| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 07:58:43
I only have 6-7 months, which is hardly enough time to see South America on its own, but I'm going to start in the Yucatan part of Mexico and work my way south. Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, (not sure what to do about Honduras yet), Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela (maybe), Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil are my main targets. I'd love to do the Galapagos and Antarctica too (and if they're cheap enough/I have time, I will).
Anyway, I know some of you live down there and others have travelled so I thought it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to solicit advice or info. Maybe I can even meet with a few of you on my travels, that's always been fun in the past.
 "Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you." |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ccuadros |
Posted - 10/26/2009 : 15:26:32
Ok Dean, some hints:
Colombia: niiiiiice country, the security increased a lot the last years ,is pretty safe if you go trough touristic places, I visited last year and is a beautifull country with a beautifull people, medellín, bogotá, san andres are good cities tu visit
Venezuela: i don´t recommend it, it´s pretty insecure with chavez, altough los roques and isla margarita are very good places.
Ecuador: nice country, not very interesting for me I´been in Guayaquil an is a pretty place.
Peru: Lima has a veeeery good food, especially seafood, but the main attractions are in the south of Peru, Machu Pichu is a must, and cuzco is pretty good too.
Bolivia: mmmmmmm pass
Argentina: Buenos Aires is a must, beautifull city, good food, especially meats. The south of argentina is pretty amazing, Bariloche and Usuaia are a must.
Brazil: you must go there, I´ve been in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Curitiva. You must go to Rio, Salvador de Bahia and you could check Fortaleza (in the north of brazil) and also a tour to know the amazonas jungle.
Chile: the best country by far  , we are a long and narrow country, we have from dessert to big forest on the south. In the North you MUST go to San Pedro de Atacama, in the center Santiago and Valparaíso, and in the South the area near to Puerto Montt and in the end las torres del paine, near to Punta Arenas, there you could take a tour to antartica, but they´re pretty expensive.
and let me advice Cuba intead of el Salvador or Honduras, worth a lot, La Habana and Varadero are really amazing, I had my vacations this year there and was the best vacations in many years.
If you have questions, just ask me,
salu2
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| floop |
Posted - 10/26/2009 : 10:46:31
cultie, i don't know your email. send me a message and i'll give you a full report on Tulum |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 10/26/2009 : 06:09:05
I have no idea danjersey, no idea...
Daisy, yeah, I've known a lot of people who've been through Costa Rica and I think it's probably the place I'm most looking forward to in Central America. And I also think they were ranked the 'happiest' place on earth this year according to some sort of study. However impossible to measure that might truly be, I'm sure it won't be a bad place... it's the El Salvadors and Nicaraguas of the world I don't know what to expect from. :)
Floop, thanks for the photos. Tulum is my first stop after a few days doing the expensive non-backpacky Cancun, I've heard I should've just skipped Cancun altogether but I get in late and I thought a few days soaking it in would be a nice way to ease into things. Your photos look great, too - I especially like the iguana. Any good restaurant recommends there?
Kathryn, yes, I am glad Floop will be taking over my "we're looking into it" posts for the next few months and I know that Brian will do fine as well. We've got all the podcasts done for the next several months so there won't be a stoppage in that service, or shouldn't be, this time around.
Christian, absolutely I'd love to meet up in Chile, I'll definitely be through Santiago. As for things to do, pretty much anything. I love photography, so anything from strolling interesting streets to climbing mountains to hikes and beaches and so on. Adventure sports, if they're not too pricey, trying different foods and, especially in your country, wines. Beaches, jungles, obviously getting to see any kind of good local (or even non-local) music, and so on. I backpack which means living as cheaply as possible while at the same time trying to do everything I can in the areas. Sometimes that means you have to pay (for example, I really want to get to the Galapagos islands), and that's fine, but aside from the first couple days in Cancun, I usually find myself in dorms. And probably my favourite thing is always finding some out-of-the-way authentic places wherever the tourist trail hasn't trodden them to rubble.
All of which probably answers your question, gyaneshwar. I do it cheaply as possible and don't really, at least now, have a 'career' to worry about which makes it easier to pick up stakes. For my Australia trip I saved for a few years and worked while down there, and the Asian leg, I was living on about $20/day including transport, which is cheaper than most people would be comfortable. For this trip, I borrowed money in March and invested in some ridiculously cheap companies while people were panicked and irrational. I just got lucky that things came around as quickly as they did, I wasn't expecting to be able to go again so soon.
Thanks again everyone for the replies and hope to run across you down there CC.
"Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you." |
| gyaneshwar |
Posted - 10/26/2009 : 04:16:21
quote:
Originally posted by floop
i haven't been that far south in the Yucatan, but if you're thinking of starting in the Mexico part i highly recommend going to Tulum
just spent some time there a month ago. wish i was still there
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9795061@N08/sets/72157622557130104/
Looks like you had a good time, Taqueria Tony. |
| gyaneshwar |
Posted - 10/26/2009 : 04:13:46
On a more important note, Dean, I really need to know how you are able to cut out months of your time to travel. Obviously, I need to make a career change. |
| ccuadros |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 15:31:53
hey Dean!!, in Chile I´m glad to advise you to some place and we could meet us if you want. I visited almost all the countries that you says, what kind of things do you like to do? |
| kathryn |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 10:52:03
Dean I hope you have an amazing time.
I have nothing to add because I've only been to touristy crappy places in Mexico but I do want to say that you will be gone a long time and I am glad to know that the forum will be in capable hands of floop and, to a lesser degree, Brian.
Safe and fun travels! K
I remember sitting in a basement listening to Fields of Marigold until I passed out.
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| floop |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 10:24:11
i haven't been that far south in the Yucatan, but if you're thinking of starting in the Mexico part i highly recommend going to Tulum
just spent some time there a month ago. wish i was still there
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9795061@N08/sets/72157622557130104/ |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 09:46:59
Hi, Dean. You're really in for a treat. I can't wait to hear about your travels as your vacation seems like a dream vacation.
I have been to Costa Rica & Cancun, but would love to check out more.
Costa Rica Highlights:
* Hiking in Manuel Antonio
* Watching Red Macaws from the Ocean at the beach at Punta Leona
* Zip Lining
* Just in general going to random places and seeing nature like seeing a mom and baby whale playing in the ocean
Highlights from Cancun:
* Chichen Itza
* In general doing touristy things like snorkling, driving these fun mini boats and going on a bungee jumping thing
* Overall relaxation on the beach
We didn't go to Telum or Xel-Ha but I heard that they're really cool. There are probably other places too... |
| danjersey |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 08:43:57
Rosarito? |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 08:38:04
No entiendo...
"Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you." |
| danjersey |
Posted - 10/25/2009 : 08:30:16
TJ TJ TJ... |
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