Backpacking or traveling solo - which is better? Peru, Costa Rica or any suggestions?

Question

Hi! I'm thinking of backpacking (maybe going solo or with a friend, not sure yet) to Latin/South America.. but I can't decide what country I want to see. Part of me wants to go to Peru to see Machu Picchu and maybe Lake T. - but I heard it can be a strenuous trip with a lot of walking (I'm a little person, so walking really long distances is hard). I would like this trip to involve some hiking, definitely nature/forests, immersion of culture/history, maybe a little shopping and good food.

So then I was thinking Guatemala might be a good alternative since it has a lot of Mayan sites. But I also am intrigued at Costa Rica and the beaches... altho. I don't want a honeymoon-like trip either. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi, I hiked the Inca Trail and it is a tough route - 4.5 days with about 4 long ascents, but it's definitely worth it if you think you're up to it. We camped, often at over 4,000m and had some very early starts (3am!) so we get good sunsets.

Alternatively, you can catch the train from Cuzco and then do local hikes up to and around Machu Picchu which is equally stunning.

On top of that you could catch a coach to Puno to see the floating villages. However, on your own it's quite hard. Maybe look at joining a small adventure tour http://www.thetravellerslounge.co.uk/at/... as you'd get a great balance of safety, adventure and fun. you'd also get to go to places very few people get to which is great. Remember the prices include transport, accommodation etc.

Answer 2

Peru and Machu Pichu would probably be my choice, but mainly because I have been to Guatemala many times.  

Between Guatemala and Costa Rica, I would go Guatemala, you have the Ruins, Volcanos to climb, Beach, Antigua, Rio Dulce, Chichicastenego, Lake Atitlan, and even the City if you want to mix it up a bit.  

I disagree with what the other person said about Guatemala being expensive.  It would be no more expensive then any other latin american country if you make the inexpensive choices.  It like all the other countires, do have expensive options.

Answer 3

I'm going to check out Pataogonia next month.  Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine seem less strenuous than Machu Picchu and its trekking alititude.  But if you want to chat with people about Machu Picchu, check out LPs Thorn Tree forum.  I've gotten alot of beta for my trip there.

Answer 4

Why not Mexico?All the things you mention are there.Having traveled for many years in Mexico,Central and South America

I find people tend to overlook Mexico for somewhere farther away.Maybe it's because it sounds more exciting or exotic. While it is true that there is only one Machu Pichu or Amazon River/Basin there is still,in my opinion, a larger amount of different and diverse things to see and do in Mexico. Beaches,hiking,colonial cities,archaeological sites,jungle, volcanoes,lakes,indigenous people, world class museums, whale watching and a seemingly unending variety of fantastic food.....and travel in Mexico can be very inexpensive if you avoid the more touristed areas.

If you are determined to travel further than Mexico then Guatemala is a budget/backpackers dream.It has plenty to see and do plus Guatemala can be very inexpensive.For the same amount of money you would spend in some of the other countries you can travel twice as long in Guatemala.If you have any other questions feel free to email me.

Hope this helps you.

Answer 5

I have traveled to Guatemala and it is a beautiful country rich in culture with very few tourists in certain areas but...Costa Rica is beautiful. I have always wanted to travel there myself. There is so much to do there...hiking, hot springs, zip lines, beautiful beaches, volcanoes. Speaking Spanish would be a definite plus so if you don't know it already taking an immersion class before you go might help. You get to find out so much more about the people when you can speak there language and interact with them while they do the things they do on a daily basis. I hear the people are very friendly in general and of course like all countries there are dangerous areas but just be smart about traveling especially if traveling alone. Make sure you always carry your bag/purse etc. in front of you so you can see/feel if someone tries to take off with it. Be smart about traveling alone in cabs, buses and such and don't travel down any sketchy streets a night.

      I have heard Tamarindo is a gorgeous place to travel in Costa Rica. I hope you have fun whatever you choose!

Answer 6

I've backpacked all those destinations in the past. Definitely, go to Guatemala. It is incredibly beautiful, and the indigenous Maya are absolutely unique. Check out the videos at http://www.atitlan.net

Answer 7

Costa Rica is a great place to see rainforest if you don't want to do anything too strenuous or spend a bunch of money on guides and lodges and stuff.  Basically its about as easy as visiting state parks in the US, frequently you can take a bus to the park entrance, or in some instances take a taxi, and you can stay in hotels at night.  And the trails are usually very good and well-constructed.  As for exotic culture and ruins I would go with Guatemala, its very spectacular on both counts.  You do get a good look at the rainforest and wildlife at Tikal, as well as seeing one of the most spectacular ruins in the world. Or southern Mexico, which does have less crime but is also not quite as  rock-bottom cheap.

Answer 8

Hello.  I think all three (Peru, Costa Rica, and Guatemala) are great places to visit.  If you get down to Peru you'll find there are many fewer American tourists there, for better or for worse.  I agree with the other posters that my friends who have done the Inca Trail say it's a bit strenuous.  I've only been to southern Peru, and would say it's worth crossing into Bolivia to experience Titicaca, as it is lovelier on the Bolivian side (Isla del Sol is great!)

Guatemala is fascinating and offers quite a variety of things to see.  Unless you had some pressing reason to do so, you shouldn't need to spend any time in Guatemala City, you can take a cab from the airport to Antigua for about $25 (in 2002) (or if you are tenacious, you can wade through the cabbies and get there on local buses).  Lago Atitlan is nice as is Xela.  On the other side of the country, the Mayan ruins in Tikal are pretty spectacular.  If you get down to Livingston, you can't find a more relaxing or out of the way place than Finca Tatin http://www.fincatatin.centramerica.com/

Costa Rica is a wealthier country, and a good introduction to Latin America.  It's smaller and a little easier to get from coast to coast.  You can get cloud forests, volcanoes, and beaches all within a few days.

So you can't really make a wrong choice, I think!

Answer 9

I don't know what Hijo Del Sol is talking about saying that someone here said Guatemala is expensive. I read all the answers here and I don't see that anywhere. If it was a mistake mi hijo you should edit your answer...Just my opinion.

Lots of good suggestions here already so I would say it probably now comes down to two things, what your travel budget is and what you want to see most.

Machu Pichu is indeed a magic place but it is fairly expensive(by backpaker standards) to get there,plus a fair amount of trekking.Lake Titicaca and the floating islands of Uros are worth seeing but with all the tourist interest over the years it is starting to look more like an attraction at Disneyland to me Also not too far away from Lake T are the funeral towers and tombs next to lake Umayo which are interestng and a lot less touristed.My problem with Peru is the altitude.Everytime I go my money runs out before I can get acclimated to the altitude.

Guatemala is truly one of the least expensive travel options in Latin America with an amazing diversity of scenery and friendly people everywhere you go.I used to work as a guide in Gte.and if you like to hike I can give you a link to the place I worked.This also is the best and least expensive place to learn Spanish in Latin America so it might be a nice place for you to take a break from traveling  and polish up your language skills and also meet some other backpackers from all over the world .

Costa Rica also has a lot to see and do but is a little more expensive although there are a number of hostels throughout the country that provide an inexpensive alterative to hotels for a backpacker on a budget.Nice beaches, although they have been having some serious pollution problems recently in and around Tamarindo or Tamagringo as it is known locally.The volcano at Arenal is a must see.The forests and also the mini amazon-like area near Tortuguero is way cool. I have a list of hostels I have stayed at if you are interested.Most have websites so they are not hard to find.

I thoroughly agree with the first poster about Mexico.More bang for your buck in Mexico than any other place I have been in Latin america. Colombia is awesome too but it was not part of this question so I wont elaborate other than to say you should look very closely at what this country has to offer the traveler.I also worked and lived in Colombia.

Any Questions?email me.

Buena suerte y buen viaje...juan23