Things to know, going to Latin America: Tips experienced traveler

Travels / by admin / December 19, 2019

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Natalia Shcherbatyuk

Traveler, photographer, writer. Author of three books on the travels of Latin America, Southeast Asia, Russia and the Caucasus.

Latin America is worth a visit, if only because that life, culture, nature, city, beautiful, the food is different from the usual Eurasian. And, of course, I want to see more of all, since there was going to.

For two months I was able to go from Havana to the Strait of Magellan on Panamerikane (Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Chile), and return back to the Atlantic coast and the center of the continent (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Cuba).

Training

If you are going to Latin America, you will definitely come in handy:

Insurance for all countries to be visited.
At least a small amount of cash dollars (and euros better for Cuba).
Electric adapter (there is universal for any country).
Activated carbon (or liquor) for the disinfection of the digestive system. I still have been vaccinated against hepatitis B and yellow fever.
Drugs against malaria (it is better to buy in the area where this attack is possible, I do not come in handy).

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A guide, e.g. such.
Kindness, ability to smile and agree.

Most South American countries - visa-free for Russians, which greatly facilitates the life of a traveler.

Flight to Latin America

I would recommend a flight from Moscow to Havana, as this is usually the budget option. Do I need a return ticket or a ticket to a third country.

can also be seen tickets Moscow - Casablanca - Sao Paulo or Moscow - Lisbon - Sao Paulo. Popular tourist destinations for Russians - is Mexico (need a visa) and the Dominican Republic, try to find a charter ticket.

Cuba - the island from which you can not swim away, you can just fly away. For example, in Quito.

buses

This is the most budget way to movements of Latin America.

In poor countries, the buses will be late. Strong. For example, in Bolivia, I once waited for transport to three hours.

Has time booked in the bus, as tickets are not refundable.

Moving by bus, keep in mind that the transportation is carried out by private companies, and the central bus stations are not everywhere. If they are, it will have to pay a little extra for access to the platform to the landing site, as well as for luggage. Therefore, specify where traffic goes in this direction.

Buses themselves often old and may break down on the road, they do not have toilets. On mountain roads (and they're all mountain) will be at the top of the cold. If you come out to stretch their legs at an intermediate stop, do not be surprised that your place will be taken, as submitted by you things (even garbage) will disappear. Just let the invader, it's your place and ask to return the property.

All the way, will be showing films. Loud. Even at night. If there is a task get enough sleep, Choose a sleeping place in the bus, called cama.

In Chile (and Argentina, too) do not go to far distances. The country is a long, 40-hour bus - a common occurrence. However, this is not the best solution, although you can choose beds and hot meals, included in the price. Just the body need to walk, not to sit by the window.

The border between Peru and Ecuador, it is not necessary to move to the coaches. It is better to get to the border, cross it and go to the other vehicle. Specify in advance the work stations. Some may be closed due to weather conditions.

Moving to the more economically advanced and expensive Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, accompanied by multiple border inspection and seizure of products prohibited for carriage from poor countries.

Spanish language

Due to the conquistadors in the majority of countries in Latin America, except for Brazil and Portuguese-speaking some French colonies, people speak Spanish. Of course, in different areas has its buzzwords and things can be different. Accents are very different. Mine, for example, was ideal for Chile there are a lot of immigrants from Eastern Europe.

Before the trip, you can see the course of 16 video lessons of 45 minutes:

Basically, if you only know English, it will not disappear. I come across folks who did not speak on it, but only, for example, the native Japanese or Italian, and nothing like something moved and absorbed new sensations. But for me personally, the inability to discuss whatever you want - the discomfort and motivator to learn a new language.

In my experience, a good idea - to learn Spanish in the capital of Ecuador. There are many schools, very humane prices and programs. More language schools are good that they will organize events for students. There you can meet great guys, have fun and talk in Spanish. I took a personal intensity for three days, and then, moving in buses during daylight days, repeated material, practiced in a conversation with neighbors and nowhere could not escape from loud films.

If you travel alone, to learn a new language much easier because you have no other options to him to speak.

When I was a few times in two months traveling met compatriots experienced orgasm language: it's so cool when you know absolutely everything that you say, and you can answer.

communication

Great idea - kauchsorfing. Not necessarily live in the host country, you can just with someone local to talk about the city or take a walk together to interesting places.

I was traveling alone, so the use of the hostel: there is always a company of interesting people, and safe.

Latinos - friendly people who always show the way, warned of the danger, and if they have time, and chat.

After moving from Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, a country where the ethnic composition diluted immigrants from Europe, you You feel that you no longer stare from moving sights you become just traveler. And you are still all be happy to talk, but the conversation becomes more relaxed and highly intelligent.

Better not distributed to the right and to the left with your personal data and contacts, if you do not want to one day get the crowd unexpected guests at home.

Precautionary measures

Do not, under any circumstances, I would not advise to visit Venezuela: it is very dangerous.
Be careful in the dark time. The company of the same male travelers holding, for example, from the hostel or language school - a good idea for an evening stroll.
Be prepared for the fact that the hot water - a luxury. And who is first come, and sneakers - it does not matter, you're staying in a hotel or hostel.
Careful with ATMs: your credit card is able to scan and try to steal money from it. Insurance against theft of your bank - not a bad idea.
Be mentally prepared for information and bank cards blocked. Have on hand a spare card, bank customer service number, a little cache in dollars.
Let the backpack will always be water and some small snack (Even cookies) just in case.
In poor countries, carry a toilet paper.
Always check how much time in that city, where you come from: it can be the difference in time zones. Once own carelessness cost me $ 100 (ticket price for missing the bus).
Be careful with cakes and fresh juice bags have beautiful grandmothers in ponchos and felt hats. It's delicious, but fraught, even if everyone else is safely absorb. They are accustomed to such food.
Listen to your body's reactions to the unusual climate, food, as well as the elevation. Take care of health, do not overdo it. I, for example, all the time in the high (and Latin America - is the Cordillera, the Andes and continuous records for altitude in the Guinness Book of Records) pierced on sweets, desserts although I do not like, and I had to feed itself with carbohydrates. In Bolivia, I have a little dizzy and reddened eyes.
Ecuadorian and Peruvian jungle, which are called "jungle" - a perfect place for different extreme adventures. But go there in the company of trusted people, see reviews.
If you manage to take part in the volunteer program, be prepared for the fact that, most likely, Internet and electricity will not be there at all, or be a little, and living conditions will be worse declared.
If, for example, in Ecuador you zaglyuchil laptop, do not throw away: in Peru, probably him feel better.

Features of the different countries

Cuba

Cuba is good in itself and in order to acclimatize, get used to a different way of life, start to absorb the Spanish language.

From the Havana airport it is always possible to get cheaper, finding the company of the same passengers. They are also likely to go somewhere in the neighborhood of Old Havana.

In Cuba, be prepared for the fact that people are very sociable and be with yourself there is almost impossible. But any problem introvert - a new opportunity. For example, find out what Cubans think about the Soviet Union, its revolution, education, go away, to dance salsa on the Malecon and experience life as it felt cheerful and temperamental Cubans. They are very open-minded people - to the point that offer a hand and heart and then discuss its move to you.

Cubans are not spoiled by creature comforts, so they are easy to please, giving the detergent, shampoo, USB-flash drive, or simply paying with dollars.

For tourists, Cuba - expensive country with special currency cookies. But having her, you realize how incredibly cheap, you can live in the local peso.

In Havana, you can live in the hotel, and even better - in the casa particular (hotel on the house). Even if you did not find a place to stay, walk the streets looking for the icon casa particular necessarily bring results.

Near Havana has excellent beaches. Bus or taxi as vintage cars whisk you there in 20 minutes.

In total I spent in Havana for seven days, and I was not bored. Also in Cuba, you can see more of the city and beaches. For this there is public transport (which will be late), taxi, rent a car.

Ecuador

Compared with nowhere hurrying, dancing and drinking cocktails Havana, the capital of Ecuador, Quito seems hyperactive child in the cradle of the mountains. There is a beautiful Old Town, the mountains around and a lot of interesting places, where it is easy for one to two hours to get on the buses. Very cheap and varied in every sense.

In Ecuador budget the most expensive place - this is the Galapagos Islands, but they are worth. Planes fly from Quito or coastal Guyaakilya. Near the coast are many beach resorts to suit all tastes.

Ecuador Switzerland - Baños town with thermal springs, volcanoes, jungles, waterfalls, spa and weight of extreme adventure.

Peru

Mancora near the Ecuadorian border - beach-get-together. In general, all the Peruvian coast is perfect for surfing. It is believed that here the longest wave.

Next to Trujillo many interesting pre-historic ruins and monuments under the open sky.

In Lima, I feel that produce fog. There's vintage cheap hotels in the center of the old town and the beautiful modern district of Miraflores. Cocktail "Pisco sour" taste begin in the capital of Peru.

Cuzco - the ancient and very beautiful city, from which starts the transfer to Machu Picchu, Titicaca. Machu Picchu - the most expensive tourist destinations of the country, which certainly need to see! Lake Titicaca is interesting to explore the way of life and just very beautiful.

Arequipa - the third largest city in Peru, in which the stunning old center. From here, or from Ica go to the Colca Canyon.

Try tea made from coca leaves, it tones, it helps to adapt to the highland. Ceviche - it's sliced fresh raw fish and seafood under the lemon-pepper sauce, super! A more Peruvians eat guinea pigs and llamas.

Chile

It seemed to me that the Chileans (chilenos) mentality is very close to us.

National parks here - a separate spectacle with deserts, geysers (San Pedro de Atacama), volcanoes, glaciers, sea lions, penguins, the pristine lakes (Patagonia).

I beg you, to visit the Valparaiso - a colorful city in a two-hour drive from the capital Santiago. I fell in love with him at first sight. Nearby there are several more authentic on the coast.

Do not neglect the fishing markets: they cook excellent simple meal of fresh catch, complementing the misted glass of Chilean dry.

On the Strait of Magellan located wonderful city of Punta Arenas. From or Argentine Ushuaia, you can equip the Antarctic.

Argentina

When will find yourself in Argentina, eat steaks and burgers, even the New York compared to them - the younger brothers. And the Argentine wine, in my opinion, come up just for their meat: there are a lot of tannins, but the astringency is very suitable to the dishes.

On occasion visit on the Valdes Peninsula, listen to whales. Visit the wineries of Mendoza.

Poglazov for such spacious, with high winds, tango and architecture, brought everywhere, Buenos Aires. Be sure to get to the Iguazu waterfalls, they are not in vain is considered a miracle of light.

Bolivia

After weighing all the pros and cons, go to Bolivia, even if the arguments against the edge. Are you anything like this anywhere else in the world will not see.

Ignore the fact that there is no asphalt, the buses are late for a few hours and they can carry pets. Look out the window at me every five minutes, fantastic scenery and memorable.

After all the turmoil of the Bolivian tourist Uyuni salt desert near and La Paz will be a luxurious reward for ridiculous money. There you can eat and relax in a human. And then again to perform the feat, ride a bike on the road of death, or taken away in an abandoned mine.

And you can just walk around the biggest city in any output with essential holiday in honor of the Catholic saint, ornate Bolivians and folk music.

aftertaste

When you return home, you will be pleased to remember the trip and did not believe that it happened to you. However, some of my friends so imbued with South America that were left there to live happily ever after.

Traveling to new places - it's a great opportunity to broaden my horizons, to get perfect experience, meet great people, make the stock fascinating stories and great to spend time. Good luck! Bon suerte!