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. 😉
- And for the return to France, is there no other option from Salvador than going back through Rio or São Paulo?
There’s a direct flight Salvador-CDG AF 465 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
I did a simulation for Wednesday, July 28th, and found this AF flight as well as a Gol flight at the same times—I assume it’s a codeshare.
That’s exactly what I saw when checking departures from the airport on Skyscanner. While browsing online for inspiration, I came across some travel agencies offering this route—they’re clearly misleading people (or maybe it’s a layover, but it’s not worth it).
- And for the return to France, no choice but to go back through Rio or São Paulo from Salvador?
Direct flight Salvador-CDG AF 465 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
I ran a simulation for Wednesday, July 28, where I found this AF flight as well as a Gol flight at the same times—I assume it’s a codeshare.
Yeah, I saw that too, but I haven’t won the lottery yet 😏
Anyway, all this kinda means avoiding Salvador...😕
Yeah, I saw that too, but I haven’t won the lottery yet
It’s true that a one-way return trip usually hits the wallet hard, especially when it’s direct and from a "secondary" city. But have you tried an open-jaw flight?
Hi there,
I’d like to add a seasonal tip to the flight answers, since that’s what will determine your final stop.
In July and August, it’s winter in southern Brazil. Rio, Paraty, and Ilha Grande are still very pleasant to visit, but the water is cooler. So if your final stop is all about swimming and chilling, this isn’t the ideal time.
Around Salvador, the water is warm year-round. However, the rainy season typically lasts from April to July, sometimes even August depending on the source. If you’re heading to the Northeast, the second half of summer will be safer than early July. Your exact dates really matter here.
Logistically, since there’s no direct flight between Iguaçu and Salvador, the smoothest order would be: Iguaçu first, then Rio with Paraty and Ilha Grande, followed by a domestic flight to Salvador, and finally a few days on a beach north of the city to wrap up. Combined with a multi-destination ticket—arriving in Rio or São Paulo and departing from Salvador—this route keeps you from backtracking.
If you stay in the south, Ilha Grande is still great for hiking and scenery. Just think of it as a nature stop rather than a beach one.
I organize custom trips, so if you’d like to dive deeper into your plans, feel free to message me.
If you want to fly directly back to Europe from Salvador/Bahia (without stopping at another Brazilian airport), you’ve got Air France, with a direct flight to Paris. There’s also Air Europa (via Madrid) and TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon). I’m afraid the Air France option is often the most expensive one?
TAP Portugal can be either "a great deal" (price-wise) or pretty expensive—even very expensive. Their prices fluctuate a lot and often. Air Europa (UX) is usually the cheapest option, but you’ll want to check online to see how that works out for your return dates.
And, as someone mentioned earlier:
Consider an OPEN-JAW ticket: Europe – Rio de Janeiro // Salvador – Europe.
For swimming, even during the southern "winter," Bahia is perfect because the water stays warm all year round (better than in Rio and the state of RJ, where the sea can be a bit chilly between April/May and October). North of Salvador, there are several well-known beach resorts (like Costa Sauipe) where you can really enjoy the ocean (great for kids).
Around Salvador, the water is warm all year round. However, the rainy season there generally lasts from April to July, or even August depending on the source. If you're heading to the Northeast, the second half of summer will be safer than early July. Your exact dates matter a lot here.
For logistics, since there's no direct flight between Iguaçu and Salvador, the smoothest order would be: Iguaçu first, then Rio with Paraty and Ilha Grande, then a domestic flight to Salvador, and finally a few days on a beach north of the city to wrap up. Combined with a multi-destination ticket—arriving in Rio or São Paulo and departing from Salvador—this route avoids backtracking.
Yeah, but the sticking point is that a trip starting from Salvador is super expensive!
And starting with Iguazu is a bit tough, isn’t it?
If you stay in the south, Ilha Grande is still great for hiking and landscapes. Just think of it as a nature stop rather than a beach chill spot.
Okay, thanks—that’s what I was afraid of at this time of year. Not the chill stop we’re hoping for... I don’t think Paraty + Ilha Grande is really worth it...
I organize custom trips, so if you want to dig deeper into your plans, feel free to message me.
Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. It seems really tough without crisscrossing all over the place.
Plus, I’m starting to get interested in the Pantanal... but that means even more back-and-forth...
Alright, I’ll keep digging.
Off the top of my head, I’d be:
Day 1: Arrival São Paulo
Day 2: Transfer to Iguazu
Day 3-4: Iguazu
Day 5: Return to Rio
Day 6-8: Rio
Day 9: Transfer to Campo Grande
Day 10-11: Pantanal
Day 12: Return to Rio for one night
Day 13: Departure for Salvador
Day 14-15: Salvador
Day 16-19: Chill on a local beach
Day 20: Return via Salvador (but at what cost...😎)
To return directly to Europe from Salvador/Bahia (without stopping at another airport in Brazil), there’s Air France, flying straight to Paris. There’s also Air Europa (via Madrid) and the Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon). I’m afraid the Air France option is often the most expensive one?
TAP Portugal is either "a great deal" (price-wise) or quite expensive—very expensive. TAP’s prices fluctuate a lot and very often. Air Europa (UX) is usually the cheapest option. But check online to see how that works out for your return dates.
And as someone suggested earlier:
Book an OPEN-JAW ticket: Europe - Rio de Janeiro // Salvador - Europe.
For swimming, even during the southern "winter," Bahia is perfect because the water is very warm all year round (better than in Rio and the state of RJ, where between April/May and October, the sea can be a bit chilly). North of Salvador, Bahia, there are several well-known beach resorts (like Costa Sauipe) where you can really enjoy the sea (great for kids).
Thanks, Chris
In the end, Air France is only 500 € more expensive than TAP for 4 tickets... Clearly, the direct flights and a higher level of comfort are worth the price difference.
It's coming together 😉. I realized Ilha Grande isn't a must in summer, and that we should head toward Salvador for some heat. Also, flying in/out via São Paulo is cheaper.
So the route could look like this:
Day 1: direct arrival in Iguazu via São Paulo
Day 2+3: Iguazu
Day 4: transfer to Rio, first steps in Rio
Day 5 to 7: Rio
Day 8: transfer to Salvador
Day 9-10: Salvador
Day 11: transfer to a chill/tanning spot (nothing set yet)
Day 12 to 14: rest
Day 15: return to São Paulo
Day 16: São Paulo
Day 17: return trip
A classic route that blends urban vibes, nature, and relaxation without rushing too much.
Don’t forget to go for dinner at a good *churrascaria*—unless there are vegetarians or (even worse) vegans in the group! (Be prepared to be *very* hungry...) 😛
In one of your posts, you mention 20 days, and in this one, 17?
Which duration is the right one?
Because if it's 20 days, why not add 3 days in Chapada Diamantina Park for some hiking? The landscapes are stunning—definitely not to be missed, in my opinion!
From Salvador, you can reach Lençóis (the starting town) by an overnight bus.
For some beach time, I’d recommend the little island of Boipeba—it’s really great for relaxing but also for exploring. 🙂
And yeah, I’d only spend one day in São Paulo, and for me, just one full day in Salvador too, to add more time elsewhere.
For example, in 13 nights, we did the following route:
2 nights in Salvador
3 nights in Boipeba
1 night bus to Lençóis
3 nights in Chapada Diamantina
1 night in Salvador (transit)
3 nights in Rio
I only spent one night in São Paulo, but with a flight arriving early in the morning at 5:30 AM. Dropped off my bags at the hotel near the airport. Headed to the city center at 8 AM. Public transport like the Parisian RER (Alstom) and metro. Count at least 1 hour for the trip. Returned to the hotel at 5 PM after quite a few visits downtown: cathedral, theater, market, museum.
For info, I visited both the Pantanal and Chapada Diamantina on the same trip and spent three weeks there in total.
In one of your posts, you mention 20 days, and in this one, 17?
Which duration is the right one?
Thanks for your feedback!
Actually, we haven’t decided yet on the length of the stay—between 2 and 3 weeks.
Because if it’s 20 days, why not add 3 days in Chapada Diamantina Park for some hiking? The landscapes are stunning—don’t miss it, in my opinion!
From Salvador, you can reach Lençóis (the starting town) by an overnight bus.
Well, the thing is, we’re more of a strolling family than hikers 😏
For beach time, I recommend the little island of Boipeba—really great for relaxing but also exploring. 🙂
I’ve read about that island and its neighbor (Tinharé). But isn’t it quite a trek from Salvador?
And honestly, I’d only spend one day in São Paulo, and for me, a single full day in Salvador too, to add more time elsewhere.
One day in Salvador? I admit I haven’t looked into that city at all, but my wife dreams of it, so I don’t want to disappoint her. Actually, São Paulo only has one full day in my plan, considering a transit day is a "lost" day.
The thing is, we're more of a wandering family than hikers 😏.
I get it... Your itinerary is perfect for wanderers! 😛
...Boipeba and its neighbor (Tinharé). But it feels like quite a trek from Salvador?
As the crow flies, Boipeba isn’t that far. But with public transport, you’re looking at a full day from Salvador—ferry, bus, boat... and delays. That’s what I did, and we arrived at night.
There are direct options, though—they’re pricier. By catamaran, I think.
I’d lean more toward the Northeast if your priority is to wrap up with a few truly "chill" days. During the southern hemisphere summer, the Costa Verde can actually be a bit cool and humid, so Ilha Grande might not be the best wildcard.
If I were you, I’d look at an itinerary that starts in Rio, then heads to Iguazú, followed by Salvador, and finishes on the coast, rather than adding too many stops. And with teens, having 3-4 days in the same place at the end of the trip is pretty ideal. 😊
Around Salvador, Praia do Forte seems like a great spot to end: it’s pretty, beachy, easy to get to, and lively enough that you won’t feel like you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere.
For flights from Iguazú to Salvador and the return to France, an "open jaw" ticket works really well—no need to always go back to Rio if the schedules and prices line up.
If I were you, I’d look at an itinerary starting in Rio, then moving on to Iguazú, then Salvador, and finishing on the coast, rather than adding too many stops. And with teens, 3-4 days in the same place at the end of the trip is still a great idea. 😊
Yeah, that sounds ideal, but... I’m still stuck on the Iguazú->Salvador flight. There’s no direct option—it forces you to go back through Rio or SP :/
Around Salvador, Praia do Forte seems especially interesting to wrap up the trip: pretty, beachy, easy to get to, and lively enough that you won’t feel like you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.
For flights from Iguazú to Salvador and the return to France, an “open jaw” ticket works really well—no need to always go back to Rio if the schedules/prices line up.
See my earlier point—multi-destination Paris-Rio-Salvador-Paris is no problem (though flights leaving Salvador are way more expensive), but the domestic flights are still an issue.
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 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.
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,
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!
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 was wondering—I’m planning to go to Brazil on December 25th (until around mid-February) and land in São Paulo or Rio (since those are the only two southern destinations you can fly into from Europe). I’d maybe like to start in the south of the country—is it worth going there? If so, where should I begin: Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, or somewhere else before heading north?
Okay, I saw Iguaçu Falls in January 2024, so I’m skipping that stop during my trip. What route would you recommend to see the best destinations? I’m skipping the Amazon because of the rain—I only want to stay in dry, sunny regions.
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! 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
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.
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
