Your Top 10 S. America Travel Tips

 Just some further tips from my almost-six months of travelling, the good and the bad:

1.  Don't worry when travelling to a new country, they always assume you'll be there for less than 90 days, and they never ask for proof of onward travel.  Often they ask where you're staying, so have that written down. Some countries (e.g. Peru) don't ask anything and don't even bother to stamp your passport.

2.  Sidewalks are as a whole horrible, even in the nicer neighborhoods.  Always keep an eye out.  Unless you're a performer, you don't want to break a leg.

3.  Even if your Spanish or Portuguese is good, don't expect to make friends.  This is a myth perpetuated in so many YouTube videos -- or, maybe people just don't like me! The most you can expect is a friendly greeting in your regular restaurant.  Disclaimer: I don't use use expat groups.

4. If you're a plant fan like me, you'll be continually delighted by the sidewalk plantings.  And I bought a lovely 8" Primavera to brighten up my hotel room.  US price, maybe $6?  Colombian price, $1.25!



5.  If you have an "international plan," like mine from T-Mobile, you don't need a SIM for the country you're in, because data (not calls, which you're unlikely to make -- everyone uses WhatsApp) will be free.  Having said that, I pay $65 per month for T-Mobile, whereas it was $9 for a month in Peru.

6.  The food . . . the good and the bad.  Loads to say about this, but I'll limit myself to this: if your expectations are low, you'll be delighted. If they're high, you might be disappointed.  If you're a fan of ethnic (e.g. Sichuan or Indian) you'll be disappointed.  But on all levels you'll be paying something, depending on the country, like 1/4 to 3/4 US prices.

7.  Get a Rappi account!  It's like Doordash but actually works.  Not just restaurants, you can order groceries or batteries or furniture or pretty much anything you can think of. The prices are inflated, but almost always you will get a reduced service charge or free delivery.  And usually in half an hour or so (motorcycles) you'll get what you expect.

8.  Sex tourism is a big thing is Medellín, and you can go to Parque Lleras or downtown to pick up working women.  I wasn't here for that, but everyone needs some lovin' . . .In my case, I used the internet and ended up with a sweet boy, more than I hoped for, for $55 an hour and I'll see him again, but many are half the price.  BTW prostitution is legal in Colombia as it should be everywhere!

9.  It can be noisy!  Because of the medium temperatures, buildings aren't built to keep out heat or sound either.  So if you're going out for lunch at a cafe, even away from the street, expect noise.  Of course this varies depending on the neighborhood.  I stayed in a 17th story studio that was noisy as hell.


10.  You absolutely want/need WhatsApp!  No one down here uses the phone.  It's bonus if your Spanish is shakey, like mine.

11.  Dress for spring!  This was perhaps the biggest surprise of my travels, despite going thousand of miles from north to south, over six months, it was highly unusual for a temperature less than 15/60 at night or 25/80 during the day.  Perfect!








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