You establish your mind and you are ready to travel to South America, a magical place of immense beauty where myth and legend continue to w...
You establish your mind and you are ready to travel to South America, a magical place of immense beauty where myth and legend continue to walk hand in hand. I have traveled 18 months in South America and can give you some tips on how to prepare for an unforgettable adventure.
Common sense
We all hear the nasty stories and South America has a reputation for being dangerous. I traveled thousands of miles through cities, jungles, islands and mountains. I survived 6 weeks in a street child care center in the favelas of Salvador de Bahia (Brazil) and had the party of my life during the carnival. Nothing, I repeat, nothing happened. Use your common sense. Avoid the poorly lit streets at night and if your sixth sense is giving you the signal “something is wrong”, take a taxi to your destination.
Travel guide book
The first thing you will need is a travel guide. It will be your best companion in your quest for adventure. I highly recommend Lonely Planet´s South America with very little money
for you to start The book covers everything you need to know to make the most of your trip and is ideal for planning your trip in advance. I have used the guide extensively during my 18 months of adventure. They offer excellent travel guides separately from all countries (in addition to using the Lonely Planet Shoestring, I have used their separate travel guides from Peru and Brazil). Their guides are the most popular among backpackers.
Other popular guides are The Rough Guide to South America and South American Handbook. Ideal, but not practical because you want to travel light, it would be to enjoy the adventure with a Lonely Planet and the Rough Guide or the Manual.
Brazilian Spanish and Portuguese
The most rewarding for me was the fact that you can travel in a large continent like South America with only 2 languages. Spanish and Portuguese. If you plan to travel for only a few weeks, you can invest in a Phrasebook in Spanish and / or Portuguese from Brazil. English is not widely spoken and even a basic knowledge of Spanish and / or Portuguese makes the trip much more rewarding (they are extremely willing to help you, so don’t worry, be happy).
If, on the other hand, you plan to travel for a few months, I strongly recommend that you take a language course. Ideal would be in a school in South America (I took classes in Quito, Ecuador, and had a private teacher for $ 2.50 / h).
Walking shoes
The nature of South America is overwhelming. You will walk for many hours day after day. It would be a shame to follow the footsteps of the Incas with blisters on the feet. My biggest recommendation is to invest in high quality walking shoes with Gore-Tex.
Health vaccinations
Yellow fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon basin), typhoid (consists of two injections taken 4 weeks apart), diphtheria-tetanus, polio, cholera (only when necessary), smallpox
Medical kit:
Depending on what you plan to do, you can include the following:
Antiseptic cream, aspirin, lomotil for diarrhea, antibiotics, throat lozenges, ear and eye drops, antacid tablets, dizziness medications, alcohol swabs, water purifier, lip ointment, foot and groin powder , thermometer (in one case), surgical tape, assortment of adhesive strips, gauze, bandages, butterfly closures, scissors and, last but not least, first aid booklet
Note: malaria pills are required in the Amazon basin, keep in mind that these pills are very strong and you should consult your doctor before departure
Travel equipment
Backpack:
Obviously, a high quality backpack is a must. Choose the type that has different compartments that can be opened separately. Very useful if you need something fast. Travel as light as possible. A heavy backpack is meant to undermine your pleasure of traveling.
Clothing:
It depends where you go. If it’s about the mountains and the jungle, get quality clothes at home. If it’s the beach, buy your shirts there (cheap).
Camping and climbing equipment:
You can rent camping and climbing equipment in South America, but the quality can be questionable. Always check the material. Bring your own equipment if possible. I traveled 18 months with my own tent and several camping tools.
Photography
The photos are personal. Some people just want some snapshots, others want to publish in National Geographic. All my photos were taken with a cheap Nikon F50 camera.
It had two zoom lenses, one 35-80 mm. and a 70-210mm. I also dragged a tripod and an excellent flash with me. I used FUJI slides (100 ASA) but you definitely need 200 to 400 ASA if you plan on going to the jungle. A polarized filter enhances colors tremendously on sunny days.
conclusion
South America will hug you with open arms. Its nature, people and history are overwhelming. With the right preparation and mentality, you are ready to travel through South America and enjoy an unforgettable adventure.
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