OK, let us settle the things mentioned.
So, you need (in some rational order) - Mexico and Guatemala, maybe Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, then Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Easter Island.
Looks to me like a bag of wishes for two months. But, travelling is about dreams, isn't it? So, to make your dreams come true, you'll have to plan. It is always a mixture of time, money and will. And proper info. Take care.
On this forum you will find many great and friendly people with experience. Listen! Read! Buy some guides to the countries that you mention!
Let us divide it into sections:
1. Mexico and Guate: there is Mexico City, with pyramides and temples of the Azteca, and Copper canyon. Can be done in less than a week. But being there, you'll get more ideas. In Guate - Tikal, Antigua, Guate City, maybe Atitlan lake, then you come to explore Xela, maybe even Retalhuleu. For that part one reserve at least ten days. Volcanos: in Guate in all places, do not know how you're fit to do some of the bigger ones, like Tajumulco (4220 m), but Chicabal near Xela (Quetzaltenango) is not a problem.
2. Costa Rica and Panama: Costa Rica is definitely a go, but Panama canal? That part I find not so interesting, as the rest of Panama, but we have many friends on this forum who can fill the info on that and give you good advice.
3. Venezuela: take note that you have to fly from Panama to Venezuela, do not know how it is with ground transportation, but Venezuela is very beautiful country. Please, friends fill in, my advice is also Maracaibo and laguna.
4. Peru: Lima - Cuzco - Puno - and don't miss Bolivia's Tiwanaku and La Paz. At least that, if you're not for Salar de Uyuni. Or Cochabamba, Sucre and other places.
5. La Paz to Buenos Aires can be done overland or by air; with this itinerary of yours you must count on at least two to three, or more intercontinental flights. Like Guate City - San Jose, then to Caracas, to Lima, to Cuzco, maybe La Paz - BA, and BA to Rio, whatewer itinerary you choose.
Overland from La Paz to BA it looks like this (more or less): La Paz - Cochabamba - Santa Cruz - train to Yacuiba, crossing into Tartagal, Salta - onwards to the capital. Or, leaving BA aside, turning into Paraguay - Asuncion - road to Ciudad del Este - visiting Iguazu Falls, onwards to Cascavel - Rio de Janeiro.
Some transfers are long. Some bus ridest can last over 24 hours. It is hard thing to do. But, possible. Choose.
"scared of living out of a bag for 8 weeks!" - Emily says. It is not so bad. But, when you become a traveller, you arm yourself with patience and concentration, will and strength. Work on your idea with people here, but remember that final decisions are yours.
I gave you a rough guide. There is a question, in every place, how to buy plane and bus tickets, accomodation, meals, there is a lot to organize. You have one very complicated thing, which can give you a lot of fun, and a lot of hedache. But, don't give up, it is just a beginning.
I hope that many travelling gurus will join in and help our Emily & Jake to plan a dream trip of their own.
Greetings from Croatia
Mike65
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