By Mark Van Overmeire
You set your mind and you're ready to travel to South America, amagical place of immense beauty where myth and legend continueto walk hand in hand. I've traveled 18 months in South Americaand can give you some tips on how to prepare yourself for anunforgettable adventure.
Common Sense
We all hear the unpleasant stories and South America has a fameof being dangerous. I traveled thousands of miles traversingcities, jungles, islands and mountains. I survived 6 weeks in astreet child care center in the favelas of Salvador da Bahía(Brazil) and had the party of a lifetime during carnival.Nothing, I repeat, nothing happened. Use your common sense.Avoid badly lit streets at night and if your sixth sense isgiving you the "something is wrong" sign then take a taxi toyour destination.
Travel Guide Book
The first thing that you will need is a travel guide book. Itwill be your best companion in your search for adventure. I canhighly recommend Lonely Planet´s South America on a Shoestringto get you started. The book covers all you need to know to getthe most out of your trip and is ideal to plan your journeyahead. I've used the guide extensively during my 18 monthadventure. They offer excellent separate travel guides of allthe countries (besides using the Lonely Planet Shoestring I'veused their separate travel guides of Peru and Brazil). Theirguides are the most popular among backpackers.
Other popular guides are The Rough Guide to South America andthe South American Handbook. Ideal, but not practical becauseyou want to travel light, would be to enjoy the adventure with aLonely Planet and either the Rough Guide or the Handbook.
Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese
The most rewarding thing for me was the fact that you can travelin a huge continent like South America with only 2 languages.Spanish and Portuguese. If you plan to travel just for a fewweeks you can invest in a Spanish and/or Brazilian PortuguesePhrase Book. English is not widely spoken and even a basicknowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese makes the trip so muchmore rewarding (they're extremely willing to help you, so don'tworry, be happy).
If on the other hand you're planning to travel for a few monthsI can highly recommend taking a language course. Ideal would bein a school in South America (I took lessons in Quito, Ecuador,and had a private teacher for $2.50/h).
Walking Shoes
South America's nature is overwhelming. You'll walk for manyhours day after day. It would be a shame to walk in thefootsteps of the Incas with blisters on your feet. My biggestrecommendation is to invest in high quality walking shoes withGore-Tex.
Health Vaccinations
Yellow Fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon Basin), Typhoid(consists of two injections taken 4 weeks apart),Diphtheria-Tetanus, Polio, Cholera (only when necessary),Smallpox
Medical Kit:
Depending on what you plan to do you can include the following:Antiseptic cream, aspirin, lomotil for diarrhea, antibiotics,throat lozenges, ear and eye drops, antacid tablets, motionsickness medication, alcohol swabs, water purifier, lip salve,foot and groin powder, thermometer (in a case), surgical tape,assorted sticky plasters, gauze, bandages, butterfly closures,scissors and last but not least, first-aid booklet
Note: malaria pills are required in the amazon basin, please beaware that those pills are very b and you should check with yourdoctor before departure
Traveling Gear
Backpack:
Obviously a high quality backpack is a must. Choose the typethat has different compartments that can be opened separately.Very handy if you need something quickly. Travel as light aspossible. A heavy backpack is destined to undermine yourtraveling pleasure.
Clothing:
Depends on where you go. If it's the mountains and the jungle,get some quality clothing from home. If it's the beach, buy yourt-shirts there (cheap).
Camping and Climbing Gear: You can rent camping and climbingmaterial in South America but the quality may be questionable.Always check the material. Bring your own gear if possible. Itraveled 18 months with my own tent and various camping utensils.
Photography
Pictures are something personal. Some people just want some snapshots, others want to publish in the National Geographic. All mypictures were taken with a cheap Nikon F50 camera. Have a lookat some amazing photographs at
I had two zoom lenses, a 35-80 mm. and a 70-210mm. I alsodragged a tripod and an excellent flash with me. I used FUJIslides (100 ASA) but you definitely need 200 to 400 ASA if youplan to go to the jungle. A polarize filter enhances the colourstremendously on sunny days.
Conclusion
South America will embrace you with open arms. It's nature,people and history are overwhelming. With the right preparationand set of mind you're ready for an unforgettable adventure
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