Planning a Trip to South America

Last year I was meant to be travelling around South America, visiting Brazil, climbing Machu Picchu and chilling on the beaches in Colombia, this all got cancelled due to Covid but I’m still planning on doing some of this adventure when it’s safe to do so. We spent a lot of time planning where to visit, when and what to take with you. Here are some tips if you are planning a trip to South America:

How Long Should You Spend in South America?

South America is massive, you either have to schedule a long trip or split up your trip into shorter holidays focusing on one or two countries. You’ll also need to take into account the slow transportation options that affect certain areas of the continent. As you plan your trip, you should be thinking in terms of months rather than weeks or days, assuming you want to see multiple countries, or different regions. 

When Should You Go to South America?

Although most of South America’s population lives south of the equator it’s not as simple as inverting our own weather patterns for this continent. Some areas suffer from tropical monsoons, in Colombia this is between April to May and October to November. It’s cold in Chile and Argentina during our summer and warm during our winter. Do your research on each country before you go so you can plan which month to visit.

Stay Safe

Certain areas of South America can be quite dangerous, there are reports of thefts or even kidnappings so do your research when planning where to visit. When you visit leave expensive jewellery at home and be mindful about getting out your camera or phone whilst out and about. Avoid dark alleys and walking alone late at night and beware of dodgy taxis.

Climbing Machu Picchu

This is a bucket list experience for many people but can also be a big challenge. To prepare for this you should start exercising, talking long walks and getting used to climbing uphill by doing hikes or walking up and down many stairs. Many people experience altitude sickness whilst on the hike and this can stop people from making it to the top. It is worth buying some oxygen cans from Oxygen Concentrator UK these will help you when you are struggling with altitude sickness. It’s also a good idea to arrive early and spend a few days exploring Cusco before so you can get acclimatised to the high altitude. 

Wildlife Watching

South America has a very diverse range of wildlife viewing opportunities. Visit the Galapagos islands to see a plethora of birdlife, the Giant Galapagos tortoise, sea lions and Galapagos penguins. Spend the night in a Peruvian jungle lodge and go on some jungle walks to look for monkeys and capybara and spot an array of birdlife such as parrots, kingfishers and toucans. Patagonia also boasts magnificent wildlife including flamingos, sea birds, guanacos, elephant seals and whales.

*This is a collaborative post, all opinions remain my own*