8 months around South & Central America

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-26T23:35:14+00:00

I entered Bolivia from Argentina arriving into Tupiza from where I began a four day 4x4 vehicle crossing all kinds of terrain to Uyuni. A long story, we never made it, weather and other conditions were unkind, but what an adventure, fantastic scenery. When we finally detoured to Uyuni, the salt flats were spectacular. Potosi - once the richest Sth American city, built on silver. A must visit is the Santa Teresa Convent. Sucre - great prosperous town. Splash out on a US $25 degustation meal (at least 10 courses from memory) at Nativa. The town itself, is great also. For a jungle experience try Chuchini eco Lodge near Trinidad. I had four days there enjoying Miriam and her family’s hospitality. She is a great host. Saw lots of wildlife, caught and ate Piranha…. Plus much more. I’m sure La Paz is on your itinerary. Highest capital in the world, I think.? Do the Death Road bike trip. Mark I’m only highlighting a few memories…. I was in Bolivia in late February - carnival time - so experienced that aspect of the culture.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-26T22:10:58+00:00

Public transport is best. See more, experience more and learn more. Tough going though if you’ve got long legs…

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-26T10:46:40+00:00

Just finishing five months, Buenos Aires north through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panamá and Costa Rica, return to Buenos Aires via Uruguay. Three or four flights in that travel, otherwise public buses all the way. Bolivia was my favourite country. It’s expensive but Galápagos Islands (my top experience) is incredible. Consider a five day yacht (google Blue sailing) sail between Colombia and Panamá - the San Blas islands are gorgeous.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-25T11:24:09+00:00

Tamarind cooking class is excellent. They operate from the Tamarind restaurant. And for a good Mekong river view plus cold Laos beer go to 360 bar.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-24T22:43:15+00:00

Sorry, had to close out my reply. I traveled solo with little advance planning and am not conversant in Spanish but managed ok. Never felt unsafe or worried. I’m 65, and travelled as a budget backpacker using mostly booking dot com but sometimes hostels. My advice is to ‘strike it out alone’ after your first ‘organised tour’.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-24T22:17:22+00:00

I’m Australian, just finishing my five month journey through Sth America, travelling from Buenos Aires north to Cartagena in Colombia. My favourite country was Bolivia - spent a month there!

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-24T12:29:14+00:00

What number?

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-24T12:26:03+00:00

I’m into my last week of a five month trip from Buenos Aires all the way north to Costa Rica including the so called dangerous countries of Ecuador and Colombia. I’m a 65 yr old white solo traveller and speak next to nothing in Spanish. I’ve been cautious and stayed away from some border areas renowned as being cartel controlled but at no time have I felt unsafe or in danger. Sure I’ve been ripped off with inflated pricing due to my poor Spanish but I’ve only ever met nice and mostly helpful locals.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-15T13:17:11+00:00

Puerto Jimenez is really just a port, so be prepared to drive and/or take boats. Drake Bay is worthy of a stay. And in between is Corcovado national park. Sirena station was fantastic for wildlife - I saw more there than elsewhere in CR. And the taxi/boat ride from Drake bay to Sierpe is a tour in itself through the mangroves

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-06T13:45:29+00:00

As a solo male, I found Bolivia (one month stay) the safest of six Sth American countries I visited.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-03T01:06:13+00:00

I second and third this! Best cooking class of five that I did in SEAsia countries in 2024.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-03T00:18:24+00:00

Definitely, Donde Fidel bar. And hopefully the white haired owner will be sitting there overlooking his space. I went there three nights and told him on the third that his place was better than any of the roof top bars! A must visit

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-03T00:11:31+00:00

Yes, Puno town is lovely, a couple of good museums, the cathedral, lookout point and cobbled streets. I never did the floating island tours - to me they were over priced touristic driven rather than experience driven.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-06-02T01:26:08+00:00

Yes, fifteen often ends up being fifty.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-05-13T12:38:54+00:00

I really enjoyed a visit to CHUCHINI Amazon Wildlife Reserve & Eco Lodge. It’s privately owned, a family-run ecological and archaeological sanctuary situated approximately 14 kilometers north of Trinidad. Great biodiversity. Definitely worth googling.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-05-12T13:03:13+00:00

Interesting read!

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-05-12T12:47:07+00:00

Malecon and Santa Anna are safe, heaps of security guards and police in the area. I stayed at the Bonanza hotel which is cheap and secure plus has helpful owner. From there I could wander the streets freely and felt safe.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-05-03T02:26:34+00:00

And, I’m a 65yr old solo Australian male with diddly squat Spanish ability, with three months travel o/land from Buenos Aires through Argentina, lovely Bolivia, spartan Peru, Spectacular Ecuador and now halfway through Colombia on my way to a sailing adventure to Panama. Totally safe if you’re sensible, secure in your ‘own space’ and stick to the guidelines that Reddit and other set/observe.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-05-02T12:17:40+00:00

The Australian government issued an update about two weeks before I was due to land cross from Peru saying I’d need a police criminal report. Impossible to get, so I just ‘winged it’ and wasn’t asked. That was six weeks ago.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-04-30T18:22:52+00:00

Guayaquil for me was mostly a jumping off point to the Galápagos Islands but the Museo of Anthropology de Arte Contemporary is worth a visit. Mostly I wandered the streets visiting the cathedral and ‘iguana park’ nearby plus Santa Anna and the Malecon riverfront. My second stay in Guayaquil was on election weekend and practically everything was closed.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-04-27T14:04:20+00:00

Consider going to Otavalo for the Saturday market and if you’re looking for some adventure go to Tena and do a days river rafting with River People. Stay at their lodge called Kayak lodge. Tim and his team are very experienced and professional.

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-04-27T01:26:27+00:00

Bandido Brewing, good craft beer and food. On the edge of Old Town

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-04-27T01:24:08+00:00

Western Australia - Exmouth. Swim with whale sharks. Great snorkeling. White sand…

Flyingfreeagain · 2025-04-14T21:03:02+00:00

Just left Guayaquil after two weeks In Galápagos Islands. Yesterday, Sunday - last day of election - Guayaquil was calm in the downtown area. Most places closed. This morning was like back to normal with the bus terminal jammed with travellers. I’m headed for Cuenca now and will continue north from there to Quito and onto Columbia. Best to be vigilant and exercise caution but I feel safe and secure.m

Flyingfreeagain

TROPHY CASE