Travelling to South America
 

I would appreciate some suggestions on this. Winter break for me is from tomorrow to Jan 29. The Pokerstars Atlantis is from Jan. 4 - 11. I'm thinking of getting spanish lessons between now and the 4th, and then after the Bahamas going to S. America or Central America with Daryn if he wants to or maybe a friend from high school. Then on Jan. 20th there is a piano camp from 20-29 I was looking forward too.

So my main question is where in S. America or Central America should I go? Not sure if there will be time to get a visa. Is 9 days (between the 11th and 20th) enough or should I forget about the piano camp?

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Based on personal experience:

Goods (highest-lowest)
=================
Costa Rica*
Argentina (Long flight)
Brazil (No spanish of course)
Lima (Machu Pichu a must!)
Santiago (long flight)
Panama*
Mexico
Dominican Republic (assuming Caribean is ok)

*Spanish is easier to understand in Panama and Costa Rica (pronunciation).

Avoids
======
Venezuela
Colombia

If you're looking for a real sleeper of a place to kick back, scuba, snorkel or just chill - Bonaire (sm Island part of Neth Anitlles - no spanish but they speak papimiento - a combo of spanish/dutch/french - wild!)

Edit: Visas to all/most should be doable if you already have your passport - here is a link to visa requirements.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Thanks, what's wrong with Venezuela and Columbia? They sound like two of the most interesting with Hugo Chavez and all. Are they really dangerous? Even if I don't do anything stupid?

Re: Travelling to South America
 

1) Dominican Republic is an island.
2) It is awesome and should not be on the bottom of your list.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

What is special about the Dominican Republic? I am leaning towards Lima now because there is something specific and cool to do there (Machu Pichu). A couple other specific things that people have told me about are, some volcano that is still active but don't know what country that's in. A week long tour through the amazon which sounded great, but not sure which place is best to go for that. Not Brazil becuase I want to do SPnaish.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Cuba was also on my list. I just thought it'd be an interesting place, alot of culture etc.

Latinas > piano camp.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Rio de Janeiro is amazing whether you speak Portuguese or not. If you were in South America and didn't go to Brazil I think you would be missing out.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Bruiser,

It all just depends upon what you are looking for. Going to Peru would be cool because Macchu Picchu is amazing and Cuzco (the city from which you access MP) is a nice place to hang out for a little bit of time. Lima is not really that interesting.

If you just want to spend time in a Latin American city, a good bet is Buenos Aires. You also could combine BA with a trip down to Patagonia, which is supposed to be spectacular.

If you want to go somewhere that is the most interesting from a political and social perspective, then go to Venezuela. Caracas is kind of a dump, but there are plenty of other nice areas in the country. I spent a month there last summer and can give you some good info on beach towns as well as a couple other cool places if you want.

Finally, if you just want the best nature/beaches then go to Costa Rica. There are several really spectacular national parks and beach areas. It's just not a very interesting place from a social or political perspective.

A dark horse might also be Bolivia. There are some incredible hiking/other outdoor activities to do there and it is also very interesting politically right now with the likely victory this Sunday of Evo Morales in the presidential election, who is nominally a socialist, of indigenous descent, and wants to legalize coca plant production. Needless to say, the US is not too happy about him.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks, what's wrong with ....Columbia? Are they really dangerous?

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends if you like your bankroll. Kidnapping is a rather large industry there.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

bruiser-

Central/South America is such a wide range that I would think about what sort of stuff you want to be doing first and go from there.

Some suggestions:

1. I spent a month in Guatemala and loved it. Tikal (the most important mayan archaeological site) is probably the most awe-inspiring place i have ever been. Guatemala has a larger indigenous population/influence than surrounding countries, that is interesting.

2. Costa Rica has a huge variety of stuff to do, mostly ecotourism related. Rainforests/beaches/etc. This is probably your best bet if you want a good mix of stuff. If you go there you could also take a side trip into Panama and check out Panama City/the panama canal/Bocas del Toro (great diving location).

3. If you want to hike, I would do the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu in Peru. I have heard good things about Ecuador as well, and the Galapagos islands are in that area too. If I recall correctly, getting there (the galapagos) is expensive, but that is not a problem for you. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Oh, and forget about the piano camp.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Also learn a little portuguese... seeing as the 1/2 of SA that does not speak spanish speaks portuguese.

Some basics.

Spanish--

ser = to be (as in a definite and not likely to change way)
estar= to be (in a form that changes; such as emotions or location)

Yo = I
tú you
él, ella he, she
nosotros we
ellos, ellas they


yo soy
tú eres
él, ella es
nosotros somos
ellos, ellas son

yo estoy
tú estás
él, ella está
nosotros estamos
ellos, ellas están

some useful words

dondé = where
cuanto cuesta = how much does it cost
la calle = street
la esquina = corner
la parada = bus or subway stop
metro = subway
restarante = restaurant
banco = bank
baño = bathroom
hotel = hotel
comida = food
cuenta = bill
puedo = can i?
dinero = money
llega = he, she, it arrives
cuando = when

Some quick portuguese.

ser and estar mean "to be" again, and are used in the same ways as spanish. Location is always estar.

eu = I
voce = you
ele = he
ela = she
nos = we
eles = they
elas = they (shes)
voces = you all

ser is conjugated

eu sou
voce, ele, ela é
nós somos
eles, elas, voces sao with a squiggly over the a.

Nevermind.... port is too complicated to do here, if you are going to brazil, PM me and I will right you some notes. In fact, I´d be happy to give you quite a bit of help on both languages if you´d want it.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

I spent two weeks in Peru earlier this year and absolutely loved it.

If you are in to the outdoor thing, like hiking and white water rafting Cuzco and the connecting towns have much to offer.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

I always wanted to go Patagonia in Argentina (may rival your Nepal trip?) I hear its nice but never been. Just wondering bruiser, how old are you and how do your friends from high school have the money to go on these trips? I am in college but my friends would never be able to go where I am able to afford...

-EV

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Beaches are out they are boring. Culturally different would be nice, which makes Bolivia and Guatamala interesting. Also, there's a chance that I might go by myself, any thoughts about what would be best then? Thanks for suggestions, you guys are getting me excited. Plan to go to the bookstore tomorrow and follow up on some of your ideas.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

[ QUOTE ]
Based on personal experience:


Avoids
======
Venezuela
Colombia



[/ QUOTE ]
Well I dont know your experience there but I have gone their for 1 months time on 10 different occasions all of which have been fantastic. While I stayed with family, we took mini vacations to "Los Roques" a beutiful archipeligo for 1 week. It was very secluded and was great times if you like catamaranges and crystal clear water/beach. Also staying at the islands of Margireta are good times. This is more of a tourist adventure as compared to Los Roques, but is good times for beach, food, water. We took flight from Chicago O'hare , to Miama, To Caracas,venezuela and then from their take a 30 min flight to either of those 2 places. If you want more info just pm me.
-$

Re: Travelling to South America
 

I spent 6 months in South America between Feb. and July of '05. The only countries you need a Visa too are Brazil (maybe Suriname and those as well, but [censored] 'em).

Go to Boliva/Peru if you want culturally different. Especially Boliva. It was by far our favourite country;the people, the andes, the culture, everything about it was unreal. It is quite rough though, so be ready for that. Don't plan on doing too much in the little time you have. Pick up the lonley planet guide to Bolivia and decide what you want to do, and pick a couple places around La Paz. From there you can go to Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol, down into the Jungle and the city of La Paz itself is spectacular.

Forget the Piano lessons.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Go to another country and take a week of Spanish classes. Look into Costa Rica. You can go to classes during the day and pay for friends at night. Or just later in the day. Or both.

Also, in every one of these places, do not leave your bag unattended ever, not for one second. That includes under your seat and, in some situations, on your back. Wrap everything you have around your chest and use your hands as safeguards. Do not carry much money.

-Michael

Re: Travelling to South America
 

[ QUOTE ]
A week long tour through the amazon which sounded great, but not sure which place is best to go for that. Not Brazil becuase I want to do SPnaish.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bolivia, out of the town of Rruenabaque, north of La Paz.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

anyone been to nicaragua? thoughts/comments?

Re: Travelling to South America
 

You need a visa for Paraguay as well.

Place is sweet also.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

my friend got back from argentina recently and hated it.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

My wife's sister lived in Argentina for a few years. Anti-American sentiment is intense there. Maybe that's not unique to Argentina....

Re: Travelling to South America
 

[ QUOTE ]
My wife's sister lived in Argentina for a few years. Anti-American sentiment is intense there. Maybe that's not unique to Argentina....

[/ QUOTE ]

It's pretty strong in most of South America, The World.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Feel free to call me if you come to Costa Rica. I live in San Jose. You don't need a visa of any sort if you are American to visit.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Based on personal experience:


Avoids
======
Venezuela
Colombia



[/ QUOTE ]
Well I dont know your experience there but I have gone their for 1 months time on 10 different occasions all of which have been fantastic. While I stayed with family, we took mini vacations to "Los Roques" a beutiful archipeligo for 1 week. It was very secluded and was great times if you like catamaranges and crystal clear water/beach. Also staying at the islands of Margireta are good times. This is more of a tourist adventure as compared to Los Roques, but is good times for beach, food, water. We took flight from Chicago O'hare , to Miama, To Caracas,venezuela and then from their take a 30 min flight to either of those 2 places. If you want more info just pm me.
-$

[/ QUOTE ]

I lived in Venezuela for two years and saw a steady decline in the political stability and crime rate (which has since gotten worse). I've been to Angel Falls, Los Roques, Isla Margarita, and other nice spots and they are awesome but I wouldn't go back volunatarily now because of the socio-political mess down there. I have many Venezeulan friends who have left and will not go back until Chavez is gone.

On Colombia - been there twice, I loved it there - it is cheap, the women are more beautiful than Venezuelans, and there is a lot to do - but the crime is just too bad for tourism.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Brazil, Brazil, Brazil.

Re: Travelling to South America
 

http://onfinite.com/libraries/721004/2db.jpg

Re: Travelling to South America
 

[ QUOTE ]
Brazil, Brazil, Brazil.

[/ QUOTE ]


http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/1784/blanka0wg.gif

Re: Travelling to South America
 

Went there last January with my girlfriend. She grew up there so I relied on her completely for communication since I don't speak Spanish. Had a great time.

Spent half the time in Managua with trips to:
Isla de Ometepe - Island made from two volcanos in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. You can climb them both, one is still active but the other has a lagoon at the top that you can swim in. If you're going you should park your car on the mainland and take the ferry on foot.

Granada - has an old European feel to it. A nice place to walk around.

San Juan del Sur - nice town in a horseshoe bay on the west coast. Cheaps hostels to stay in and the food was great, especially if you like seafood. The water was a little cold compared to other places. There's a great beach just 20 minutes north of it but the road was terrible. We'd rented a tiny sedan and it bottomed out a few times.

Montelimar - all inclusive resort that a lot of people from Montreal go to. The beach was fantastic but the food was bland. Only stayed for one day.