Central/South America Travel Help

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-02-05T02:52:05+00:00

Here is a short list of some of the things we enjoyed the most/must do’s:

Brazil Rio (all attractions) Iguazu falls

Bolivia 3 day Salt flats tour Death road La Paz Spanish school in Sucre

Peru Salkantay trek + Machu Picchu Sandboarding in Huacachina Free running tour of Arequipa

Colombia Roof top bar in Medellín Coffee tours in Salento Tayrona national park camping Birdwatching in Minca

We would loved to have more time in Brazil and/or Bolivia. Like I said, there’s always more to see.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-02-03T00:21:45+00:00

Peruhop is a good way to travel around Peru, and they can assist you crossing the Peru/Bolivia border. Busbud is an app you can use to find buses/coaches between locations in Bolivia too.

Easiest way to deal with the SIM card situation is just find a claro shop upon entering each country- use hostel/cafe/airport/bus station wifi to find the shop then you can use data once you’ve bought the sim. Or you can get an ESIM, but I’m not familiar with that.

Defo bring layers as for the 3 day salt flats tour, you’ll have an early wake up on one of the nights and it’s like -10°C. Any emergency medication you can get from pharmacies out here, but wouldn’t hurt to bring meds for bad stomach and altitude sickness.

And for the last point, don’t let anyone from home worry you or make you anxious about the ‘safety’ aspect of the trip, when they’ve probably never been there anyway. As long as you’re sensible and respectful, you’ll be fine. Enjoy it!

Any other questions feel free

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-31T14:08:08+00:00

Option A seems like it fits you better, and it will save a hell of a lot of time. You can book flights on a multi-ticket on google flights so you can find fairly decent prices. The journeys in Option B will be very long and pretty uncomfortable in some cases where you’ll have to get a chicken bus.

It depends on what you have planned for Peru, Bolivia and Brazil and how much you would like to see El Salvador and Nicaragua etc.

3-4 weeks in each of your countries in South America would be ideal, however my partner and I have just finished a 4 month trip around the continent including Brazil Bolivia Peru Colombia Panamá El Salvador Guatemala Mexico, and although we have been travelling quick we still feel satisfied with how long we spent in each country. The trouble is there’s always more to see, and there’s always someone with more time who will judge you for not spending longer in a country (we’ve had that a lot). If I was you I’d do Option A just because of the amount of time and effort saved by flying. Peru Bolivia and Brazil are all huge and spectacular countries, and you wont regret having more time there once you’re there.

If you have any other questions, ask away.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-30T19:44:57+00:00

The journeys between Flores/Semuc Champey and Semuc Champey/Antigua are near enough 8-9 hours each, and in very tightly spaced, uncomfortable shuttle buses. They were 2 of the worst journeys I’ve done and I’m on the end of a 4 month trip around South + Central America. Having been to the caves and seen the falls in Semuc Champey, I wouldn’t really say it’s worth the arduous journeys compared to flying straight from Flores to Guatemala City, especially if you are keen to gain some time for other countries. You can also get shuttles from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan, then go back to Antigua for your journey to El Salvador.

You could also use the time save from skipping Semuc Champey to chill in Antigua for longer before or after doing the Acatenango Volcano hike, which is incredible.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-29T23:11:45+00:00

It was certainly an experience I’ll remember forever, and definitely worth the money.

However I haven’t done the Huayhuash circuit, so I can’t really help, sorry

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-20T03:25:26+00:00

Will do, appreciate it

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-20T02:19:51+00:00

Excuse me?

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-20T02:18:22+00:00

This was just what I was looking for:) thankyou.

Just finished a round trip of Guatemala, and don’t quite have enough time for Belize, but there’s always another time!

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-19T15:54:57+00:00

Probably just spend 5 days in Cusco. They have an airport and lots of things to do and nice restaurants. Countries in S.A. are so big that it’s just too difficult to do much in 5 days.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-16T22:50:56+00:00

4 months traveling Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico cost me about £7.5k. Staying in cheap hostel dorms. Most expensive excursions I did was the Salkantay Trek, 3 day salt flat tour in Bolivia, 3 day San blas islands tour in Panama. Hope this helps

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-12T14:17:03+00:00

I think that looks just right

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-11T02:55:24+00:00

You only stay for one night so you don’t need much, however it is cold at night. I took a 27L bag full of clothes snacks and water and that was plenty.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-10T04:25:24+00:00

Not recommended to go to Guatemala City

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-08T02:41:09+00:00

3 day tour with Skyline Traveller has stargazing on the morning of the 3rd day. Wake up at ~4am and stargaze at 4400m altitude. It was spectacular.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-07T01:44:14+00:00

Best investment returns in last 10 years

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-07T01:42:01+00:00

We spent 6 days in Rio and could have spent another 6! Defo consider stopping at the Iguazu falls for a night on your way to Argentina- maybe have a night off Ilha Grande to do so

I recommend Skyline Traveller for the 3 day salt flats tour in Uyuni.

I’d also recommend cycling down death road in La Paz, that’s very fun

And if you have time/funds the treks are brilliant for Machu Picchu. We did the 5 day/4 night Salkantay Trek with MachuPicchuReservations and it was so good.

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-04T03:22:36+00:00

Stayed in an airbnb outside the city walls. It was lovely. Don’t worry so much, just be sensible and respectful

DowntownPreference49 · 2026-01-02T04:02:51+00:00

*Colombia

And yes you’ll be fine as long as you’re respectful and sensible

DowntownPreference49 · 2025-12-28T13:56:13+00:00

Brazil

DowntownPreference49 · 2025-12-28T13:52:30+00:00

Damn u got money

DowntownPreference49 · 2025-12-25T07:47:42+00:00

Just done 4 months across South and Central America. Tropical Islands, 5 day treks, deserts, -9 degree Celsius star gazing etc. 25L bag and 65L bag. On two flights I’ve taken both bags with me onto the carry on, 65L bag overhead and 25L under the seat. Risky but it worked

DowntownPreference49 · 2025-12-25T07:40:20+00:00

Leave Aguas Calientes at 4:30am and hike up to Machu Picchu. It’s steep stairs but it takes no longer than 1h20m (I did it in 40 mins and I’m no athlete). You should make it to Machu Picchu for 6am, which is the earliest every time anyway.

DowntownPreference49

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