Hello. My wife and I are planning a trip to South America. We both like to travel with little plans (better things seem to happen!). We will be in SA May-August 2007. Some questions:
1. I was wondering what we should do about Visas. Can we apply for them there or do they need to be planned out before we get there.
2. How easy is it to book buses, hostels, etc on site.
3. When travelling around SA should we fly between cities or use buses (only have 4 months)?
Thank you for any information you can give!
Scott
Reply to this 1) Not sure about Kiwi visas...
2) Very easy! Habla un poco castellano? Você fala português? I didn't speak any when I arrived in SA...now I only speak broken Spanish. 😊 You shouldn't have too much trouble...
3) I'd recommend not cruising ALL over SA on buses; too much distance, too little time. With 4 months, you should pick a few regions and stick to those areas. For example, I did about two months in Patagonia and made my way north into the central Andes and Amazon for the following 3-4 months. And travel how the average local travels--whether that means by bus, collectivo, cargo ship, or dugout canoe--it's more interesting that way!
Have fun!
poz
PS--check out my blog entries for some of my pics through SA
Reply to this taking buses ALL the time is tiring.
1. most drivers are crazy and it certainly takes a few years off of your life when they're careening around mountain bends on roads that have no guard rail (so basically at any moment in time the bus could plunge off the cliff)
2. some are ultra local. While this is great for you to intermingle with local people, having a squacking chicken next to you on a smelly old school bus for 12 hours may not be so pleasant.
3. you might not feel rested on the buses depending what type of bus you take. Some have you completely cramped with your knees to your chest-type and are packed over capacity.
As for visas - I would google up government + travel advisory. The site should be able to tell you what visas you do need and provide links to the consulate/embassy in your country if you do need to obtain them ahead of time.
I agree with Jeff - you need some espanol/castellano. Invest in a phrasebook which will serve you well (Lonely Planet, etc) especially if either one of you are vegetarian and all the choices c are: carne de res, carne de cerdo o pollo.
Reply to this I think that Kiwis, like Aussies and Canadians need visas for Brazil and Paraguay. Travelling through the Andes (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina) I have never come across a bus with any animals aboard... if they are on the bus they are tied to the roof! Poor souls! Anyways, spanish is essential, and don't forget it. There is nothing worse than listening to someone shouting in English/French/Whatever at a waiter because they haven't spent the time to learn some of the local language... very rude indeed. Broken spanish will serve you well... learn the basics at least... numbers, common verbs, sign language, anything! Just have fun with it! Buses in Argentina are a step above the other countries I have been to, but remember, in any South American country this rule applies always: directo is never actually direct, and the bus will never get there on time! They stop anywhere and everywhere for anyone and everyone, but this can work in your favour on occasion. And bring snacks, because food service is extremely sporadic. And don't forget to use the toilet before hand.... only as a last resort would you ever want to use a bus toilet... EWWW. I prefer the great outdoors everytime!
Oh yeah, we got our Brazilian visas from their embassy in Lima... took two days and was really easy, so you can wait until you get here if you want. As for vegetarianism, most places in SA seem to be hip to the idea and vegetarian restaurants and options abound... and are often safer I assume. Have a great trip!
Reply to this 
