Monthly travel prices in South America - FYI
 

Here are averaged prices for my last 8 months or so travelling in South America (July 2004 to March 2005). Prices are per person, per month, per country, in USD$.

Ecuador $401
Peru $370
Bolivia $390
Argentina $563

NOTES: Method of travelling was camping where possible, cheap hostels where not. Hostels on miserable rainy days, too. Eating in the markets, lots of sandwiches on the road. Few restaraunts, but no eating out of garbage bins. These prices include accomodation, food, beer, souviners, postage for packages home, internet and phone, gas, moto repairs and maintenence (mostly done in Argentina), museums and attractions. I don´t know why Bolivia was more expensive than Peru, as it didn´t seem so, but it probably has to do with the amount of beer consumed with Dan Walsh. For those who know about Amys crash, those direct costs were removed from the calculations.

Its easy to spend more, possible to spend less. YMMV.
Cheers,
Rene
www.renedian.com

that,s the information that we all really need to know ,just how much does it really cost to live on the road, i must admit i am surprised at those costs ,very pleasantly surprised , i guess that i am just too used to paying through the nose for everything here in the uk,a country that is fast becoming one of the most expensive places in the world to live , thank you rene, and good luck with the next leg of your adventure,s wherever that may be .

mr moto,
Thanks for that reply. I am glad you can use the info. I should clarify that we were travelling in a pair for every country except Argentina, which was solo, and although the prices above are per person, there are sometimes economies available to two people (such as a hostel room for 2 people being $13, and a single being $10).
Cheers,
Rene

So how exactly does 'drnking with Dan Walsh' affect your budget when he always buys the beers?

Cheers, DW

This is a very excellent point, but the details are always too fuzzy to remember correctly...!

oh Mr. Dan,

if you are always buying those so called beers maybe all us travellers could benefit more by been in you company. it would be most pleasant to meet you and benefit from your hard earned cash.

i look forward to it warmly.

Hola Rene
I dare not add up my expenditure ! Live expensivly and die cheap, thats my plan

Enjoy Canada, maybe see you in Africa !!?

Dave

Hey David, my "little visit" back to Canada will be a bit longer as I just received bad news about investment money that was my ticket to ride through Africa. So its home for a bit longer than I had hoped, hoping to sell blood or something. Africa is of course still in the plans, but its been pushed back.
Rene

Renee, when are you back in BA?

I will be in Montevideo Monday to work on getting the moto home, and in BsAs as soon as possible after that.
Looking like end of next week. You still around? I can meet you at the regular spot.
Rene

It's looking increasingly likely. Give us a shout when you're heading for the Gib. And good luck with the aduana etc

Cheers, suerte, Dan

hey Rene
I should be in Bs As sometime after the 21st May, you still going to be there ?

Dave

Hi Rene!

I arrived in Bs.As. today with my brother!
May be we can meet somewhere, but it will blow up your budget again!

Chau Appie!

hey Dan,

did you forget which underground carpark you left the bike in ¿¿¿¿

or are you still trying to work out how to open the door in the `Gibralter` !!!!!

whatever your excuse is for not riding have fun and say hello to BA for us. by the way it`s bloody hot and steamy up here near the equator...loads of bananas though.

Dave - in Montevideo now, should be in BsAs by the end of the week.

Appie - you still in town, or have you and your brother left?

Goggs - I don`t think Dan has any issues opening the door to ENTER the Gibralter...its leaving the presents confusion...

Goggs - where are you? Venezuela? Damn, you move too fast.

Renee - see you at the end of the week.

Hi Rene!

We will be still here, i try to repair my baby, or better said my granny! There is everything band and twisted what you can emagin! But i will make it somehow and bring it up to Colombia!

Hope to see you soon, Appie!

Dan- about 4 inches north of the equator, in ecuador.

going to colombia next to find an old friend, thing is he gets right up my nose, what should i do ¿

Rene- how long are you going to be north of the 47th parallel ¿

I am having a bugger of a time getting the bike to Vancouver from here. Then I saw a map of the world and remembered why. With the possible exception of Ushuaia, I couldn´t have picked some place more awkward, and far to ship to Vancouver.
Anyway, I will be Canada long enough to host you two when you arrive. Should be there in 2 or 3 weeks, until ????

rene

Goggsy - go and see that miserable auld get Albert in The Turtle's Head if you fancy a pint and a moan. And be careful of that Colombian - he gets up everyone's nose eventually. Email me if you want some expat contacts in Quito.

not to keen on Quito....i`ll tell you why while the adrenaline is still pumping..

there we were having a nice chat in KFC after our meal when some strange activity was going on....then some guy tried to tell me he had found a key on the floor near me...yer you guessed it...next thing Danielle notices our bag is gone (guide book + camera), we run like the clappers and after Danielles hysterical scream one of the guys drops the bag. i had the fat bastard by the throat then i pulls out my trusty extendable cosh....only thing is in the confusion i didn`t beat the shit out of him.

perhaps it`s for the best, we got the bag back and we are not in extra trouble. Ecuador doesn`t feel the safest place...it`s hard to relax and keep your guard up at the same time, one of those balancing acts.

i`m pissed for not coshing him though !!!

hang loose guys and probably see you further north Rene

Sorry to hear that, Goggsy. Be careful up and down Amazonas and round the Mariscal, like a muggers' convention after dark. Cab it.

Cheers, keep safe, Dan

PS Is that an extendable cosh in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?

Goggs - travel safe, see you north.

For the rest of you in BsAs, I will be there a week from today (that would be Thursday, 26) for the weekend and fly home on Tuesday May 31. I hope for my selfish sake some of you are still stuck there....
rene

Rene
I will be there on the 26th. Sat in Lima airport now having shipped the bike from here.

I am rushing home so fly out Friday 27th,

Be good to see for a coffee or something....

Dave

I arrive in BsAs late tonight (Thursday, 26th). WHat time is your flight? We can meet for coffee anywhere. Email me! I will also send this to you off line...

hi rene and all others,

we sold our bikes in paraguay and will arrive in buenos aires monday morning (by bus!).
what about a little farewell party?

cu
jan+kathrin

why not???
Tell me when and where!!!
CU2
Javier & Sandra.....

hi javier,

to give rene a chance to join in,
it should be on monday.

Dan, what do you think?

TO

Of course, i would like to join! Any place is fine with me! Monday is good...

Rene, where are you staying?

cheers
TO

Brisas Del Mar, in San Telmo district. It is on Humberto Primero, between 9 de Julio and Peru.
See you Monday!

Are you in Colombia yet Goggstrotter?

Looks like you and I are the only people riding our motorcycles in South America as opposed to parking up in Buenos Aires.

Currently in Venezuela and heading to Bogota before June 8th. Fancy a beer?

Hope all is well with you others.

Matt

dan,

where the hell is "your" "Gibralter"?

TO

hi matt, it will have to be in Panama or further north. the bike flies out tonight and we follow tomorrow.

colombia was ace but time is not on our side. maybe we catch up back in blighty or on another road. cheers.

to everyone in BA have fun and a beer for us. adios

Herman the German - the Gibraltar is in San Telmo, esquina de calle Peru y calle Estados Unidos. Email me

hi Dan,
you should really work on your responding time!
we are in BERLIN.

save travel (if you manage to find your bike again)!
TO

Nice work bob, good to keep the extendable one in your pocket, that'll teach you for eating in KFC instead of tasting those squeaky south american delights. Seem to have given my mates 05R1 electrical gremlins at Jerez, but as it has already blown up once I am sure its not me.

Where are you flying to? Did Danielle enjoy the jungle.....theres bloody vipers in spain at least the beer is cold..
alec