South America - travel > Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador
South America
Trends since we started
South America
Olá, Hola. Carnival in Rio, Incas, Caribbean beaches, Tango... There is so much here, too much. More or less it is easy to country-hop and visa free - it is just a huge area! Start loving buses.
Country Summaries
South America
Argentina , Paraguay & Uruguay .
For Central America go here .
Intro.... From a traveller perspective, South America splits into roughly three regions. The more developed     Southern countries of Argentina, Uruguay and Chile; with their European     feel, political stability and relatively high standards (not to     mention great wine and meat). This is where     many start/finish a trip.
Then you have the less developed 'Inca and     Amazon' countries - Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador/Colombia. Here you have     the main concentration of travellers, drawn not only by the world famous     sights, but also the significantly lower cost of travel (certainly in     Bolivia). And a more 'authentic' South American feeling with a great percentage of     indigenous population (highest in Bolivia) and stereotypical scenery.
And lastly you have Brazil, which although often combined     as part of a larger trip (typically Rio and/or the Foz do Iguaçu ), needs to be treated separately due to its size and different vibe/language.
South America on the whole lacks difficult border crossings and visa     headaches (although Americas will occasionally run into hefty charges). Bus transport     is easy to arrange and there is a very established trail of attractions     (often known as the 'Gringo Trail').     This however causes many to 'bite off more than they can chew' in terms of distances to be covered overland, not finding the time     or the energy     to discover out of the way gems and (although good value on a world     level) spending too much [money] in the Southern developed countries     and/or (especially) Brazil.
The most 'backpackery' countries are Bolivia     and Peru with a clear 'trail' of attractions, 'party' hostels/towns/tours     and lots of people to meet. Tour mentality and the type of other travellers     (certainly at the budget end) you meet can jade some, certainly in the     case of Bolivia where you'll find the best value for money on the continent.
You don't need to be fluent in Spanish (or even know more than a good number of phases), but a basic level makes a HUGE difference in this      region. The same can be said for Portuguese in Brazil. Spanish      lessons are normally cheap/easy to arrange on route.
A number of      South/Central American countries have currencies pegged/fixed to      the US dollar where a better parallel (black market) exchange rate can exist. To benefit you need USD cash. Do your research before travel. This is currently the case in Venezuela      and Argentina.
What      follows are only basic snap shot summaries. If you have decided these are      some of the countries you want to visit and need more planning information, you are strongly recommended to complement what you find here with a planning guide . Trust us: it will make life      much easier.
It is worth looking,     if you have not already, at the example     layout to see the guidelines each section of information is based     on - or for other travel advice and site home head for www.travelindependent.info
If you are set on going and need a guidebook or reading material      please see a list of recommended guides/books here (go on have a look!). If you want to read fiction, you are in luck as some      of the world's best writers were from South America. All guides/books are described here in more detail.
South America
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Accommodation: Cheap, sometimes basic and cold (spend       money on better warmer accommodation if need be)
Hot water: Can be a problem at budget end.
Average cost: less than $10-25. Some amazing value        places, notably in Sucre.
Hot/cold, wet and dry: The higher plains of Bolivia get       pretty cold at night, but are never as cold as some make it out (since       it is not a damp cold), unless in winter (June/July). Visiting jungle       areas during or just after the wet season is not pleasant. Lying       in the southern hemisphere; winter runs from May to October and       summer from November to April. Basically it's generally wet in the       summer and dry during the winter.
The tourist season is something like late June to early       September, which has a good climate and is Bolivia's major fiesta season.       This does however make for a very crowded time with overseas visitors       and lots of South Americans travelling.
As mentioned, highlands and the altiplano can become very cold in the       winter and wet in the summer. However, the wet summer months (northern       hemisphere winter) are not a serious barrier to travel and additionally       there is far too much scaremongering regarding the winter's freezing       lows.
Yes it can get very cold with the higher points of the altiplano dropping       as low as -15C, and in most seasons below zero is not uncommon, but       these are nightly temperatures when you will be tucked up in a sleeping       bag (rent no problem) with loads of blankets available and not outside       in a tent. Remember these high altiplano points are where you transit       from Chile to Potosi/Uyuni, not where you travel day-to-day (which are       lower areas such as Potosi, Sucre, La Paz or Cochabamba). During the       day, it is most likely you will be in a jeep as at such attitude any       physical effort is very tiring. It won't be t-shirt weather, but a       good fleece (or two) is enough. It's ridiculous to pack arctic clothing       for only a few days stay and limited exposure to such a climate. If       anything, good thermal underwear is most useful due to it's many applications.
Conversely, on the tropical lowlands, summer is pretty miserable with       mud, steamy heat, bugs and relentless downpours, making travel very       difficult if you are anywhere off the beaten track.
Typical tourist trail: Lake Titicaca to La Paz, to the jungle (Rurrenbaque) sometimes       via a mountain bike ride to Coroico - back to La Paz - Sucre to       Potosi to Uyuni to Chile/La Paz (or reverse if coming from Chile,       not Peru/La Paz)
Dangers: Some violent crime, take care at night and during       civil unrest (stay well away from demonstrations) - road blocks       and unrest around Easter time common. Watch petty thieves in markets       and bus stations. Such thefts normally involve a distraction like something       being dropped or spat/sprayed on you. On the whole, these are all       minor issues and it is a fairly safe country on regional standards.
Money: In larger cities plenty of ATMs. For cash, US dollars       are of course the foreign currency of choice throughout Bolivia,       but currencies of neighbouring countries can be exchanged in border       areas. All casas de cambio change cash US dollars and some       also change traveller's checks. If you can't find a cambio, try       travel agencies, jewellery or appliance stores and pharmacies. Credit       cards may be used in larger cities, but not elsewhere - best bet       stick to using ATMs in major centres. Some ATMs (La Paz airport)       give USD cash.
Getting around: Most roads okay with frequent buses, some       roads (especially lowland roads in wet season) are awful. Trains       get very cold at night and are considered worse than buses - certainly       slower. Worth flying to jungle areas and if feeling a little travel       worn. As mentioned in the lowlights, making long trips can be somewhat       unpleasant, roads in the cities are alright, and the stretch just       south of La Paz is OK, but most other rural roads are terrible.
There is no established budget airline network, so to avoid such       journeys and fly, can become quite pricey. Domestic carriers- are       expensive compared to buses, but not as expensive as this seems       to imply.
Costs: Cheapest nation within South America, US$20-30       or even less a day. Excellent value if you are prepared to live,       eat and travel as locals do. However, if you want to do       a jungle trip, mountain climb/bike, trip across the altiplano or       other such activities you will spend more (although tours are great       value). There are also plenty of other temptations (give often party       vibe) which will increase costs for some.
Tours, Tours, Tours: Bolivia is indisputably 'backpacker central' and an industry has sprung up to provide easy, cheap and comfortable tours        tailored to young travellers. So much so that you could easily explore the        jungle, silver miners, salt flats, 'death' road, etc., without        ever having to take local transportation or interact with locals (apart from        guides) all to a soundtrack of contemporary dance music.
These tours make        seeing Bolivia easy, cheap and fun (if you get lucky with others in your        group). However, after a while you might wonder if you really saw Bolivia        at all.
Health: Be aware of food poisoning. Take it very easy and be careful       at high altitudes - it is common for a traveller to hit 5000 meters. Anyone       arriving from sea level will have a screaming headache for a day or two,       and a few become very sick indeed.
What to take: Some warm clothes and a hat, cool covering clothes       and insect repellent for jungle. Some periods of the year can be quite wet       and a waterproof jacket can be useful during these times. Note that La Paz       is full of shops selling not only locally produced Llama and Alpaca wool       jumpers/gloves/scarfs, but also outdoor equipment such as fleeces, down       jackets, hiking shoes, rain jackets and anything you would need if you don't       bring from home, so no need to panic - you won't freeze.
Guide book: Footprint. For a full list of regional guides please click here .
Communications: Internet no problem, plenty of fast Wi-Fi,
Food: Some good, cheap food
Vegetarians: Not really a problem
Hassle and annoyance factor: Limited
Women alone: Be careful at night, not really a problem. Taking        jungle tours alone, especially if female, is not advised.
Local poisons for the body: Mate de Coca, a tea made       from coca leaves (as in the raw material for cocaine production) is widely       available, drunk and cherished throughout the country. Equally, the leaves       are chewed (and have been for centuries) by locals. Both are known to be       helpful for altitude sickness. Despite the content, you would need to be       a fairly professional chewer (the locals build up large lumps of chewed       leaves in their cheeks, hamster style) or drink one hell of a lot of tea       to have any real effect beyond that of strong coffee.
The finished article, that is cocaine, is of course much       more potent and as in Colombia [in hot spots] widely available. Still       highly illegal, the attitude is more tolerant and certainly in La Paz       there exist 'Cocaine Bars' where you may go to sample the famous       marching powder in its pure form. The location of these bars (there are       really only a very small number) changes regularly. A taxi driver       outside or a bar tender inside any of the large (party) hostels are your       best bet to find one, as is asking around with English speaking locals       (during a visit in mid-2014 we were 'arranged' a visit by a guy handing       out flyers for a bar on the street). The names Eddie's Place and Route       36 (most notorious) are most often referenced. It is purely a Gringo (no       locals) affair with the vibe ranging from laid back (early on) to that       of a club (later one). The locations are hidden away from main areas       (often near/above existing clubs) and you are met by official looking       staff on the street who quiz you before showing you in. With lots of       young (often drunk) backpackers this looks like an accident waiting to       happen. Like all references to illegal activities on this site caveat       emptor -  and don't be an idiot and carry the stuff around with       you (and certainly not across international borders), be careful when taking       a taxi home when leaving late (these bars usually close around 0400-0500).
Rating: 8/10
Miss at your peril: Salt flats, overland trip from Chile through the altiplano, and Potosi - 'Highlight of Independent Travel'
Brazil
 
Intro: On the whole Brazil is a pretty western country       - somewhere it's easy to travel and have a good time. It's also home to       some of the world's most beautiful scenery, particularly along its       southern coast. Jungle regions may disappoint, as prices run high and       any tour is likely to have you not 'seeing the wood for the trees', as       the expression goes, as with all trips of this nature, the focus is very much on flora and not fauna. Trips to       the Pantanal (wet land areas) are far more worthwhile, but it can be quite a touristic       experience, costs are still comparatively high and there a more than a few       stories running around of cheap tours turning into disasters.
What really sets Brazil apart is, generally speaking, unlike       the rest of South America it is fairly void of travellers outside of three or       four locations. Tourists are often scared off by the distances - and costs and stick mainly       to the run to Bolivia and Argentina from Rio (the main entry hub) taking in       the Foz       do Iguaçu .
Brazilian Portuguese, which you need to think about more than         just believing it's pretty much the same as Spanish, needs some mastering as         English or Spanish is incredibly rarely spoken for a developed country and day         to day living costs are much higher than the likes of Argentina and Peru or in fact anywhere else         south of the USA (Chile and a few Caribbean islands aside).         And that's really the deal - as great as Brazil can be, if you have any         illusions of bargain travel and have to watch your pennies plus don't speak         a word of Portuguese, it's going to be a lot less fun. You're not quite at European         or North American prices, but if you are hitting the big cities and popular         beaches don't figure on cheap. A double room in a Rio hostel will set you back         over 100R or 50+US$ (although dorm beds are of course cheaper) and (especially         when factoring in long distances), bus travel will soon add up. A great network         of internal flights are good value and it's when you get away from the major         attractions that you'll meet some great fun people from the sexiest nation on         earth. Speaking some Portuguese, avoiding any crime and being disposed to 'beach         life' are the major factors in getting the very best from Brazil. Those who         do will deservedly rave about the place.
Foz          do Iguaçu , Rio de Janeiro ,          carnival (Salvador), Ouro Preto, the party loving friendly Brazilians, beautiful          coastal towns and islands .          Oh and of-course Caipirinhas .
Amazon, distances and big cities (Rio aside). Money          doesn't go as far as elsewhere in South America. Language barriers.
Typical tourist trail: Rio to the coast and down to Foz do Iguaçu       then on to Paraguay.
Dangers: Some violent crime. Care is required in big cities as       with anywhere in South America. Although few travellers experience serious       problems it is worth remembering that along with a handful of other places       on the globe, Brazil can be a very dangerous country with one of the highest       rates of violent crime in the world, and care is needed even by day. Simple       precautions like not wearing a flashy watch and not using ATMs on deserted       streets and always hiding your PIN make a lot of sense.
Visa strategy: Visa free on arrival for EU members plus New Zealand       / Israel. Visa required for other nationalities (inc. Canada, Japan, Australia).       A Brazilian visa now costs $100 for US citizens. Ouch!
Be warned that if visiting other countries in the region where       yellow fever is a problem (e.g. Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela) a yellow fever certificate       maybe requested on entry. You need to have the jab ten days before you travel.
Costs: US$40-60 a day should cover you, if hitting some       big cities. If you want your money to go the furthest, Northern       Brazil is certainly cheaper and some knowledge of Portuguese is       essential. Kitchens in many hostels and good supermarkets mean self-caters       can really reduce daily costs. The same goes with using dorm beds       rather than private rooms.
Brazil has never been cheap compared to many other Latin American       counties, but is getting increasingly more expensive, mainly due       to its massive economic growth which has significantly strengthened       the Real as a currency. Once again, those expecting ultra-budget       travel, beware.
Money: ATMs commonplace, although many don't work on the       international network. Look for HSBC branches which use the VISA       network (Cirrus much less common). Most banks change travellers cheques, but changing cash or TCs on a Sunday can be quite difficult.       On the whole, you can pay for most of your day-to-day needs getting       about with a debit/credit card, which limits your need to carry       too much cash.
Guide book: Rough Guide or Lonely Planet. For a full list       of regional guides please see here .
People vibe:
Locals: Very friendly and welcoming, especially if        you make an effort with Portuguese. Younger travellers getting        a little off the beaten track and staying in communal accommodation        are often welcomed into beach parties and make friends very        easily.
Other travellers: Many British/Irish, not so many        typical Gringos. Worth noting is, as in South East Asia,        a large number of Israelis.
Tourist factor: 6/10 (obviously away from Rio and other       main attractions)
Accommodation: Can be quite expensive relative to the       rest of South America. There has been a big increase in international-style hostels in the past few years, but       away from Rio and the like, you are limited to the smaller less       traveller/non-Portuguese speaking orientated Brazilian versions.       For carnivals it's advisable that accommodation be booked between       August and November regardless of the carnival you choose to view,       although you may be offered a home stay on arrival if you're lucky.       If you are looking for a double room in a Rio hostel, best book before you arrive.
Hot water: Fine
Average cost: 70R up to 110R in cities. Note these        are as with all average accommodation prices on this site for        a double room. Is it worth noting that for Carnival or over        New Year places jack their prices up, up to ten times, and have        several day minimum stays.
Communications: Okay internet, some international call       centres. Post, cheapest in South America
Food: Sometimes expensive, buying your own at good supermarkets       is an option. Is it also worth noting the outstanding variety of       Brazilian food and fruit juices, with so many cultures from all       over the world and all the fruits from the Amazon.
Vegetarians: Fine
Hassle and annoyance factor: None really, apart from Pantanal       tours
Women alone: As with the rest of South America, single        women should be very wary before taking a jungle or Pantanal        tour with a male guide
Local poisons for the body: Brazilians love to party       and normally alcohol is involved. Cocktails including the famous Caipirinhas and its many variations are mixed very strong -       so watch how much you drink if out at night and in an unfamiliar       area. Cocaine readily available in big cities if you are looking       - police entrapment is common. Grass also widely available.
Substances likes ' daime ' or ' ayahuasca ' are not illegal in much of South America (inc. Brazil). Both are       two names for the same hallucinogenic that are used in rituals.       The effect is similar to magic mushrooms, or peyote, or even LSD.       There are many specific destinations for those who want to participate       with support, although the effect is not to be underestimated.
Rating:7/10
Summer holiday's
During summer (December-February) many Brazilians     take holiday's, making travel both difficult and expensive. At the same     time, in Rio and the rest of the south the humidity is nasty. Summer     is also the most festive time of year, as Brazilians escape their apartments     and take to the beaches and streets. School holidays begin in mid-December     and go through to Carnival, usually held in late February (the weekend     and days before Ash Wednesday).
Getting Around
Land: Economy buses are okay value and are     usually reasonably comfortable. Deluxe buses are sometimes very comfortable,     but obviously pricier. The cost of bus travel can however really add     up and a hire car is an option if you have the money or are in a group.     Overnight trips aren't too painful. Many companies offer difference     classes on longer routes, but the distances just go on forever! Take     for example the journey from Rio to Recife - 38 hours by bus. Trains     are a scenic option in places.
Air: To really cover Brazil, those that     can afford it may want to consider an air pass or much easier use this     countries excellent budget airline network. Gol ,     and TAM are the leaders. You can check all their websites to get an     idea of routes, times and prices. These can be equally surprisingly     low or high. Six hours on a bus, Rio to Sao Paulo can be flown for less     than 70US$ (not to mention that Rio's Santos Dumont and Sao Paulo's Congonhas airports are spectacular to take-off/land in). Booking     on-line proves far more difficult, due to recognising or security checking     non-Brazilian credit cards (this should change in the future), but these     airlines have desks that can be found in shopping malls or airports     where you can book. Equally a travel agent can do it for you, sometimes     even hostels. Getting deep into the interior normally requires the use     of a flight at some stage.
Carnival!
The three most popular Carnivals in Brazil are:
Salvador: Celebrated along 26 km of streets filled with approximately     2.2 million people. It's the biggest street party on Earth according     to The Guinness Book of World Records. It's also a giant open-air festival     of Brazilian music for free. About 411,000 out-of-state visitors, mainly     from Rio and São Paulo, come to participate in the 280+year-old party.     In Salvador it's all about participating in Carnival, and not only watching     when some of the best Brazilian bands and singers are in action.
Recife/Olinda: Carnival in Recife and Olinda is celebrated by     approximately 1.5 million people along 12 km of streets. About 100 dolls     3.6-meter tall, some dating as far back as 1932, are unique to the Saturday     parade in Olinda.
Rio: Takes place along a 700-meter runway, also know as Sambódromo,     an open-air stadium built 21 years ago to house the two-day extravaganza     that dates back to 1932. About 70,000 people cheer from the grandstands,     with tourists paying from US$100 to US$4,000 to watch the spectacle.     The cost of accommodation in Rio during this time is very high and you     are normally required to stay the week. Worth staying away if you are     not seeing the carnival.
The main parade (on Sunday and Monday) consists of 6 samba schools per     night with 4,500 people each, in colourful costumes and on floats; great     for photos and video. Although largely ignored by the locals, it's popular     among richer foreign tourists. The "Champions Parade" is on the Saturday     following Carnival and features the top 5 winning samba schools from     the previous weekend; the best way to see the highlights in Rio at a     lower admission cost.
When?: Carnival in Brazil normally starts on the Friday before     Ash Wednesday and finishes on Ash Wednesday itself, though in some places the celebrations tend to spill over until the following weekend.
Chile
Intro: Ten times longer than it is thin. Flying into Santiago       on a clear day you can see the Andres and the ocean in one quick glance.       Like Brazil, Chile is far from a budget destination and Spanish, which is       spoke at an amazing speed, is tough to understand for a beginner. Valparaiso       and the odd vineyard aside, most cities lack obvious attractions, those       landing in Santiago and heading north to the vast uninteresting region that       turns into the visually stunning altiplano at the border with Bolivia, may       not be overly impressed. However, those with time, money and 'outdoor' personalities,       who have good weather on their side and head south to the lake district       and over-subscribed Patagonia are in for a real treat.
Chile really does feel different than the rest of South America. Comfortable,       almost European in places with quirky cities and a 'frontier' feel on its       fringes. Tourism is for the most part well supported with plenty of hostels       and free maps abound. You'll find in urban centres plush shopping malls,       well stocked super-markets and great nightlife. If only the country were       more compact..... despite a fantastic and comfortable bus network, to       see the country beyond Santiago and Valparaiso, you'll need to invest some       time - which most don't given the temptations of other, cheaper countries to       the North and East.
Getting to Patagonia is particularly problematic, requiring a flight or,       as with any travel in Chile, a long (but always good) bus ride. Very much       an outdoor destination, the beautiful fjordland and national parks leave       those with time to explore and the right weather conditions breathless.       There is also the opportunity to ski at good value resorts. Those interested       in Easter Island see details under the Polynesia section summaries.
Patagonia and the lake district (you will need to trek to see these properly and hit the sweet spot        of good weather in the shoulder seasons rather than good weather and        big crowds during the peak season at major attractions - the best of  Patagonia is very weather dependent), San Pedro de Atacama , Valparaiso, easy access white-water rafting        and volcano climbs (however the jury is out on Pucón), nightlife and        getting off-the-beaten track along with good value and world class skiing        (Esquel & Bariloche). Booze in Chile is also a real highlight from Pisco        and Mango Sours to exceptional red/white wine and numerous artisanal        beers (especially in Patagonia)
Distances between attractions. The bottom of the        world (the continent's most southern point is somewhat unspectacular).        Equally the weather in the South (Lake district to Patagonia), if against        you, will make you wonder why you came. Santiago, may be the capital,        with a great nightlife and home to most of the population, but it is        an underwhelming place compared to its counterparts in other        countries on the continent.
Visa strategy: No visa required for most nationalities, but as       with most of the rest of the region, a 'reciprocity fee' is levelled on       those nationalities that charge Chileans for a visa. Most notable this applies       to Canadians (no longer to Americans) at a whooping cUS$130 (Australians about       half that), the amount is payable in USD on arrival and is linked to the       passport number so good for as long as you have the passport. Kiwis, Brits       and most other European nationalities have no such fee charged.
Typical tourist trail: Arrival in Santiago by air or overland       from Mendoza. Costs considered, many and especially those who already spent       time in Argentina and are making their way North to Bolivia and beyond,       restrict themselves to only Santiago (and possibly Valparaiso) before jumping       on a Bolivia bound bus. Those with more time taking in Patagonia, the Lake       District and/or San Pedro de Atacama.
Hot/cold, wet and dry: Trekking in Patagonia only possible       in summer (European/N. American winter). Climate varies dramatically       from snow to sun.
Costs: Reasonable, transportation is a major cost, especially       paying for flights. Great supermarkets so do your own cooking or       sandwiches. Consider US$50-60 per day.
What to take: Some warm clothing. Sleeping bags and rain       gear can be hired for Patagonian treks and is okay quality, but       not fantastic. You may do some camping and if you are into this       scene bringing all the gear with you is a good idea. You don't need       a tent to trek the Tories del Paine, there are rest houses, although       they are basic (need sleeping bag) plus get very crowded in peak       season and close in the winter.
Money: ATMs. USD cash are always welcome and technically       they is 19% VAT payable on hotels. As a visitor you can escape this,       but to do so you need to pay USD (either cash - always preferred       - or USD on a credit card). It is nicer places to stay where you       can take advantage of this, rather than the cheapos. Everyone in       the country will know the USD exchange rate and places to change       are plentiful, including decent sized supermarkets,
Guide book: Rough Guide or Footprint. Many use a regional       guide. For a full list of regional guides please click here .
Getting to Patagonia
Getting     to Patagonia is somewhat problematic, as there is no direct road link.     Road transport is a lengthy route via Argentina. A flight is the easiest     solution and not too costly if done with a budget carrier rather than     LAN Chile. There is a boat run by NaviMag that is quite expensive, but a traveller favourite. It travels     through the beautiful fiord land and your trip maybe extremely beautiful     or a gray haze. As with most things in Patagonia, so much depends on     the weather. When travelling by sea you can expect smooth sailing while     in the fiords, apart from one stretch on open seas that can be very     rough. We understood at one point that the Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales 'Fjords     Route' had been suspended due to the company deciding     to use the ferry for freight services from September 2013 onwards.     However on checking the site -  NaviMag  - on the last update, it seems to be running fine. Any     info is appreciated.
It is worth noting that Chilean Patagonia connects     easily with Argentina making trips to the spectacular Perito Moreno     Glacier and Tierra del Fuego no problem.
Getting around: Great overnight buses and cheapish internal       flights (Sky Airlines best best). Turn up at the bus stations and       try and get a discount on half empty departures just leaving - except       on holidays. A lot of locals hitchhike and car rental is not impossible       if you have the budget and like to drive endlessly.
People vibe: Young Chileans looking to practice English are friendly,       so on the whole are the rest of the very civilised population. Spanish is       spoken very fast with some endings clipped and thus hard to understand for       a beginner.
Locals: Generally nice, interesting and educated people
Other travellers: Fine. Predominately German, English and         American. Sometimes in large groups of friends. There is also an increasing         number of Argentinean and Brazilian travellers.
Tourist factor: 7/10 in Santiago, Valparaiso, San Pedro de Atacama , and parts of Patagonia. Elsewhere, considerably       less.
Accommodation: Mainly okay, occasionally quite expensive (Santiago).       Private homes often offer the best accommodation and a chance to get away       from large groups of travelling friends, but many have closed with the massive       explosion of hostels over the last ten years. Towns like Valparaiso went       from having no hostels to one on every corner within a ~10 year period.       In general and like everywhere, some are good and some are not. One feature       is that very few hostels are purpose built and thus don't have the facilities       to handle large number and often wooden floors that carry any sound. Those       looking for the very cheapest deal (which many are as Chile is an expensive       country) won't necessary get a good nights sleep.
Hot water: Always. Limited water sometimes none for showers         in desert regions
Average cost: Less than US$40 - more in Santiago
Communications: Okay internet, easy to find and a good speed in       most cases. Most hostels have Wi-Fi or a computer you can use for free
Health: Altitude when entering the country by bus from Argentina       or Bolivia
Food: The country seems to have an obsession with Hot Dogs (try       the Italian, with toppings to match the Italian flag) and Pisco. Great supermarkets       if you wish to prepare your own food.
Vegetarians: No problem
Hassle and annoyance factor: No real hassle. The most       hassle is found in Cartagena.
Rating: 7.5/10
Dangers:
Dangers: This goes for all of     South America, but more so for Venezuela and Colombia. Violent crime and     petty theft do happen. The biggest threats are after dark street theft.     If heading right off the beaten track, ask locals and, if necessary,     your embassy. Having your bag stolen and/or being threaten with violence     is no joke. Take only what you need. Common sense is the order of the     day, such as giving drugs a wide berth and the one solid bit of advice:     don't arrive after dark if at all possible, especially in places like     Cali (unless being met at the airport) and no matter how far you have     to go in urban areas [after dark] even if just a ten minutes' walk, think     about taking a taxi. It's not just tourists: Colombians live everyday     with these problems.
However, the country has improved its safety issues     for tourists dramatically and the FARC are no longer a serious issue with regards to security. 2015 was one of the best years for internal and external     tourism. Millions of Colombians travelled all over the country and hundreds     of thousands of foreigners visited the country. Most urban areas are     considered safe for tourists (Cartagena, Bogotá, Medellin, Cali).
....Or consider the slogan of the national office     of tourism : 'the only risk is wanting to stay!'
Hot spots - Continued kidnappings make some     rural areas unsafe, and travellers are advised to avoid excursions that     include Choco, Putumayo, Meta and Caqueta and the rural areas of Antioquia,     Cauca, Narino, and Norte de Santander.