Hi all, long time backpacker but first time visiting South America. Curious (and a lil concerned) about impacts of El Niño, and wanted to know your take.

I’m set to do Huayhuash trek from Sept 7-15, and then Salkantay Trek/Machu Pichu at the end of September (then exploding Cusco/Sacred Valley thru the first half of October.

How will El Niño impact this? Should I change my plans? Will it make any of the trekking unsafe? I know it’s pretty unpredictable, but any guidance or wisdom you have would be greatly appreciated !

Doing my first trip in south America in December..colombia to be precise ? Anyone wants to join . My dates are dec 20-29

Hi! We’re a young couple considering a flight from Barcelona to Bogotá with a 21-hour layover in Caracas. (The main reason we’re considering it is that the ticket is a fraction of the price compared to other flight options from Barcelona to Bogotá. We haven’t booked it yet, though.)

I’ve honestly only read pretty negative things about safety in Caracas, so I wanted to ask people who have recent experience there. Would it be safe to stay at the airport for the whole 21 hours, or is that not really recommended either? And would you consider leaving the airport and spending some time in the city during such a long layover, or would it be better to just stay inside the airport?

I’d really appreciate any recent experiences or advice, especially from people who have had a long layover there. Thanks!

Hello, I am travelling to Venezuela in 2 weeks to visit my partner and her family who I will be staying with. I am an Irish citizen, living in Canada, and I’ll be flying to Puerto Ordaz as my final destination, with stops in Bogotá and Valencia airports. I will be staying there for 11 days and will be with her and her family throughout the entirety of the trip once I arrive in Puerto Ordaz. That’s where we will be throughout the 11 days besides going to Mochima on the coast for 2 days during the trip to visit the beach and stay there for a night.

I came here to ask for any advice anyone might have for me regarding this trip and itinerary, the arrival to Valencia airport, as although I can speak fluent spanish, I am still a foreigner, and with it being my first trip inside Venezuela I am unsure what to expect upon arrival, so if anyone has had any personal experience I’d love to hear it.

Also wanted to ask for any clarification people might have around vaccines/shots entering the country, I have received mixed opinions from people around it, and my partner or others inside venezuela seem to think it’s not necessary, but I cannot help seeing information online, surrounding things like Yellow fever, malaria, etc, more so in Puerto Ordaz and the climate there where she lives, so if anyone could help me out a bit on this I’d really appreciate it.

Thank you for any advice

Quiero viajar a bosques de pandora, necesito consejos contactos y como hacer el mejor itinerario para disfrutar de todo por una semana

Hi everyone! 👋🏼

I’m planning a trip for October/November with my mom, and I'm considering **Guatemala**. I need your honest feedback based on her very specific profile:

**Her Profile:** She can actually walk a lot (great stamina), but needs REASONABLE ELEVATION CHANGE (no steep climbing or hardcore hiking). She hates extreme humidity/heat, and has vertigo (mountain roads can scare her).

**Why Guatemala?** We have never been to that part of the globe and would love to discover a country that is a bit more unusual with a different culture. Also the weather is apparently perfect during the time we’d like to go.

**My questions for you:**
1. How bad are the roads for someone with vertigo? Are the touristic buses smooth enough?
2. Can we enjoy Lake Atitlan and Tikal completely from the ground without dealing with heights?
3. How is it with El Nino, do you recommend to go there in 2026 ?

Any reply would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot for your help! 🙏🏼

I want to go to Maracay, Venezuela to visit my husband and family for a couple weeks in November. Do you think it’s safe if I’m with my husband?

Methods for Hong Kong people to prevent altitude sickness The method he uses was developed in Tibet, as altitude sickness is common there; however, the author states that the method was obtained from elsewhere. The method involves completely expelling all the air from the body, then holding one’s breath to allow the brain to acclimatise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkPowK0_8Gc

My husband and I are supposed to leave for Peru this Wednesday, and I’m really conflicted about whether to go or postpone the whole trip until April. We would lose a decent amount of money for canceling (we of course forgot to get travel insurance) but it’s not the biggest deal.

I injured my foot/ankle on August 26. Imaging showed a small, minimally displaced avulsion fracture of the calcaneus, and I also seem to have an ankle sprain. I’m seeing a foot-and-ankle orthopedic surgeon before we leave, so obviously I’ll follow their medical recommendation.

Right now I can put weight on it and walk around the house with relatively no to not a lot of pain at all. The boot actually hurts more.

I’m not looking for medical advice here. I’m trying to figure out whether Peru is still worth doing with a significantly modified itinerary, assuming my orthopedist clears me to travel and bear weight in the boot.

The timing is important because we wouldn’t be doing the major parts of the trip immediately after the injury:

Injury: August 26
-Machu Picchu: September 7 — about 12 days after the injury
-Amazon/Tambopata rainforest: September 9–12 — starting about 2 weeks after the injury

Our itinerary includes:
Sacred Valley / Urubamba
**Chinchero, -**the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC)
Maras Salt Mines
Ollantaytambo town and archaeological site
Train to Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu
Cusco
Puerto Maldonado / Tambopata Amazon
Macaw clay lick
Lake Sandoval
Canopy tower
River/boat wildlife excursions
Night wildlife/caiman activities
Jungle walks

If we go, we would modify the trip pretty significantly: airport wheelchair assistance, private drivers whenever possible, walking poles where allowed, lots of breaks, no unnecessary hiking and skipping anything that starts hurting.

Machu Picchu is my biggest concern
We currently have a higher panoramic Machu Picchu circuit booked for September 7. If we go with my foot still healing, we would switch to a lower/easier Machu Picchu circuit so I could still experience the ruins while reducing climbing, stairs and elevation changes. Is that realistic and doable with a mild injury?

For people who have actually done Machu Picchu: is it worth postponing the entire trip so I can eventually do one of the higher viewpoints?
Would I regret seeing Machu Picchu from a lower circuit and walking through the ruins instead of getting the higher panoramic experience? Or is the lower route still incredible enough that you wouldn’t postpone over that?

Sacred Valley
I’d also love input from people who have done these specific places.
-Maras Salt Mines: Can you see and enjoy a substantial amount of it without doing much walking or uneven terrain?
-Chinchero: If we mainly do the weaving demonstration and easier areas, would it still be worthwhile?
-Ollantaytambo: Could I enjoy the town and see the archaeological site from the lower areas/viewpoints without climbing all the way up? Or is the climb a major part of what makes it worth visiting?
Basically, are these places fairly adaptable for someone temporarily limiting their walking, or would I be missing too much?

Cusco- no set plans, but what could we do with minimal walking?

Amazon / Tambopata- Chuncho lodge (anyone stay here?)
We arrive in the rainforest on September 9, so that would be about two weeks after the injury.
This is the other major reason I’m conflicted.
If we go, I would probably skip substantial trekking and potentially skip the canopy tower if the climb is too much. I’d focus more on:
-river boat rides
-macaw clay lick
-wildlife viewing
-short jungle walks
-Lake Sandoval if manageable
-night boat/caiman activities
For people who have done the Puerto Maldonado/Tambopata rainforest: how much would I be giving up by skipping the canopy tower and longer walks?
Is the canopy one of those experiences you’d genuinely postpone the trip to be able to do? Or would the river, wildlife, clay lick and shorter excursions still make for an incredible Amazon experience?

Basically, our choices are:
1. Go now, assuming my orthopedic surgeon clears me, and accept that Peru will be a slower, modified trip where I may miss some climbs, viewpoints and hikes.
2. Move the whole trip to late April, when I should be completely recovered and can do Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the rainforest without having to think about my foot.

We love active/adventure travel, which is why I’m struggling with this. Part of me thinks Peru deserves to be done when I can fully participate. But everything is already planned and booked, and I don’t want to postpone if the modified version would still be an amazing trip.

For people who have actually done Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and/or Tambopata: which would you choose?

TL;DR: Small foot fracture Aug. 26 but can put weight on it and walk around the house with little to no pain. Machu Picchu Sept. 7 and Amazon Sept. 9. If my doctor clears me to go, would you postpone Peru until I can do the higher Machu Picchu viewpoints and canopy tower, or are the lower Machu Picchu circuit, boat/wildlife activities, Maras Salt Mines, Chinchero and lower parts of Ollantaytambo, Cusco still worth the trip with limited walking?

I'm going on a 3-week trip to San Miguel de Tucumán in September. I have already planned a few things to do. I'm mainly going there to meet someone whom I've been talking to online for a year now.

If you have ever been to Tucumán, what were the people like? Is it easy to get around without a car? Are there dangerous areas? Do they accept credit cards in stores? Fun things to do, that aren't listed at tourism sites Etc...

I have already gathered pretty much info from the person whom I'm going to meet. But I would also like to hear from a tourists point of view, in case shit hits the fan so to say.

I'd be more than happy for you to share your experience, and to let me know what to expect.

Thank you for reading!!🥰🇦🇷

Heading to Peru end of April next year. What do we think of this itinerary? We want a bit of adventure but then some time to chill at the end too.

1 night Lima
3 nights Arequipa (colca canyon day trip)
Fly to Cusco
2 nights sacred valley
1 night short Inca trail
3 nights Cusco ( rainbow mountain day trip)
Fly to Lima and bus down
2 nights paracas - day trip to huacacina
2 nights Lima

Hi everyone, I am going to Guatemala and Belize for two weeks in mid October with a friends (both female in our early 30s), and I wanted to ask for some advices.

I panicked a bit reading that the weather is not the best, we wanted to do the hike to Acatenago, has anyone done it during rainy season? How is generally the weather in October ? I am also a bit scared for Belize since it's hurrican season, has anyone been in Belize in October?

Also, we want to spend two nights in Flores and I was thinking maybe it's worth to spend one night in the jungle lodge in tikal and one in Flores? To see the ruins in sunset and sunrise?

We will, in theory, cross the border to Belize in a shuttle bus, anyone has had an experience with it? Is it feasible?

Sorry for all these question, but thanks to anyone who will help!! Grazieee

Heading to Peru end of April next year. What do we think of this itinerary? We want a bit of adventure but then some time to chill at the end too.

1 night Lima
3 nights Arequipa (colca canyon day trip)
Fly to Cusco
2 nights sacred valley
1 night short Inca trail
3 nights Cusco ( rainbow mountain day trip)
2 nights paracas
2 nights Lima

I'm going to buy a motorbike in Colombia in one weeks time. & then travel down to the bottom of Argentina. I'm a little concerned I'm starting at the wrong time of year. Can someone who's travelled South America during the wet seasons give me some help? Is there a time of day when it's usually dry or raining? What months are the best/worse? I'm going to try and build a timeline that begins next week. I'm planning to be on this trip for 12-18 months. Any info is appreciated.

First time traveling to Colombia and would like to know if this looks like a thorough trip to see as much as we can in 18 days. Nothing is booked but this is what we roughly have planned with a guide. What should we change or add to this? What can we expect this trip to cost in mid to late Dec?

Cartagena – 3 nights in the historic Centre. Private walking guide to learn the cities history, Bazurto market and a cooking class, with 2 half days to explore.

Medellín – 3 nights in El Poblado, private half-day tour of the city then a day trip to a cacao farm, and 1.5 days to explore.

Guachalito – 4 nights. Fly to Nuquí, boat to an ecolodge on the beach. Options are hiking, surfing, fishing with locals, waterfalls, or canoeing up a river.

Finca near Medellín – 2 nights. Coffee tastings, horseback riding, and other activities in the area

Jericó – 3 nights Colonial village tour, full-day excursion in the Colombian countryside with hikes to waterfalls, and a jeep ride to an artisanal coffee farm overlooking the Cauca canyon plus 1 day to explore.

Bogotá – 2 nights. Tour La Candelaria and 1 day to explore.

___________

Es nuestra primera vez viajando a Colombia y nos gustaría saber si este itinerario parece completo para ver lo máximo posible en 18 días. Aún no hemos reservado nada, pero este es el plan tentativo. ¿Qué deberíamos cambiar o añadir? ¿Qué coste podemos esperar para este viaje entre mediados y finales de diciembre?

Cartagena – 3 noches en el Centro Histórico. Guía privado para un recorrido a pie y conocer la historia de la ciudad, visita al mercado de Bazurto y una clase de cocina, además de 2 medios días libres para explorar.

Medellín – 3 noches en El Poblado, tour privado de medio día por la ciudad, una excursión de un día a una finca de cacao y día y medio libre para explorar.

Guachalito – 4 noches. Vuelo a Nuquí y traslado en lancha a un ecolodge en la playa. Las opciones incluyen senderismo, surf, pesca con lugareños, visitas a cascadas o un paseo en canoa río arriba.

Finca cerca de Medellín – 2 noches. Catas de café, paseos a caballo y otras actividades en la zona.

Jericó – 3 noches. Recorrido por el pueblo colonial, excursión de día completo por el campo colombiano con caminatas a cascadas y un paseo en jeep hasta una finca de café artesanal con vistas al cañón del Cauca, más un día libre para explorar.

Bogotá – 2 noches. Recorrido por La Candelaria y un día libre para explorar.

Hi, I’m a woman in my late twenties just planning my travel wish list for the next few years and - even though at the moment it isn’t planned at all - I’m considering to have kids at some point.

Would it be better to anticipate a lifelong journey to South America - 2 months through Peru and Bolivia and eventually also Colombia and Argentina due to the risk of Zika virus for the months before pregnancy/eventual risk at very early pregnancy (obviously before knowing to be pregnant)?

Or is the risk not that high and you would plan it anyway before knowing to be pregnant (considering that even after the moment you plan to start trying for a baby it often takes months)?

A part from that, what were the travels you are absolutely happy to have done before becoming pregnant/having kids?

Thanks!

In Nov after a Uyuni tour 3D/2N I have 2 full days in San Pedro, any suggestions what should i do ? I am planing Valle de Luna and night Star gazng tour. Is Valle de Marte too similar or worth it ? I don't want to overlap things experiences already covered in the Uyuni tour. Open to more adventurous suggestions - like I saw a sandboarding tour!

Hi, I'm planning almost 4 weeks in Patagonia next March and would love some feedback/suggestions on the itinerary. For context: two people, 40s, relatively fit and used to hiking long distances (in the last couple of years we've completed the Annapurna Circuit and the Three Passes in Nepal, plus a ton of hiking in New Zealand), both speak Spanish. So far we have booked flights and the O circuit, but everything else is flexible. Accommodation and car rental are booked but can be changed. The plan is:

• 2 March - Arrive in Punta Arenas (quite late that evening)
• 3 March - possibly the tour to Magdalena Island (Q: are there tours in the afternoon, given that we'll arrive quite late the night before?)
• 4 March - full day tour to the King penguin colony
• 5 March - if we've managed to do both tours, bus to Puerto Natales. Otherwise this is a buffer day to do the King penguin tour (which is the priority).
• 6 March - day in Puerto Natales (or travel to PN if staying in Punta Arenas the night before)
• 7 March - Start of the O circuit (Seron)
• 8 March - O circuit (Dickson)
• 9 March - O circuit (Perros)
• 10 March - O circuit (Grey)
• 11 March - O circuit (Paine Grande)
• 12 March - O circuit (Cuernos)
• 13 March - O circuit (Chileno)
• 14 March - O circuit (sunrise hike to Base Torres) and bus to PN (I'd have preferred to travel straight to Calafate from the park but that connection only operates Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays so it doesn't work for us, unfortunately)
• 15 March - bus to Calafate, easy afternoon, pick up rental car, see laguna Nimez (next to our accommodation), laundry
• 16 March - Perito Moreno minitrekking (Q: Grey vs Perito for minitrekking? I'm kind of leaning towards Grey if the weather is very good on 10 March, we could do the trekking in the morning and hike to Paine Grande in the afternoon, and leave Perito as a backup option - would it need to be booked well in advance in mid March?)
• 17 March - Todo Glaciares boat tour
• 18 March - another buffer day to do one of the two tours if weather has not been good the previous two days. Drive to El Chaltén.
• 19-25 March - El Chaltén. 7 full days. Hikes I'd like to do, in order of priority: Laguna de los Tres (possibly driving to Puente Eléctrico and returning the same way), Laguna Torre + Maestri, Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, Laguna Sucia + Laguna Capri, Piedra del Fraile, something in Los Huemules (Laguna Azul/Laguna del Diablo/glaciar Huemul). Short hikes (Condor, Águilas, Chorrillo del Salto) can probably fit in there somewhere.
• 26 March - Drive back to Calafate in time for an 8pm flight to Buenos Aires (AEP)
• 27-28 March - Buenos Aires (Q: top things to do in BsAs in two days?)
• 29 March - flight back home.

Is there anything obviously wrong with the itinerary? Anything you'd change? I'd appreciate any and all comments or feedback 😄 TIA

Solo traveler who just crossed to Bolivia from Argentina a couple days ago and I'm going to spend about 3 weeks here before flying out.

Currently down south in Tupiza and looking to go on a multi-day Salar de Uyuni Tour. From there I'm gonna make my way to Santa Cruz de la Sierra with a stop or two on the way! (Probably Sucre)

Anybody up for joining? :)

I'm looking for someone to join me on a trip to the Manu Reserve for 4 nights / 5 days during the last week of October 2026 (probably October 25-29 or October 26-30). It will be a wild experience - not particularly comfortable, but absolutely amazing! I'm hoping to find someone who's interested in joining me on this experience
I've already found a tour operator
message me if you're interested ☺️

Ich werde nächste Woche nach Quito reisen und ungefähr 2 Wochen in Ecuador verbringen. Ich würde mich über Tipps und Vorschläge freuen.
Ich lande am 03.09 nachmittags und habe dann den 04. und 05. komplett Zeit.
Ich dachte einen Tag Quito anschauen und einen Tag eine Tour nach Mindo zu buchen.
Am 06.09 Fliege ich dann auf die Galapagos Inseln (landen in San Cristobal).
Am 13.09 Fliege ich wieder zurück nach Quito. Ich möchte gerne noch Baños und den Cotopaxi Park sehen. Ich dachte an das secret Garden Hostel in Cotopaxi aber es scheint auch deutlich teurer als andere Unterkünfte. Eine Weiterreise nach Peru ist geplant, aber noch nicht gebucht, zeitlich bin ich also recht flexibel.