Travel to South America - how to start

Put your mind and are ready in which myth and legend go hand in hand travel in South America, a magical place of immense beauty still. I have traveled in South America 18 months and can give you some tips as you prepare for an unforgettable adventure.

Common sense

We hear all the unpleasant stories and South America has a fame of being dangerous. I traveled thousands of miles through cities, jungles, Islands and mountains. I survived 6 weeks in a street child care center in the favelas of Salvador da Bahia (Brazil) and had the Party of life during Carnival. Nothing, I repeat, nothing happened. Use your common sense. Avoid poorly lit you streets, at night and if your sixth sense is that "something is wrong you" sign, then take a taxi to your destination.

Travel guide book

The first thing you need is a travel guide book. It will be your best companion in the quest for adventure. I can recommend Lonely Planet ´s South America on a shoestring
to get started. The book covers all, you need to know to get the most out of your visit and is the ideal place to plan your trip in advance. I have extensively used the guide during my 18 month adventure. They offer excellent separate travel guide of all countries (in addition to using the lonely I Planet shoestring your separate travel guides Peru and Brazil). Their leaders are the most popular among the backpacker.

Other popular guides are the rough guide to South America and South American Handbook. Ideal but not practical because you travel light, would the adventure with a Lonely Planet and rough guide or the manual to enjoy.

Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese

The rewarding thing for me was the fact that you can in a huge continent like South America with only 2 languages travel. Spanish and Portuguese. If you are planning for a few weeks travel you can invest phrase book in a Spanish and/or Brazilian Portuguese. English is not widely used and so much more rewarding makes the trip even basic knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese (you are extremely willing to help, so don't worry, be happy).

If on the other hand you plan to travel for a few months I can highly recommend, where a language course. Ideally, in a school in South America (I took lessons in Ecuador and had a private tutor for $2.50 / h).

Walking shoes

South America's nature is overwhelming. You will walk for many hours every day. It would be a shame to walk in the footsteps of the Incas with blisters on the feet. My biggest recommendation is in high quality to invest your hiking boots with Gore-Tex.

Health vaccinations

Yellow fever (if you plan to go to the Amazon basin), typhus (consists of two injections 4 weeks apart taken), diphtheria tetanus, polio, smallpox, cholera (only if necessary)
Medical kit:

Depending on what do you intend to do you can include the following:

Antiseptic cream, aspirin, Lomotil for diarrhea, antibiotics, throat lozenges, ear and eye drops, acid-free tablets, motion sickness drugs, alcohol swabs, Water Purifier, lip salve, foot and groin powder, thermometer (in case), surgical tape, assorted sticky plasters, gauze, bandages, butterfly closures, scissors and last but not least, first-aid brochure
Note: Malaria pills are required in the Amazon basin, please keep in mind that these pills are very strong and should your doctor prior to departure

Traveling gear

Backpack:

A high-quality backpack is obviously a must. Select the type with different compartments that can be opened separately. Very handy if you need something quickly. Travel as light as possible. A heavy backpack is designed to undermine your travel pleasure.

Clothing:

Depends on where you go. If it is the mountains and jungle, you get some quality clothing at home. If it's the beach, buy your T-shirts are (cheap).
Camping and climbing gear:

You can rent, camping and climbing material in South America, but the quality may be questionable. Check always the material. If possible, bring your own equipment. 18 Months I went with my own tent and various camping utensils.

Photography

Images are something personal. Some people want to only a few snapshots, others want to publish in national geographic. All my pictures were taken with a cheap Nikon F50 camera.
I had two zoom lenses, a 35-80 mm. and a 70-210 mm. I dragged a tripod and an excellent Flash with me. I used FUJI slides (100 ASA) but need definitely 200 to 400 ASA if you plan to go to the jungle. A polarize filter dramatically improved the colors on sunny days.

Conclusion

South America will embrace you with open arms. It is nature, people and history are overwhelming. With the right preparation and of the spirit, you ready to travel in South America and enjoy an unforgettable adventure.

Mark van Overmeire is a passionate musician, photographer and traveller. He traveled extensively in South and Southeast Asia as well as.

After spending 4 years in South America he his critics publishes acclaimed World music CD Impresiones, a musical adventure travel from world to jazz, from folk to classical, ambient from soundtrack. The 6 compositions on Impresiones were composed, arranged and produced by mark.

As a passion elderly people mark was able to shoot lots of wonderful photos and published several pictures in magazines and websites.

Mark founded Amazing South America travel, a travel site on travel amazingly southamerica.com on June 2005. Amazing South America Tours offers many wonderful photographs, stories and tips for a trip to South America.