Preparing for a year long trip to South America can be a daunting and exhausting process!
Here are some tips on how to make the most of your money before you go and how to pack smart. Being prepared means less worry for you and your wallet while abroad.
1) Quality over quantity
When it comes to clothing, shoes and gear, be sure to choose quality products that are guaranteed to last you the whole trip. Backpacks don’t allow you to pack in quantity so spend the extra money and invest in high quality products made with durable materials such as Gore-Tex or denier nylon.
Peter Cuffie at Europe Bound Travel Outfitters and Equippers swears by Gore-Tex, especially for shoes and backpacks, “Gore-Tex never breaks, rips or tears. It is built to last and it will last you around the world.” Cuffie recommends Arc’teryx backpacks, what he calls “the Cadillac of all backpacks” ranging from around $200 to $500.
Now that you have a backpack that’s built to last, pack it with good quality clothing that will withstand the wear and tear of your year abroad. Stay away from displaying labels or brand names and choose solid colored clothing over patterns. If you only have room for a few pieces of clothing, solid colors will go a long way. Your wardrobe will appear larger because of your ability to layer and mix and match. Avoid patterns – they will become repetitive.
2) Water purification system
One of the most common ways to contract traveller’s diarrhea or a parasitic infection is through tainted food and water. Along with you’re doctor’s recommended antibiotics and vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B, you should consider investing in a handheld water purification system. Lightweight, compact and easy to use, these gadgets can save you from getting sick abroad.
Medical student Paul Das from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia recommends packing electrolyte tablets for travel to South America as well as a water purification system. Electrolyte tablets add sodium, potassium and vitamins to your drinking water and are great for replenishing the body after hiking or a long bus ride.
3) Check out the local library before buying a guide book
There are South America guide books for budget travel, luxury travel, gay and lesbian travel and eco travel. Because these books are heavy and cost around $30 to $45 each, finding the right book is important. Borrow as many South America guide books as you can from your local library to look over before you buy. Decide which book fits your travel style and which one has the best maps, tips and hotel listings suited for your budget. Once you find the perfect guide book, go make the purchase.
4) Back to the basics
Unless you plan on visiting only metropolitan city centers, you may be out of luck when it comes to reliable Internet access. Pack a pen and journal. Write down your thoughts, memories and new friends’ phone numbers in a journal so that you don’t forget any part of your adventure. When you find an Internet café, you’ll have all your stories right in front of you. All you have to do now is update your blog and send a few emails home.
5) Credit card use abroad
Before you depart on your year-long journey, notify your credit card company of your travel plans. If you don’t call ahead, it’s possible that foreign charges will flag your credit card as stolen or compromised, resulting in a headache and leaving you waiting for a replacement card.
6) Travel insurance and vaccinations
Although the cost of medical procedures in South America is relatively low compared to the United States and Canada, traveller’s insurance will give you and your family some peace of mind. Budget and student options are available for those who qualify.
Some South American countries require by-law that travellers be vaccinated for specific diseases such as Yellow Fever. Get a print-out from your doctor of all the vaccinations you have received in the past and be sure to check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) for all entry requirements to the countries you plan on visiting.
Not all of South America is considered a Malaria zone. Typically only tropical climates play host to Malaria infected mosquitoes. Consult a doctor prior to travel and determine how many days you will be in the infected area; your length of stay will determine how many pills you will need and which brand to buy.
7) Overestimate the length of your trip
A year goes by fast. If at the end of your year abroad you feel that you’ve missed out on hiking the Inca trail or want to brush up on your salsa skills in Cali, stay a few more weeks. Spontaneity makes a trip unforgettable so make sure to overestimate the length of your trip and pack extra contacts, extra malaria pills and extra repeats of your medication. Some North American brands and medication are unavailable in South America so bring extra – just in case.
8) Make a list and check it twice
Lay out the contents of your backpack and make a list of what you have and what you need to buy. A list will ensure you only bring what you need and will prevent you from over packing and forgetting things.
9) Keep copies of your travel documents
Make photocopies of your passport, birth certificate, driver’s license and health card. Leave a copy with a friend of family member back home and take a copy with you. If you lose any travel documents while abroad, having a photocopy will help speed up the process of getting a replacement.
10) Don’t leave home without…
Some items are hard to find in South America so plan ahead and pack items you know you won’t be able to find. Bring an extra lock, alarm clock, extra batteries, a universal adaptor, first aid kit, tampons, and bar of laundry soap.
Aníbal Fernández of Cuba, now working in Toronto as a travel specialist at Mountain Equipment Co-op definitely recommends buying a headlamp for travel to South America. “They have a lot of blackouts in Latin America and a headlamp is good for walking around, finding things in your bag. Everything else is easy to find down there.”
Looking to book a trip to South America? Check out the tripatlas.com/new Trip Builder where you can request a quote from over 104,000 travel agents who are ready to offer you the best prices on your trip.
Mari Suyama is a freelance writer from Toronto, Canada who is currently on a one-year journey working and volunteering in South America. She is tripatlas.com/new’s South America Expert – go to our South America Trip Guide for more.