Want to Travel to South America for over 30

Irish Gunner

Ok maybe over the hill at 30:rolleyes: but looking to travel to South America on my own but want to go maybe on a group tour as dont want the hassle of going solo

Are there any good websites for booking tours for those over 30 so the group I travel with are the same age. ?

darrenh

Dragoman and Kumuka are tour groups.

Trust me though, go solo. You will meet lots of people while traveling and many your own age. Most travelers are over 23 in South America. There isn't that many 18-22 year olds as they all stick to SE Asia and Australia.

As you will be on your own you could us dorm rooms and you wont be long in your room before you get talking to someone. Also, the kitchen is a great place to get talking to people.

You wont regret picking South America what ever you choose. Its amazing.

kraggy

30 over the hill?! Jesus, I should go home so.

I'm 31 OP, and I don't feel old out here. There are loads of people older than me too. Get that age thing out of your mind.

And I'd second what was said above about going solo. I went to South America 2 years ago on my own and met tonnes of people. It's actually better than South East Asia for meeting people as the accommodation is practically all hostel so you meet people in the dorms all the time.

Trust me, unless you are very introverted and shy, you will meet loads of people over there.

My favourite place in the world. I'm in SE Asia now (my second time) and it's good, but not a patch on South America.

Book it and go!

Irish Gunner

Age does not bother me but I am in my very late 30's;)

Was looking at intrepid travel and looking at This Trip with gap adventure. Have done Europe Asia Australia backpacking / comfort bit and would like something of the same. Dont mind Hostels but want a bit of comfort and could not be arsed trying to arrange trips myself thus the reason for Intrepid and Gap. Flights to SA not the cheapest as looking to go in Feb / March and cheapest is with Delta via Atlanta. Iberia mad money but still looking

kraggy

With a tour though, you're very limited. If you like somewhere, you can't stay an extra day because you have to move with the group.

And there's very little organising to do once you book your flights. But a Lonely Planet and off you go (very overrated buy hand nonetheless).

And loads of folk on here have been to loads of places in SA and will tell you places to stay, things to do.

How long you thinking of going for and to which countries?

dolliemix

lol! there are loads of over 30s traveling in South America. I was there two years ago when I was 32. Did a trip through Peru including the Inca trail and finishing in Bolivia with GAP Adventure tours http://www.gapadventures.com/.

Then I traveled around Argentina on my own for a few weeks.

While I agree with Kraggy re being somewhat limited with a group - it does speed things up a bit in countries like Peru and Bolivia. Every week the country is held up with some kind of strike or another and its just easier having someone negotiate things for you and just generally be aware of what's safe and what's not.

No trip while go according to plan in Bolivia or Peru! So make sure you plan extra days if you're relying on international flights at either end. We had to spend two extra days in Cuzco and an extra day in La Paz because of strikes.
Strikes are not like here - teachers go on strike and the rest of the country give out about teachers. In SA if teachers/nurses etc go on strike the whole country support them. We couldn't travel from a to b because the locals put massive rocks out on the road so no-one can travel anywhere. I also heard of locals throwing rocks at buses who did travel during a strike.

Basically the place is crazy but a definite adventure! And safe if you do things properly. I wouldn't have seen have the things I got to see if I hadn't gone with a tour company.

Argentina, on the hand, is a dream to travel around on your own

Irish Gunner

Thing is can only get max 15 days hols from Work at a push and it has to be taken by end of March. So looking to go March / Feb. Want to cram in as much as I can without having to organise it myself. Argentina and Chile are the countries I am looking at.Previous trips I have done it by myself but as its short notice and dont have the time thought the likes of Gap etc would be better option. Ok dont have the freedom but thats one of the downsides I am willing to sacrifice.

dolliemix

Then go with GAP.

Loads of people in their thirties with limited time do these trips

I'm jealous - Enjoy!

Irish Gunner

Ok booked the trip and leave start of feb.Spend a day on my own in buenos aires but sure I will find something.Stuck in atlanta for 12 hours on way back so may try to get downtown. So any tips or advice re money clothing etc

InKonspikuou2

I don't think they let people over 30 into South America. Try the south of Flordia instead.

dolliemix

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok booked the trip and leave start of feb.Spend a day on my own in buenos aires but sure I will find something.Stuck in atlanta for 12 hours on way back so may try to get downtown. So any tips or advice re money clothing etc

Plenty to do in Buenos Aires - make sure you have some steak and red wine in a parilla and try the dulce de leche ice-cream.

The graveyard at Rocoleta is worth a visit. Its where all the rich people are buried - including the grave of Eva Peron.

darrenh

dolliemix wrote: »

Plenty to do in Buenos Aires - make sure you have some steak and red wine in a parilla and try the dulce de leche ice-cream.

The graveyard at Rocoleta is worth a visit. Its where all the rich people are buried - including the grave of Eva Peron.

Also the grave of Admiral Brown and Fr. Fahy, his priest. Both Irish and big parts of Argentina's history.

If you try one restaurant in Buenos Aires let it be La Cabrera. Some of the best steak you'll find. Most hostels will point you in it's direction.

As little clothing as possible. If your bringing something because you might need it, you wont need it.
Things I found handy were:
Head Torch - Reading on buses and numerous other things

Small lap top if you have it. All over South America there is free wi-fi in hostels.

Waterproof bag

Leather Man

Regards money - We spent €40-€50 a day in Argentina but could have spent less and could have spent more too.

Another thing I was delighted I brought was a basic digital SLR camera. The pictures are 100's of times better even when you use the basic settings. I have the Nikon D40 as an example and I bought a second hand but bigger 18mm-135mm lens for cheap. I could give loads of advice but you'll figure it all out yourself. Thats one of the fun parts of it. Brilliant choice on South America by the way. Enjoy.:D

Irish Gunner

Trip Details are Here

Looks like a suitcase is out of the question maybe time to dust down the old backpack or see if there is something similar

I don't think they let people over 30 into South America. Try the south of Flordia instead.

Been there done that and I said hello to your relations:D

dolliemix

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Trip Details are Here

Looks like a suitcase is out of the question maybe time to dust down the old backpack or see if there is something similar

I don't think they let people over 30 into South America. Try the south of Flordia instead.

Been there done that and I said hello to your relations:D

Cool - Bariloche is beautiful and it has the most chocolate shops in one town in the Southern Hemisphere (or something like that). I was there in July so it was snowy and fereeeezing. Loads of St Bernard dogs around.

Irish Gunner

Is a backpack the best option for this as they aint the cheapest and I am trying to find mine me thinks I loaned it to someone

Only have suitcase and dont think I want to hawl this around South America

dolliemix

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Is a backpack the best option for this as they aint the cheapest and I am trying to find mine me thinks I loaned it to someone

Only have suitcase and dont think I want to hawl this around South America

Back packs are easier. See can you borrow one?

But seeing as you're on an organised tour you won't be lugging your luggage too far so you should be ok with suitcase.



Be really careful by the way eating salads in SA. Or any food that has to be washed by water. Don't drink drinks with ice-cubes or drink tap water under any circumstances. I got a really bad case of poisoning in SA that didn't leave my system for weeks.

InKonspikuou2

Irish Gunner wrote: »

I don't think they let people over 30 into South America. Try the south of Flordia instead.

Been there done that and I said hello to your relations:D

Must have been recently. They only moved from Montana to Tampa a few months ago. Snow birds so they are.

But seriously don't bring a suitcase to South America. It will be one of the biggest things you regret. Get a 35-40L backpack. No need to go too big as it will wreck your head.

And try it independently. Don't go with a tour group unless it is your thing. Lots of people over 30 all over the continent to meet. And don't miss Colombia. Best country on the continent. And i agree with darrenh. La cabrera is great. As is Chila and Casa Cruz.

dolliemix

InKonspikuou2 wrote: »

Must have been recently. They only moved from Montana to Tampa a few months ago. Snow birds so they are.

But seriously don't bring a suitcase to South America. It will be one of the biggest things you regret. Get a 35-40L backpack. No need to go too big as it will wreck your head.

And try it independently. Don't go with a tour group unless it is your thing. Lots of people over 30 all over the continent to meet. And don't miss Colombia. Best country on the continent. And i agree with darrenh. La cabrera is great. As is Chila and Casa Cruz.

Maybe you should read the whole thread first!

He has limited time and he's booked his trip already dude

Irish Gunner

Whats the story with money is it better to bring a few pesos etc reading about $

Was going to bring local currency and use atm / cc card but is there a good spread of atm machines around. I would expect bigger cites but whats the best to do?

Ta

InKonspikuou2

dolliemix wrote: »

Maybe you should read the whole thread first!

He has limited time and he's booked his trip already dude

I did. I told him not to go with the tour group. Didn't tell him not to book it. And i was only plugging Colombia because i am from there.

There will be atm's all over the place. Won't have any problems unless you are in a tiny remote town. Best is to add money to your credit card limit and never let it go below that. Works out the cheapest in terms of fees. Only reason you may want to bring pesos is to use for a taxi or something. But there will be plenty of atm's in the airport.

darrenh

There'll be no shortage of ATM's. The most you can take out each time in peso's though, is €60 a time. You just have to keep putting the card back in.:D

yvonneclare

Love to know how you got on with this trip and booking a group tour.

I am a 30 + hoping to travel alone to SA early next year and have somewhat simialar reservations in terms of organising it myself and will also have limited time off work.

Hope it was a great trip.

Irish Gunner

Hi

Yeah enjoyed the tour but it helps if you have a good group & decent leader. Mine was quite small and all except 1 couple where single travellers, the rest where on their tour of the world or just south america. I have a friend in Buenos Aires so that was handy but the group did their own thing. Had to do a few things on my own like go to a Bocca game but you can either do things on your own or hook up with some of the group but it depends. I was the only one who wanted to go to game. In most places as I was on my own got a room on my own but in some places share hostel dorm with other members of the group. I was as nervous as hell going but once you get there either you sit and wait for the group to make a decision or just say sod it and do it yourself........did a bit of both. I was glad I did it but I would say if I did do it on my own it I would have met up with other travellers. I was like yourself little time of work and glad I did it. I flew Dublin-Atlanta-Buenos Aires and thats a long hall but you meet loads of people along the way. It may seem daunting the thoughts of travelling alone but once your on that plane aint now turning back so Let yourself go.........:D
If you need any tips etc you can post here