Hey everyone, I just joined the forum. I am looking for some help on planning a backpacking trip to South America. Most likely I will be going alone. I want to plan about a 3 month trip and am just looking for any advice and where to get started. I plan on staying in hostels or places that are cheap. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Reply to this Have you ever took a trip for such a long period of time and have you researched safety and hostels in the areas? Plus have you stayed at a hostel before?
Reply to this What countries are you considering visiting? And what type of activities would you like to do? And during which months would you plan your trip?
Reply to this I would like to definitely go to Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Peru, Columbia, and Venezuela. I was thinking of going for October through January which would be spring time down there, but since the continent is so large I am sure the weather varies. I have taken a long trip, but have not stayed in hostels, my trip was to Italy where I have relatives all over.
That is what I am trying to research, coming up with a budget and an itinerary, thanks for the help!
Reply to this Venezuela is not a very safe place right now (+ relatively difficult to travel without group/tour agency+very expensive) and crossing the border into Colombia can be rather dangerous. Are you sure you wish to go there? Because honestly, especially if your level of Spanish is not very good, I would much rather recommend you to visit one or two of the other countries instead (3 months is way too short to visit all of them! Why not pick a few places and return on another trip?).
Regarding the weather. December-march is considered the rainy season in the Andes making transportation a bit more difficult. Although the coast of Peru will be lovely during these months, the highland and jungle will be a different story. January however is a great month for visiting Patagonia or exploring the south of South America. But, as you already mentioned: climates vary a lot depending on altitudes etc., so there will always be something visitable. 😊
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