Pour notre second grand voyage (après la Thailande, résumé sur le site), nous nous orientons vers les amériques.
Et là... Nous nous heurtons à l'impossibilité de budgétiser notre voyage...
Comme nous prévoyons un troisième grand voyage en 2010, le budget pour 2009 n'est pas illimité :(. Bref, nous cherchons le voyage le moins cher, entre Chili, Argentine et Costa Rica (ou alors Canada, mais je posterai dans la rubrique adéquate)
Aussi, je m'adresse aux voyageurs confirmés que vous êtes pour éclairer nos lanternes!
Voici donc les bases de notre voyage :
Départ n'importe quand entre entre mi septembre et mi-décembre
Durée sur place : 3 semaines, plus ou moins.
Déplacements prévus : trains, bus ou compagnies aériennes internes si le budget le permet
Hébergement : en chambre de deux (puisqu'on est... 2, y en a qui suivent), chez l'habitant ou ailleurs, mais... si possible, des sanitaires pour nous... et de l'eau chaude!
Visites : nous sommes plus marchés que musées... même si nous n'y sommes pas radicalement opposés.
Climat : On ne se cache pas qu'on voyage pour trouver le soleil et la température clémente qui nous manque dans notre Belgique Chérie mais néanmoins Pluvieuse...
Voilà, si quelqu'un peut nous aider à savoir combien ca coute, à la journée ou à la semaine, dans les deux pays cités (Chili ou Argentine), nous vous en serons éternellement reconnaissants!
Ah oui, dernières petites choses... on sait qu'on n'est pas des vrais routards, que le vrai voyage c'est sous la tente blablabla... Ben nous ne prétendons pas en être :) Nous avons juste envie de voyager...
Le Chili, temps extremement instable au Sud en cette saison. A faire uniquement pour la nature et la randonnee, sinon peu d'interet. Possible sur 20 euros par jour et par personne. L'Argentine est maintenant devenue plus chere, surtout pour les chambres.
Le Costa Rica est dans les memes prix. La aussi, la saison des pluies ne se termine que vers novembre decembre.
Pour les marches, la couleur locale, il y a plein d'autres pays plus appropries comme la Bolivie, le Perou, le Nicaragua, ...
A vrai dire, nous ne voyagons pas pour marcher pendant des jours dans la pampa :)
Mr Miaouw est très "campagne-étendues vides-végétation" et moi, très "ville-villages-gens" donc nous cherchons un truc équilibré qui nous permette à tous les deux d'avoir notre "dose".
Donc, tu nous dis que le Chili c'est que "vertes prairies", surtout dans le sud, du sud.
Ceci dit, p-e qu'en 2 ou 3 semaines, il serait plus intéressant pour nous de cibler une région et de la faire à notre aise plutot que de parcourir en courant tout le pays? Si nous nous limitions au nord, le climat est-il plus clément?
Quel est "le bon" moment pour le Chili (existe-t-il un bon moment?).
Pour l'Argentine, là aussi nous pensons nous limiter à quelques régions pour ne pas courir comme des malades, après tout, ce sont des vacances! Tu dis que c'est plus cher mais dans quelle proportion?
Le costa rica est dans les 20 EUR/jour ou plus cher?
A vrai dire, nous n'avons même pas regardé les autres pays cités, mais nous ne sommes absolument pas contraire à la découverte... Nous revenons de Thailande et nous avons juste envie de découvrir un autre coin, une autre culture... As-tu d'autres infos?
Nous sommes allées au Chili 3 semaines du 17 nov au 8 déc 2007. Nous avons parcouru le pays de Puerto Montt (nord de la Patagonie) à San pedro de atacama.
Logement en hospedaje, hostel, jamais de dortoirs ni camping.
Trajets en bus.
repas dans des cantinas ou petits restos ou pique nique.
Peu de visites dans les musées, nous n'avons jamais pris de guide sauf à San pedro de Atacama. Attention l'entrée des parcs au Chili est payantemais pas très chère.
climat : environ 15-20 degrés dans la région des lacs. 25°C à Santiago et atacama.
1 journée de pluie en 3 semaines
Pour 3 semaines nous avons payé environ 1500 euros par personnes (avion compris environ 900 euros)
Si vous allez au Chili je vous conseillerai de partir le plus tard possible comme nous ou en décembre. Avantage: l'été approche donc le temps n'est pas trop mal et les vacances scolaires ne sont pas encore commencée. les prix sont donc moins élevées et il n'y a pas trop de monde.
Il est clair qu'à cette période il n'est pas conseillé d'aller en Patagonie, le temps y est trop incertain.
Par rapport à ce que vous nous indiquez (goût pour les grands espaces+ marchés typiques+ voyage pas cher), je vous conseillerais également de faire une petite recherche sur la Bolivie ou le Pérou...Ce sont des pays fabuleux, bon marché, beaucoup moins chers que l'Argentine et le Chili (le budget de 20 euros pour le Chili me semble très très bas, vraiment...).
Un bémol, certes: les températures, qui sont beaucoup moins clémentes que dans d'autres endroits (mais plus clémentes en journée que dans le grand Sud...)
De rien!
Si vous aimez le tango alors c'est sur que l'Argentine sera l'idéal!
Je ne connais pas le temps à cette période mais ça ne doit pas être trop mal sauf bien sur pour la Patagonie.
En tout cas peut importe le choix ce sera certainement un superbe voyage.
profitez en bien
En tant qu'ancienne danseuse, je ne peux que me ranger à cet argument (des problèmes de santé m'ont fait arrêter...) 😉.
Disons que l'Argentine est à mes yeux un peu plus européenne que d'autres pays, mais en allant dans la région de Salta, tu trouveras sans doute les marchés et l'authenticité que tu recherches...
La meilleure période? Difficile de répondre, vue l'étendue du pays, du tropique du Capricorne au grand Sud...🙂. Décembre est la période idéale pour la Patagonie, mais pas pour Salta et Iguaçu (début de la saison des pluies). Donc octobre-novembre, ce sera bien, sans doute.
le costa-rica c'est cher j'ai passé 1 mois la-bas et avec 20 euro par jour tu faits pas grand chose la bouf est cher et tres moyenne l acceuil est mauvais et les sourires inexistant ca n'empeche pas que le pays reste magnifique ...
C'est difficile de budgetiser, cela dépend tellement de votre manière de voyager, le degré de confort que vous souhaitez (une chambre avec sanitaires et eau chaude, cela va de 10 à 200 euros 😄)...et des régions où vous irez...
D'après mon expérience et ma manière de voyager, le budget en Argentine (si l'on reste dans le nord) est supérieur au Pérou, à la Bolivie et l'Equateur, mais inférieur au Brésil. Plus cher que la Thaïlande, c'est sûr.
Mais de là à te dire combien cela peut coûter, avec l'inflation en plus, c'est difficile...
au Chili, en pesos chiliens, en janvier et février 2009 : bus Valparaiso / Temuco, semi-cama Pullman : 16 800 bus Puerto Montt / Santiago, normal Tur-Bus : 18 000 (était à 10 000 la semaine d'avant ...) bus (du coin) Temuco / Puerto Saavedras : 1 500 micro Valparaiso : 500 bus Pucon / Puerto Montt : 7 000 resto partout : 5 000 (un plat qui suffit bien à remplir l'estomac, fruit de mer, poissons, etc ...), encore moins chère et meilleur dans les marchés (Valparaiso, Puerto Montt) chambre à Puerto Montt : 6 000 avec petit déjeuner + eau chaude + salle de bain privée + vue sur la mer chambre à Ancud : 6 000 chambres : entre 6 000 et 10 000 vous avez votre salle de bain pour vous sans problème, entre Valparaiso et Chiloé), le sud du Chili est plus cher (9 000 en dortoir) bière fraîche en terrasse, partout : 1 000 1 ticket de métro à Santiago : 460 aux heures de pointe billet avion Puerto Montt / Punta Arenas : 39 000 (attention, c'était une promo mais c'est pour dire que cela existe !!) entrée parc Torres del Paine : 15 000 entrée parc La Campana : 2 000
Voici quelques indices. Il paraît que le nord du Chili est encore moins cher, et que l'Argentine encore moins cher !!! (sauf le sud de l'Argentine, El Calafate, cher, mais pour le glacier Perito Moreno, rien n'est trop cher ... il y a même le soleil ...)
Mon budget de 6 semaines au Chili (sans le billet d'avion) : 1 400 euros, dont 400 euros de bateau Puerto Natales / Puerto Montt, les cadeaux pour la famille et les bijoux/sacs à main en tissus magnifiques ..., le billet d'avion Puerto Montt/Punta Arenas, le passage de 4 jours en Argentine (Sud) qui est très chère, et beaucoup de bus et toutes les nuits au chaud avec eau chaude et petit déjeuner.
Je pense que pour le Chili (entre Valparaiso et Punta Arenas) il faut compter 20 euros en moyenne par jour (dodo, manger, bus, excursions), en haute saison (janvier/février).
Attention, le cours du pesos chilien était très variable d'un jour à l'autre ces derniers mois.
Il est dit que le Chili est cher, mais c'est quand même moins cher qu'en France où les transports sont hors de prix ; impossible pour moi de traverser la France comme je viens de traverser tout le sud du Chili avec un budget mensuel de transport qui d'habitude me sert à payer l'essence pour aller bosser et des sandwiches tout secs à la pause déjeuner ... et je ne vous parle pas du paysage incomparable !!!
Une solution : faire le nord du Chili et un tour en Argentine !!
Hi there, we’ve decided to head to Brazil at the end of March for 2.5 weeks with our 13-year-old son. From what I’ve gathered from some research, Rio seems like a great destination at this time of year, and I’m thinking around 4-5 days to explore it—does that sound right to you? Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, maybe a favela tour, or any other ideas?
How’s the best way to get around locally? I’ve heard about Bonito or Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande—what do you think of those? Fernando de Noronha for snorkeling or even diving? Is Recife a good option at this time of year?
If you’ve got any suggestions, we’re all ears—it’s for our 50th birthdays! :-) Thanks so much for your help and tips. See you soon.
It's decided—2027 will be Brazil, in the summer (unless you advise against it 😕). From what I’ve read, the weather’s okay, even if it’s a bit chilly for swimming. We’re going, as always, as a group of four, with our teens. 🙂
We’d be looking at a solid two weeks, at least 14 days on the ground. I’m planning way ahead to nail down an itinerary and book our flight tickets (the prices I’m seeing already are freaking me out…).
From my research, I’ve come across some classic routes: Rio/Iguazu/Paraty/Ilha Grande.
Roughly: 4 days in Rio, 2 in Iguazu, 2 in Paraty, and 3 on Ilha Verde. That’d leave us one more stop on the trip.
Since we like to end with a "chill" stop for the kids,
My questions:
- Is Ilha Verde worth it this time of year? I’ve read that swimming might not be an option—water’s too cold… So not ideal for a chill/relaxing destination?
- How should we round out the trip in the South? São Paulo? Another stop along the Costa Verde?
- Wouldn’t it make more sense to head up to the Northeast, where it’s warmer, like Salvador de Bahia?
But Salvador raises other questions:
- Are there flights from Iguazu to Salvador?
- And for the return to France, would we have to connect through Rio or São Paulo from Salvador?
- Any suggestions for places to stay around Salvador?
Thanks for your input—I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I go along. 😉
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’m looking for recent info on a boat trip with sleeping accommodations from Belém to Santarém. I don’t want a "luxury cruise for wealthy tourists"—just a bed with a minimum of comfort seems great to me🙂. I didn’t find any up-to-date details with Amazon Star. Do you have any companies, guides, or prices for this route to recommend?
I’d love to hear tips and feedback on this trip, especially since I’m traveling solo. I’d like to get a sense of what to expect and ensure some basic safety with transportation.
Thanks.
Hi everyone,
We’re planning 40 days in Uruguay and Argentina in February and March, trying to avoid as much rain as possible.
We’re thinking of starting in Buenos Aires, then heading to Bariloche, and from there flying to Córdoba, Mendoza, or Salta. Maybe by bus or renting a car to explore each region.
Do you have any suggestions or tips for us? We love picturesque, historic cities and landscapes. As seasoned travelers, we’re used to planning our trips ourselves.
Thanks in advance!
We’ve planned our road trip in Chile, and the only thing left is to book the TABSA ferry from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams.
Problem: the ferry that leaves Punta Arenas at 1 AM isn’t available for booking, no matter the day or month. All the other departures can be booked, though.
On top of that, Tabsa isn’t responding to any messages.
We’re planning to explore Peru’s main highlights and were wondering if anyone could share insights on the quality and comfort of overnight buses. If so, which bus company should we trust?
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Brazil from November 6th to December 2nd. We’ll be stopping in São Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Rio, and Salvador de Bahia.
Could you recommend some nice, non-luxury places to stay in each of these spots?
Also, any suggestions for places to visit would be great.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Marc
Hi there.
I already posted a message asking for advice about our upcoming trip to Chile.
Details: Getting around by bus or train.
Starting from Valparaiso, heading north, passing through cities and places to visit, then returning to Santiago via a different route.
Avoid the beaches...
Thanks
Hello,
my wife and I will be in Cusco for a week in March 2027.
I’d like to organize the visit to the site on our own, combining the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
We’d leave Cusco on Day 1 to arrive at the site in the morning, then stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, and on Day 2 return to Cusco while visiting the Sacred Valley.
Is this doable?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Rio between February 20 and March 15, 2027, to visit our son and daughter-in-law. We’re thinking of one or two "escapes" from Rio—3-day trips to get away from the city (so not too far, max 3–4 hours by car or bus). We’re all ears for suggestions! We love beautiful nature and authentic experiences, not so much the touristy spots... even though those spots are often in beautiful places, we’d rather avoid them.
Thanks for your insights!
Catherine
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip with my partner (no kids this time—thanks, Grandma!) for two weeks to celebrate her 40th birthday. I’ve been thinking about Chile. We’re looking at leaving around September 18, 2027, starting in the south and returning in early April.
Here’s what I had in mind:
8 nights in a van in the Lake District and the start of the Carretera Austral (up to the Chaitén area). We’re set to arrive in Puerto Montt around 2:00 PM. We don’t want to go too far south since we’re planning to explore the heart of Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) with the kids when they’re older. The idea is to spend 3 nights discovering the lakes (up to Cochamó) and 3 nights in Pumalín Park. I’ve also added two transition nights.
7 nights in the Atacama to experience another side of Chile (San Pedro), taking a domestic flight from Puerto Montt to Calama in the early afternoon. We’ll depart for France in the early evening from Santiago.
IMPORTANT NOTICE for those planning to take a bus to another city, state, or destination from Salvador!
Starting January 20, 2026, the intercity bus station Rodoviária is changing its address!
The Rodoviária is leaving the Iguatemi area and will now be located in ÁGUAS CLARAS (about twenty kilometers from downtown Salvador).
A brand-new station (the most modern in Brazil) has just been set up there, accessible by car/taxi/Uber/metro.
Allow for much more transfer time (especially during rush hours), so leave early if you're heading to Chapada Diamantina or other Brazilian cities by bus.
Remember, there are also private transfers (even French-speaking ones) that can take you directly from your hotel in Salvador to your hotel in Chapada. Sure, it’ll be more expensive, but you’ll save on transfer time and comfort.
Tropical greetings from Salvador,
@ivanbahiaguide
Loyal member of the French-Speaking Brazil Forums for over 15 years already 😊 🇧🇷
Hello,
We’re thinking of spending 1 month in Chile, maybe doing a loop?
From 12/23 to 01/22.
What are the must-see sights, given we’re more interested in the country’s cultural side than the beaches?
Thanks
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 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.
