2 of 3 days ?
Thanks for all your good advices
Welcome & Getting Started
Our Community Guidelines and Community FAQs will help you get started.
Businesses and commercial interests please note, this is a strictly no advertising community. Our members do not tolerate solicitation or guerilla marketing, and accounts are for travellers only.
Email: community@lonelyplanet.com with feedback or questions.
Featured threads on this branch
South America FAQs
The Amazon River from Peru to Brazil
Bus or train from Cuzco to Puno?
South American travel literature
Nominate the best threads in this branch by clicking on the heart icon in any thread
Find us on Facebook & Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @lonelyplanet for the best in travel tips and inspiration.
If you’re on Twitter, tag your travel related tips with #lp and we’ll share the best of them with our community of followers.
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.

