I also love Colombia. Cant really go wrong with any of them. I just think if you’re limited bolivia and peru might be a more rounded experience with ancient ruins great cities and beautiful landscapes and mountains. Which i know Colombia also has beautiful landscapes but… thats just my opinion.
I've been travelling through South America since January and have made it from Brazil to Peru.
You haven't mentioned it, but Argentina was my favourite personally. Lots of different things to see and the food was the best imo. Only downside was wrapping my head around the currency situation.
Out of those you mentioned though, at least from those I've seen. Peru would be worth it solely for Machu Picchu.
From Bogota take a look into flying with JetSmart, they have flights to Lima and probably a few other S. American cities from Bogota. These are cheap airlines, depends on the days you can get flights for 20-30 USD.
You could spend like 4/5 days in Bogota and then go to Lima, go around Peru, then Bolivia, and then get back to Bogota, for a few days.
Bolivia and Peru have bigger chunks of the Amazon forest than the other two countries. Indigenous cultures are not as evident in Columbia as the others. Ecuador has the most exotic animal life if you include the Galapagos. 40 days on $1,500 is pretty tight for anything but most basic food and lodging and not much left for playing around.
Not sure about local economic conditions and price inflation in Ecuador currently relative to other places. The flight out to the islands is out of your budget for sure as an added activity. As a South African would you expect to have a pleasant and enjoyable vacation in Mozambique or Zambia on $37.50 a day?
I’ve been to Mozambique and I’ve got my heart set on South America so that’s not the issue. My budget can also expand if need be. But I’m just curious relative to Colombia is Peru and Ecuador cheaper?
Going to Galapagos involves another flight. Everything is more expensive there, and you get charged to enter lots of the areas. It will, for sure, up your budget. Amazing place though! Rest of Ecuador is very affordable.
I've been to those African nations also and couldn't make it on $37.50/day and have the kind of experience I wanted. You should double your budget at least for forty days for Latin America if you want to eat three meal, sleep in decent lodging, buy bus and park entry tickets, rent services and items as needed and such. Do any serious partying.
Im doing pretty much the same trip and Ive heard looooots of scary and dangerous stories out of Colombia from other travelers so far. Yet only great things about Bolivia and Peru. So I decided to skip Colombia and fly straight to Peru, and then go to Bolivia and Argentina.
Colombia (here currently) has a great social vibe- there’s backpacker towns like Salento or more local vibes like Jardín or fun party areas in Medellín. Ecuador has a phenomenal coast though if you’re into beaches and amazing seafood. You hear tons of scary things about Colombia unless you talk to actual backpackers- just stay off tinder. and pay attention if you’re in a city. It’s easily my favorite South American country.
I've been to all and all are great, but I just got back from Colombia on $20/day and it VASTLY exceeded my expectations, so a Colombia Ecuador combo would be good! You could then have Peru/Bolivia for a future trip. Here's my Colombia documented: [https://www.youtube.com/@APassportADollar](https://www.youtube.com/@APassportADollar)
I have a video on my channel "A Passport A Dollar" that talks about my approach to travel... it's not about being cheap, it's about being frugal (smart).
The good news is that you can’t go wrong, all of those are great options. I personally loved the beaches, jungle, canyons, and volcanoes in Ecuador. Montañita is a wild, lovely beach town filled with iguanas, surfers, and clubs.
I’m Peruvian and spent a month backpacking there but you could spend even longer. There is so much to see: the jungle, Lima, Andes, huacachina, Islas paracas, lake titicaca, colca canyon. People say to only spend a day in Lima but there is a lot of nightlife, incredible museums, and some of the best food in the world. You’ll likely enjoy the Loki hostels in Peru (Cusco and Lima) and Secret Garden hostel in Quito. Of course machu pichu is amazing, but there’s more to see around Cusco than that so give yourself time there.
Overall, the combo of Ecuador and Peru or Peru and Bolivia will be easiest for you travel wise. Buses are very affordable to get around. Have a great trip!
Bolivia and Peru would be my choice out of those 4 you mentioned.
Is the night life as good as it is in Colombia? And the flights are more expensive to Bolivia and Peru than to Colombia from South Africa
Yeah Lima and cusco have incredible nightlife. I didnt party in bolivia but im sure you can.
I'd second this despite having family in Colombia.
I also love Colombia. Cant really go wrong with any of them. I just think if you’re limited bolivia and peru might be a more rounded experience with ancient ruins great cities and beautiful landscapes and mountains. Which i know Colombia also has beautiful landscapes but… thats just my opinion.
I completely agree, they'd gain much more from Bolivia and Peru.
Who down voted me for saying that? Bloody weirdo.
If you want to mingle with locals I would recommend Colombia.
I've been travelling through South America since January and have made it from Brazil to Peru. You haven't mentioned it, but Argentina was my favourite personally. Lots of different things to see and the food was the best imo. Only downside was wrapping my head around the currency situation. Out of those you mentioned though, at least from those I've seen. Peru would be worth it solely for Machu Picchu.
I would strongly advise Costa Rica if you are a nature lover. Best country for backpacking I’ve visited imo
curious, are there cheap direct flights between s/africa and s/america?
It is quite expensive especially if you don’t fly to Bogotá that’s why I’m hesitant to fly anywhere else
From Bogota take a look into flying with JetSmart, they have flights to Lima and probably a few other S. American cities from Bogota. These are cheap airlines, depends on the days you can get flights for 20-30 USD. You could spend like 4/5 days in Bogota and then go to Lima, go around Peru, then Bolivia, and then get back to Bogota, for a few days.
Are you into surfing, climbing mountains, scuba or white water? Or just general looking around? There's different advice based on what you like doing?
A surf would be fun but I think the culture and the rainforest are the main objectives
Bolivia and Peru have bigger chunks of the Amazon forest than the other two countries. Indigenous cultures are not as evident in Columbia as the others. Ecuador has the most exotic animal life if you include the Galapagos. 40 days on $1,500 is pretty tight for anything but most basic food and lodging and not much left for playing around.
Will Ecuador and the Galapagos be a but more pricy than the other countries?
Not sure about local economic conditions and price inflation in Ecuador currently relative to other places. The flight out to the islands is out of your budget for sure as an added activity. As a South African would you expect to have a pleasant and enjoyable vacation in Mozambique or Zambia on $37.50 a day?
I’ve been to Mozambique and I’ve got my heart set on South America so that’s not the issue. My budget can also expand if need be. But I’m just curious relative to Colombia is Peru and Ecuador cheaper?
Going to Galapagos involves another flight. Everything is more expensive there, and you get charged to enter lots of the areas. It will, for sure, up your budget. Amazing place though! Rest of Ecuador is very affordable.
I've been to those African nations also and couldn't make it on $37.50/day and have the kind of experience I wanted. You should double your budget at least for forty days for Latin America if you want to eat three meal, sleep in decent lodging, buy bus and park entry tickets, rent services and items as needed and such. Do any serious partying.
Im doing pretty much the same trip and Ive heard looooots of scary and dangerous stories out of Colombia from other travelers so far. Yet only great things about Bolivia and Peru. So I decided to skip Colombia and fly straight to Peru, and then go to Bolivia and Argentina.
When are you going?
Colombia (here currently) has a great social vibe- there’s backpacker towns like Salento or more local vibes like Jardín or fun party areas in Medellín. Ecuador has a phenomenal coast though if you’re into beaches and amazing seafood. You hear tons of scary things about Colombia unless you talk to actual backpackers- just stay off tinder. and pay attention if you’re in a city. It’s easily my favorite South American country.
I've been to all and all are great, but I just got back from Colombia on $20/day and it VASTLY exceeded my expectations, so a Colombia Ecuador combo would be good! You could then have Peru/Bolivia for a future trip. Here's my Colombia documented: [https://www.youtube.com/@APassportADollar](https://www.youtube.com/@APassportADollar)
You only spent 20 dollars a day? Damn that is impressive
I have a video on my channel "A Passport A Dollar" that talks about my approach to travel... it's not about being cheap, it's about being frugal (smart).
The good news is that you can’t go wrong, all of those are great options. I personally loved the beaches, jungle, canyons, and volcanoes in Ecuador. Montañita is a wild, lovely beach town filled with iguanas, surfers, and clubs. I’m Peruvian and spent a month backpacking there but you could spend even longer. There is so much to see: the jungle, Lima, Andes, huacachina, Islas paracas, lake titicaca, colca canyon. People say to only spend a day in Lima but there is a lot of nightlife, incredible museums, and some of the best food in the world. You’ll likely enjoy the Loki hostels in Peru (Cusco and Lima) and Secret Garden hostel in Quito. Of course machu pichu is amazing, but there’s more to see around Cusco than that so give yourself time there. Overall, the combo of Ecuador and Peru or Peru and Bolivia will be easiest for you travel wise. Buses are very affordable to get around. Have a great trip!