Drivin' through and around South America

After travelling briefly on a couple different occassions with friends who have their own mode of transport, be it a van or a motorcycle, i've grown increasingly enthusiastic on the freedom granted when you have your own vehicle. Now before i get too into this I want to make it clear that even though i'm not loaded with cash, money isn't exactly an object. Now of course that operates within limits. If it costs 10 grand more than it would to fly there, i wont do it. However a couple grand for the added experience is no problem, who knows...it might even be cheaper.

However, cost isn't why i'm posting this question. The question is actually whether it's suggested that two 20 year old, clearly North American males should consider driving through and around South America? Already we're fairly keen on driving from Nova Scotia, Canada down to Texas where we can decide on what to do with the van however i'm a firm believer that if we've went that far we should just keep the van and go as far south as possible.

There is however, some very serious opposition.

Firstly...I don't speak spanish. I do speak decent Italian, which is incredibly similar to Spanish and I can sometimes have perfectly functional conversations with someone who speaks spanish...but it's Italian, not spanish. (We both speak Italian)

Secondly, driving a van with Nova Scotian license plates is bound to attract shifty attention. Sketchy cops that want bribes aren't really my main concern, that's part of the experience in driving through south america...i assume. However bandits and someone who might want two 20 year old dudes for ransom does scare me slightly, should i be worried about things like that? or is that the bs that movies feed you?

Also, a foreign van left unattended is bound to attract attention. I appreciate that it could easily be robbed, but if we seriously rig this van up with no silly business locks and safe boxes (which we will), can we hope that we might finish a trip without losing too many valuables?

Obviously there are some things i haven't touched on like insurance, gas prices, visa's and road tolls because i didn't think they warranted too much discussion...however if someone thinks they do, please speak up. I've never done or even attempted something like this before, but i want to. Please, anyone, give me some feedback as to how you would rate this idea. Suggestions and new points are more than welcome. Is this a good or terrible idea?

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I have travelled many time in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile; many times alone and I have never had a single problem; well except for a flat tire close to Uyuni, Bolivia. You should plan you trip and DO IT! In all the big cities you will find that many people in cafes, restaurants and hotel "Hablan Ingles! about the roads.. yes, in many you will have to be careful and I will suggest to you to avoid night driving but this will depend to where you are driving.

I will be driving next year from Campo Grande, Brazil trugth Bolivia and ending in Chile. At this time I do not have any space left in my Land Rover Defender in this trip I only have space for 2 in my Patagonia trip.

Good Luck and let me know if you need for info.

Jorge Reply to this

As for your language abilities, while Italian is similar to Spanish its still different. I travelled with a couple of Italian guys and the Italian guy had a difficult time communicating in Bolivia as he knew no spanish. My suggestion would be to get a Lonely Planet Spanish phrasebook which would help you a lot. There are certain subtle differences between the languages (I've also learned both) which throws off local speakers and makes it difficult for them to understand you... especially if you're standed in the middle of nowhere and you can only communicate in Spanish.
I would say that a foreign license plate attracts a lot of attention. If you are still planning on doing this... don't take valuables that you would be devestated if they were stolen.
As for the roads, I agree with Cassels - roads are sketchy in Bolivia and Peru to a large extent as well. Mountain roads are narrow, windy and are next to sharp plunging cliffs. Reply to this

I wouldn't worry so much about being kidnapped as getting your van stolen. You WILL draw some serious attention.

How will you get around the Darien Gap? There must be some sort of boat...

There's a widespread public transportation system in place throughout SA. I tend to think that driving around SA would be far too much hassle, unless you were in Chile or Argentina. Chile's Carretera Austral is so spectacular! And, the best way to see it is with your own transport.

poz
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