Tips for Backpacking South America! (o ) ( O)?

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K yo

Hi nob!
In my experience as backpack traveller i learn that sometimes you can camp and sometimes you will have to stay in a hostel. S.A. is a great place to backpack, but first you must take a map or google map, and make your path, you know, choose the cities you will visit, plan how you will move between cities(bus is a good idea), in my trip i start from Rio de Janeiro and follow ocean cost to Northwest of Brazil, lots of amazing beaches, nice people... was wonderful. Here is what i did first:
http://maps.google.com.br/maps?hl=pt-BR&q=&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_pt-BRBR313BR313&ie=UTF-8
And thats a good article about the city:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro
of course i kept my path close to ocean so i just enjoyed almost every beach in Brazil. Man what a trip. well it was my first move in S.A. and I totally recommend you.
A good agency to buy something to start is that agency:
http://www.riodejaneiro-hotels.travel/
Good people, reliable and cheap.

Hope i have helped.

Alvarito

Fist off, if you have not backpacked before, I suggest you do some practice. As somene said before, hostels are probably a better choice, I travel the whole continent by bus and can tell you there will be none to very few camping places in or near the big city. You will probably find them only in very turistic place (like Machu pichu, and the likes).

I actually did a lot of sleeping in the buses. I do not know where are you from, but most inter-city buses in south america are better thatn Greyhound. Do not choose the cheapes bus because that will be bad. But a medium range bus is an ok to spend a night between places.

Most big city have a couple of hostels usually near or at downtown. and that is where you will find others traveling. Remember that Safety should ALWAYS be in your mind, you can get money and things stolen very easy everywhere in south america, from a fancy hotel, to the streets.

Another suggestion a 60 lt packpack is actually too much, space in metros, buses, trains city streets is small, and will also make you too visible. South American citys are not cater around comfort, you will have to do a lot of walking too. Againg in the subjet of safety, be careful with your stuff like cameras and wallet, do not ever show how much money you have (like when you are paying for a meal or a ticket) always take the money out when none is looking.

Check for "Couch Surfers" on the web for a alternative to hostels.
People are on general very open to help and very nice, but most people don't speak english (almost none in the rural out of tourist areas). even if you are not staying at a hostel, you can always ask them for info.

Hope it helps

piper

hi!i've backpacked in argentina for 2 months, and i can tell for sure that hostels are the best choice! they are cheap,clean,friendly and at every corner! they often include breakfast,which you can have with other guests,all together in the hostel kitchen! use the buses to cross the country,they are huge and comfortable, for 30â‚¬ you have meals,tv with dvd in english and spanish,toilet..the bus stations are in every city and you can choose between a large group of operators. argentina is the most beautiful country in the world,safe and friendly.food is very cheap, even in restaurants.i hope i've been use full, good like and Enjoy this great experience! ps: i think 2 smaller backpacks would be better (one on the back and a very small one on the front), one with most necessary things,as a beauty case or a clean change to use as a hand luggage, a bigger one for other things, if you travel with plane or bus you might need to have some of your stuff with you..

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