Bonjour,
quelqu'un connait-il un hotel sûr à Sao Luis, si possible soit près de l'aéroport, soit près du terminal des bus ?
J'arrive vers 23 h le soir, et compte repartir dès le lendemain pour Barreirinhas (je connais déjà Sao Luiz)
Mon budget est de max 20 euros
Merci 🙂
Bonjour.
Pousada do Francês: au centreville, je n'y suis pas encore descendu, mais j'ai des amis qui l'ont fait, ils en ont sorti très satisfaits http://www.marafolia.com/new/index2.php?secao=10&subsecao=ondeficar (lien avec liste assez détaillée des options pour l'hébergement à São Luís)
São Luís - Pousada Portas da Amazonia: au centreville, je ne la connais pas, mais tu peux essayer http://www.tripdaareia.com.br/recomendados/pousada.php3?cd=438 (choisis-la dans la premiède fenêtre déroulante)
Je ne connais pas des hôtels pas chers tout près de l'aéroport.
Après ton retour, j'aimerais savoir où tu as logé, et ton avis.
À bientôt.
🙂merci pour ses infos
je connais de vue la Porta de amazonia, je suis passée devant, mais c'est un peu au-dessus de mes prix. Néanmoins pour une première nuit je suis prête à m'offrir un peu plus de confort (pour me reposer du vol). J'apprécie moyennement Sao Luis, car le centre historique (beau) est un ghetto à touristes à mon avis; (mais c'est la m^me chose à Bruxelles et partout dans le monde)
J'aime par contre beaucoup Manaus
A Sao Luiz, j'avais logé à la Casa Grande il y a 2 ans, (30 reais) mais limite pt de vue confort, très basic et déglingué
Je vais consulter les liens que tu m'as donnés
Je vais pour la 3 e fois au Brésil, et pour la 3e fois au PN Lencois marahenses(Barreirhinas, Atins; Santo Amado et Paulino Neves😛) puis j'irai vers la Ilha do Bananal, que je ne connais pas (si tu as des tuyaux...) puis le Pantanal (pour la 2e fois) et Bonito sans doute si j'ai encore le temps, retour à Brux depuis Soa Paulo (que j'ai déjà visité aussi, ) un mois en tout
Comme tu t'en doutes, je suis fana du Brésil
si tu as des conseils concernant mon itinéraire...
encore merci
Bonne chance dans ton troisième périple brésilien. Les Lençóis et São Luís, je les connais bien - en effet, je suis né à São Luís, bien que j'habite le sud-est brésilien depuis mon tendre âge. Ma femme et moi nous revenons à São Luís de temps en temps.
Este-ce que tu as déjà entendu parler du Bumba-Meu-Boi ? C'est la plus importante fête populaire du Maranhão, elle dépasse de loin l'importance du Carnaval. Elle a lieu le mois de Juin, surtout à la deuxième quinzaine, et s'achève le 29 Juin, le jour où l'on rend hommage à São Pedro. C'est une fête extraordinaire et très spontanée. Si tu as le goût des fêtes populaires, du typique, il faut absolument aller voir. Le Bumba-Meu-Boi se fête aussi aux États de Pará et d'Amazonas.
http://www.rosanevolpatto.trd.br/lendaboibumba1.htmhttp://www.musicexpress.com.br/Artistas/Ubiratan%20Sousa/A%20Alegria%20do%20Boi%20Bunininho/Como%20Eu%20Amo%20o%20Meu%20Boi.mp3
Le dernier lien ci-dessus c'est une musique mp3 Bumba-Meu-Boi. Mais attention, elle ne répresente qu'un parmi les divers genres de la musique Mumba-Meu-Boi. Ces genres (matraca - barrica - orquestra etc), aux nuances très différenciées, se distinguent par les instruments musicaux, la cadence des musiques, la coréographie, et bien sûr les tenues des participants (on les appelle "brincantes" = celui qui "brinca", du verbe "brincar" = jouer).
Peut-être tu sais que c'est la saison des crues au Pantanal, censée ne pas être la meilleure pour cette visite. La crue s'est annoncée cette année plus tôt que d'habitude, il semble qu'elle sera très intense. Bonito jouxte le Pantanal, donc je crains que maintenant les eaux puissent y être troubles, à cause des pluies qui tombent assez copieusement. La meilleure saison pour visiter Bonito va de Juin à Septembre.
Voici ce que m'écrivais Jérôme Siffredi du Brésil (à la fin de ce mail)
Jérôme Siffredi est un ami depuis plusieurs années, et j'ai démarré ma formation de guide de safari en même temps que lui au Campement du Lion en 1992 au Burkina Faso.
Depuis il est devenu un vrai professionnel (classe I à l'Association des Guides de Chasse Professionnels) et partage son temps entre l'Afrique (essentiellement Tanzanie et Zimbabwe) et le Brésil où il réside hors périodes de chasse.
Il a commencé à installer un campement en toile sur l'île du Bananal (2 millions de km2, partagé entre une réserve naturelle et une réserve amérindienne) et il lance le produit pêche à un prix très attractif par rapport aux concurrents pour le lancement.
Il faut trouver un groupe de 4 pêcheurs (chacun sa tente et deux pêcheurs par barque avec le guide). Moi, je ne suis pas pêcheur, mais j'accompagnerais volontiers pour prendre des photos et voir sur le terrain, car Jerôme m'a demandé de le représenter en Europe.
Le Tucunare dont il parle parmi les poissons présents est le Peacock Bass, et il semblerait que ce soit un vrai bonheur à pêcher pour les passionnés.
Il existe des produits similaires dans d'autres zones dans des chalets en bois (Jerôme a aussi l'intention d'en construire), et c'est vendu en moyenne dans les 3000 à 4000 USD le séjour par personne de 6 jours de pêche complets (ce qui fait du 8 à 9 jours sur place). Le prix ne compte pas l'avion pour se rendre sur zone (vol international). Tu devrais trouver toutes les descriptions avec google en cherchant peacock bass.
Jérôme vend le séjour 6600 euros de 1 à 4 pêcheurs pour lancer le produit. Donc à 4, il faut diviser le prix par 4 pour avoir le prix individuel. Il faut ajouter le prix de l'avion (je pense qu'on sera dans les 1000 euros)
La saison de pêche est de juillet à octobre, mais je crois su'il vaut mieux visiter septembre ou octobre du fait que les vols en été sont un peu plus chers.
Merci de me donner ton sentiment,
Amicalement,
Michel Lo
COURRIER DE JEROME
===================
EPOQUE D´AOUT A OCTOBRE 2006
LIEU DE PECHE LE CAMP DE BASE SE SITUE DANS L´ILE FLUVIALE DU BANANAL QUI EST LA PLUS
GRANDE ILE FLUVIALE AU MONDE ( VOIR GUINESS), ELLE FAIT 2
MILLIONS D´HECTARES, UN TIERS DE PARC NATIONAL ET LES
AUTRES DEUX TIERS UNE RESERVE INDIENNE OU VIVENT UN MILLIER
D´INDIENS REPARTIS SUR TOUTE LA RESERVE DONC UNE DENSITE
QUASI NULLE ET UNE PRESSION DE PECHE TRES FAIBLE.
LOGEMENT LES PECHEURS SONT LOGES SOUS DES TENTES INDIVIDUELLES AU BORD DU FLEUVE
FORMOSO OU DANS UN CAMP VOLANT A L´INTERIEUR DE L´ILE.
EQUIPEMENT TOUT L´EQUIPEMENT EST NEUF.
IL COMPREND
TOUT LE NECESSAIRE DE CAMPING, TENTES INDIVIUELLES, MATELAS
DRAPS, HAMAC POUR LA SIESTE, GLACIERES ETC …
1 BARQUE DE 6 METRES AVEC MOTEUR YAMAHA 25 CV
1 BARQUE DE 5 METRES AVEC MOTEUR YAMAHA 15 CV
CHACUNE DES BARQUES EST EQUIPE D´UN MOTEUR ELECTRIQUE
POUR LES APPROCHES SILENCIEUSES.
1 MOTO TOUT TERRAIN HONDA 400 CC
1 MOTO TOUT TERRAIN HONDA 250 CC
1 VEHICULE TOUT TERRAIN 4X4 DOUBLE CABINE
1 VEHICULE DE MARQUE CHEVROLET TOUT TERRAIN STYLE PICK UP
DES CHEVAUX SONT DISPONIBLES SUR LE CAMP DE BASE POUR DES
BALADES.
IL EST PREFERABLE QUE LES PECHEURS VIENNENT AVEC LEUR
EQUIPEMENT, NEANMMOINS EN CAS DE CASSE NOUS AVONS
BEAUCOUP DE MATERIEL SUR PLACE.
POISSONS LA PLUPART DES POISSONS SONT CARNASSIERS DE 2 A 150 KILOS
POUR LES PLUS GROS, SACHANT QUE LE PLUS INTERESSANT AU DIRE
DES PECHEURS AMERICAIN EST LE PEACOCK BASS (TUCUNARE EN
BRESILIEN) QUI EST UN CARNASSIER TRES COMBATIF DE 5 A 6 KILOS
SACHANT QUE LE RECORD MONDIAL EST DE 27 LIVRES SOIT ENVIRON
12 KILOS.
CI-JOINT LA LISTE DES POISSONS EN PORTUGAIS
ARUANA
BARBADO
BICUDA
CACHORRA
CARANHA
CURVINA
JAU
MANDUBE
MATRINCHA
PACU
PIAU
PIRANHA
PIRARARA
PIROSCA
SURUBIM
TRAIRA
TUCUNARE
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.
I live in Quindío and I’ve seen a lot of worried questions since the August earthquake. Here’s an update for those planning a trip to the coffee region.
Tourist sites are operating normally: Salento, the Cocora Valley, Filandia, and Pereira Airport are open and welcoming travelers. The region needs visitors—coming here directly helps the locals.
A few tips to plan your stay:
• Airports: Pereira and Armenia, each about 1 hour from Salento.
• Where to stay: Salento for the vibe and proximity to Cocora, Filandia, or a *finca* near Quimbaya for more tranquility.
• Cocora: Easy to explore independently from Salento, with the Willys (local jeeps) leaving from the square. Go early to avoid crowds.
• La Carbonera: Less known, wilder, and home to the largest wax palm forest. The road is long—best done in a 4x4 or with a Willy driver.
• Coffee: Many small family-run *fincas* offer tours around Salento and Filandia.
• Hot springs: Santa Rosa de Cabal, on the way to Pereira.
• Duration: Plan at least 3 days to enjoy without rushing.
If you have any questions about the region, ask away—I’m happy to help.
Hi everyone! I’m heading to Colombia in January 2026 and have a few questions. In Salento, which is better to do—Cocora Valley or Carbonera Valley? After that, I want to fly from Medellín to Rincón del Mar. Is there an airport in Tolú? I can’t find any info. Thanks in advance, and *buen viajé* to all! Kristian
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 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.
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
Recap of 17 days between São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Iguaçu/Puerto Iguazu
Brazil 2020: Amazon, Northeast, Chapada, and Boipeba – a winning combo!
Two weeks in Brazil’s Northeast from late March to early April
Northern Chile, Andean impressions.
The Pearl of Africa - July-August 2026
A little piece of Sulawesi with the family: Rantepao and Selayar
Tanzania Classics (Safari & Zanzibar)
Getting Away to Ireland
