South America

YeAh!

I am traveling to South America, flying into Venezuela in late July and flying back from Brazil in early September, and am beginning to plan out an itinerary. I would like to know of stories from people who have visited South America, especially precautions I should be taking. I have taken all the necessary vaccines. How safe are places like Colombia or Bolivia, and any places I should avoid?

cailinoBAC

First of all, when you're going to Venezuela bring plenty of dollars cash, as you'll get up to 2 and a half times as many Bolivars as if you take from ATM. Otherwise Venezuela is pretty expensive. Also, don't take unlicensed taxis in Caracas. Met a couple from Luxembourg who were 'express kidnapped' in this way. We avoided Caracas altogether even though we flew into and out of it and I have no regrets about that.
We didn't have any problems when away. Someone in Lima tried to snatch my friend's bag when we were sitting in a taxi and her window was open, but that was the worst of it. Obviously be careful of your wallet, or use a moneybelt or something like that. Colombia was totally fine. Definitely go there. I can't comment on Bogota though, as I was only at the coast.

RATM

Id agree with above poster on taking US$ to Venezualea, there is a burgeoning black market for them there. Just be careful changing money on the street, sleight of hand tricks abound and you may end up with less than you started with. Most travel agents will change $ for you and will be honest about it, might not be as good a rate as the street but safer imo.

Also get the hell out of Caracas, its a dangerous hole with nothing really worth seeing. The border area west of Merida going towards Colombia can be dodge. Be careful of army/immigration/customs officals, one of them nicked £20 off a mate when we traveled that way. Its definitely good advise to use a money belt rather than a wallet for carrying cash.

Otherwise don't be too paranoid, just be streetwise and you'll enjoy SA immensely.

themarcus

Re: Bolivia

I was there last summer (indeed, their winter - you've been warned!), it's extremely cheap for pretty much everything. The buses are mostly awful compared to Peru and Argentina, but judging by your itinerary that won't bother you too much! The people smell kinda weird, but they're mostly very friendly. You'll want to know some Spanish obviously!

La Paz: It's actually quite safe as long as you plan where you're going in advance, thus avoiding wandering into a bad area. I heard some awful stories while I was there, but it was always third or fourth-hand. Perhaps resist the temptation to do the (prisoner-led) prison tour. According to some people I talked to the proceeds of it go to the same folks who organise the child-prostitution etc down there. Anyway, much like the other posters said, just be sensible and don't go anywhere you oughtn't and you should be fine. Of you're doing the death road cycle don't drink too much the night before!

Salt Flats: I assume you're considering this if you're going down there. It's great fun and the sights are incredible, but try to acclimatise to the altitude before you set off. Four days in a 4x4 is not a nice way to ride out altitude sickness (believe me, I know). Also bear in mind it's very very very cold their during our summer, particularly at those altitudes!

Anyways, just be sure always to have a medicine bag (lots of painkillers, antibiotics etc), a spare stash of dollars (in your shoe or something) just in case. Don't be too paranoid and you'll have an amazing time!