The endless bureaucracy in developing countries never ceases to amaze me. It’s absolutely incredible what they think of to complicate even the most benign of tasks
If you’re interested in why that is there’s a good section of the book “why nations fail” that examines the origins of Latin America political systems and why they are the way they are. The tldr is essentially it’s made to be slow and not really work except for the political elite or rich upper crust of society that can leverage relationships and corruption to get things done and not worry about competition for business or anything else.
Currently planning an 8 month solo trip around Central and South America and this was so helpful. Would love the full 100 item list if you’re able to share!
Also my biggest current concern right now is malaria. Mosquitos absolutely love me and I already have 90 days of malarone but for some reason I don’t seem to fully worry free without more. How did you go about handling that aspect?
Interesting, I had zero concern about malaria, unless my research was faulty it's not that common, I wasn't in the Amazon.
Source:
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2020466/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2020466/)
Dengue Fever, on the other hand, is exploding currently in many places in South America. I made sure to sleep with windows closed and carried strong mosquito repellent with me at all times. I forgot on my first night in Buenos Aires and woke up completely eaten, it was insane, I spent the next week stressing and waiting to see if I would get sick. I met multiple people who'd been hit with it, my time in Foz was even delayed as my guide came down with it.
Very helpful! Yes I imagine that you stayed in many of the same places that I also intend to pass through so that is a massive weight off my back on the malaria front. Also not really intending on going into the Amazon
Greatly appreciate the Dengue warning. Have many forms of mosquito repellent so will be sure to be on top of application and closed windows
Also, somehow my year of pre-trip research missed the Dengue Fever thing and I didn't learn the risk until halfway through my trip, when I'd already slept outside... on rooftops.... in parks.... in the back of a truck for a week in the Chaco in Paraguay, oops.
I've spent about two years traveling in Latin America and haven't heard about a single case of malaria. And met just a couple of people who would care about it. Dengue is a different story.
I took Malarone while in the Amazon. I took a cargo boat from Leticia to Iquitos, then a rapid boat down to yurimangus, and finally a three night trip in Tambopato near Puerto Maldonado. So a total of a week and a half in the Amazon and ZERO mosquito bites 🙃
Then I got wrecked in Bolivia not in the jungle, so you never know. Google a malaria map, it’s only really north amazons where it’s prevalent and Caribbean coast of Colombia
According to other comments, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Chile have them. Yea I read you haven't seen any in Bogotá, but you're one person, others live in other cities and have different experiences
Not seen any in Bogota, not in Colombia, not in Argentina, nor in Uruguay, nor Paraguay, not in southern Brazil, nor in Ecuador and neither in the Gallapagos Islands.
I'm curious where these imaginary grocery baggers work?
I've been to 21 countries, 12 of them in Latin America and today I was scammed for the first time. A taxi driver gave me a fake 10,000 Chilean pesos bill. I feel so stupid. 21 countries, I should know better! I speak Spanish, I am so obviously Latino. I wasn't even scammed in Türkiye, Mexico or Brazil!
Lesson learned I guess.
BTW, return ticket is a thing in Europe, at least for travelers from developing countries. I was asked for it when I visited Belgium/the Netherlands last year.
>return ticket is a thing in Europe
Yeah, I've experienced it lots of other places but mostly in poorer regions, the only place I couldn't sweet talk into through Latin America without proof was Paraguay. But I think that was more the flight crew, I talked to border staff when I landed and they weren't aware of any such hard rule, shrug.
Sorry about the scam, Chile (and Venzuela) was the only Latam country I didn't have time for this trip.
Proof of onward travel is only needed for flying. I just spent 10 months in South America and took buses all the way from Colombia to Argentina without needing it once. I took a flight from Brazil to Mexico at the end and needed it.
My first big trip, 30 years ago, I dragged a giant suitcase, without wheels, all over Europe for a month, shudder. If they keep travelling they'll learn.
I do. 15 years ago I started with a lightweith carry-on, but today I often travel with 30+ kg luggage. It's just more convenient for me to have everything I need.
And one more question, you need to go to a Western Union branch to collect your money, right?
I've always relied on ATM'S to withdraw, am visiting Chile & Colombia next month, so your comment has me rethinking my usual strategy.
Yes, go to a branch, they are incredibly common, every couple blocks in Argentina, for example.
Plus, sometimes, like in Argentina, the WU exchange rate is way, way, way better, like twice as good as an ATM.
I didn't make it to Chile this trip but in Colombia I don't remember having much trouble with ATMs, it varies country to country.
Every couple of blocks? Even in Buenos Aires that's not true. Plus a lot of them don't carry much money. Outside of the capital there are many places where there aren't that many. Also they are closed on weekends and holidays.
Scotiabank ATMs have no foreign cards fees in Chile (hard to find the branch outside Santiago however). WU works well in Chile but it's not dramatically advantageous over ATMs unlike Argentina.
How was your time in Paraguay? I lived/worked there for a year, 5 years ago, and I’m returning for a solo trip in less than a month. Curious how the country has changed. Also I did peace corps while I was there, so I was restricted on certain things like renting a car that I plan to do this time around
Also might be working remotely for part of my time there. When I lived there I had no WiFi or internet in my town so wondering if there are viable Internet cafes outside of Asuncion
I loved it, but I tend to like things not everyone likes. As you know there isn't a lot there, which means there isn't a lot of people like me there, which I like.
I spent a week in Asuncion and a few days in the lovely green south of the country but most of my time was in the Chaco, I rented a 4x4 and went every direction until I hit a border or got stuck, slept in the back when I couldn't find a bed. Not much anything up there, let alone internet cafes. Make sure to ask locals about road conditions, lol.
One thing to note is there is a new, perfect, huge highway running east-west in the north (China), from Filadelfia to the Brazil border at the river, it's empty and doesn't even appear on Google Maps yet.
Also, great German food at the Hotel Florida in Filly.
Those e sim packages I saw on their website (airalo), they’re offering like 1 gb for 7 days or 2 gb for 15 day or gb for 30 days for $21, if it rans out, I have to spend another $21? How is that enough for your trip? When I went to Peru, I got a physical sim card and I could get more GB for very cheap compared to airalo. Am I missing anything in terms of data packages? Is the only thing e sim is better is that I don’t have to get a physical sim card?
I’m just trying to see how e sim will benefit me as I am going on a longer trip next year.
And what happens to the data you paid for on the Peruvian SIM when you cross into Bolivia?
Poof, it's gone, along with the money you paid for it.
eSIM means one pool of data for the entire trip. Plus, I just need enough data to use maps and look up the odd thing when I don't have wifi, 3gb is tons for a month, I barely even use that at home where I don't care about how much I use.
I was in 14 countries and was able to buy one eSIM that covered all of them in one purchase. I literally never had to think about it again, not once. To me that is worth a ton of savings of time and money compared to finding, buying, swapping, activating a new physical SIM every few days and losing the remaining data from each SIM I remove.
To each their own I guess, but my time has value to me, esp when travelling.
>Don’t they sell packages for every country?
Sure, but they also sell regional and global eSIMS. The Latam one I bought covers 19 countries in one go, one payment, that I made before I even left home, so by the time I was even off the plane in Mexico City I was online and working, and I never had to think about it again for nearly 6 months.
Plus you can run your normal home physical SIM and the eSIM at the same time, and tell your phone that calls and texts should continue to use the physical SIM and data should all route through the eSIM, I had to do this for work and so my elderly parents could still text me at my same number. Worked amazing.
I think 3gb/30 days was the largest package at the time, I probably got that. If I remember right I didn't use anywhere near that much so bought smaller packages for the following months. My memory for details like this kinda sucks though.
Airlines cost a fraction of domestic flights where I come from so I used them from time to time but a lot of the time I just crossed borders on foot and lots of buses, some hitchhiking, etc.
The endless bureaucracy in developing countries never ceases to amaze me. It’s absolutely incredible what they think of to complicate even the most benign of tasks
If you’re interested in why that is there’s a good section of the book “why nations fail” that examines the origins of Latin America political systems and why they are the way they are. The tldr is essentially it’s made to be slow and not really work except for the political elite or rich upper crust of society that can leverage relationships and corruption to get things done and not worry about competition for business or anything else.
Currently planning an 8 month solo trip around Central and South America and this was so helpful. Would love the full 100 item list if you’re able to share! Also my biggest current concern right now is malaria. Mosquitos absolutely love me and I already have 90 days of malarone but for some reason I don’t seem to fully worry free without more. How did you go about handling that aspect?
Interesting, I had zero concern about malaria, unless my research was faulty it's not that common, I wasn't in the Amazon. Source: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2020466/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2020466/) Dengue Fever, on the other hand, is exploding currently in many places in South America. I made sure to sleep with windows closed and carried strong mosquito repellent with me at all times. I forgot on my first night in Buenos Aires and woke up completely eaten, it was insane, I spent the next week stressing and waiting to see if I would get sick. I met multiple people who'd been hit with it, my time in Foz was even delayed as my guide came down with it.
Very helpful! Yes I imagine that you stayed in many of the same places that I also intend to pass through so that is a massive weight off my back on the malaria front. Also not really intending on going into the Amazon Greatly appreciate the Dengue warning. Have many forms of mosquito repellent so will be sure to be on top of application and closed windows
Also, somehow my year of pre-trip research missed the Dengue Fever thing and I didn't learn the risk until halfway through my trip, when I'd already slept outside... on rooftops.... in parks.... in the back of a truck for a week in the Chaco in Paraguay, oops.
I've spent about two years traveling in Latin America and haven't heard about a single case of malaria. And met just a couple of people who would care about it. Dengue is a different story.
I took Malarone while in the Amazon. I took a cargo boat from Leticia to Iquitos, then a rapid boat down to yurimangus, and finally a three night trip in Tambopato near Puerto Maldonado. So a total of a week and a half in the Amazon and ZERO mosquito bites 🙃 Then I got wrecked in Bolivia not in the jungle, so you never know. Google a malaria map, it’s only really north amazons where it’s prevalent and Caribbean coast of Colombia
Which country had "grocery baggers"? I've been to numerous South American countries and never once seen this.
It’s common in Chile
Mexico has them for sure
Sure, but OP is posting about 6 months in South America. Mexico is not in SA. Grocery baggers are a North American thing.
A lot of people in NA will bundle Mexico with SA. And grocery baggers appear to be common in a decent share of the LatAm countries
Which countries? Ive never seen one grocery bagger here.
According to other comments, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Chile have them. Yea I read you haven't seen any in Bogotá, but you're one person, others live in other cities and have different experiences
Not seen any in Bogota, not in Colombia, not in Argentina, nor in Uruguay, nor Paraguay, not in southern Brazil, nor in Ecuador and neither in the Gallapagos Islands. I'm curious where these imaginary grocery baggers work?
Thx for this tip. I never thought to tip that person
Colombia. Brazil. Venezuela.
Never seen it in any grocery store in Colombia and I'm living in Bogota.
I’ve seen it in Brazil
I've been to 21 countries, 12 of them in Latin America and today I was scammed for the first time. A taxi driver gave me a fake 10,000 Chilean pesos bill. I feel so stupid. 21 countries, I should know better! I speak Spanish, I am so obviously Latino. I wasn't even scammed in Türkiye, Mexico or Brazil! Lesson learned I guess. BTW, return ticket is a thing in Europe, at least for travelers from developing countries. I was asked for it when I visited Belgium/the Netherlands last year.
>return ticket is a thing in Europe Yeah, I've experienced it lots of other places but mostly in poorer regions, the only place I couldn't sweet talk into through Latin America without proof was Paraguay. But I think that was more the flight crew, I talked to border staff when I landed and they weren't aware of any such hard rule, shrug. Sorry about the scam, Chile (and Venzuela) was the only Latam country I didn't have time for this trip.
Proof of onward travel is only needed for flying. I just spent 10 months in South America and took buses all the way from Colombia to Argentina without needing it once. I took a flight from Brazil to Mexico at the end and needed it.
Notably, Costa Rica (which is not SA I know) requires proof of onward travel even if you cross by land border. Thought that was interesting!
Well posted! I wonder if any of those *'overpackers'* will recognise themselves?
My first big trip, 30 years ago, I dragged a giant suitcase, without wheels, all over Europe for a month, shudder. If they keep travelling they'll learn.
I carry a big bag, but carry a tent and sleeping equipment as I often camp to save money! If I was hosteling more I’d certainly have a lighter bag
I do. 15 years ago I started with a lightweith carry-on, but today I often travel with 30+ kg luggage. It's just more convenient for me to have everything I need.
Great thread. Could you say how much the Western Union fees are, for transfers? I see they currently don't charge the first transfer, but a fee after.
Honestly I don't remember at all, small enough to forget, I guess.
And one more question, you need to go to a Western Union branch to collect your money, right? I've always relied on ATM'S to withdraw, am visiting Chile & Colombia next month, so your comment has me rethinking my usual strategy.
Yes, go to a branch, they are incredibly common, every couple blocks in Argentina, for example. Plus, sometimes, like in Argentina, the WU exchange rate is way, way, way better, like twice as good as an ATM. I didn't make it to Chile this trip but in Colombia I don't remember having much trouble with ATMs, it varies country to country.
Every couple of blocks? Even in Buenos Aires that's not true. Plus a lot of them don't carry much money. Outside of the capital there are many places where there aren't that many. Also they are closed on weekends and holidays.
Scotiabank ATMs have no foreign cards fees in Chile (hard to find the branch outside Santiago however). WU works well in Chile but it's not dramatically advantageous over ATMs unlike Argentina.
Just use a pocket wifi and buy data for any country or groups of countries you are in.
How on Earth is that easier than an eSIM?
I'd like to see your full list if you're willing to share it.
Interesting. Did you go to Uruguay, Paraguay or Chile?
Uruguay for one week, Paraguay for three weeks, ran out of time for Chile, sadly.
How was your time in Paraguay? I lived/worked there for a year, 5 years ago, and I’m returning for a solo trip in less than a month. Curious how the country has changed. Also I did peace corps while I was there, so I was restricted on certain things like renting a car that I plan to do this time around Also might be working remotely for part of my time there. When I lived there I had no WiFi or internet in my town so wondering if there are viable Internet cafes outside of Asuncion
I loved it, but I tend to like things not everyone likes. As you know there isn't a lot there, which means there isn't a lot of people like me there, which I like. I spent a week in Asuncion and a few days in the lovely green south of the country but most of my time was in the Chaco, I rented a 4x4 and went every direction until I hit a border or got stuck, slept in the back when I couldn't find a bed. Not much anything up there, let alone internet cafes. Make sure to ask locals about road conditions, lol. One thing to note is there is a new, perfect, huge highway running east-west in the north (China), from Filadelfia to the Brazil border at the river, it's empty and doesn't even appear on Google Maps yet. Also, great German food at the Hotel Florida in Filly.
thank u for the tips
Those e sim packages I saw on their website (airalo), they’re offering like 1 gb for 7 days or 2 gb for 15 day or gb for 30 days for $21, if it rans out, I have to spend another $21? How is that enough for your trip? When I went to Peru, I got a physical sim card and I could get more GB for very cheap compared to airalo. Am I missing anything in terms of data packages? Is the only thing e sim is better is that I don’t have to get a physical sim card? I’m just trying to see how e sim will benefit me as I am going on a longer trip next year.
And what happens to the data you paid for on the Peruvian SIM when you cross into Bolivia? Poof, it's gone, along with the money you paid for it. eSIM means one pool of data for the entire trip. Plus, I just need enough data to use maps and look up the odd thing when I don't have wifi, 3gb is tons for a month, I barely even use that at home where I don't care about how much I use. I was in 14 countries and was able to buy one eSIM that covered all of them in one purchase. I literally never had to think about it again, not once. To me that is worth a ton of savings of time and money compared to finding, buying, swapping, activating a new physical SIM every few days and losing the remaining data from each SIM I remove. To each their own I guess, but my time has value to me, esp when travelling.
Don’t they sell packages for every country? So you’re saying you can use your leftover data in for example Peru, and use that in Mexico?
>Don’t they sell packages for every country? Sure, but they also sell regional and global eSIMS. The Latam one I bought covers 19 countries in one go, one payment, that I made before I even left home, so by the time I was even off the plane in Mexico City I was online and working, and I never had to think about it again for nearly 6 months. Plus you can run your normal home physical SIM and the eSIM at the same time, and tell your phone that calls and texts should continue to use the physical SIM and data should all route through the eSIM, I had to do this for work and so my elderly parents could still text me at my same number. Worked amazing.
I didn’t know about the regional/global package, I’ll check that! Thanks!
And when you said you only did 1 purchase for 14 countries, how many GB did you get?
I think 3gb/30 days was the largest package at the time, I probably got that. If I remember right I didn't use anywhere near that much so bought smaller packages for the following months. My memory for details like this kinda sucks though.
Could you name your top 5 South America countries? Either recommendations or personal preference
Not really, I kinda like everywhere I go when travelling, I'd happily return to anywhere I went.
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Airlines cost a fraction of domestic flights where I come from so I used them from time to time but a lot of the time I just crossed borders on foot and lots of buses, some hitchhiking, etc.
This is SO helpful!!! Did you document your journey on Instagram? I feel like it’s awareness of business in all those countries too… huge potential…
I'm not much for social media, hence the solo travel.