Heading to Latin America soon, I need some help from advised travellers! Thanks a lot
Firt of all, I want to introduce myself as I am not yet used to this website. I am a 27 years old boy living in Switzerland (sorry for the english mistakes!!!) and I am planning to take a one year break to go to South America. I have backpacked all Australia and Thailand before. Speak Spanish and understand perfectly Portuguese so I wont have any problem with language.
I have started reading many blogs, guidebooks and websites but I am still unsure about where to start. Of course I want to avoid bad weather (cold and heavy rain) as much as possible even though I know it is pretty much impossible in a continent as big as South America.
My plan is to visit Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil (Rio, Bahia, Recife, Fortaleza, Belem, Manaus), Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Central America (Panama, costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico). I will be taking off beginning of September and come back (if ever) 12 months later.
Where would you start this trip? Would you go north to south or the opposite?
I dont want to plan everything but I need to have an idea to better organise my trip and start booking my flight ticket!!
Thanks for your help and I hope I will enjoy this trip as much as many bloggers did in this huge continent!!
Cheers!!!
PS: will start working on my profile!!
Reply to this David, your English seems fairly good to me...
You mention weather as a concern of yours. Keep in mind that the southern hemisphere's seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere in Switzerland. That said, September is the early part of spring/summer in South America. Also keep in mind in Central America rainy season is around April/May. Others may want to add to my thoughts, but as I've thought about this aspect, you may want to start north in Mexico in September. You'd then likely be through Central America by March/April (I'm guessing about the midpoint of your trip), and you'll avoid rainy season in Central America. You'll then be in Ecuador/Colombia around "wintertime", though winter is relative here. Being on the Equator, temperatures do not change very much year round. You'll then be heading to the southern part of S. America about the point when spring/summer will be coming to areas such as Argentina and Chile.
Reply to this We spent 12 months in latin america from sep 2007 to sep 2008, and we started in Buenos Aires and ended in Mexico City. BA is a good starting point I think (Rio could be good too). If you are planning to visit Patagonia I'd recommend you do this from Dec-Mar as the weather is best at this time. Is Antarctica in your plans - I'd highly recommend it, but again there is a specific season, from Nov to March.
We were concerned about leaving Central America for Jul to Sep but the weather was surprisingly good there at that time of year so you could end your trip maybe in Mexico.
Reply to this Thanks to all for your answers! Only problem is that now I hesitate even more!!
Before the first message i posted on this forum I read the BARRYGAHAN's blog and thought that starting in BA and finishing in Mexico was perfect as weather look nice in their pictures!!
No I dont know as NEWPLACESTOGO recommends the opposite and my guide (Rough Guide, First Time in Latin America) doesnt help either!
My first idea was to be landing in BA or Santiago and move slowly to Patagonia and Ushuaia before heading up north. I also wanted to be in Rio for New Year or Carnival. Also a friend from Bogota told me that best time to go there is in July-August and I would stay there 1 month I think.
What I know now is that organising a long trip is not easy and now everything is unclear in my mind!! 😊
I will keep working on it but please let me know in casse you have any recommendations.
Thanks again!!
Saludos!
Reply to this Ohh, I forgot, Barrygahan, I am not planning to go to Antarctica as I saw prices and read many comments about it and for sure I cannot spend 3000$ for it. It really looks fantastic though!! Would love to go!
Reply to this I have been reading many blogs and books lately and I have a few questions. How long would it take to travel just central america (mexico to panama or the opposite)? Just to have an idea as I am considering the possibility of landing in Mexico and be in Bogota for new year but I guess 3 months is not enough. I am also scared to finish my trip in september in Patagonia and take off in Buenos Aires as it seems to be still cold there. What about landing in Peru and going down counterclockwise?
Seems that Mexico is boming more and more dangerous - would you consider avoiding the country? I guess not, but seems that people have to be more and more carefull there.
Sorry for all these questions but I cant find answers to all my questions!!
Reply to this I understand that I am asking too many questions to you guys, sorry!
Here is my planning:
CENTRAL AMERICA: September+October+November+December
COLOMBIA: January
VENEZUELA: February
ECUADOR: March
PEROU: April
BRAZIL: May-June
BOLIVIA: July
CHILE+ARGENTINA: August-September-October
Of course this is not the final one but it allows me to have an idea. What do you think about it? Is it a good start? Hope the sky will be kind with me! I think I will visit Patagonia late September to have good weather there.
I also want to start with Central America and head south because of the Football World Cup. Being in Brazil or Argentina if their National team is going to the final may be a really nice experience. Makes me skip the Carnival in Rio but we cannot have everything!!
Hope some of you will share their opinion about this journey.
Cheers
Reply to this David, I think you're planning will be fine, as much as I can advise from my experiences. It also appears you have done some other research to help you along. Have a great trip!
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