Any suggestions for my 1 month travel to Latin America?

Question

My friend and I are planning a 1month long backpacking trip through Latin America in May (we're 2 guys in our late twenties). Any suggestions on the best countries or route to take either in South or Central America? (advice on safety, cheap destinations, weather, people, and culture is helpful in your explanations)

Some possible routes include:

1) Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador

2) South Mexico (Yucatan), Guatemala, Belize, Honduras

3) Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador

4) Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela

Thanks in adavance!!!

Answer 1

Hey im going to south america too. except im going to do a tour cause im going on my own and was warned against travelling solo. probably going to go with a crowd called kumuka. maybe you could get some ideas for routes if you check out their website (www.kumuks.com)

Answer 2

I would do #2.

If cost is a big issue I think #2 is your best bet. Plane tickets to fly are costlier to South America and things in general are quite affordable in Central America. The weather is great in Mexico and Central America in May. In South America it will be turning cold in May, I think. Costa Rica is very nice but they are a little stuck up and too "Americanized" as far as culture goes.

Where ever you end up going, be careful and have fun!

Answer 3

My first choice would be #1

My second choice would be #3

My third choice would be #4

My fourth would be #2

Be very careful and have lots of fun.  Whatever route you choose there are sooooo many things to see and do.  Columbia can be very dangerous and watch your back everywhere.  Don't trust anyone with anything anywhere.  There are cheap hotels and hostels in every country you mentioned if you look hard enough.  Sometimes you may not stay in the nicest of places but that is just part of the journey you will remember for the rest of your lives.

Answer 4

I would do number 3 or number 1.

Like anywhere, dont wear flashy items and be polite. Like anywhere, keep aware of your surroundings and your money. It would probably be in your best interest to stick to major cities since there is more security. Colombia is very safe in all the major cities, especially Bogota, outlying rural areas are not that secure though.

Answer 5

As someone who has been to all these places, I would recommend number 1.

Start in the Argentinian Patagonia, hiking around Barriloche ( A ski town, filled with guides and friendly people used to catering to visitors). Then take the ferry that crosses the lakes into Chile. you will arrive in Chile in the zone they call Lagos del Sur (Southern Lakes). Very nice area. Hike around Saltos de Petrohue or the Osorno volcano. Another very nice place is Torres del Paine. In Peru, you have to make a choice if you are pressed for time. Either do the Inca Trail in Cuzco, or any of the very good Cordillera Blanca (White Mountain Range) treks in Ancash out of Huaraz. Ecuador has the Galapagos and some nice areas around Ambato.

Answer 6

Do the patagonia route in the south of Argentina and Chile. If you like backpacking and nature, you will enjoy it. Food prices are cheaper than the US, but if you rent a car, the gas is twice the price you are used to pay when you are in Chile. In Argentina is cheaper though.

Answer 7

If you are backpacking I would suggest Yucatán, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras.  These are great places that are very close by and you can move with more ease and fastness than some of the others.  Look into visiting the Mayan Riviera in Yucatán, you can choose in Guatemala between archaelogical sites like Tikal or go to natural beautiful places like Semuc Champey or the market place in Chichicastenango.  Belize is famous for its cayes (keys) and its diving and snorkeling.  Honduras is great for going to its beaches or sites like Copán.  Have fun in your trip.

Answer 8

You defnitely need to go to Argentina-my father is originally from there and I finally got the chance to go and I studied abroad there for 4.5 months! AMAZING. The city and also the rural parts of Argentina-inolvidable! You have to go if not just for the dulce de leche, submarinos, alfajores, boliches, el tango, and don't forget MATE-you will not see porteños travel very far without their mate. I can't wait to go back.

        If you choose the central america route I would suggest definitely seeing Guatemala-I have also been there and the people and the culture are amazing. I was there to build houses through Habitat for Humanity. The families we helped had nothing I mean  nothing and were sharing  a 1 bedroom house with between 10-12 people and still they wanted to share all they had with us. It was one of the most touching and memorable experiences of my life.

Sorry for rambling- que tengas un buen viaje!

Answer 9

definetly ill choose 3 then 1 then 2 and by the way colombia is the most beautifull country evey you just have to be carefull there is so much to do there and costa rica also is the best in panama youll love the coconut rice they make in ecuador youll see the golapogos  i wouldent go to guatemala or honduras they have a llot of really bad bad gangs wores than n.y.c i would definetly go to belize they have wonderfull corals the most besutiffull is belize

Answer 10

lonely planet, grommer, aa, etc..etc

Answer 11

You should think what are the places that is possible you wont be able to see again when you get older. Also what kind of backpacking you want to do. I recommend you star reading about the tourist info on those routes you've found. I think the weather in may is the best to do routes number 1, you can see mountains, beaches, tropical rain forest and they are very cheap. You can take the bus to go from Ecuador to Peru and end up in Argentina. I'm Peruvian so I recommend you come to visit us. Very cool place, you wont regret it.

Answer 12

ok first off stay out of colombia in the areas near panama its very dangerous. venezuela are not american friendly at the moment so i advise staying out of that one as well. how about panama,costa rica and going north to ecuador and giuatemala? those are nice areas with plenty of sights to see along the way.