Bellamafia
Guelph
A question about this place:
I am going to South America and I want to know the places to go here, and how to do it CHEAP.
TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IN EXPLICIT DETAIL
thank you :)
Answers:
Orthodork
Memphis
How to do it cheap? Is there any other option? A beer is about $.50 What more do you want?
Other than that… do you know Spanish? If not, are you travelling with someone who does? Yes? great. Act confident and maybe they won’t try and cheat you. No? Go to well-lit, touristy places and be careful. There are 10,000 kidnappings a year in South America.
Well, now that I’ve scared you know that I would go back in a minute! I loved it there. I went to Puerta La Cruz where it’s 80 degrees all year long. I also made my way to Margarite Island which is absolutely amazing! Go Island hopping if at all possible! And try to make your way into the jungle… incredible!
I was there with family so it’s hard to really know what anything costs. They live there so I was just visiting.
Anyway… have fun and good luck!
chenowethp
Nashville
The gas part of your ground transportation will be your least worry. Five dollars (US) will fill the tank of an SUV…but I am not sure about renting a vehicle. There are check points scattered about the countryside that can make your life uncomfortable.
I would second what Orthodork said. Go east and enjoy PLC.
pumpkincita
Buenos Aires
well, argentina is one of the most cheaper countries in SA now.
chepeast way to travel it’s by bus.
Remmyreel
San Francisco
I’ve been all around Guatemala, so I can name mostly only Guate locations that you should visit.
1: Tikal
The flight on a single engine plane to Flores and the van shuttle to Tikal is pretty cheap and well worth it. It should include a short tour, after which you can run around the ruins as much as you want.
2: Antigua
A gorgeous Colonial town and just a quick 45 min. bus ride from the capital. Don’t forget to go up to the cross on the hill for a grand view of the area. Try and be there for Semana Santa too, the alfombras are awesome.
3: San Pedro La Laguna
On the shores of Lake Atitlan, you’ll have to catch a truck in Santiago or if you’re driving it’s a really short ride and well worth it since very few tourists ever go there. But if you can’t make it there, Santiago still has a lot to offer.
4: Volcan Atitlan
If you’re going to climb any volcanoes, climb this one. It has a gorgeous view of the lake and surrounding volcanoes, plus it’s really not a very long hike, although of course it’s ALL UPHILL. If you can’t make it to this one, then go to Pacaya near Lake Amatitlan, it’s an active volcano and quite exciting (so I hear)
5: Chichicastenango
Up in the mountains, just a short drive from Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. The drive alone is worth the trip, gorgeous vegetation. Plus when you get to the town you’ll experience Indigenous Guatemala in it’s almost pure form.
6: Try and make it to the beach, where the water is warm and the sand is black. Champerico near Retalhuleu is nice I hear, and I guess San Jose (south of Escuintla) can be an adventure.
Bigmighty
Greenville
Venezuela is not exactly a geared for tourist. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of gorgeous places to visit, but it is not for foreigners, except for Margarita Island.
There is an unreliable transportation system, mainly buses and what they call “por puestos” that are regular cars and vans in which you pay for your seat, like a bus.
Like one of the other respondants said, knowing how to speak Spanish would be very helpful. Costs are pretty low, specially gas (7 cents a gallon … cheaper than tap water). I think the exchange is Bs. 2400 to $1. But don’t change at the bank: they have currency control, so you are better off changing on the street; and don’t exchange too much ‘cause the bank will not buy it back from you and give you dollars, so you’ll have to do it in the black market again.
Careful if you are an American: they are in a middle of a political revolution there now, and they have elections this December, so they are campaining, and they are convinced that all Americans are spies, but there is plenty of “normal” people too.
You can fly into La Guaira, Valencia or Maracaibo. La Guaira is the main Intl. airport; it’s in the outskirt of Caracas, the capital. The main road to it collapse a few months ago, so traffic into the city is hell and it can cost you up to $70 to go there. Caracas itself is a big, dirty, busy city: think “Escape from New York” and you are close .. think worst. It is however surrounded by a gorgeous mountain called El Avila, which is a national park and make for great hiking and primitive camping. They do have a very nice cable car that takes you to the top, and on top there is a nice town called Galipan, were you might find lodging.
Out destinations are Merida, a town in the Andes (cold and quaint); Margarita a tourist island in the caribbean (arid and nice); Ciudad Guayana and the Gran Sabana, think wilderness and jungle and you are close (green and gorgeous); Maturin and La cueva de el Guacharo, a laid back town and a very interesting cave; Morrocoy, a national park (tropical beach paradise) and Los Roques, and archiprielago in the caribbean (another tropical paradise).
Good luck and have fun. Find a local to show you around and be careful cause crime is rampant.
chromo
Colorado Springs
Venezuela is a fantastic choice. I spent 6 weeks there and had a great time. My recommendation: Fly into Caracas, make sure your ticket has you arriving before like 2pm, and then as soon as you get there take an overnight luxury bus to Merida. Merida is a great introduction to the country…it’s beautiful, laid back, dirt cheap and packed with adventure activities. From there you can trek into Los Llanos, go canyoning, go paragliding, see the Teleferico and more (go with Arassari for your guides). Beers (in a bar) are about 25 cents, Por Puestos (little city buses) will get you almost anywhere for 30 cents and they are NOT unreliable they just take some getting used to. Ask a local—they will tell you where to catch the right por puesto. After I got used to Merida, I went to Puerto la Cruz, Santa Elena de Uairen, Canaima, and finally Margarita Island. I could go on and on about Venezuela but basically, just do it. Crime was not “rampant” anywhere I visitied. Just exercise general caution and you’ll be okay. Have fun!
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