Travel Cheap, Central or South America for July & Aug 08

[aileenclarke333]

Hi everyone,

I have two months to spend travelling in either south or central America this summer. I do not want to plan too much as I want to experience the few places I go to fully, instead of rushing through many destinations.

I am on a small enough budget and want to know which countries would give me lots to do and see in that time without breaking the bank. I was thinking of Guatemala, Belize and Panama. Or Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru etc. I'm just dying to get away and all the places sound so appealing to me .

I'm a geography teacher so am keen to visit all areas and I also love to party so the nightlife must be good.

I appreciate any information you can give me. I just want to get it booked and start looking forward to it !!!

Thanks a million for any help .
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Aileen

[jabroni79]

For the nightlife and the time you have, Brazil and Argentina would be good choices. The dollar is still strong in Argentina ($1 = 3 Argentian Pesos) and in Brazil ($1 = 1.76 Brazilian Reais). You could go to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and the Amazon.

[aileenclarke333]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. My friend is just back from Columbia and she said she spent very little money there and did loads in comparison to when she was in Brazil and spent a fortune. I would really love to go to Brazil though.... Could I do it cheap? Ahhhh! I can't decide!
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Aileen

[jabroni79]

The exchange rate in Colombia is better than in Brazil ($1 - 1.93 Colombian Pesos). I hear that tourism has picked up in Colombia and that security has gotten better. The only cities where you would probably spend more money than average are Rio and Sao Paulo. Rooms in Rio are the most expensive part. Stay at a hostel would be cheaper than staying at a hotel.

I would do so research on the two countries. If you want a 30 min. - 1 hr. review of either countries, I would watch the episodes of the Travel Channel shows, 5 Takes Latin America and Samantha Brown's Passport to Latin America, where they go to Colombia and Brazil.

[aileenclarke333]

That's brilliant, thanks. I'm more pushed towards Columbia now to be honest and thinkng of maybe seeing some of Equador if I do go there.

If not South I will go to Guatemala and Honduras in Central. Do you know anything about these and if so which would you choose between those and the above? Which would be best weather, cheaper etc?

Getting really excited now!
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Aileen

[jabroni79]

Sorry, I do not know anything about Central America. For Central America, you should try Lonely Planet's forum, Thorn Tree. They have more people knowledgeable on the subject of Central America.

[jmoneyatl7]

Colombia is an awesome country. You'll have a great time and not spend too much money. You have to go to Cartagena and Bogota. Stay away from the small towns and anything in the central or southern part of the country. Otherwise anything on the coast is really beautiful and safe. I'm going this summer!

[aileenclarke333]

Hey that's brilliant help, thanks!

I've booked my flights anyway, flying in and out fo Quito for July and August. Going to do some of Columbia as well and am really tempted to do the Galapagos now seeing as I'm so close! Its expensive though ...

What's ur itinerary? Any other travel tips or must sees for Ecuador and Columbia? I've bought the Lonely Planet, south america on a shoe-string guide and its been great:).
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Aileen