Author Topic: Where should I go in Latin America?  (Read 1896 times)

El Gringo

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Where should I go in Latin America?
« on: April 30, 2015, 08:03:35 AM »
I'm looking to take a vacation to Latin America later this year (and introduce my girlfriend to Latin America). I'd love to go south of the equator, but flights are so much more expensive, so I'm thinking Central America or Colombia.  My top thoughts were Nicaragua, Panama, or Colombia (Costa Rica seems a little too touristy). Does anyone have suggestions on where I should go?

perummm

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Re: Where should I go in Latin America?
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2015, 09:13:25 AM »
Come to Peru., it's great!!

You like the beach? Mancora is the greatest.. and you can find some very mustachian deals ...
Mountain guy? Cordillera de los andes!
Rainforest? Lots and lots of rainforest in the peruvian amazon!

Also... Cuzco is by far my favorite place in the world.. and you can also get very good deals...


Bert The Turtle

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Re: Where should I go in Latin America?
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2015, 09:15:39 AM »
Se habla español?  If you're fluent in the language I'd recommend Cartagena, Colombia.  I've been there twice and actually got married there last year (no, it wasn't a particularly inexpensive wedding, but it had to be in Colombia so we went big).  If you stay in the old city (San Diego) or in Getsemani it will be pretty safe.  There's no real street crime in those areas other than pickpockets, so just be mindful of your wallet and documents. It's a little bit more touristy there than in other parts of Colombia, but it's such a beautiful city with so much history that you shouldn't even notice.  And the food is spectacular there.  I haven't been to Panama or Nicaragua, but what I've heard from folks who are traveling down through CA to SA is that the food significantly improves when you go from Panama into Colombia.

Prices aren't particularly cheap in Colombia, but the Peso dropped significantly last year when oil crashed, so it won't be too bad.

Cookie78

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Re: Where should I go in Latin America?
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2015, 09:29:24 AM »
I haven't been south of Mexcio, but following for interest and future plans. I've heard great things about Colombia.

Also... Cuzco is by far my favorite place in the world.. and you can also get very good deals...

I'm going to Cuzco this weekend for a couple weeks! What are your favorite off the beaten path places to see?

Exprezchef

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Re: Where should I go in Latin America?
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2015, 09:39:56 AM »
I second Peru. My wife and I did a 10 day tour last year for our 20th wedding anniversary and had an exceptional time. We traveled in an organized tour with some friends who were also celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. We probably spent a little more money than most on this forum would have, but the experiences were well worth the extra money and it by no means altered our FIRE plans. Since none of us had been to Peru before, we felt it worthwhile. Here is a Youtube link to the video I put together from the trip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAen13oabQo

El Gringo

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Re: Where should I go in Latin America?
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2015, 09:57:44 AM »
Come to Peru., it's great!!

Oh perummm, you have no idea! Traveling to Peru for several summers in high school is where I fell in love with the world and set my career/life path (I work now in international development). I love Peru un montón!

I'm looking at (mainly) Central America because it will have to be a relatively quick trip due to my girlfriend's work situation, and also flights there are half as expensive as they are in the lower part of South America.

Bert the Turtle, si yo hablo español. Gracias por la recomendación!