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How do i explore south america?

I've gotten the opporunity to go travel wherever i want in the world for a year without money being an issue.. It didn't take me long to choose South America. I was first thinking about volunteering at four organizations three months each but then I realized, I'm probably never going to get a chance like this again.

So I've decided I want to fly down to South America and spend a few months in one place ( where? I don't know!) to get my wits about me and become better at Spanish Then spend the rest of the year exploring.

I've been being told a lot of really conflicted things about whether or not this is too dangerous for me to do but, i think thats not true at all. All the information i've been finding so far online has been really alarmist for example, one source said "women should be wary traveling alone because they will be hollered at. Avoid especially construction sites." Oh really, I'm going to be cat called by construction workers? That never happens in Boston... More than that I've been told I should not go at all because just being a young girl makes it too dangerous. Does being a girl really ban me from traveling?

I don't know how to go about this though. I'd really like to go soon.Where should I begin? I'd appreciate any advice.

thank you!
-Alyssa Kinsley

By kinsley on May 27, 2008, 08:45 in Travelicious Talkzone.

romy says on May 27, 2008, 08:55:

definitely use the Colombia forum for any specific questions you might have, but do try using the forum search first as many things have been discussed.

My general impression is that South America is as stable now as it has been in quite a while now. Your safest bet is Buenos Aires as it is the cosmopolitan capital of South America, however there are no countries I would be weary of.
My dream trip that I will eventually take with my brother and 2 of my cousins is a loop in which you start off in Leticia, Colombia (Amazon) from there over to Brazil and down the Amazon river all the way to the coast. At that point you start going down the Brazilian coast , then into Uruguay, Argentina, down to patagonia, over to chile, and up the andes through Peru and Ecuador and ending up back in Colombia.

good luck and happy travels

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Peter (Moderator) says on Jun 3, 2008, 02:06:

South America is easy enough, I've met many women traveling alone. Just get a travelguide (there are guides that cover the entire continent), pick a country to start (Ecuador has cheap flights), and go. No need for much planning in advance, really. You'll change your plans once you're on the road anyway. I can recommend Bolivia to land as well, very beautiful, very safe. Good luck!

Poor but snappy

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SandraBaldion says on Jun 29, 2008, 15:55:

Colombia is a great option if you are considering warm weather ... zona cafetera for instance sounds good, nice prices, friendly, people, awesome food, and adventure activities.

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