Ecuador (starting with one month's volunteering) >> Peru >> Bolivia >> Whatever else I can fit in (Igauzu being the main one) June 09 - September 09,
Hey all you experienced travellers,
I'm 26 and been wanting to head out on a substantial trip for some time and finally got the opportunity. I'm planning on flying down into Quito for the start of June next year and spending a month volunteering at a Cloud Forest Reserve before continuing on down through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia (if it's safe, else Argentina). I have about four months to pay with (depending on budget - see questions below).
I'm currently starting to plan and research stuff and would love to hear people's opinions, advice and tips on the following stuff:
Money - The best way to use it, carry it, spend it, what to take with you (trav cheques/cards/cash etc) and what sort of budget I should be looking at for the aformentioned time hostelling with a few trips into the bargin (Can't really afford the galapogos) I'm not after dirt cheap but I'm not loaded either.
Travel - Rough costs of bussing it about and internal flights?
Itninerary - Should I plan it pretty well or leave space for spontaneity or a mix of thee two (my favoured choice!) I don't rerally want to rush through these places as they are massive but was intending on spending roughly a month in each.
Safety - Any tips and things you found invaluable, skills you develped whilst out there? How likely is petty theft/muggings etc?
Insurance - Any recommended agencies for good cover?
Meeting people - I am going to do a three month Spanish course prior to leaving and am aiming to meet fellow travellers, are there many about and what are your experiences of meeting others?
Well, I'll be sincerely grateful for any replies received and I thank you in advance for spring your time to reply!
sat nam,
Jody
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Reply to this Hi Jody,
I did pretty much the same with five months volunteering in Cuenca, Ecuador before travelling down through Peru and Bolivia.
With regards to money I'd say it's best not to take traveller's cheques as places to change them aren't as common as you'd think - I spent an entire afternoon in Quito being sent between banks trying to find somewhere that would! Banco del Pichincha in Ecuador and Banco Pacifico in Bolivia didn't charge for withdrawals on debit cards. Maybe best to take a second credit or debit card just as a backup.
Very rough average for bus travel is about $1-2 per hour. Peru's slightly more expensive, Bolivia's slightly cheaper. Local buses and metro in Quito are only 25 cents. Internal flights can be fairly expensive depending on where and when you're going. I paid $100 for a flight from Cusco to Lima in the summer to cut out travel time. Bus travel is generally very easy and reasonably safe - just don't put bags on the overhead storage if you want to see them again.
Apart from things you definitely want to do (Machu Picchu etc.) I'd say don't try and stick to a strict itinerary. That way you can always stay on somewhere you particularly like for a little longer.
I generally found all three countries very safe, just be wary of pickpockets or other scams. The metro in Quito is notorious for pickpockets. As for meeting people, there always seemed to be plenty of other travellers around, especially Americans.
Have fun!
Katherine
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