d'ici quelques mois, je pars pour un périple de plus de six en Amérique du Sud. Je commence par l'Equateur. Mon but est non seulement de découvrir les cultures mais aussi de très bien maîtriser la langue.
Ayant un niveau intermédiaire, je veux commencer par prendre 15 jours de cours à Quito (si possible)
Je suis donc à la recherche d'une école, ou autre pour avoir de solides connaissances.
Devant la multitude d'écoles je suis plutôt perdu et en appelle à vos connaissances.
Sachant que j'ai 44 ans, je souhaiterais éviter d'être le seul de mon âge. En plus, je souhaite être en immersion donc si possible loger chez l'habitant et éviter au maximum le contact avec des personnes parlant anglais ou français.
Sur l'avenue Amazonas (et dans le quartier de la Mariscal d'une façon générale), il existe quelques établissements. Je peux vous envoyer des coordonnées si intéressé...
Il y a aussi la possibilité de faire de la colocation sur Quito pour une immersion culturelle avec différentes nationalités ;
Danyflore, m'a déjà déjà fait parvenir des contacts mais je suis preneur de toutes les informations possibles sur la possibilité d'étudier.
Ainsi que sur celle de me loger en immersion.
Une fois guider par vos conseils et ceux de danyflore, il me sera d'autant plus facile de choisir
Merci de votre aide
Bonjour,
Je suis de très près vos messages car vous connaissez bien le terrain !
Je souhaite trouver une école de langues à Quito, 2 semaines en janvier.
Je crois que vous avez des adresses à proposer, je suis preneuse !
Pour l'instant, j'ai consulté SIMON BOLIVAR et COLON SPANISH SCHOOL mais ils proposent essentiellement du one to one et SIMON BOLIVAR est franchement chère.
Merci de votre réponse.
Bonsoir,
Je vous ai envoyé un message privé concernant votre recherche.
Cordialement,
Danyflore.
Bonsoir Danyflore,
Je me permets de vous contacter car j'ai exactement le même projet que Monop56 ! Je pars en Équateur le 30 août prochain, et pour 6 mois en Amérique du Sud, et je souhaite prendre au moins 2 semaines de cours en arrivant (à Quito, voire une semaine dans une autre ville), en immersion si possible. Je suis débutante et j'ai la cinquantaine, j'aimerais également ne pas me retrouver au milieu de trop jeunes gens 😉 Je suis donc preneuse de vos conseils et bonnes adresses :)
Tout comme Monop, je suis à la recherche d'un endroit pour prendre des cours d'espagnol à mon arrivée en Équateur. Je serais ravie d'avoir vos conseils et bonnes adresses 😏 Un grand merci d'avance !
Vous cherchez des cours en groupe ? C'est pas mal pour rencontrer du monde aussi (et des gens de votre niveau d'espagnol). Il y a pour ça la Católica par exemple, mais ce sont des cours sur 2 mois.
Si vous cherchez des cours individuels il y a des instituts dans le centre et la Mariscal un peu partout. Vous pouvez tenter votre chance à la Banana Spanish School ou à Don Quijote.
Merci beaucoup pour vos conseils. J'aimerais plutôt suivre des cours en (tout petit) groupe, c'est plus stimulant je trouve ! Mais pas de cours sur 2 mois. Je pense que 2 ou 3 semaines me suffirais pour dégrossir avant la suite de monvoyage.
Je vais regarder ce que propose la Banana Spanish School. En effet, je sais qu'il y a pléthore d'écoles à Quito, c'est pour cela que je cherche à avoir des recommandations plutôt que de me lancer totalement au hasard. Et j'aimerais plutôt une "petite" école plutôt qu'une grosse machine (ce qui me paraît être un peu le cas pour Don Quijote, qui plus est plutôt chère comme école !).
Merci en tout cas de m'aider dans mes recherches !
J'étais en Equateur en janv-fév 2017. J'ai passé deux semaines à QUITO à la YANAPUMA SPANISH SCHOOL située dans le Quito historique (que, personnellement, je préfère à la Mariscal) . C'est une petite école qui est également impliquée dans des actions caritatives auprès surtout des populations amérindiennes (on peut amener ses vêtements ou autres à donner si on veut...) et a également une petite agence de voyages qui propose des balades à la journée ou des séjours plus longs (je suis partie avec eux pour une semaine aux Galapagos et une autre semaine que j'avais organisée moi-même, coût quasi identique).
Il y a 5 ou 6 salles de classe et autant de profs, une cuisine où on peut prendre un thé/café offert par "la maison", on peut avoir accès à un ordi (j'avais demandé à mon prof qui m'a prêté le sien).
La seule chose c'est qu'en janv-fév il y a peu de monde et j'étais seule en cours. Ce n'est pas ce que je recherchais. Mais je pense qu'au moment où tu pars ce sera différent.
J'ai un souvenir très fort de l'Equateur, j'ai bcp aimé ce pays.
Si tu as des questions, je peux essayer d'y répondre en fonction de ce que j'ai vécu.
Merci Claudine pour ton retour détaillé. J'avais déjà repéré cette école, je vais aller regarder cela de plus près. C'est vrai qu'être situé dans le Quito historique est un vrai plus sans doute ! Logeais-tu également dans le secteur ? Es-tu passée par l'école pour ton hébergement ? As-tu choisi cette école une fois arrivée à Quito ou bien avais-tu réservé via leur site internet ?
J'aurais sans doute d'autres questions à poser concernant l'Équateur, que je ne connais pas du tout mais que je pressens que je vais aimer 😉 Si tu as des bonnes adresses à me transmettre d'hébergements, activités, contacts, etc. dans ce pays, je les accepterais avec grand plaisir !
Je suis passée par l"école qui m'a trouvé un hébergement chez Mariana Herrera que je recommande : elle est accueillante, alerte (elle adore marcher et faire visiter Quito à ses hôtes qui le désirent), elle aime bien cuisiner avec des recettes locales.... Elle est à 10 mn en bus de l'école et 30 mn à pied.
Depuis Quito, je recommande MINDO si tu aimes la végétation luxuriante et les animaux qui l'habitent (2 jours), OTAVALO (1 journée). L'école peut t'organiser cela. Bcp à voir aussi dans Quito même. J'ai bcp aimé le musée GUAYASAMIN dans un bel écran de verdure. Le quartier de GUAPULO. Le JARDIN BOTANIQUE.
J'ai passé 6 semaines sur place : 2 à Quito, 2 aux Galapagos, et 2 à descendre l'allée des Volcans depuis Quito (Latacunga, lac Quilotoa) jusqu'à Alausi et retour vers Banos et 1 semaine à PUYO au PASEO ECOLOGICO DE LOS MONOS où j'ai participé à l'entretien du sanctuaire (bénévoles bienvenus et lieu très intéressant).
C'est trop court..................
Merci beaucoup Max pour toutes ces infos, dont je prends bonne note. Je suis allée voir le site du paseo ecologico de los monos me semble un bel endroit en effet pour faire du volontariat. Je note ça dans mes adresses 😉
Je prévois de passer environ 6 mois en Amérique du Sud, avant de faire la traversée Santiago du Chili-île de Pâques- Nouvelle Zélande. Je n'ai aucun programme précis, cela dépendra du feeling, des rencontres, etc., mais je sens que je vais passer un p'tit bout de temps en Équateur 😉
D'ailleurs, j'ai lu sur le site de l'ambassade qu'il fallait justifier d'un billet de sortie du territoire dans la limite de l'exemption de visa, billet que je n'ai évidemment pas puisque je poursuivrais ma route en transports locaux. Un tuyau à partager à ce sujet (un site sur lequel il serait possible d'acheter un billet de bus vers le Pérou, par exemple...) ?
Même si je ne suis pas fan de ces solutions, vous avez des sites web qui permettent d'émettre de faux billets. Sinon, sur d'autres sites, il est possible d'en acheter un et de l'annuler 48 heures après sans frais. Beaucoup de backpackers font comme ça pour les voyages de longue durée pour garder de la flexibilité 😉
Pour les billets de bus vers le Pérou, vous avez les compagnies Cruz del Sur CIFA Internacional ou encore Cooperativa Loja depuis Guayaquil et Loja. Ca peut être effectivement une bonne solution sachant qu'elles doivent pouvoir accepter de modifier votre réservation avec des frais limités.
Travailler, étudier et vivre à l'étranger › Équateur · 1 reply
Tout comme plusieurs autres, je recherche une école de langue pour janvier en Equateur. j'ai trouvé sur le web, un certain nombre d'école. Mais quelques…
Lu sur El Comercio de Quito daté du 14/09/2018 l'annonce de l'ouverture par Air France d'une liaison directe Paris-Quito, vol low-cost assuré par JOON, à…
J'aimerais savoir si c'est possible de prendre un seul taxi pour toute notre famille (papa, maman, 17ans, 15 ans, 10 ans) à Quito et dans d'autres villes…
Arnaques à éviter en voyage › Équateur · 33 replies
je tiens a signaler et c'est aussi mon devoir de le faire. Le 19 juillet 2017, mon premier jour en Equateur je me suis fait attaquer par trois jeunes, je…
J’ai 69 ans et voyage seule pour un demi tour du monde et j’aimerai des conseils pour un logement agréable à Quito et des idées d’excursion pas trop physique à…
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to southern Chile in November. Here's our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, then a flight the next day to Balmaceda where we'll pick up a rental car to reach Coyhaique.
Day 3: Walk in the Coyhaique National Reserve, then continue to Puerto Chacabuco. Return to Coyhaique for the second night.
Day 4: Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo for a hike in the national park. Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stay there for 3 nights.
Day 5: Boat tour on Laguna San Rafael.
Day 6: Day trip to Monte San Valentin Glacier.
Day 7: Excursion to the Marble Chapels, then drive to Puerto Guadal. We'll stay there for 3 nights.
Day 8: Walk along Lago Carrera and return to Puerto Guadal.
Day 9: Rio Baker Valley and, if possible, a glacier excursion.
Day 10: Drive to Cochrane and hike in Tamango National Reserve. We'll stay 2 nights in Cochrane.
Day 11: Walk in the Chacabuco Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Caleta Tortel. We'll stay there for 2 nights.
Day 13: Cruise in the Rio Baker delta.
Day 14: Return to Cochrane.
Day 15: Return to Balmaceda in two stages.
Day 16: Continue the return journey.
Day 17: Return the rental car and head back to Santiago.
After this, we're also planning to explore northern Santiago. I'll post about that part once I have a clearer idea of the route.
What do you think of this itinerary? Is it doable in 17 days?
Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations.
martine
Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?
Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):
29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá.
30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate.
01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá.
03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento.
04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby?
05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones?
06/12: Flight to Medellín.
07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses?
08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé.
09/12: Return to Medellín.
10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park.
11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance.
12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think?
13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?).
14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao.
15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time.
16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach.
17/12: Return to France.
So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂
Hi there, I’ll be in Brazil from December 10th to the end of February.
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary but I’m not sure how to arrange it—considering the climate, year-end holidays, and Carnival.
Basically, I’m thinking of the Amazon, the Northeast coast with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (but skipping Chapada Diamantina),
Ouro Preto, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—but no Rio visit.
Is this doable in 3 months?
Which direction should I take for this itinerary?
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, does anyone know the agency Ventura Travel Agency (not ventura travel)? After lots of research and quotes, it’s the only one offering Uyuni at a reasonable price while meeting all the criteria: transfer to the border, private-room accommodation, and a very fair rate. Other agencies or guides either offer shared rooms, no border transfer, or prices that are way too high. But I’d love to hear some reviews about this agency. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to Chile to visit the Atacama Desert and then head toward Putre, Lauca, Salar de Surire, etc.
Which would be the better time to go, April or November?
Is an SUV enough?
Looking forward to your tips!
Hi everyone, French travelers in Chile—what credit cards do you use for your various car rentals in the country? I’m traveling in September and was planning to switch my regular debit card (a VISA PREMIER in deferred debit mode) for the deposit guarantee.
My rentals are with Figal in Punta Arenas, Econautos in Arica, and Chilean Rent a Car in Temuco, and all of them want the deposit on a credit card. For me, deferred debit *should* work, but I’ve read comments saying the opposite.
How’s it actually working on the ground with these rental companies right now? Will a deferred debit card work, or not at all?
In France, banks don’t issue credit cards, right—or am I mistaken?
Hi everyone, is it still possible to travel in Ecuador outside the Amazon region? If so, do you have a reliable agency to recommend? All your recent experiences from the past few months would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
Hi,
We’re heading to Buenos Aires for 3 days in November and would like to do a guided tour of a few neighborhoods. There are "free" tours, but none in French. Does anyone have a guide to recommend so we can really get to know the city beyond just the architecture?
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m desperately looking for info on the schedules and routes of (shared) boats to visit the islands of Lake Titicaca.
From what I’ve found, there’s a *combi* (bus) that leaves from Puno to go to Llachon. Where do you catch it? What are the schedules and frequency? Does it take about 1 hour?
Then in Llachon, you can take a boat to Amantani (45 min). Same question—where do you check for frequency and schedule?
After that, from Amantani, boats go to Taquile and then Uros. Do you have enough time to visit the islands between two boats? Frequency and schedule?
The goal is to do this tour independently (no agency) over 2 days. Thanks for any tips you might have!
I just got back from a trip to Bolivia and wow—what a wake-up call. It’s not the easiest country, but it’s absolutely stunning.
I started with Isla del Sol, perfect for easing into the altitude at a relaxed pace. Try to stay in the northern part of the island—it’s quieter and the views are insane. And the trout there? Unreal. Quick tip: bring cash in small bills; they almost never have change, and cards are rarely accepted.
Next up, La Paz. The city’s pretty wild, built in every direction. I did a few hikes in the area, including the famous Charquini Lagoon (the blue lake) at over 5,000 m—let’s just say I struggled 😅 but it was so beautiful it was totally worth it.
After that, I headed to Sajama. It’s cool, especially for the hot springs, and I stayed in Tomarapi. But honestly, if you’re short on time, you can skip it without too many regrets.
The highlight of the trip: the Salar. I did it starting from Tupiza, and I *highly* recommend going Tupiza → Uyuni. Way less crowded at the start and the landscapes are super varied. For the tour, I used SplitYourGuide to find a group, and it worked out great. Super handy for splitting costs and meeting people.
I wrapped up in Sucre—this city is gorgeous, all white, with such a chill vibe. And the salteñas + ice cream? Next level 😋
Bottom line: Bolivia’s a bit rough around the edges, sometimes exhausting (shoutout to the altitude), but it’s 1000% worth it.
If you’ve got questions or need tips, I’m happy to help!
Martin
I was planning to go to Réunion and stay in half-board accommodation with non-professionals, but it seems that’s not really the custom there—or maybe my budget isn’t big enough.
So, since I’ve already traveled around Ecuador and Peru, I’m now looking at Argentina, especially for its mountains (like the ones in Réunion that tempted me, even though—frustratingly—I could only admire them from below).
I plan to get around by bus and don’t know in advance where I’ll sleep, so I won’t book ahead. If I like a place, I might stay for several days.
I know that in Chile, it’s easy to find half-board accommodation, but what about in Argentina?
I’d like to stay with locals in half-board without it being a professional setup. I’m not sure if this is common practice there. It’s up to me to find someone willing to host me.
What do you think?
What would be a fair price (keeping in mind that 40 to 50 € is the max I can spend on accommodation, breakfast, and dinner)?
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Patagonia for three weeks in November, starting from Coyhaique in Chile.
We won’t have a car, and I’m struggling to find information about transportation options for a few parts of the itinerary we’d like to do:
1) From Perito Moreno (the town, near Los Antiguos), we’d like to travel down Ruta 40 to visit Perito Moreno National Park and then cross into Chile via the Paso Roballos (at the latitude of Bajo Caracoles) to reach the road to Cochrane. Without a car, it seems we’ll need to use private agencies to get to the national park—do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Also, does anyone know if it’s possible to cross into Chile via Paso Roballos (from Bajo Caracoles) without a rental car? That is, without having to go all the way down to El Chaltén or back up toward Perito Moreno/Los Antiguos, etc.?
2) The second stretch that seems a bit tricky (though still easier, in theory) is from Caleta Tortel to Villa O’Higgins on the Chilean side. Do we have to go back through Cochrane, or are there ways to get directly from Tortel to Villa O’Higgins?
3) Finally, we’d like to hike into Argentina (El Chaltén) from O’Higgins. Any recommendations for this? Do we need to go through an agency? What’s the estimated duration of the trek?
As you’ve probably gathered, we want to visit some off-the-beaten-path spots but don’t have a car, so we’re looking for the best possible compromises.
Thanks so much in advance for all your suggestions!
Thomas
Hi,
we’re planning a round trip from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, to Salta, Argentina, in two months. On the way there, we’ll take the northern route via Susques, Route 27, then 52. But for the return, we were thinking of taking the southern route via San Antonio de los Cobres, Route 51, then 23. Is it similar to the northern route in terms of road surface? How busy is it, and are there gas stations? Basically, should we be worried about doing it in an SUV that’s supposedly 4x4 but has regular road tires and no second spare wheel, obviously...
I’ve seen that we can stop over in San Antonio de los Cobres.
Thanks for your feedback.
Raf.
Hi,
we’ll be in Calama at the end of March 2026, and I’m looking for a reliable car rental there for a 7-day road trip to Salta, Argentina. But I’m struggling with the car rental agencies in Calama because the reviews can be scary. I saw Gyg, which has great ratings, but I’m a bit wary (5/5 from 59 reviews—either the guy’s amazing or it’s fake...), but I can’t find any recent reviews on VF in general.
For Punta Arenas, I booked with Dachelet and didn’t have any issues with email exchanges.
Thanks in advance.
Raf.
I’m planning the trip of my dreams for next November—Chile!
I’d love to get your thoughts on my potential itinerary. I know it’s a big investment in terms of both time and money, so every bit of feedback, suggestion, or info helps immensely. Thank you in advance!!
1-Flight to Santiago
2-Explore Santiago
3-Explore Santiago
4-Bus from STG to Valpo (2h) + visit Valparaíso + night in Viña
5-Visit Valparaíso + bus back to STG (2h)
6-Flight to Calama + bus to San Pedro + explore and acclimate in San Pedro + car rental in the afternoon (+Chaxa?)
7-(Very early) Valle del Arcoíris + Laguna Cejar + Valle de la Luna
Good evening,
We’d love to go in November to enjoy some beautiful beaches for about two weeks, preferably around Bahia, as November/December seems like a great time.
We’ve already traveled to Brazil several times and know the south of Rio as well as the region between São Luís and Fortaleza, and Chapada Diamantina...
What advice would you give us: the south with Itaparica, Morro de São Paulo, Boipeba, Barra Grande—or all four? Or maybe the north?
Thanks in advance for your help
Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I last posted!
First time in South America for me, my wife, and our 7-year-old son. I’ve put together this itinerary and would love to hear your thoughts:
Bogotá 28/07 – 30/07: Arrival. Which neighborhood and outings would you recommend?
Flight to
2 Filandia 30/07 – 03/08: (255 €). Waterfalls and horseback riding,
Cocora Valley,
Hiking,
Nearby villages.
Flight to
3 Tayrona 03/08 – 07/08: Hotel La Casablanca
Hike with Tierra Nevada and the Kogui village (any feedback?). Return by inner tube for the little one.
Short night hike.
Second hike to La Piscina, etc., return by 🐎.
4 Cartagena 07/08 – 10/08: Air-conditioned bus.
Staying in Getsemaní? Mangroves & the Castle, exploring the city.
5 Bogotá 10/08 – 12/08
Feel free to share your feedback!
Have a great day!
Hi,
During an upcoming trip to Peru, we’ll have one day to explore around Arequipa (excluding Colca Canyon) with a car and driver.
We’ve got a few options:
- Toro Muerto petroglyphs and dinosaur footprints at Querulpa
- Ruta del Sillar and Quebrada de Culebrillas
We’re a group of 6 friends with an average age of 70, all mobile, and we’re planning a trip to Peru in September/October 2026. Below is an idea of what we’re looking for: a French-speaking guide, accommodation in 3-star hotels or homestays with comfort.
Duration: 16 to 20 days on-site.
Visit the main sites with immersion in the culture and way of life.
Which francophone agency in Peru would you recommend? Thanks
Hi there!
I’m putting together my itinerary for Brazil, looking for beautiful natural spots with wildlife, flora, and great hikes...
I’ve come across the Cananeia / Super Agui / Ilha do Mel region and the PETAR / Intervales / Alto Ribeira area.
Has anyone here been to these places? If so, do you have any recommendations for accommodations and activities?
Thanks in advance!
Best,
Olivier 🌍
I’ll be in ARICA in northern Chile at the end of May 2026 and want to get to TACNA.
Are there taxis, buses, or collectivos that run the border crossing route?
After that, bus to AREQUIPA (Peru): any bus company you’d recommend?
Hi there,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Brazil, arriving in São Paulo—a couple plus a teen—and we’ll have a rental car.
We especially love nature: hiking, wildlife watching, birds, etc.
We’re planning to wrap up with a week around Paraty and Ilha Grande.
We’re not really into visiting big cities like São Paulo or Rio unless you think we’d be missing out big time.
So we’ve got 2 weeks to explore the south/southwest region of São Paulo.
What do you recommend?
National parks? Off-the-beaten-path nature spots? Iguazu Falls?
Hi there,
Do you have any recommendations for comfortable accommodation in Leyva and Barichara? We're also looking for a guide to explore the areas around these two towns (parks, waterfalls, etc.).
Thanks for your tips!
I visited Colombia in January 2016 and I’m heading back from August 6th to 17th with the same airline to see how things have changed. Starting August 18th, I’ll continue with independent exploration. I prefer slow travel and enjoying places at my own pace.
Any tips—especially for getting around or must-see spots—are welcome!
Thu Aug 06. Fly Montreal to Bogotá 20:55-04:05+1 Air Canada
Fri Aug 07. Bogotá
Sat Aug 08. Bogotá
Sun Aug 09. Bogotá
Mon Aug 10. Fly Bogotá to Medellín
Tue Aug 11. Medellín - Explore Guatapé
Wed Aug 12. Comuna 8 & Hill of Values - PM Fly to Pereira
Thu Aug 13. Montenegro
Fri Aug 14. Salento - Cocora Valley
Sat Aug 15. Fly to Cartagena
Sun Aug 16. Explore Cartagena
Mon Aug 17. Explore Cartagena
Tue Aug 18. Fly Cartagena to Cali 12:20-14:55 Latam
Wed Aug 19. Cali
Thu Aug 20. Cali
Fri Aug 21. Cali
Sat Aug 22. Bus Cali to Popayán 09:00-13:00
Sun Aug 23. Popayán
Mon Aug 24. Popayán
Tue Aug 25. Popayán - Day trip to Silvia (Market Day)
Wed Aug 26. Overland Popayán to Tierradentro by public transportation 4h, 100km
Thu Aug 27. Tierradentro
Fri Aug 28. Tierradentro
Sat Aug 29. Overland Tierradentro to Garzón via La Plata
Sun Aug 30. Bus Garzón to San Agustín 10:30-13:00
Mon Aug 31. San Agustín
Tue Sep 01. San Agustín
Wed Sep 02. San Agustín
Thu Sep 03. San Agustín
Fri Sep 04. Overland San Agustín to Tatacoa Desert via Neiva
Sat Sep 05. Tatacoa Desert
Sun Sep 06. Fly to Bogotá via Neiva 16:00-17:00 Latam
Mon Sep 07. Bogotá
Tue Sep 08. Fly Bogotá to Montreal 09:00-16:30 Air Canada
Hi there,
Three years ago during a trip to Java (no, I didn’t post in the wrong forum!), I came across the address of former miners who had switched to “tourism” and organized nighttime ascents of the Kawah Ijen volcano and descents into the crater.
So I was thinking—maybe there are miners on the salt flats too, either former or still active, who do the same thing. If you’ve had an experience like this, I’d love any tips you can share.
Thanks in advance.
Hi there, since there isn’t much recent info on how to get to MP, I’d love to know if there have been any improvements to the "route" to Hydroelectrica. Is it feasible to drive there in February? And is it still possible to walk all the way to Aguas Calientes? I think I read somewhere that it’s no longer allowed??
Do you think I can buy Machu Picchu entrance tickets last-minute at that time of year, given the weather?
A group of friends and I are heading to Brazil in March 2019 and we’d love to attend the Carnival parade. I could really use your help because I’m struggling to find reviews for online ticket sellers for Carnival.
I came across rio-carnival—is this a reliable agency?
Do you have other agencies to recommend or experiences to share?
Any advice is welcome.
Everything You Need to Know About Argentina’s Currency Exchange Maze (2026 Edition)
Hi fellow travelers,
Packing your bags for Buenos Aires? Watch out—here, money is a science almost as complex as the dance steps in a tango!
As of March 2026, the situation has shifted dramatically: the "Blue" (parallel) rate is now neck-and-neck with the official rate. To save you from losing your hard-earned euros in bureaucratic mazes or "disastrous" exchange rates, I’ve laced up my reporter boots and hit the famous Calle Florida for you.
In my latest video (and the accompanying article), I take you behind the scenes of currency exchange:
Arbolitos and Cuevas: Who are they, and can you still trust them?
The Rate Showdown: Why Banco Nación is currently the worst place for your savings.
Western Union: Why it’s often your best ally right now.
Cash or Card? The little secret to getting an instant 10–15% discount at restaurants or hotels.
The Bill Trap: Why your 500 € notes or stained dollars might stay in your wallet.
Argentina changes fast—*very* fast (by the end of March, today’s advice might already be old news!). So don’t leave without checking the market’s pulse.
