South America, help!

Johnboy8184

Hi,
I'm just looking for general advice on traveling to South America.
I'm planning on going October-March
Wondering if that's a good time to go
And how much money I'll need, I should have the guts of €5000 is that enough or am I dreaming?
Planning on flying into bogota and making my way down south to Argentina
Or if there is a better route I'm open to suggestions.
Gonna do an ayueasca retreat in Peru can anyone recommend a good one?
Should I get any internal flights or just do it all by bus? Also is there any train services?
Thanks for reading any advice would be great as I'll be travelling on my own.
Cheers.

dohouch

I think October is start of rainy season in Bogota, bus travel in Columbia is torturously slow. 10 hours Bogota to Medellin, 1/2 an hour with "Viva Columbia" and €36, about €6 more than buis and I booked 2 days before.

Warning Irish debit/credit cards will not work with "Viva Columbia". Get a card from SKRILL. that how I bought my Viva flights

Johnboy8184

Thanks, that skrill card looks useful. Did you find Bogota safe?

nosietoes

Busses in Argentina are fantastic. Look out for the semi cama seats. Great way to save money by getting overnight busses insead of booking a hostel.

dohouch

Did you find Bogota safe? It's a question of Safe Practice.

ATM's close at 9 PM, so you won't be mugged with a handful of cash.
Met 2 people who mugged in Bogota, 2 girls walking up to Montserrat, and a big Aussie guy threatened with a brick on his own passing through a park, and one Yank mugged in Santa Marta at knife-point and again in Medellin.

So after dark keep to busy streets and better be with a group. I would go there, Bogota, again, but just be aware. In Argentina everybody is practically white as in French white or Spanish white, but in Colombia everybody is Coffee coloured, so we stand out more. Can't say that muggers especially pick on whiteys, maybe anybody who shows sign of money, Iphone, etc.