How to Travel in South America

From the wilderness of Patagonia to the mystery of the Amazon; the beaches of Brazil and the exciting cities of Bueons Aires and Lima; Machu Picchu, Galapagos and thundering Iguazu; South America is certainly a fantastic travel destination. Travelling in South America can be a daunting task. The distances are vast, English is rarely spoken, and there are such a lot of places to visit. How you travel will depend a lot on your level of comfort, budget and time limits.

Backpacking / Independent: South America is an alluring place for people who don't mind roughing it a little, are short on cash and have a lot of time on their hands. A little bit of Spanish and Portuguese and a friendly smile can go a long way. Travelling independently in South America can take you off the beaten track and into some unforgettable situations. The distances involved in a South America trip, and some of the difficult terrain, mean that travelling in South America on the cheap requires a lot of patience.

Organized and Independent Combinations: This is an ideal option for people who are comfortable with travel but would like some help with specific parts of their trip. Some aspects of travel in South America can be more difficult than others. A seasoned traveler might not have much difficulty visiting Buenos Aires, but will find it a lot more challenging to travel across unpredictable Bolivia. A local agent can help to buy train tickets to Machu Picchu in advance, organize a trek to remote Ausangate, or help find the right hotel in Chiclayo, Peru.

Group Tour: There are a variety of group tours from overland buses, to very comfortable options. Group tours can include combinations of air and land transport with hotels of all classes from budget hostels to 5 star hotels. Group tours will have a set departure date and a set itinerary. The tour might stick to one country or region, or cover many countries; from Machu Picchu to Rio via The Salt Flats of Bolivia, for example. A group tour in South America is a good option if you want to meet other people. Group tours tend to be provided by international companies who run trips all over the world. For this reason, group tours are unlikely to be cheaper than a private tour.

Whichever option you take, you are sure to have an unforgettable vacation visiting such exciting destinations as Rio, Galapagos, Iguazu, the Amazon, Patagonia and Buenos Aires.

Group and Private Combination: If you want the security and flexibility of a private tour, but are happy to join up with other travelers occasionally, then this is a good choice. On this combination tour, your travel agent will work closely with you to plan exactly the itinerary you want. You get picked up and do most of your travelling on your own. For some day tours or treks, though, you will join other people in a small group. Some places are more suitable for group tours than others. For example, it simply doesn't make sense to go rafting privately, or to take the boat under the Iguazu Falls without other people. Taking local tours in a group can make your trip a lot more economical, and are a good way of meeting people - without having to be stuck with them for the entire vacation!

Private Tours: This is surely the ideal way to travel. As with the combination tours, you can plan your own vacation exactly how you like. Visit where you like for as long as you like, staying in your choice of accommodation type. The difference is that your daily tours are also private. This is an excellent choice for families and people with special interests. On your tours you have a private guide; you can take a detour when you like, spend longer at an interesting site and ask as many questions as you like. If you are visiting Machu Picchu, for example, and have a special interest in the Incas, then this is a good option. On private and customized tours, the world is your oyster! Indulge in whatever feel like and at your own pace. Perfect for people who are short on time but want a vacation full of experiences.

Whichever way you chose to organize your South America vacation, you are sure to have an unforgettable travel experience.

Karen Ward uses her years of experience of living and travelling in Latin America to plan customized, private and combination tours at [http://www.intolatinamerica.com]Into Latin America. Find out how Karen can put together the perfect private or combination tour for less than a group tour [http://www.intolatinamerica.com]here

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