My Next South American Travel Adventure

21 Responses to My Next South American Travel Adventure

1. 

   Nicole

   Wow, sounds like a fun trip. Look forward to following it!
   Nicole recently posted..7 Things You Should Do in Victoria, British Columbia

   August 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm

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2. 

   SlaughterHouse

   Looking forward to reading about your travels and awesome photography

   August 30, 2011 at 5:58 pm

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3. 

   Ryan

   In my research (not experience), Quito is the most dangerous, and rumor has it someone extraordinary will be in Cuenca in October. Cuenca all the way.
   Ryan recently posted..How You’ve Lost 30% Of Your Wealth But Didn’t Know It (Or, Why You Should Learn About Currencies & Exchange Rates)

   August 30, 2011 at 6:12 pm

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     Gareth

     Haha, who might that be? I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about Cuenca lately and not much about Quito… they better make a last minute push if they’re gunna win me over.

     August 30, 2011 at 6:14 pm

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4. 

   Erin

   Glad to see you’ll be back on the road again. I wouldn’t worry about the need for onward tickets when travelling around South America – we were never asked for one.

   When you get to Bolivia take a trip to the Amazon. The pampas tour is really cheap and you see so many animals -crocodiles, capybara, monkeys, turtles. It’s a short flight (or hideous 20 hr bus ride) from La Paz to Rurrenabaque.
   Erin recently posted..Vegetarian Survival Guide to Hong Kong

   August 30, 2011 at 9:38 pm

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     Gareth

     Awesome, thanks for the advice Erin. Unless it’s Argentina, I will avoid 20 hr bus rides in South America whenever possible!

     August 31, 2011 at 11:35 am

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5. 

   Mica

   South America, my first love. Don’t stress about the onward ticket requirement- I got my visa on the spot in Desaguadero, where the locals cross in ( I was crossing from Peru but did not have my yellow fever vaccine and I was afraid they’d ask for it) instead of the touristy Copacabana. They usually don’t ask and hey, your visa is good for 5 years (how I justified the price) so you can always go back! And you will. Trust me.
   Mica recently posted..On Location: Photo of the week- Jasri Beach

   August 30, 2011 at 10:41 pm

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   • 

     Gareth

     That’s reassuring, thanks Mica!

     August 31, 2011 at 11:39 am

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6. 

   jessica

   oh bolivia! only know some dentists, which might come in handy. we go every year for a medical trip in may/june, if you’re still around, head on over for some fun ha

   August 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm

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7. 

   Jeff

   I was in Montañita in September and it was actually cold and rainy so I presume it will be like that in October as well. I liked Baños but some people find it too touristy. I believe Jack and Jill stayed there quite a while and rented a pretty nice looking apt for dirt cheap so check out their site if that interests you. My choice however, would be Cuenca as well.

   Here are my travel tips for Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, respectively:
   http://www.lengthytravel.com/travel-tips-ecuador/
   http://www.lengthytravel.com/travel-tips-peru/
   http://www.lengthytravel.com/travel-tips-bolivia-travel-guide/
   Jeff recently posted..Street Art: Chile

   August 31, 2011 at 8:19 am

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   • 

     Gareth

     Excellent resources, thanks Jeff! Montañita is definitely on my list of places to visit while in Ecuador, I’m hoping it will be nicer in Nov/Dec so I can learn to surf. I guess Cuenca is the place to be!

     August 31, 2011 at 11:42 am

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8. 

   Diane Valenti

   I have a philanthropic adventure travel company in Peru. I could definitely set you up with tourism contacts who could introduce you to volunteer contacts. You can check out my website at http://www.llamaexpeditions.com. I haven’t been to Ecuador yet. So, I can’t wait to read about your adventures.

   August 31, 2011 at 10:42 am

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9. 

   Gareth

   Thanks for the info Diane, I will definitely be in touch!

   August 31, 2011 at 11:45 am

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10. 

    Daniella

    I am actually going to Ecuador through a volunteer program during the time you will be in Ecuador. The program that I chose is Lead Adventures and I will be working on an Animal Rehabilitation Center in Banos. I’m excited to see what you’re going to do and take whatever looks the most fun and then do it myself!

    August 31, 2011 at 12:12 pm

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11. 

    Adele

    Hey Jenny, Sounds wicked! Ecuador was the biggest surprise for me, the complete opposite of what i expected.. out of all the countries i had been through it was the most welcoming to enter and was surprised by the diverse landscapes! Mountain, jungle, beach! We drove through the west coast, where some desolat beaches lye on the edge of small villages.. Quito, is one of the most dangerous cities on earth! but like anywhere you just stay very careful and aware.. i never felt any danger and i spent two weeks there! riding the buses to town, living in mechanic workshop.. you know, the usual.. lol, but the people are so kind and generous, we got invited to the maestro’s house to meet the ‘whole’ family… Quito the city was quite beautiful too.

    In Peru we volunteered in two places, Cusco and Pisco.. Fairplay-Peru in Cusco, very cool, loved it! Fairplay is a small Non for profit organisation (NGO) and perfect if you want to learn spanish, salsa, learn to cook peruvian food with other volunteers and live in a peruvian home. All while also practising your spanish volunteering in a little school for disadvantaged kids of 3-5years old. Speak to John, we made the video on his website.
    Pisco was for an NGO called Pisco Sin Fronteras. Originally set up by some peeps from burning man as a disaster relief program but now 4 years later there still building families homes and starting to move more towards community development, helping the people help themselves. Its an amazing experience working with a close knit set of international volunteers (up to 90 max)all there for there own reasons. You sleep, eat, live and work together, you have to experience it to understand. They expect you to commit for a min of two-3weeks, most people stay 3-6months and more! Pisco is in an off the map location, on the west coast, (the road there from Cusco is an incredible drive in itself!) so if you want to see and volunteer in ‘real’ peru, i would suggest this one, its ridiculously good and they dont charge you a penny to come help out like some of the NGO’s that do. They purely generate income by charitable donations. Hope this is a wee bit helpful for ya.. If you want to see some video documentaries we created, please see Norma’s story and Delia’s story both filmed while volunteering at PSF on our blog http://www.thelongwayup.info or alternately my website for just the vids. Norma’s story is especially touching, this is one family PSF are trying to help but there are so many more in dia need.
    Cheers, if you wanna chat about anything else, email me.
    Good luck x sorry for lengthy message.. ;P

    September 1, 2011 at 4:48 pm

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12. 

    crazy sexy fun traveler

    Sounds like a lot of fun! In case of the plan B, u’ll have a crazy giant giving you more WTF moments
    crazy sexy fun traveler recently posted..BOGOTA – GIVE IT A CHANCE

    September 1, 2011 at 5:41 pm

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13. 

    Christine

    Best of luck on your new adventure! Looking forward to following it.

    September 4, 2011 at 6:48 am

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14. 

    Jasmine

    If you go to Montanita, visit my friends at their restaurant called Carpe Diem di Verdi, they are awesome people.

    If you’re going to the jungle, head to Puerto Misahualli – it’s the craziest little town with a river beach and naughty monkeys running around everywhere.
    Jasmine recently posted..The Best of San Cristóbal de las Casas

    September 5, 2011 at 4:02 pm

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15. 

    Dave

    I’ve only spent 3 months in Ecuador so far, but I’m loving Banos whereas Quito was more the obligatory capital city stop. The people are just so friendly, you can’t be oblivious to pickpockets, but there’s a much safer feeling here then in Quito.

    Plus it’s cheaper. I could stay in my private room at Hostel Erupcion for a month easy (at $10/night with a big breakfast included).

    And for a little pueblo, Banos has a bunch of discotecas. The town swells on the weekend as Ecuadorians visit from all around the country.

    I’m heading to Montanita next, but from what I’ve heard, it’s more a place to surf and smoke weed (without hassle) then a picturesque beach. On the plus side, lots of girls from Guayaquil head to Montanita to party on the weekends.

    Talk to Troy Floyd about living in Quito, he spent 8 months there.

    September 5, 2011 at 5:02 pm

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16. 

    Edward

    Considering Ecuador is a hot tourist destination, you’ll find a variety of beautiful women there, often Latin American women. You can try visiting Costa Rica. You are really lucky to be going into that kind of trip. Don’t forget to post some pictures of your finds.
    Edward recently posted..How To Seduce A Woman

    September 12, 2011 at 1:09 am

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17. 

    Ayngelina

    I really like you have a focus for each stage of your travels. I need to get focused like that.

    I do hope you love Ecuador as much as I did. You’ll be a giant there! But the people are wonderfully friendly and if you have any questions just let me know.
    Ayngelina recently posted..A taste of Nova Scotia

    September 14, 2011 at 4:54 pm

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