Backpacking South America was my dream trip. So many beautiful places, delicious cuisines, friendly people and some of the best parties in the world. It was my first proper backpacking adventure, and I jumped right in at the deep end when my plane landed in Bolivia. It took me a few days to find my feet, then it didn’t take long at all for me to fall in love with this incredible continent. What began as a once-in-a-lifetime journey triggered…
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Peru is on many people’s bucket lists, and for good reason. The Inca Citadel at Machu Picchu has graced the cover of countless South American guidebooks and travel magazines, and this iconic UNESCO site is certainly a worthy entry in the New Modern Wonders of the World. However, for many visitors to Machu Picchu and Cusco, altitude sickness can cause unwelcome effects as the altitude at Machu Picchu and the rest of the Andean region of Peru is high enough…
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Ah, South America! The fourth-largest continent in the world comprised of twelve sovereign states, replete with ethnic, linguistic and geographical diversity. Whether this be your first backpacking trip, or you are already a seasoned traveller in other parts of the world, it’s always useful to read up on a few tips and tricks to consider before you get out there. See what we have in store for you as you get geared up for an adventure of a lifetime backpacking…
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I travelled to Brazil in 2016 and was in Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, which was incredible although we did have a couple of unnerving experiences. I haven’t written much about Brazil or Rio yet, so I asked Yvonne from Now in Rio to share her thoughts on a question that is often asked about Brazil’s buzzing city – Is Rio safe for tourists? Is Rio safe? Favelas. Drugs. Violence. Guns. This is the most common image of Rio that…
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Ecuador might be small, but it certainly packs a punch. As any backpacking Ecuador travel guide will tell you, Ecuador has one of the highest biodiversities for any country in the world and is a mecca for nature lovers who come to visit the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, and the Andean region of Ecuador. Indigenous culture is still strong in several regions of Ecuador too, and the Otavalo market is one of the best in South America. I’ve brought together…
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Hostels are wonderful places to stay. Cheap, sociable, and perfect for backpackers, I have stayed in some amazing hostels all over the world. However, sometimes hostel stays don’t work out quite as we’d hoped! After a couple of terrible experiences in hostels, including having all my stuff stolen from a hostel locker, I asked fellow female travellers to share their hostel nightmares. Read on, if you dare! Hostel Nightmares: Horrible Roommates By Claire from Tales of a Backpacker In Stockholm I…
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The Ciudad Perdida Tour, or Lost City Trek, in northern Colombia is an incredible hike. It is not an easy walk though, and involves steep climbs and descents, two river crossings and hoards of mosquitos. Here is a handy guide to what to pack for La Ciudad Perdida Tour to help you prepare, and handle it like a pro! I recommend Wiwa Tours for the trek, I went with them and had a great time, learning a lot about the indigenous…
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Hostels are one of the best accommodation options for backpackers and budget travellers. However, although sometimes I may complain about #firstworldproblems, I have realised after 18 months of staying in hostel dorms that there are certain unwritten rules that apparently do need to be written down to make sure everyone enjoys their stay. If we all follow this simple guide to hostel etiquette, we will all get along just fine! Want to book a hostel bed? I use hostelworld.com or…
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Backpacking or travelling for a long period of time is an incredible experience – rewarding, exhilarating and life-changing. However, when travelling for a long time, there are some things that start to affect your daily life, and that people recognise in you even if you don’t see it for yourself! Here are just a few things I realised I have started doing after spending a long time on the road! Planning a trip? These Travel Planning Resources can help! You…
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Crossing an international border in South America is, on the whole, very easy. A little too easy in fact. I have crossed 14 international borders in South America since I arrived last August, and once you know how it works the first time, the rest of the crossings should be a doddle. There are still a few things to bear in mind when you are crossing borders in South America. During my 10 month journey I have crossed the following…
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