Hello, I’m currently in Belém (Brazil) and I’m planning to take a boat to Manaus (I’ll first go to Santarém in 3 days). I’d love to get some info and contacts in Manaus for hiking, canoe trips, and more. Thanks a bunch!

Hi everyone, I’d love to explore Colombia next winter and, of course, I’m really keen to discover the country’s natural wonders. However, I know that despite impressive progress, there are still security issues in Colombia, and that remote mountainous forest areas were once favored by guerrillas and drug traffickers as hideouts. I assume things are different now. I’m well aware that big cities like Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena require extra vigilance, but that seems pretty normal in itself.

But I’d like to know if it’s possible—and safe enough—to rent a car and explore the national parks and nature reserves on my own, without a guide (such as Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, Parque Nacional Natural Páramo de Iguaque, Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de los Yariguíes, Pico Cristóbal Colón, etc.).

Of course, I’m also aware of the dangerous wildlife (pumas, jaguars, snakes, spiders, crocs, etc.), but that’s another story.

Thanks for your replies! :-)

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, 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!

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, 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.

We’re just back from a 2-week tour of the Northeast; we booked our flight tickets ourselves and landed in Fortaleza. From there, we used an agency to handle our circuit all the way to São Luís. It was an incredible adventure—flawless organization, no hiccups, and landscapes that felt like another planet. We rarely use agencies, but we don’t regret it at all. Given all the 4x4s, buggies, and boats we took, it would’ve been impossible to do it on our own, at least for the full route we covered. Our wishes were respected, the accommodations matched our requests, and we had a fantastic French-speaking guide for the last 5 days. If you’d like more details, just ask!

Hello, On our way back from Punta Arenas, we’ll be staying in Santiago for 4 days before heading home. Could you recommend any places to stay and neighborhoods in Santiago that are budget-friendly, please? We’d also like to visit Valparaíso despite some safety concerns. Is it better to hire a guide or book a organized tour from Santiago? Or can we plan it independently? Can this be done in a day? Thanks, Odile

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 everyone, We’re heading to Easter Island in January for 8 days. We’d love any tips— -bike or scooter rental? -hikes on foot -activities like kayaking or snorkeling -must-visit spots Thanks so much in advance!

Good evening, We're leaving from January 26 to February 7 with our two kids, aged 23 and 27. I'm hoping to visit Iguazu, Rio, Ilha Grande, or Cabo Frio. I have a few questions. - Should we visit Rio with a guide, considering we want to explore favelas and hike to reach the main sites? And how many days should we plan for it? - How many days for Ilha Grande, and is the weather favorable during this period? Is it a must-see? - What do you think of Cabo Frio? In terms of organization, is it better to visit Iguazu at the beginning, middle, or end of our stay, departing from São Paulo or Rio? We haven’t bought our flight tickets yet, so I can arrange to arrive or depart from Rio/São Paulo. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and opinions!

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.

Check out all my tips in the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKmKFux4fpQ

And remember: in Argentina, don’t exchange money on weekends—unless you want your cash to melt like snow in the sun!

Safe travels, and see you on the road! Hergé

Hi there, I’m looking for advice on a semi-independent two-week trip to Peru. We’re not big fans of group tours and love exploring off the beaten path. Is October a good time to avoid the crowds? Thanks in advance for your tips! !

Hi there, We’re planning a trip for two to explore part of Bolivia in a rental car from La Paz. To avoid joining a tour, is it possible to drive across the Uyuni Salt Flats in a rented car?

If so, is there an extra cost, and do we need to book a 4x4 or an SUV?

If not, I’m thinking of renting a standard car for the paved roads and taking a 2-day/1-night tour from Uyuni instead!

What do you think? Thanks for your tips. Arnale

Hello everyone, I'm just starting to plan a two-week trip I'd like to take with my wife in early May. This trip would include the Atacama Desert, which I was lucky enough to visit alone once and would love to experience again with her. But I'd like to add one or two other places to visit, keeping in mind that we're much more into nature than cities. I was thinking about part of adjacent Bolivia... but since we'll have already seen quite a few stunning high-altitude lakes around Atacama, what would be some interesting and very different spots? We would have loved to include Peru as well, but it might be tricky to combine in just two weeks. I'll go through the many posts on this forum, but if any of you have some tempting ideas for this time of year (late April - early May), I'm all ears. Thanks! :)

Hi there, We’re planning a month-long (or longer) trip to Colombia next February. We’re thinking of getting around by bus or taxi. For part of the trip, we’ve decided to start in Bogotá, then head to Villa de Leyva, then Barichara and the Chicamocha Canyon, and finally arrive in Bucaramanga to catch a flight to Medellín. If bus routes aren’t available, is it easy to find taxis in the villages or at hotels? Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone!

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

8-Laguna Miñiques & Miscanti + Salar de Talar + Laguna Tuyajto

9-Geysers El Tatio early in the morning + Cañón de Guatín + return car

10-Excursion to Salar de Uyuni

11-Excursion to Salar de Uyuni

12-Excursion to Salar de Uyuni

13-Excursion to Salar de Uyuni + return to San Pedro for the night

14-Bus to Calama + flight Calama-La Serena + explore La Serena

15-Excursion to Reserva Pingüino + bonus time (sunset at Playa Tongoy or elsewhere...)

16-Rent a car in Pisco Elqui & Vicuña + Observatory

17-Return car in La Serena + flight Santiago & Puerto Montt (4h)

18-Rent a 4x2 car + drive to Temuco (4h)

19-Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello + hike + night in Temuco

20-Parque Nacional Conguillío then drive and night in Pucón

21-Villarrica Volcano

22-Parque Huerquehue

23-Activities on-site

24-Drive to Valdivia + explore and night there

25-Drive to Puerto Varas (via Frutillar, etc.) + activities on-site

26-Salto Las Cascadas + Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales (Salto del Petrohué) + Canoeing/Rafting?

27-Drive to Parque Alerce Andino (round trip 3h) + hike Sendero Sargazo?

28-Drive to Castro + explore Chiloé and night in Castro

29-Explore Chiloé

30-Explore Chiloé + return to Puerto Varas

31-Drive to Cochamó (1h30) + drive to Hornopirén (2h30)

32-Ferry to Caleta Gonzalo + drive to Chaitén (1h20)

33-Parque Nacional Pumalín, night in Chaitén

34-Drive to Puyuhuapi + Sendero Ventisquero Yelcho?

35-Ventisquero Colgante + drive to Coyhaique

36-Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo

37-Hike Cerro Castillo

38-Drive to Puerto Río Tranquilo

39-Excursion to Glaciar Exploradores

40-Mármol Cathedral + lake activities

41-Drive to Cochrane

42-Parque Patagonia

43-Drive to Chile Chico

44-Ferry Chile Chico-Ibañez + drive to Coyhaique + drop off car

45-Flight to Punta Arenas (1h30) + explore the city

46-Rent a car + drive to Puerto Natales

47-Drive to Torres del Paine in the morning + hike to the base of the towers (return to Puerto Natales for the night)

48-Torres del Paine hike 2 (return to Puerto Natales for the night)

49-Torres del Paine hike 3 (return to Puerto Natales for the night)

50-Drive to Punta Arenas

51-Flight Punta Arenas-Santiago + flight Santiago-Buenos Aires (2h)

52-Explore Buenos Aires

53-Explore Buenos Aires

54-Explore Buenos Aires

55-Flight back to France

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 everyone, here’s a little trip report from San José del Guaviare, in the Guaviare department of Colombia.

First, the journey: an overnight bus from Bogotá. The bus terminal is a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport (30,000 COP). The bus company that goes down to San José is Flota Macarena, located in sector 2 of the terminal. The bus terminal is big, with plenty of places to eat and lots of little shops. The bus seats are pretty small but manageable—comfortable enough. We left at 10:30 PM and arrived around 7:00 AM the next morning.

First thing to note: the center of San José, right by the river, is really dirty, noisy, and not very pleasant. We stayed at Hotel Malecon, by the river, where the Malecon promenade is supposed to be the nice spot to walk along the river. Well, no—it’s completely abandoned, with trash everywhere. The hotel itself is in what we nicknamed the "scrap metal district," since that’s pretty much all you see—scrap yards and garages. Not exactly pleasant and kind of sketchy at first glance. A room with AC and a balcony at Hotel Malecon costs 120,000 COP per night. For one night, it was fine since we hadn’t booked anything in advance. After that, we moved to an Airbnb in the neighborhood with the soccer stadium—a really nice and quiet area. The little tip here is that there’s a pool behind the stadium—8,000 COP to swim, and there’s a bar right across the street. Honestly, it’s great to have a place to cool off because it was *really* hot in San José.

Now, let’s talk about the main attraction here: the natural sites. We visited Puerta de Orión (free entry, but the guide—mandatory—costs 10,000 COP per person), the natural pools (15,000 COP entry), Balneario La Lindosa (5,000 COP to swim), and Las Delicias waterfall (10,000 COP)—that last one was our favorite. The sites are really cool, and I’d definitely recommend visiting them. It’s pure nature out there.

For accommodations, a lot of places are located outside San José, near the tourist sites. At first, we wanted to stay out there, but without a car, it’s a real hassle. So if you’re not driving, stick to San José.

Getting to all these sites by taxi costs around 30,000 COP one way, except for Las Delicias waterfall, which is farther away—70,000 COP one way. Taxis within the urban area of San José cost 6,000 COP. The bus from San José to Villavicencio with Flota Macarena costs 78,000 COP and takes between 5 and 6 hours.

To wrap up, our 5 days in San José were really great. We were pleasantly surprised by how friendly the people there are—it really stands out.

So if you’re looking for a spot that’s still off the mass-tourism radar, come here! It’s nice, and there are plenty of other sites we didn’t get to see.

Hi there, I’m planning our trip to Peru in September-October. Flights are booked, itinerary is pretty much set, but... after hearing about recent attacks on the river (Iquitos)—apparently around ten—I’m having second thoughts. It’s my husband’s dream to spend a few days in the jungle. I know if we read all the official travel advisories, we’d never go anywhere (no info on the government site, but I saw something on a forum). Has anyone been there recently? How did it feel? Is Iquitos sketchy? Thanks for your help! Patricia

Hello,

For our trip in September 2025 from mid-September to early October (3 weeks), we’ve planned 8 days in San Pedro, then a transit night in Santiago, 8 days in Chilean Patagonia, and 3 days for Santiago/Valparaíso before heading back. Is it possible to easily explore with a rental car from a lodge based in Puerto Natales, including visiting Torres del Paine National Park? Or does that mean too much driving in a day, or would it be better to plan an overnight stay in the park or nearby?

We applied for our international driver’s permit in January 2025 for September, hoping to get it in time—I checked the forum about this. Regarding the car rental, do we really need a credit card (not debit) in the main driver’s name for the deposit?

How far in advance should we book entry tickets to the national parks for this period?

Best regards,

Odile

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 16-night solo trip to Colombia (July 27 → August 13, 2026) and would love feedback from those who’ve been before I book everything. I’ve mapped out the day-by-day schedule so you can point out anything that doesn’t add up.

My profile: 36 years old, lucky enough to have traveled quite a bit already. I’m looking for a balance of discovery and chill time, fun evenings to meet people, nature, and a little scuba diving (tank). Departing from Bordeaux.

— THE ITINERARY —

* D1 (07/27) – Arrival in Bogotá at 1:40 PM, domestic flight to the coffee region right after, arriving in Salento in the evening

* D2 (07/28) – Salento: Cocora Valley (big loop), coffee farm, horseback ride...

* D3 (07/29) – Salento: Carbonera Valley (seems less touristy than Cocora) or Filandia, village

* D4 (07/30) – Flight Pereira→Medellín. Settle in El Poblado, evening out

* D5 (07/31) – Medellín: Day trip to Guatapé (Peñol Rock + village + lake)

* D6 (08/01) – Medellín: Guided tour of Comuna 3, metro cable...

* D7 (08/02) – Medellín: Botanical Garden, Botero Plaza, Memory Museum. Last night out

* D8 (08/03) – Flight Medellín→Santa Marta, drive to Finca La Selvita (Sierra Nevada, km 52). Eco-lodge, natural pools

* D9 (08/04) – Finca La Selvita: Cocoa experience, jungle, chill

* D10 (08/05) – Shuttle Santa Marta→Cartagena. Getsemaní, old town, city walls

* D11 (08/06) – Cartagena: Rosario Islands excursion (snorkeling, beach)

* D12 (08/07) – Cartagena: Castillo San Felipe, Getsemaní, food scene

* D13 (08/08) – Boat to Isla Múcura (San Bernardo archipelago). Settle in, snorkeling

* D14 (08/09) – Isla Múcura: Diving in the morning, archipelago tour (Tintipán + Santa Cruz del Islote), bioluminescent plankton in the evening

* D15 (08/10) – Isla Múcura: Second dive, relaxation

* D16 (08/11) – Return boat, buffer night in Cartagena before the flight

* D17 (08/12) – Chill morning in Cartagena, then flight Cartagena→Bogotá and Bogotá→Europe in the evening

— MY QUESTIONS —

1. Does the logistics seem realistic, or are there any routes I’m underestimating? (Especially Salento→Pereira→Medellín and Santa Marta→Cartagena)

2. Isla Múcura for a solo traveler looking for calm + diving: good choice, or would another island in the archipelago be better (Tintipán, Rincón del Mar)?

3. I preferred Finca La Selvita over Tayrona (less tiring, more original): am I missing out on Tayrona for no good reason?

4. Four nights in Medellín—too much or justified with the Guatapé day trip?

5. Any must-see I’ve overlooked?

Thanks in advance—your feedback will help a ton! 😊 François

Hi everyone, I’m restarting my travel reports with my 2023 trip that took me from Costa Rica to Suriname over a month and a half.

First stop: Costa Rica. I arrived in late September in San José, a city I know well and never linger in. As soon as I got off the early-morning flight, I headed to the domestic airport—just a 5-minute walk away—to catch a 45-minute flight to Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast. The 40-minute flight in a small Cessna was fun, especially since we landed on a tiny airstrip right by the sea—it felt like landing on the beach, which immediately set the mood. Plus, I wasn’t keen on enduring the 4–5-hour bus ride to Cahuita, especially since large sections of the road were under renovation. In Cahuita (where I’ve been going every year since 2015), I stayed at Kenaki Lodge on Playa Grande. It’s a great lodge, about a 45-minute walk from Cahuita’s center, but you’re just 50 meters from the beach and usually have it all to yourself. The lodge is run by Béa, a Frenchwoman, and depending on the season, you can help release baby turtles on the beach. The room was 55 €, very spacious, and you can use the outdoor kitchen. I’d recommend it for anyone looking for peace and quiet and a private beach.

After 5 days there, I flew to Cartagena but didn’t stay overnight. Instead, I headed straight to Rincón del Mar, a 3-hour bus ride from CTG. I’d mostly heard about it from a friend who lives there and runs El Ché, a beachfront restaurant. Rincón del Mar is a tiny seaside village, very peaceful, with a pretty nice beach. There are lots of small hotels and restaurants, and it’s a spot that’s likely to grow quickly in the coming years. Note: there’s no ATM there, so you’ll need to withdraw cash in San Onofre, about 30 minutes away by moto-taxi. The round trip costs around 25,000 COP. That’s also where you catch the bus to Cartagena. For accommodations, rooms were roughly 70,000–90,000 COP, with a so-so value for the price. As for things to do, I’d recommend the tour that takes you to watch the sunset in front of Bird Island, followed by a swim in a lagoon with bioluminescent plankton. The excursion (if I remember correctly) cost around 90,000 COP.

After a week in Rincón del Mar, I headed back to Cartagena and decided to fly to Yopal to visit the Río Meta. In Yopal, you’ll need to go to the bus terminal (10 minutes by taxi from the airport). From there, I took a bus to Orocué (50,000 COP) for about a 4-hour trip—it felt endless because the road was in terrible condition. Orocué is a tiny town on the banks of the Río Meta, but it has all the essentials (hotels, restaurants, ATMs). It’s lovely to stroll along the river at sunset. There are a few small bars, the area is very natural, the sunsets are stunning, and when there are distant storms, it’s just breathtaking. For lodging, I stayed at Hotel Brisas de San Miguel. It wasn’t bad—fan-cooled room for 70,000 COP. There were quite a few mosquitoes. I spent 3 days in Orocué. If you want to swim, head to the bridge (the only one), Cano San Miguel, and on the right, there’s a swimming spot. With the heat, it’s a great way to cool off.

From Orocué, I took a fast *lancha* (boat) up the Río Meta to Puerto Carreño, in the Vichada department at the far end of Colombia. This brings you to the majestic Orinoco River, right across from Venezuela. The boat ride is long—10 hours—and costs about 60 €. We left around 6 AM, with a few stops for bathroom breaks and meals along the way. But you *must* book your spot 1–2 days in advance. To do that, go to the small square above the dock—there’s a "navigation office" there. The trip was long but enjoyable. I never get tired of river journeys.

I was happy to finally arrive in Puerto Carreño, a small border town with Venezuela. No surprise that half the population was Venezuelan. In Puerto Carreño, I stayed at Hotel Delfines del Orinoco. The room was 80,000 COP, decent, with A/C, and the best part was the pool. I spent 2 nights there. One thing you *must* do—morning and evening—is hike to the top of Cerro de la Bandera (the *cerros* are huge rock formations typical of the Orinoco region, and there are many in the area). From the summit, you get amazing 360° views of the savanna and jungle. Sunrise is especially incredible. The trail is well-marked—from downtown Puerto Carreño, it takes about 20 minutes.

Next, I spent 3 nights at Rancho Barú. About an hour by boat from Puerto Carreño, you get off at Casuarito, and someone from the lodge picks you up by motorcycle for a 30-minute ride. The ranch is in the middle of the savanna, with a river/rapids beach just a 5-minute walk away. You can also fish—bites come quickly. For the lodge, one night (room or hammock) with shared bathrooms, three meals included, one excursion, plus the round-trip motorcycle ride costs 245,000 COP. An extra night without an excursion is around 100,000 COP, but you need to let the lodge know in advance so they can prepare enough food—there’s absolutely nothing for miles around.

After those 3 great days at the ranch, I took a canoe to cross into Venezuela, since Casuarito is right across from Puerto Ayacucho. The crossing costs 10,000 COP, but I got shaken down by Venezuelan immigration, who invented a violation and made me pay $40 USD. Puerto Ayacucho didn’t inspire me much. The city felt sketchy, with many hotels closed. Dealing with currency exchange was the hardest part—you *must* bring cash (USD or Colombian pesos), know the exchange rate, and find someone with enough money to exchange with you. It took me at least 2 hours. I stayed in a decent hotel downtown for $20 USD a night, but I’ll admit that going out at night—even in Puerto Ayacucho—felt pretty dodgy. All the buildings have bars on the windows, and there weren’t many people outside. I didn’t linger and found my plans to continue south too complicated. The next day, I took a bus across the country to the Brazilian border at Santa Elena de Uairén. The trip took a day and a night, with countless military checkpoints where they made everyone get off, unload all the luggage, etc. Not exactly a fun ride.

Photos: - 2 sunrises near the Orocué dock - Storm over the savanna at Rancho Barú - View of the savanna and Orinoco near Casuarito - Photo taken during the Río Meta boat trip

Hi everyone,

Next April, I’m planning a trip (the 1st) to Brazil. I’ll have 12 days there (not counting the 13th day for the return). I’ll arrive on 22/04 in the early evening in Rio de Janeiro. The return flight is from São Paulo on 04/05 in the afternoon. I know 12 days is very little for such a big country, which is why I’ll focus on a relatively small area: the southeast (though "small" is relative!). I’ve started mapping out the main stops for my trip, which would be: - Rio de Janeiro: 4 to 5 days? - Ilha Grande and maybe Paraty: 2 to 3 days - Iguazu Falls: Brazilian and Argentinian sides: 2 days - São Paulo: 1 to 2 days

What do you think? Is this reasonable? There are about 250/260 km between Rio and Paraty. I’d like to make the trip by rental car. What do you think? A car is definitely much more practical and faster than the bus. 12/13 days is short—I can’t afford to lose too much time in transit. To get to Ilha Grande, I understand there’s a ferry that shuttles between the mainland and the island. From which city can you take the ferry? Mangaratiba? Conceição de Jacareí? Angra dos Reis? If I arrive by rental car, where can I park it? I think cars are banned on the island, right? That’s where I’m at with my planning. So many questions! 😕 A big thank you to anyone who takes the time to read my post and shares their valuable tips! 🙂

Hello,

We’re thinking about our next destination for June 2026, and northern Brazil seems like a great option for that time of year.

We were considering a 15-day trip from Fortaleza to São Luís (or the other way around), but I’m worried it might not offer enough variety in terms of sights and landscapes. We were thinking of doing a trek in Lençóis Park, visiting Jericoacoara, the Parnaíba Delta, etc.).

The other option would be to take a domestic flight and add the Salvador de Bahia region and Chapada Diamantina, but that would require about 3 weeks.

Do you think exploring the coast between Fortaleza and São Luís is enough for a trip if we don’t kitesurf? Or is it better to combine this part of the country with another region (Salvador? The Amazon?)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Have a great day

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip to Argentina in February. I’ll be starting from Buenos Aires and want to do a loop that goes through Salta and Mendoza before returning to Buenos Aires. I’m still undecided on the direction: • Buenos Aires → Mendoza → Salta → Buenos Aires or • Buenos Aires → Salta → Mendoza → Buenos Aires.

I plan to explore each region, alternating between buses and a rental car.

In your opinion, which direction makes more sense for this itinerary (climate, roads, logistics, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for your tips! !

Hello,

I’ve planned a 3.5-week trip to Chile in February/March 2025, with the goal of driving the Carretera Austral from Puerto Montt to Caleta Tortel in a rented 4x4. The itinerary is set, accommodations are booked, and the 4x4 is reserved. We could still tweak things a bit, but it’s getting harder to find available lodging in some spots.

Here’s the planned route: - 1 night in Puerto Montt on arrival day - 2 nights in Castro (Chiloé Island) - 2 nights near Ensenada - 1 night in Horniporén - 1 night in Chaitén - 3 nights in Puyuhuapi - 2 nights in Coyhaique - 3 nights between Puerto Bertrand and Cochrane - 2 nights in Caleta Tortel - 3 nights in Puerto Guadal - 1 night in Chile Chico (to take the ferry across the lake) - 1 night in Villa Cerro Castillo before flying out from Balmaceda

I have a few questions about the activities we’d like to do:

The **Marble Caves**: I’d love an option that lets us "go inside" them. From what I’ve read, this depends on the water level, wind, and type of boat. Any tips or advice? We’d like to do an **excursion to see condors**. We were thinking of doing this while in Coyhaique (we’re staying 2 nights). Has anyone done this? With which agency? We’re spending 3 nights between Puerto Bertrand and Cochrane. The idea is to **explore the vast Patagonia Park and its wildlife**. But I’m not sure where to start. Any recommendations for day hikes or itineraries? I read somewhere that you can do a day trip with a guide that includes a boat ride on Lake Cochrane, but I can’t find the booking info. An agency for **glacier exploration** (we were thinking of **Lake Leones Glacier**). I contacted Ruta León but haven’t heard back. Any agencies to recommend?

Thanks so much! Pascale

Bonjour, qui connaitrait l' agence Ventura Travel Agency (et non ventura travel)? apres de nombreuses recherches, devis, c est la seule qui propose Uyuni à un prix raisonnable en réunissant tous les critères ; tranfert jusqu à la frontiere, hébergement en chambre privée, tarif très correct. Les autres, (guides et agences) proposent soit en chambre non privée, soit sans le tranfert jusqu'à la frontiere, soit tarif bien trop excessif ; mais je souhaiterais avoir des avis sur cette agence. Merci à tous Voir moins

Hello, We’re a retired couple planning a trip to Colombia in January 2026. We’ve been reading the current travel advisories for the country, and they’re quite alarming. Do you have any recommendations for trustworthy local tour agencies we could contact to help organize visits to safe areas? Thanks so much.

Hello everyone, This coming November, I’ll be joining my family who lives in Villarrica, and I’d love to take the opportunity to climb the volcano. I’ve been dreaming of doing it with my 16-year-old little brother, who’s in excellent physical shape and very athletic. However, after checking out the "reputable" booking sites, I noticed that most guides systematically refuse anyone under 18, with no possibility of an exception—even though I’d be fully prepared to take full responsibility. I think that’s really too bad. Do any of you know if there are any serious agencies or guides who accept young people who are at least 16? Your feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! 😊