Backpacking in South America - Your Most Memorable Holiday Experience

Added: 05/05/2006

With its ancient temples, genuine rainforest and distinctive cultural heritage in abundance, South America is regarded as a backpacking goldmine that requires a reasonable amount to be reached. Many travelers consider backpacking in South America the ultimate adventure in an unexplored continent, filled with future discoveries, adventures and dreams. Exploring the continent can turn out to be a rewarding and exciting experience, particularly to those eager to deeper into the culture and language of the country they visit.

Taking into consideration the fact that South America is full of interesting places to visit and enjoy, choosing a route is usually a complicated process, which means you'll inevitably have to miss some points you have initially planned to enjoy along the way. However, by taking advantage of tips and hints on where to stay and what to see in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, you are sure to enjoy backpacking in South America to the greatest extent.

While planning your trip, take advantage of travel guides which are usually a useful resource, providing useful information on good accommodations, interesting sites and tour operators. Those backpacking on a budget should consider long distance coaches as the most convenient and affordable way to get around, though distances between destinations are usually large, with journeys usually taking more than 18 hours to complete.

Available on some routes are overnight buses that can save travelers a few pennies on lodges, and give them more time to explore places they are visiting. Most countries in South America have different classes of buses, ranging from first class luxury jets providing food, pillows and blankets to less luxurious and convenient means of transportation.

While planning a backpacking in South America, consider purchasing the Visit South America Pass, which allows unlimited travels within such countries as Venezuela, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. The prices depend on a number of flight zones you pass through, with a minimum of three flights booked.

Finding some good and affordable place to stay overnight during backpacking in South America can be a real problem for inexperienced backpackers, yet each village and town offers a number of hotels to choose from. In addition, there exist diverse low budget options for backpackers, the most affordable of these being communal dormitory type lodging options. Prices usually depend on a location you are staying in: accommodations in big cities are much more expensive than those in small towns. For the majority of European countries it doesn't make any difficulty to get a three-month visa for Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina on entry to the country. Such visas can be extended by further three months for purpose of tourism.

Learning the language is the essential part of your backpacking in South America, since communication with the locals seriously enhances the travel experience and adds to the pleasures of your trip. However, whatever your language skills may be, it is advisable to keep a phrase book or a small dictionary.

One of the key issues for those planning their active South America holidays is what to take in a trip. Because you'll have to carry your backpack for long periods of time, it must contain only the most necessary things that cannot be purchased locally. Some of the useful items include a camera, a calculator, a money belt, an alarm clock, a walkman, a good book and a deck of cards. A small bag to use during the day is necessary as well.

Don't take any valuable things, as theft and lost luggage are common these days.

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