Things to Know When Traveling to Latin America: Tips from an Experienced Traveler

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Which countries to go to and which ones are not worth it, what to expect from local residents and what to visit.

Latin America is worth visiting, if only because life, culture, nature, cities, attractions, food there are different from the usual Eurasian ones. And, of course, I would like to see more of everything, since I am going there.

In two months I managed to make the way from Havana to the Strait of Magellan across Pan America (Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Chile), and return back along the Atlantic coast and the center of the continent (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Cuba).

Preparation

If you are going to Latin America, you will definitely come in handy:

• Insurance for all countries you plan to visit.
• At least a small amount of cash dollars (and better than euros for Cuba).
• Electrical adapter (there are universal for any country).
• Activated charcoal (or strong alcohol) to disinfect the digestive system. I also had vaccinations for hepatitis and yellow fever.
• Anti-malaria drugs (it is better to buy in the area where this attack is possible, they were not useful to me).
• Guide.
• Goodwill, the ability to smile and negotiate.

Most of the countries in South America are visa-free for Russians, which makes the traveler's life much easier.

Flight to Latin America

I would recommend a flight from Moscow to Havana as this is usually the cheapest option. A return ticket or a ticket to a third country is required.

You can also consider tickets Moscow - Casablanca - Sao Paulo or Moscow - Lisbon - Sao Paulo. Popular tourist destinations for Russians are Mexico (visa required) and the Dominican Republic, try to find charter tickets.

Cuba is an island you cannot sail from, you can only fly away. For example, in Quito.

Buses

This is the most affordable way to travel in Latin America.

In poor countries, buses will be late. Strongly. For example, in Bolivia, I somehow waited for a transport for three hours.

Make sure to catch the booked buses, as tickets are not refundable.

When traveling by buses, keep in mind that transportation is carried out by private companies, and centralized bus stations are not everywhere. If you have them, you will have to pay a little extra for getting to the platform to the place of boarding, as well as for luggage. Therefore, check where the transport departs from in the selected direction.

The buses themselves are most often old, they can break down on the road, they have no toilet. On mountain roads (and they are all mountain there) it will be cold upstairs. If you went out to stretch your legs at an intermediate stop, do not be surprised that your place will be taken, and the things you left (even garbage) will disappear. Just inform the invader that this is your place and ask to return the property.

Films will be shown all the way. Loud. Even at night. If you have a task to get enough sleep, choose berths on the bus, called cama.

In Chile (and Argentina too), don't go overboard with distances. The country is long, a 40-hour bus is common. However, this is not the best solution, although you can choose beds and hot food included in the price. You just need to walk the body, and not sit by the window.

The border between Peru and Ecuador should not be crossed by international buses. It is better to get to the very border, cross it and go by other transport. Check in advance the opening hours of the posts. Some may close due to weather conditions.

Moving to more economically developed and more expensive Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay is accompanied by multiple border checks and the seizure of products that are prohibited from being transported from poor countries.

Spanish

Thanks to the conquistadors in most Latin American countries, except for Portuguese-speaking Brazil and some French colonies, people speak Spanish. Of course, different localities have their own words and something may be different. The accents are very different. Mine, for example, was ideal for Chile: there are many immigrants from Eastern Europe.

Before the trip, you can watch a course of 16 video lessons, 45 minutes each:

Basically, if you only know English, you won't be lost. I came across travelers who did not speak it either, but only, for example, their native Japanese or Italian, and nothing, somehow moved and absorbed new sensations. But for me personally, the inability to discuss everything I want is discomfort and a motivator to learn a new language.

In my experience, it's a great idea to go learn Spanish in the capital of Ecuador. There are many schools, very humane prices and programs. Another great thing about language schools is that they organize events for students. There you can meet great guys, have fun and speak Spanish. I took an individual intensive for three days, and then, moving on buses in the daytime, I repeated the material, practiced talking with neighbors and could not get away from high-profile films.

If you are traveling alone, learning a new language is much easier, because you have no other options to speak it.

When I met my compatriots several times during the two months of traveling, I experienced a linguistic orgasm: it's so cool when you understand absolutely everything they say to you and can answer.

Communication

Couchsurfing is a great idea. It is not necessary to live with the host country, you can just talk with someone from the local about the city or take a walk together in interesting places.

I traveled alone, so I used hostels: there is always a company of interesting people there, and it’s safe.

Latin Americans are friendly people who will always show the way, warn about the dangers, and if they have time, they will chat.

Moving from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia to countries where the ethnic composition is diluted by immigrants from Europe, you will feel that you have ceased to stare at you and from a moving sight you have become just a traveler. And everyone is still happy to talk to you, but conversations are becoming more relaxed and highly intellectual.

It is better not to distribute your personal data and contacts to the right and left, if you do not want to get a crowd of sudden guests at home one day.

Precautionary measures

1. Under no circumstances would I advise visiting Venezuela: it is very dangerous there.
2. Be careful in the dark. A group of fellow male travelers from a hostel or a language school, for example, is a good idea for an evening stroll.
3. Be prepared for hot water to be a luxury. And whoever got up first got his slippers - it doesn't matter if you are staying in a hotel or in a hostel.
4. Be careful with ATMs: your credit card can be scanned and try to steal money from it. Theft insurance at your bank is not a bad idea.
5. Be mentally and informationally prepared to block bank cards. Have a spare card on hand, a bank support number, some cash in dollars.
6. Let your backpack always have water and some small snack (at least a cookie) just in case.
7. In poor countries, carry toilet paper with you.
8. Always check what time it is in the city where you arrived: there may be a difference in time zones. One day, my own carelessness cost me $ 100 (the price of a missed bus ticket).
9. Be careful with pies and freshly squeezed juice in bags with lovely grannies in ponchos and felt hats. It's delicious, but fraught, even if everyone else is quietly absorbing it. They are used to this kind of food.
10. Listen to your body's reactions to unfamiliar climates, food, and elevation changes. Take care of your health, do not overwork. For example, all the time at altitude (and Latin America is the Cordillera, continuous Andes and records for altitude in the Guinness Book of Records) got through to sweets, although I don't like desserts, and I had to feed myself with carbohydrates. In Bolivia, my head was a little dizzy and my eyes turned red.
11. The Ecuadorian and Peruvian jungle, called the selva, is a great place for a variety of extreme adventures. But go there in the company of trusted people, see reviews.
12. If you have managed to participate in a volunteer program, be prepared for the fact that, most likely, there will be no Internet and electricity there at all, or there will be little, and the living conditions will be worse than stated.
13. If, say, your laptop malfunctions in Ecuador, do not throw it away: in Peru, it will probably feel better.

Features of different countries

Cuba

Cuba is good in itself and in order to acclimatize, get used to a different way of life, start absorbing the Spanish language.

From the Havana airport, you can always travel cheaper by finding a company of the same passengers. They, most likely, also go somewhere to the Old Havana area.

In Cuba, be prepared for the fact that people are very sociable and it is almost impossible to be with yourself there. But any introvert problem is a new opportunity. For example, find out what Cubans think about the USSR, their revolution, education, visit, dance salsa on the Malecon and experience life as cheerful and temperamental Cubans feel it. They are very open people - to the point that they offer a hand and a heart and immediately discuss their move to you.

Cubans are not spoiled by the blessings of civilization, so it is easy to please them by donating washing powder, shampoo, USB-stick or simply paying in dollars.

For tourists, Cuba is an expensive country with a special currency called the cook. But when you become your own, you will understand how incredibly cheap you can live on local pesos.

In Havana, you can live in a hotel, or even better - in a casa particular (hotel at home). Even if you haven't found a place to stay in advance, walking the streets looking for the casa particular badge is sure to bring results.

There are excellent beaches not far from Havana. A bus or taxi in the form of a vintage car will take you there in 20 minutes.

In total, I spent seven days in Havana, and I was not bored. Also in Cuba you can see other cities and beaches. For this there is public transport (which will be late), taxi, car rental.

Ecuador

Compared to the leisurely, dancing and cocktail-drinking Havana, the capital of Ecuador, Quito, seems like a hyperactive baby cradled from the mountains. There is a beautiful Old Town, mountains around and a lot of different interesting places, which can be easily reached by buses in an hour or two. Very cheap and varied in every sense.

In budget Ecuador, the most expensive place is the Galapagos Islands, but they are worth it. Airplanes fly from Quito or coastal Guyaquil. There are many beach resorts nearby on the coast for every taste.

Ecuadorian Switzerland - a town of Banos with thermal springs, volcanoes, jungles, waterfalls, a lot of spas and extreme adventures.

Peru

Mancora near the Ecuadorian border is a beach party. In general, the entire Peruvian coastline is great for surfing. It is believed that here are the longest waves.

Near Trujillo there are many interesting prehistoric ruins and outdoor monuments.

In Lima, according to my feelings, they produce fog. There are inexpensive vintage hotels in the center of the Old Town and the lovely modern Miraflores area. Start tasting the Pisco Sour cocktail in the capital of Peru.

Cusco is a very ancient and beautiful city, from which transport starts to Machu Picchu, Titicaca. Machu Picchu is the country's most expensive tourist attraction and must-see! Lake Titicaca is interesting for acquaintance with the way of life and just very beautiful.

Arequipa is the third largest city in Peru and has a stunning old center. From here or from Ica, head to Colca Canyon.

Try coca leaf tea, it tones up, helps to adapt to the highlands. Ceviche is slicing fresh raw fish and seafood with lemon-pepper sauce, super! Peruvians also eat guinea pigs and llamas.

Chile

It seemed to me that the Chileans (chilenos) mentally are very close to us.

National parks here are a separate sight with deserts, geysers (San Pedro de Atacama), volcanoes, glaciers, fur seals, penguins, pristine lakes (Patagonia).

Please visit Valparaiso, a colorful city two hours from the capital, Santiago. I fell in love with him at first sight. Nearby there are several more authentic ones on the coast.

Do not neglect the fishing markets: they prepare excellent simple food from the fresh catch, complemented by a misted glass of dry Chilean.

The wonderful city of Punta Arenas is located on the Strait of Magellan. From it or Argentine Ushuaia, you can equip the Antarctic.

Argentina

When you find yourself in Argentina, eat steaks and burgers, even New York ones are younger brothers compared to them. And Argentine wine, in my opinion, was invented just for their meat: there are a lot of tannins, but the astringency goes well with the dishes.

On occasion, visit the Valdes Peninsula and listen to whales. Visit the wineries of Mendoza

Gaze at such spacious, windy, tango and architecture brought from everywhere in Buenos Aires. Be sure to get to the Iguazu Falls, they are considered a wonder of the world for a reason.

Bolivia

Having weighed all the pros and cons, go to Bolivia, even if the arguments against outweigh. You will not see anything like it anywhere else in the world.

Do not pay attention to the fact that there is no asphalt, the buses are several hours late and they can carry pets. Look out the window at the fantastic landscapes that change every five minutes and remember.

After all the Bolivian troubles, the tourist Uyuni next to the salt desert and La Paz will be a luxurious reward for ridiculous money. There you can eat and relax as a human being. And then again perform the feat, riding a bike along the road of death, or climb into an abandoned mine.

Or you can just walk around the big city on some weekend with an indispensable holiday in honor of a Catholic saint, smart Bolivians and folk music.

Aftertaste

When you return home, you will remember the trip with pleasure and not believe that it happened to you. However, some of my acquaintances were so imbued with South America that they stayed there to live happily ever after.

Traveling to new places is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons, get great experiences, meet wonderful people, stock up on exciting stories, and have a great time. Good luck! Bon suerte!