Colombia to Argentina. East coast or west coast?
 

Had originally planned to ride south from Bogota in September roughly down the west coast of South America to be in Tierra Del Fuego for January but some extra time and money has come my way to allow for a longer trip in South America. I will now have the time to do a big loop and the questions I have are as follows?

Would it be better to go through Venezuala/Brazil/Uruguay/Argentina on the way down over 4 months and then back up the west coast after January? January seems the best time of year to be down there.

Can I head through Venezuala and Brazil in September/October time? Is there a wet season that will thwart my progress?

What about heading north from TDF after January? Will the weather be a factor to consider?

Anyone got any useful ideas?

Many thanks in advance. Matt

Hola Matt,

September/October is the end of the dry season in Peru, and a really nice time to be there in the mountains. Although it's the wet season in Venezuela, in Brasil it's largely dry, and the paved roads are fine regardless of weather. Argentina & Chile are wonderful in December/January, but Peru and Bolivia are well into the wet season between January and May.

Taking into account country preferences, I'd go down the west side via the amazing mountain roads of Peru & Bolivia, cross the Salar de Uyuni to San Pedro, cross over on one of the passes to northern Argentina, then south on Ruta 40, dipping into Chile as required. Back up on the east coast.

James