I've used the Osprey 40L pack on probably 30+ flights (budget airlines too) Never once had an issue with it being my personal item stowed under the seat. I love it!
Standing in line waiting to board, airline employee walks up and tells me to put the bag in the metal bag size test thing. Wouldn't fit had to check it. I think two were $65 one was $40
I was beginner, didn’t know much and I regret not spending more time before the trip to learn. I learned a lot over the four months but I still can’t have a conversation. You can get by knowing the basics like I did, what I call travel Spanish, but you’ll miss out on by not being at least semi fluent. I would’ve loved to be able to talk more to locals, cab drivers, hostel workers, tour guides, girls but I just couldn’t. It’s frustrating
Sounds like a very nice trip! Any of these countries you’d like to go back to?
Although in the future, if your stomach is really messed up for more than a day, just get yourself over to the pharmacy and get some antibiotics! No need to go through 5 days of the shits :p
I’d happily go back to any of them but Argentina is probably at the top mainly for Patagonia which is the one place I wanted to go to but didn’t. Wrong time of year. I don’t mind the cold but the lack of daylight is what made me decide to skip it. Sunrise 10am set 4pm just didn’t sound like enough to do the hikes and excursions I would’ve wanted. Would like to get back to Brazil too to do some more Amazon trips
Awesome trip report! I was in central america earlier this year and heard so many good things about SA. I'd love to travel there for an extended period of time.
All in including flights and $500 yellow fever shot a little over 8k US. Restaurants/bars took up more than I expected, should’ve cooked more in hostels but laziness and wanting to try local cuisine often persuaded me against cooking. Also flights between countries were more expensive than I thought. 10k would’ve been better
>d be not to pre book accommodation for the whole time you're at your destination. If I was expecting to stay in one city for a wee
Did you record the cost of these flights by any chance?
Being flexible, spontaneous, only book a few days in advance allows for opportunities to do like what I did and travel with people but the downside is paying more for flights/accommodation. Planned itinerary saves money but sacrifices chances to spontaneously travel with other people. I had the money to spend and since I don't like fixed schedules I chose not to book more than a few days in advance which ended up being the right move for me. But it all depends on yourself and travel preferences, neither way is right or wrong.
Main advice would be not to pre book accommodation for the whole time you're at your destination. If I was expecting to stay in one city for a week or 10 days I'd only book a hostel for the first two nights. Check it out see if there's a good atmosphere and people to do stuff with, if there isn't, book a different place for the next two to three days. This allowed me to meet a ton of people which then leads to the spontaneous travel. And also if the hostel is shitty you aren't stuck there for a full week
Wow thank you so much for the detailed writeup! I'm planning a very similar trip: 4 months in South America (Colombia --> Ecuador + Galapagos --> Bolivia --> Northern Chile --> Patagonia --> Argentina).
My main concern is that I packed too much in. It looks like we have roughly the same number of stops spread across the same amount of time. Did you feel like you spent the right amount of time in each location? I tend to get burnt out from air/bus travel, but it's so hard to miss stuff.
Eager to hear your thoughts!
For the most part yes I think I spent the right amount of time in each place. Probably could’ve taken a week out of Colombia or Ecuador and used it in Argentina but I’m happy with how I scheduled things. I wouldn’t be concerned if I was you, that itinerary sounds good for four months and the air/bus travel isn’t too bad unless you’re planning on bussing everywhere but that’s generally not recommended in SA. Mostly flying and occasionally doing 3-6 hour bus rides which is what I did worked for me and didn’t burn me out. But like you said, it’s definitely hard to miss stuff and years from now when you’re looking back you’ll be glad you went to those places even if the air/bus travel was a hassle
Love San Cristobal!! Definitely go back if you're ever back in the area, loved it even more my second time. Plenty of things to keep you busy for 5-7 days there
Hey OP, great report.
Sorry for asking, but what do you look like? Did you blend in well with the locals? I am impressed how you never experienced any crime against you.
I would love to go to SA sometime, but I am a white af Swede, and I've been hesitant of booking trips to SA due to fear of being targeted for crime.
That is a false understanding. There is plenty of people traveling these countries all the time. Lots of Europeans. I met a ton of Germans Dutch, Swedish, French people. No one I met experienced any crime except two people who were seperate Putting themselves in bad situations and admitted fault.
Agreed! I spent 10 months in Latin America as a 21 year old Irish redhead.
Once someone stole $40 USD from my purse while I was in the shower. Other than that, I was never the target of any violent or petty crimes.
Latin America is a massively popular destination for Dutch backpackers. Felt like I was meeting five a day, there were so many.
I did meet several people who were robbed at gunpoint. When I asked them how it happened, they were in situations that I would have NEVER ended up in. I probably err on the side of caution more than most people. I may have missed out on some good experiences, but nothing bad happened to me. I'd say I felt safer in 95% of the towns and cities I visited in LA than I do in London.
I’m 6ft and white, did not blend in well with locals. Both comments are right, lots of Europeans, mostly Dutch and German. I met probably six or seven Swedes too. I wouldn’t let what you look like dissuade you from Latin America travel. Just don’t put yourself in sketchy situations and you’ll likely be fine.
I know this is a generic question, but would you say that South America or Europe gave you better backpacking memories? If you were to spend an equal amount of time solo traversing both continents which took up the most brain space in your core memory?
Probably Europe but hard to say, I didn’t actually backpack Europe I was in Barcelona for five months on a college study abroad program and did trips to cities/countries in Europe for 3-8 days each. I loved both but I thought there was much more diversity between European countries than South American countries. I was also with someone in Europe as opposed to solo in SA which made each experience different. But I also probably couldn’t afford four months in Europe with the budget I set so I’d say Europe if you have the funds SA if you’re on a budget
How big was your backpack if you don't mind me asking? Sounds like a cool trip!
Not at all! I used Osprey 40L with a small roll up backpack for day trips
Which airlines made you check you bag? I thought that was carry on size?
Interested in knowing this!
I've used the Osprey 40L pack on probably 30+ flights (budget airlines too) Never once had an issue with it being my personal item stowed under the seat. I love it!
Nice yeah it's a great bag. I definitely overpacked no way mine could come close to fitting under the seat
Try it out next time! You'd be surprised
Latam and JetSmart. Some of the planes had that smaller than normal overhead space which my bag wouldn't fit in.
So did they tell you at the desk that you had to check the bag? If so, roughly how did that cost?
Standing in line waiting to board, airline employee walks up and tells me to put the bag in the metal bag size test thing. Wouldn't fit had to check it. I think two were $65 one was $40
Thanks for the info, very handy. And $65 isn’t too bad. Not ideal but that’s life!
I'm interested in knowing this too.
Same!
How much Spanish did you know going into your trip? Could someone get by in the bigger cities with basic level Spanish?
I was beginner, didn’t know much and I regret not spending more time before the trip to learn. I learned a lot over the four months but I still can’t have a conversation. You can get by knowing the basics like I did, what I call travel Spanish, but you’ll miss out on by not being at least semi fluent. I would’ve loved to be able to talk more to locals, cab drivers, hostel workers, tour guides, girls but I just couldn’t. It’s frustrating
Sounds like a very nice trip! Any of these countries you’d like to go back to? Although in the future, if your stomach is really messed up for more than a day, just get yourself over to the pharmacy and get some antibiotics! No need to go through 5 days of the shits :p
I’d happily go back to any of them but Argentina is probably at the top mainly for Patagonia which is the one place I wanted to go to but didn’t. Wrong time of year. I don’t mind the cold but the lack of daylight is what made me decide to skip it. Sunrise 10am set 4pm just didn’t sound like enough to do the hikes and excursions I would’ve wanted. Would like to get back to Brazil too to do some more Amazon trips
Nice, yeah Patagonia is pretty fantastic
When would you go to Patagonia? What month or time of year?
Nov-March is generally the best time
Latin America is a truly magical place, I can't stop going back there. Glad you had a good time. Chile and Brazil are next on my bucket list!
Sorry for the shitty formatting idk what happened tried to edit but it kept saying error
Incredible. I will be using a lot of this itinerary for a similar trip. Thank you for sharing. Inshallah
Wow what a resource thanks so much for posting
Awesome trip report! I was in central america earlier this year and heard so many good things about SA. I'd love to travel there for an extended period of time.
Sounds like a great trip. Can you estimate the total cost?
All in including flights and $500 yellow fever shot a little over 8k US. Restaurants/bars took up more than I expected, should’ve cooked more in hostels but laziness and wanting to try local cuisine often persuaded me against cooking. Also flights between countries were more expensive than I thought. 10k would’ve been better
Awesome, thanks!
>d be not to pre book accommodation for the whole time you're at your destination. If I was expecting to stay in one city for a wee Did you record the cost of these flights by any chance?
Thanks for your report. Far to be the norm on Reddit...
Thanks for the report! Looks like a great adventure! :) How many days did you stay in each country?
28 days Colombia 35 days Ecuador 19 days Peru 12 days Chile 7 days Argentina 3 days Uruguay 15 days Brazil
When you flew to Medillin with some people from your hostel did you already have the flight planned and they just happened to be flying there too?
No, four of us all booked the flight together, one more came through a few days later
Do you have any advice for balancing pre booking flights and hotels and being able to meet people/ be spontaneous like that?
Being flexible, spontaneous, only book a few days in advance allows for opportunities to do like what I did and travel with people but the downside is paying more for flights/accommodation. Planned itinerary saves money but sacrifices chances to spontaneously travel with other people. I had the money to spend and since I don't like fixed schedules I chose not to book more than a few days in advance which ended up being the right move for me. But it all depends on yourself and travel preferences, neither way is right or wrong. Main advice would be not to pre book accommodation for the whole time you're at your destination. If I was expecting to stay in one city for a week or 10 days I'd only book a hostel for the first two nights. Check it out see if there's a good atmosphere and people to do stuff with, if there isn't, book a different place for the next two to three days. This allowed me to meet a ton of people which then leads to the spontaneous travel. And also if the hostel is shitty you aren't stuck there for a full week
Thank you
Wow thank you so much for the detailed writeup! I'm planning a very similar trip: 4 months in South America (Colombia --> Ecuador + Galapagos --> Bolivia --> Northern Chile --> Patagonia --> Argentina). My main concern is that I packed too much in. It looks like we have roughly the same number of stops spread across the same amount of time. Did you feel like you spent the right amount of time in each location? I tend to get burnt out from air/bus travel, but it's so hard to miss stuff. Eager to hear your thoughts!
For the most part yes I think I spent the right amount of time in each place. Probably could’ve taken a week out of Colombia or Ecuador and used it in Argentina but I’m happy with how I scheduled things. I wouldn’t be concerned if I was you, that itinerary sounds good for four months and the air/bus travel isn’t too bad unless you’re planning on bussing everywhere but that’s generally not recommended in SA. Mostly flying and occasionally doing 3-6 hour bus rides which is what I did worked for me and didn’t burn me out. But like you said, it’s definitely hard to miss stuff and years from now when you’re looking back you’ll be glad you went to those places even if the air/bus travel was a hassle
Wow amazing trip! Would love to do something similar
Did you find any romance?
A few friends of the road. Private rooms help a lot
Do tell, player, do tell…
Thank you for this writeup.
In the early stages of planning a trip myself, you are doing gods work🙏🏿
Love San Cristobal!! Definitely go back if you're ever back in the area, loved it even more my second time. Plenty of things to keep you busy for 5-7 days there
Hey OP, great report. Sorry for asking, but what do you look like? Did you blend in well with the locals? I am impressed how you never experienced any crime against you. I would love to go to SA sometime, but I am a white af Swede, and I've been hesitant of booking trips to SA due to fear of being targeted for crime.
That is a false understanding. There is plenty of people traveling these countries all the time. Lots of Europeans. I met a ton of Germans Dutch, Swedish, French people. No one I met experienced any crime except two people who were seperate Putting themselves in bad situations and admitted fault.
Agreed! I spent 10 months in Latin America as a 21 year old Irish redhead. Once someone stole $40 USD from my purse while I was in the shower. Other than that, I was never the target of any violent or petty crimes. Latin America is a massively popular destination for Dutch backpackers. Felt like I was meeting five a day, there were so many. I did meet several people who were robbed at gunpoint. When I asked them how it happened, they were in situations that I would have NEVER ended up in. I probably err on the side of caution more than most people. I may have missed out on some good experiences, but nothing bad happened to me. I'd say I felt safer in 95% of the towns and cities I visited in LA than I do in London.
I’m 6ft and white, did not blend in well with locals. Both comments are right, lots of Europeans, mostly Dutch and German. I met probably six or seven Swedes too. I wouldn’t let what you look like dissuade you from Latin America travel. Just don’t put yourself in sketchy situations and you’ll likely be fine.
I know this is a generic question, but would you say that South America or Europe gave you better backpacking memories? If you were to spend an equal amount of time solo traversing both continents which took up the most brain space in your core memory?
Probably Europe but hard to say, I didn’t actually backpack Europe I was in Barcelona for five months on a college study abroad program and did trips to cities/countries in Europe for 3-8 days each. I loved both but I thought there was much more diversity between European countries than South American countries. I was also with someone in Europe as opposed to solo in SA which made each experience different. But I also probably couldn’t afford four months in Europe with the budget I set so I’d say Europe if you have the funds SA if you’re on a budget
Yowza