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Costs in South America
I am in the fortunate position in getting a pension, UK 700 and Dollar 1100 give or take the exchange rate. I also have some monies put to one side for extras like servicing the bike etc.
Do you think that that is doable? I will not be in any rush so I can take my time and intend on taking a tent and cooking gear I realise after doing research that places like Brazil and Argentina are more expensive, but is that more compared to the UK/US? Thanks Wayne |
Hi Wayne.
As you are aware already some countries are more expensive than others. The most expensive are Brasil, Chile, Argentina. Ecuador & Venezuela are the cheapest for fuel. On our travels we budget around 1000 GBP per person per month. This is sleeping in our camper every night, cooking ourselves, BUT we do all activities we want and visit all sites no matter the cost. Fuel is however our biggest cost (in a camper van) may be cheaper for you biker folk! I think 700 per month should be adequate as long as you keep track of your money and are savvy with where you buy food, sleep etc. Remember nothing in South America is the price the people ask for it! I would ensure your mode of transport is as serviced as possible and at its best mechanical condition. Mechanics are the worst for jacking the prices when they see that you are desperate. We have done our budget for central america.. Prices are roughly similar http://www.theoverlanders.co.uk/#!ov...america-/c1p53 Safe travels Gwyn & Linzi The Overlanders www.theoverlanders.co.uk www.facebook.com/theoverlanderspage |
Going to be tough to travel for US$1100 per month, but it can be done if you're able to stay frugal. What the first response misses is that while they pay more for fuel, they're not paying for lodging because they're staying in the camper. It takes a dedicated motorbike traveler to camp in most areas of South America.
I'd also quibble with the assertion that "mechanics are the worst for jacking the prices...." Mechanical work is cheap in South America unless you're riding a brand name bike and demand dealer servicing. Finally, there are the usual issues about getting the bike and yourself to and from the continent. If you've factored these into your budget somehow, you're way ahead of the game. If not, the costs might account for 4 months' worth of pension. Lots (and lots) of past threads on expenses. I sure spent a lot more than the US$35 per day that you're hoping for, and so do all but a few. Best advice: have a Plan B. Hope that's helpful. Mark |
Guys
Thanks for the replies, I don't mind camping, slept a lot worse than that in years passed But i take what you both have said on board My plan at the moment is to get a bike over there, one which is popular in S Am so parts and service shouldn't be a drama. I do have a bit of a slush fund to play with but would like to manage Cheers Wayne |
Day to day costs aren`t so bad, even in Argentina or Chile. Mostly it was fuel that sucked up most of my money, doing 500k per day was costing me 40 USD approx on my XR250. On the days I camped, obviously the rest was spent on food and water I just got for free and filtered it myself.
After six 500k days, then I had to factor in oil change, filter, and etc, etc at least with my little two fifty. I think the conventional wisdom is make your budget and then double it, otherwise you`ll probably run out of money. Overall, motorcycling around and camping seems cheap, based on day to day costs, but when you factor in insurance, the cost of the bike, shipping, parts, replacing your SHOEI (ouch) servicing, etc, it works out fairly pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. I think spending more time in the north-west of the continent, i.e. Peru, Bolivia, etc, will keep your costs down. Especially with the cheap fuel. |
Hi,
When I travelled 28.000 km in Southamerica, I used 2500 Euro for one year including buying the bike and the flights. I was sleeping in my tent most of the time and really enjoyed it. Of course the more money you have, the more luxuary things you can affoard but I would not be able to spend 1000 Dollars per month ;) http://motorradtouren-suedamerika.de...en_suedamerika Congratulations and enjoy it, Tobi |
Everyone is a bit different; what they want and need, but I think it can be done.
I spent $19,674.00, 100,000km and two months shy of three years. That includes a bike (XR125), camping gear, three flights (to, from and to UK). I spent the most in Chile and Argentina, it is a little more expensive but mainly it was due to covering many miles and fuel costs. I think probably slower is cheaper, so you should be okay. Prices in Chile and Argentina are comparable to UK for things like food, fuel is a bit cheaper, but things like electronics or parts are very expensive. |
Thanks for all the recent added info.
Wayne |
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Getting a bike "over there" may skew your average a bit, depending how it goes. That initial "hit" from cost of bike may use up some of your "slush fund". But once on the road, cost average should drop. Have you figured out which country you intend to buy in? Paperwork to get bike in your name? Tricky in some countries. Tons of topics here on that. Which country will your money go furthest? Seems if you do a black market exchange rate in Argentina then things suddenly get cheap. But registering a bike there, and taking it OUT of Argentina takes some doing. (it can be done) Try to find out where bikes are cheapest. Maybe Peru'? Chile is an expensive country in general as is Brazil. Venezuela, with a thriving black market for foreign currency, could also be a possibility if you can navigate paperwork? I've never heard even ONE report of someone buying a bike in Venezuela. Parts would certainly be available in the country where you buy the bike ... but not sure about other countries. (depending what bike you buy) Many different Chinese brands are now sold all over Latin America. Perhaps one or two brands are popular in many countries? Dunno. If so, then that is the brand I would try to get. So check out dealer/distributor networks there. If you get a used Japanese bike then like with most all bikes, you would have to wait on parts at a brand specific dealer. How long? Probably depends which model and how common it is in country you are in. Certain Brazilian made Honda models seem to be sold in many countries ... not sure of all of them?? .. but Chile and Argentina for sure. Maybe others? But they are double the cost (at least) of a Chinese bike. If going Chinese, which ones are best? We see various reports from riders on Chinese bikes but I haven't seen any comparisons .. does not seem to be much Data yet on these new entries to the market. The ones coming to the US are getting better every year. :thumbup1: It's good you're willing to camp. Certain areas it can be "a challenge" but go for it. Camp when you can, will save a lot for sure. One alternative would be to begin your trip in USA. If that new Panama Ferry is a reality, then looks like you could jump the Gap for around $300. That is CHEAP. (shop and compare) Buying in USA would get you a better bike for cheaper than buying down South. (if comparing Apples to Apples) You could do a round trip of Mex., Cent. America, S. America, return to USA and sell bike off legally. Probably get better than HALF your money back if in reasonable condition. You can sell off the bike in S. America too ... if you can fiddle the system a bit and find another traveler to buy. I think your budget is doable if you're frugal and travel slow. Do stopovers in inexpensive places when you need to rest up. bier |
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I'm hoping to travel SA either early next year, or towards of the end of next year, hopefully I can do it on slightly less than £1000 per month, but it's good to over budget if possible. |
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