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SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 11 Sep 2006
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Which Country????
Hi all!!

Just found out about this wonderful website! I am planning to travel to Latin America this Dec, or Jan 2007, and would really like some advice on which country to start with. I may be travelling on my own, and as a girl, not all places are as safe as I would like them to be. Just started riding recently, and would like a fairly easy riding trip, possibly beachy with lots of stuff to see.

Sounds like heaps of travellers here are fairly experienced here and would really appreciate some help.

Anyone else planning a similar adventure during these months??

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  #2  
Old 11 Sep 2006
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Paz, Bolivia
Posts: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebaby
Hi all!!

Just found out about this wonderful website! I am planning to travel to Latin America this Dec, or Jan 2007, and would really like some advice on which country to start with. I may be travelling on my own, and as a girl, not all places are as safe as I would like them to be. Just started riding recently, and would like a fairly easy riding trip, possibly beachy with lots of stuff to see.

Sounds like heaps of travellers here are fairly experienced here and would really appreciate some help.

Anyone else planning a similar adventure during these months??
Hi,
have you decided where to ship to and when? Christmass is a good time to be doing the south and BA is a good place toship your biketo, straight forward customs formalities, friendly place to start and get the feel for SA and there is Dakar Motors which can help with parts, advice,accomodation.
Have fun
Fraser
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  #3  
Old 11 Sep 2006
Atwoke's Avatar
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Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 219
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bol-ex
Hi,
... and BA is a good place toship your biketo, ...
If you are shipping from Oz you might want to consider starting (and ending?) your trip on the West Coast, Valparaiso / Santiago for example. Should make a big difference to shipping time and cost.

Also, Flights from Europe to Santiago over the x-mas new year period are getting seriously expensive. You might have to hurry with booking if you want to go during that period...

There will be loads of people in Argentina on their way too or from TDF (I'll be leaving Santiago around the 17th Dec). I'm sure they would be happy to help....

Jens
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  #4  
Old 11 Sep 2006
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Costa Rica
Posts: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebaby
Hi all!!

Just found out about this wonderful website! I am planning to travel to Latin America this Dec, or Jan 2007, and would really like some advice on which country to start with. I may be travelling on my own, and as a girl, not all places are as safe as I would like them to be. Just started riding recently, and would like a fairly easy riding trip, possibly beachy with lots of stuff to see.

Sounds like heaps of travellers here are fairly experienced here and would really appreciate some help.

Anyone else planning a similar adventure during these months??
I can only speak for Mexico and Central America.

As a girl traveling alone, Costa Rica would be the safest country. It's not uncommon to see Gringas hitch-hiking here, alone or in pairs.

As a new rider, reguardless of sex, I couldn't recommend any Latin American country, as they terrible drivers. They pay no attention to traffic or road conditions and have had almost no instruction. I get run off the road, on avg., every two weeks and have had more crashes in five years(most caused by other drivers, bicylists or amimals), than I had in forty years of riding in the States. I believe that Costa Rica has the third highest per/capita accident rate in the world and I don't think the other countries in C.A. are much better(they just have less cars).

Just my opinion, but I think it would be best to get some experience under your belt first.
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  #5  
Old 29 Sep 2006
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Location: miami u.s.a.
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Hi,Bluebaby.
This is also my first trip in motorcycle!!!!!!!

Common sense,first....drive in the morning or not after 4 pm ; "new friend"?.. may be in a bar or restaurant ?......alway better people in groups......
I am from Argentina ,i beleive that latin people in general is very friendly,but there is always a chance of problems.
i am doing a round trip miami ...california....america's pacific....buenos aires(my city)......and come back to miami by the atlantic coast.
may be i see you on the road...some time, some were.
good luck/mucha suerte............................................ ....alejandro.
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  #6  
Old 29 Sep 2006
albert crutcher's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: colombia-ecuador
Posts: 218
Quote:
Originally Posted by motomech
I can only speak for Mexico and Central America.

As a girl traveling alone, Costa Rica would be the safest country. It's not uncommon to see Gringas hitch-hiking here, alone or in pairs.

As a new rider, reguardless of sex, I couldn't recommend any Latin American country, as they terrible drivers. They pay no attention to traffic or road conditions and have had almost no instruction. I get run off the road, on avg., every two weeks and have had more crashes in five years(most caused by other drivers, bicylists or amimals), than I had in forty years of riding in the States. I believe that Costa Rica has the third highest per/capita accident rate in the world and I don't think the other countries in C.A. are much better(they just have less cars).

Just my opinion, but I think it would be best to get some experience under your belt first.
As an old Scottish,London depatch rider living in Ecuador if you know how to ride a bike defensivley and have a bit of common sense you won,t have any problems in America Latina,yes they drive badly but you know that so drive accordingly,I love avoiding all the beasties and nitwits It,s all part of motorcycling fun,We all have to die of something,lets try not to make it boredom,Do it cos when you,re 80 you don,t want to be thinking what if!!!
Feel free to drop into the pub here in Quito on your way round.don,t think about it just do it!
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  #7  
Old 3 Oct 2006
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 49
Thumbs up Solo in Central America and female..........!!!!!!
I just finished this trip solo and am planning to do it again......what a hoot!!!!
Just watch out for the cows and unmarked speed bumps called "topes" in Mexico; called "policia acostada" (sleeping policeman)in Nicaragua. If you have more questions, I have lots to tell you...e-mail me.

Lizannalot@aol.com

Regards,
Lizanne
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  #8  
Old 3 Oct 2006
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Location: London
Posts: 96
Other Handy Hints
Hi All,

I am in a similar position and it is great to read the things to look out for. I like the not biking after 4pm and watching out for speed bumps.

Liz - how did you find it as a solo women and had you been biking for years? I have six months experience now and have been taking advanced riding classes but it is still the riding on unfamiliar roads that I am most nervous about.

Good luck on the road.

Annette
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