Travel South America - Tips for South America Travel.
Travel to South America: How to Start
by Mark Van Overmeire
You set your mind and you're ready to travel to South America, a magical place of immense beauty where myth and legend continue to walk hand in hand. I've traveled 18 months in South America and can give you some tips on how to prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure.
Common Sense
We all hear the unpleasant stories and South America has a fame of being dangerous. I traveled thousands of miles traversing cities, jungles, islands and mountains. I survived 6 weeks in a street child care center in the favelas of Salvador da Bahía (Brazil) and had the party of a lifetime during carnival. Nothing, I repeat, nothing happened. Use your common sense. Avoid badly lit streets at night and if your sixth sense is giving you the "something is wrong" sign then take a taxi to your destination.
Travel Guide Book
The first thing that you will need is a travel guide book. It will be your best companion in your search for adventure. I can highly recommend Lonely Planet´s South America on a Shoestring to get you started. The book covers all you need to know to get the most out of your trip and is ideal to plan your journey ahead. I've used the guide extensively during my 18 month adventure. They offer excellent separate travel guides of all the countries (besides using the Lonely Planet Shoestring I've used their separate travel guides of Peru and Brazil). Their guides are the most popular among backpackers.
Other popular guides are The Rough Guide to South America and the South American Handbook. Ideal, but not practical because you want to travel light, would be to enjoy the adventure with a Lonely Planet and either the Rough Guide or the Handbook.
Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese
The most rewarding thing for me was the fact that you can travel in a huge continent like South America with only 2 languages. Spanish and Portuguese. If you plan to travel just for a few weeks you can invest in a Spanish and/or Brazilian Portuguese Phrase Book. English is not widely spoken and even a basic knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese makes the trip so much more rewarding (they're extremely willing to help you, so don't worry, be happy).
If on the other hand you're planning to travel for a few months I can highly recommend taking a language course. Ideal would be in a school in South America (I took lessons in Quito, Ecuador, and had a private teacher for $2.50/h).
Walking Shoes
South America's nature is overwhelming. You'll walk for many hours day after day. It would be a shame to walk in the footsteps of the Incas with blisters on your feet. My biggest recommendation is to invest in high quality walking shoes with Gore-Tex.
Health Vaccinations
Yellow Fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon Basin), Typhoid (consists of two injections taken 4 weeks apart), Diphtheria-Tetanus, Polio, Cholera (only when necessary), Smallpox
Medical Kit:
Depending on what you plan to do you can include the following: Antiseptic cream, aspirin, lomotil for diarrhea, antibiotics, throat lozenges, ear and eye drops, antacid tablets, motion sickness medication, alcohol swabs, water purifier, lip salve, foot and groin powder, thermometer (in a case), surgical tape, assorted sticky plasters, gauze, bandages, butterfly closures, scissors and last but not least, first-aid booklet
Note: malaria pills are required in the amazon basin, please be aware that those pills are very strong and you should check with your doctor before departure
Traveling Gear
Backpack:
Obviously a high quality backpack is a must. Choose the type that has different compartments that can be opened separately. Very handy if you need something quickly. Travel as light as possible. A heavy backpack is destined to undermine your traveling pleasure.
Clothing:
Depends on where you go. If it's the mountains and the jungle, get some quality clothing from home. If it's the beach, buy your t-shirts there (cheap).
Camping and Climbing Gear:
You can rent camping and climbing material in South America but the quality may be questionable. Always check the material. Bring your own gear if possible. I traveled 18 months with my own tent and various camping utensils.
Photography
Pictures are something personal. Some people just want some snap shots, others want to publish in the National Geographic. All my pictures were taken with a cheap Nikon F50 camera. Have a look at some amazing photographs.
I had two zoom lenses, a 35-80 mm. and a 70-210mm. I also dragged a tripod and an excellent flash with me. I used FUJI slides (100 ASA) but you definitely need 200 to 400 ASA if you plan to go to the jungle. A polarize filter enhances the colours tremendously on sunny days.
Conclusion
South America will embrace you with open arms. It's nature, people and history is overwhelming. With the right preparation and set of mind you're ready for an unforgettable adventure.
Mark Van Overmeire Travel Amazing South America
About the Author
Mark Van Overmeire is an experienced traveler, composer and photographer.
Released his first full CD Impresiones in 2004 with compositions based on his 4 year stay in South America.
Founder of Travel Amazing South America, a travel website with many wonderful photographs, stories and tips.
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South America Travel
Travelling To South America With A Tour Group
by Jean Sutherland
South America has magnificant beautiful areas to explore and most often people are looking for a package deal that is offered by a tour group. Is a package deal the right decision for you?
If you answer yes then there are many to choose from but how do you know which one is best suited for you.
First you must look at yourself and know that travelling to South American with all it's pros and cons is right for you. Before you even begin to look at areas you need to ask yourself questions.
Do you want to stay at an all-inclusive resort and be pampered or do you want to get into hiking and exploring different regions? If you are into hiking them make sure you are fit enough to be active for hours on end and check to see just how much you will be active.
Will you be able to trapse through jungles or withstand the thin air in the mountain regions? Heat and humidity in the jungle areas can be extreme just as thin air in the mountains can cause altitude sickness. Will either of these bother you?
Although not advisable some people prefer to travel alone. Make sure you are capable of dealing with the many situations that travelling alone may bring. South America is made up of thrid world countries and with language differences and illnesses that may arise, travelling alone may not be for you. Being in a group gives you the security of instant help should the need arise and support from other group members.
Make sure you bring medications with you for your trip in case any medical conditions arise. It is highly recommended that if you are heading for jungle areas that you get prophylactic Malaria medication and take it! If you plan to travel deep into the rainforest or other unusual places that you get advice from a specialized hospital or doctor that deals with tropical diseases.
Research extensively the areas that you wish to travel in. Read maps, listen to local music, find online reviews, read guide books, learn some of the language and try to correspond with others who have visited the area. A well researched trip will mean less surprises.
By planning you will now have a list of things that you want to see or do in the country you choose. Once you have researched all the different areas of South America it is then time to visit a travel agent. Take you list of things you want to accomplish and your agent will help to match you up with the right tour group. Make sure you look at what is included in your trip beside the price. All inclusive does not necessarily mean taxes, food/snacks, alchol, transfers, travel expenses or fees for side trips are included. Look online for references or ask your agent if they can supply you will some.
Last, but not least, make sure you check on the visa requirements for your trip. Make sure your passport is up to date. Make photocopies of all travel documents and credit cards and identity cards in case they are lost of stolen. Try to leave documents with a hotel once you arrive in country and only carry photocopies with you when away from the hotel. If the need arrises for the actual documents you can easily make arrangements with the hotel for their delivery.
About the Author
Jean Sutherland is the owner of the informative website http://www.spasoftheworld.com/southamerica.htm & http://www.spasoftheworld.com/spas/index.html She has worked in the travel industry for over 10 years and lived in Mexico for 3 years. Please also look at the Mexican Animal Shelter site she supports.
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