Travel question -- South America

[bort]

I'm looking for some travel advice for a trip I'm considering for South America... I've been reading a lot of travel literature, but it'd be helpful to talk to someone who has actually been before.

Looking right now at Bolivia and Peru.

if you've been before and are willing to help, please email or PM me.

Thanks!

[bort]

Thanks Joe... just sent you an email.

For others though, I'm mainly looking at cities and tourist places, like Cusco, Peru, Lake Titicaca, and La Paz, Bolivia.

[Brown Mule]

Planning to cruise that part of world in Jan----------1st air fares to S America have skyrocked(fuel), 2nd, most countries ( we have been told by cruise line)charge 140 to 150 bucks to put feet on ground. ( on-line chat says this is retaliation for us charging foreigners coming into this country),3rd Cruise company warned us to travel in country only on cruise sponsored , escorted trips(safety). Chat threads on-line from former travelers seem to verify above-------------------If I find out differently I'll report next Feb.

[bort]

Good to know! And yeah, airfare has gone up a lot. But, once you're there, it's still cheap.

Re: security, I'm not trying to be a doubter... but I wonder, is this just more of a CYA move (or showcase of implied protection) by the cruise/tour companies than a real necessity? I've heard similar things about places in Mexico or the Caribbean, and those do seem like a necessity. But in a city like La Paz, and for a savvy city person like myself who ain't going to fall for scams or endanger myself, I wonder if it's not such a big deal.

[Donn]

I know someone, wife of a co-worker, who was treated to armed guard protection at a stop-over in Ecuador. The way I recall it, guys armed with submachine guns leapt from the van. My guess would be, mostly theater - tour operators always like you to think they're providing a valuable service, and it's probably easier to keep track of you if you're being herded around by guys with submachine guns. But there may be some history of trouble, too.

I'm sure many thousands of foreigners come and go, any week in La Paz or Cusco, and of all the risks you really run in life, the dangers of well traveled routes in South America are negligible. Not many countries in the western hemisphere are really 100% safe from one end to the other. Why, I've read tales about certain places in the US in this very forum that would make me think twice about going there alone.

I've only been to Brazil, but on the Spanish speaking side I think I personally would start with Colombia. Another place where a little caution would be in order, but e.g. Cartagena I wouldn't be too worried about.

[bort]

Thanks Donn and Joe for the insight. I'm sure that there's a certain feeling to these countries that's quite different from anywhere in the US or Europe that I've been to, and that's exactly what I'm looking for. I just want it to be different in the sense of adventure, not in the sense of endangering myself and my wife. But I do think it's good to stretch our limits and comfort levels.

[TMurphy]

I have a friend who, although born in Miami, split her years growing up between Florida and Caracas, Venezuela. Her family currently lives in Venezuela, and she lives in NY. Whenever she goes to visit them, she is VERY careful to remain on their family's property all the time. Her family is reasonably well off (by Venezuelan standards), and kidnappings are very, very common.

She is not a tourist. She grew up there, speaks the language fluently, and with the native dialect. Still, going out in public is very dangerous for her.

[bort]

Brian, I didn't know that you've traveled so much! I don't speak Spanish, but I know enough to get myself around and out of trouble. I've been to Europe several times on my own and have done just fine, though I totally realize the US-friendly atmosphere of Europe is WAY different than it might be in South America.

Or, maybe I'll just pay a bit more and go to Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires and have a little more comfort from more developed cities. But really I think that something less developed like Peru or Bolivia is what excites me about going in the first place.

TMurphy -- Venezuela is definitely off the list. I'm not even sure what there is for tourists to do there!

[Donn]

Venezuela is definitely off the list. I'm not even sure what there is for tourists to do there!

Some nice Caribbean beaches, for one thing.

For lots of detailed information on perils and other issues of interest, see the US State Dept's travel information: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _4965.html Venezuela does sound a little dicey there.

[bort]

True... but Aruba is only like 30 miles away and gives all the good parts of the beaches with none of the danger of Venezuela. I've went there twice when I was a kid, and loved it. I'm sure it's probably all built up now, but still a nice place to vacation.

[lowpitchmoravian]

A much cheaper way to go to a very dangerous place (no passport nor airline ticket required) is to saunter through one of the NOLA St. Louis cemetaries (maybe #2) by yourself.

Be SURE, though, that some shifty-lookin' dude in the adjacent housing project (note: brick building in the background) sees you walk in.

That's my famlies plot---------------Are you trying to trash my midwestern ancestry. The least you could do is go over there with some Comet and scrub the stones since you are so close.Maybe have the "ramblers" play a few pieces.

[lowpitchmoravian]