Bonjour,
Habituée aux voyages lointains, j'ai vraiment envie de me rendre en Colombie en fin d'année (novembre). A la lecture des forums, il semble que ce pays soit splendide et surtout que les habitants soient très chaleureux.
Mais je lis aussi beaucoup (sur les sites gouvernementaux, et dans les guides touristiques aussi) d'avertissements concernant la sécurité.
Avez vous des expériences à ce sujet? Je précise que nous respectons les règles évidentes de sécurité, pas de provocation ni d'étalage ostentatoire de richesses, etc.
Merci de vos retours, cela nous aidera beaucoup pour notre voyage!
Bonjour,
Je vous rassure. J'ai déjà effectué 2 séjours en Colombie (2014 et 2015) et je n'ai pas trouvé qu'il y avait des problèmes particuliers de sécurité à part au niveau de l'état des routes!
Je prépare actuellement un 3e voyage pour décembre 2018-janvier 2019 sans aucune appréhension. La Colombie s'ouvre depuis quelques années au tourisme international et c'est formidable. La population a le sens de l'accueil et de la fête, ce qui nous guérit de la morosité de notre vieux monde. Bien sur, parler espagnol est un plus. Cela permet de vrais échanges avec les colombiens qui sont ravis que nous visitions leur pays.
Le pays est grand, très divers. On ne peut pas tout voir en un seul voyage. Eviter de courir d'un coin à un autre du pays. Prendre le temps de la découverte.
Pas d'hésitation. Allez découvrir la Colombie! Vous en reviendrez ravis.
Cordialement,
DF
Merci beaucoup pour votre réponse, c'est exactement celle que j'espérais lire en postant sur ce forum !
Je parle espagnol, et j'adore bavarder avec les gens sur place, c'est l'une des raisons qui me poussent à toujours vouloir voyager en pays hispanophones :)
Je vais donc me plonger dans les recherches pour organiser ce voyage, qui me semble bien prometteur.
Merci!
Entièrement d'accord sur l'accueil des colombiens, conc. la sécu ( dernier voyage 01 et 02/2018, pendant mon séjour 4 attentats des extrémistes FARCS contre des postes de police avec nombre de morts et blessés .
j'ai rencontré 1 français qui s'était fait braqué avec couteau sous la gorge pour récupérer son matos photo . Je dirais qu'en + des précautions habituelles en voyage individuel, dès que l'on sort le soir à pied il vaut mieux avoir le mini de liquide, copie de passeport et rien d'ostentatoire avec les mains dans les poches , alors les risques sont minimisés .
A+ reprises sortant pour aller diner en centre ville on m'a conseiller de prendre un taxi, ce que je n'ai pas fait et il ne m'est rien arrivé, mais ne pas en faire une généralité .
Ceci est valable pour les grandes villes, dans les pueblos, le risque me semble être proche de zéro .
j'ai quand même remarqué que les colombiens sont très prudents vis à vis des vols à la tire et à la roulotte .
Bonjour
J'ai passé 1 mois en Colombie fevrier 2018...............J'ai été conquise par la beauté de ce pays, la diversité des paysages et la gentillesse des gens
FONCEZ ...........sans hésitation
Cdlmt
Pas de problème particulier de sécurité en dehors des précautions classiques.....un pays très agréable, mais contrairement au Pérou il a perdu son charisme et fait très européen....Un vrai choc lorsqu’on arrive du Pérou...Un plaisir aussi avec des endroits superbes.....Un avantage: Vous ne serez jamais prise pour une touriste....étrangère, locale oui.....
N hésitez pas....la Colombie est un pays magnifique, les paysages extraordinairement variés et superbes, les gens aidants et accueillants...et dans les villes comme Medellin ou Bogota, s il faut faire attention à son sac .. c est pas plus qu'à Paris ou Marseille....J ai adoré ce pays!!!
Idées reçues ? pas si sur, lisez un article D'aj'hui sur El pais
Ocho policías muertos en un ataque con explosivos en el noroeste de Colombia
ou sur El tiempo :
La ley y el orden de la región no están en manos de la Fuerza Pública sino de las guerrillas.
Ce n'est pas aussi simple qu'une signature de traité de paix, encore faut il y croire, mais les attaques contre les postes de polices demeurent et dans certaines régions c'est encore les guerrilleros qui font régner leur loi .
Ceci dit ils ne s'en prennent pas aux touristes mais il vaut mieux ne pas être dans les parages, lorsque cela se produit .
L'article sus visé concerne également la partie Nord est proche du Venezuela , au dessus de Bucaramanga vers Cucuta .
Et pour ceux ou celles qui prétendent que la Colombie est sans plus de risque au niveau sécu :
Cali, Palmira y Cúcuta, entre las 50 ciudades con más violencia en el mundo ( source Caracol españa )
Autour de 50 morts violentes pour 100.000 habitants alors qu'en France c'est 0.6 pour 100 000 , en clair il n'y a pas photo !
Par contre on peut affirmer qu'il a beaucoup baissé par rapport à la décennie précédente pour être ajd'hui autour de 25/100 000, mais ce ne sont pas les milices d'extrême droite qui vont faire baisser ce chiffre .
Désolé de contredire certains optimistes mais ces chiffres reflètent la réalité que vivent les colombiens ajd'hui .
C'est bien ce que je lis, c'est la raison de mes hésitations. Je suis convaincue de la beauté du pays et de la gentillesse des colombiens, c'est pour ça que je voulais y aller, mais l'idée de ne pas être vraiment cool me décourage un peu. Et la lecture de la presse est assez explicite.
Quoiqu'il en soit, c'est sympa de me répondre, je lis tous vos messages avec grand interêt, et je continue à réfléchir...
Merci !
Si vous ne sortez pas le soir, ou alors prenez un taxi, si vous visitez les cordilleras, je pense que le niveau de risque est faible et certainement beaucoup + faible qu' au Brésil ou certaines régions du Mexique .
Beaucoup de colombiens ont peur car ils sont beaucoup + touchés que les touristes encore peu nombreux, ils ont souvent perdu 1 membre de leur famille ou de leurs amis, surtout pour les jeunes , quand ce ne sont pas les FARC's ce sont les milices d'extrême droite à une époque encore récente poussés par le gouvernement pour éradiquer les sympatisants des FARC's .
Il serait vraiment dommage de ne pas aller en Colombie. C'est vraiment super. Nous y sommes allés cet été avec nos enfants (17 et 19 ans). Tout le monde a adoré. Voici les quelques règles que nous avons appliquées :
- nous ne sommes allés que dans les zones jaunes du ministère des affaires étrangères. Donc celles a priori sans problème lié au FARC ou autres. Il y a déjà plein, plein de choses à voir/ faire, trop pour seul voyage ;
- à Bogota et Medellin, nous avons logé dans les quartiers dits safe pour pouvoir aller manger à pieds. Peut-être moins typique mais pas de prise de tête ;
- nous avons suivi les précautions élémentaires classiques avec entre autre toujours un peu d'argent liquide dans les poches pour pouvoir le lâcher.
Franchement nous ne sommes jamais senties en insécurité .... sauf avec la manière de conduire de certains. 😉
Bonjour, Entièrement d'accord avec vous Bluequark, mais on ne voyage pas en Colombie comme on voyage en Espagne, bien que mon épouse ait été victime d'un pickpocket à Madrid alors qu'il ne nous est rien arrivé de tel en Colombie, mais le risque n'est pas au même niveau .
Le français rencontré en Colombie qui voyageait en solo et amateur de photos qui s'était aventuré dans un quartier populaire en plein jour s' était fait agressé par un groupe de jeune avec couteau sous la gorge , perso très peu pour moi .
Bien sûr les colombiens vous diront que ce sont la plupart du temps les immigrés vénézuéliens qui sont à l'origine de cette criminalité, peut être une part de vrai, mais qu'est ce que cela change pour le touriste lambda ?
Alors j etais a Bogota y a de cela 7 jours il ne m est rien arrive alors tu peux y aller c est safe. Ca me fait toujours marrer ce genre de recit...a 2 min du marche de l or une femme a 3h de l apres midi s est faite agresser aux couteaux devant tout le monde elle crillait et personne n'osait bouger dans un tres grand axe et ca durait .il s en foutait completement des gens et a premiere vue c est banal la bas il a fait durer ca des minutes devant tout le monde, en france bizarrement je ne sais pas si en pleine apres midi c est courant ce genre de choses devant tout le monde bien sur que ca a du arriver mais pas a ce rythme....suffi deja de voir ou cachent leur argent les colombiens. Il doit bien y avoir une raison a ca desole pour les accents etc..je suis sur un autre pc.
Un point me semble important...Contrairement à certains pays le risque sera le même pour un étranger ou un Colombien....La je pense que tout le monde sera d’accord sur ce point.Envoyé de Neiva en Colombie ville sans intérêt touristique mais très animée etagreable.
C'est encore vrai ajd'hui mais AMHA cela va changer un peu comme à Cuba avec la progression du tourisme qui est encore peu sensible actuellement, l'avantage c'est que en tant que gringo ns sommes très peu sollicités contrairement à certains pays d'Asie comme le Vietnam . En Inde également hors Radjasthan, les touristes sont peu sollicités , du moins pas plus que les indiens car ns ne représentons qu'une infime proportion et sommes même dans certaines villes sollicités pour être pris en photos avec eux, cela m'est arrivé 2 ou 3 fois également en Colombie .
Je reviens tout juste d'un mois en Colombie avec un trajet Bogota, Villa de Leyva, Barrichara, Mompos, Cartagène, Providencia, Médellin et pour terminer; la Zona Cafetera...strictement aucune sensation d'insécurité durant tout le voyage...juste écouter les Colombiens sur les lieux et horaires de sorties...un vrai plaisir avec des Colombiens toujours prêts à donner un coup de main...à refaire sans hésiter.
Bon voyage et à ta disposition si tu souhaites quelques infos supplémentaires
Hi there, I m planning a trip to Colombia this summer. I ve been reading a lot about safety in Colombia everything and its opposite. For those of you who know…
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…
Hi everyone, we re planning to spend 2 months in Colombia (February March), and the current events have us wondering about safety. Do you have any updates, or…
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
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! 🙂
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
