TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR SOUTH AMERICA

VISAS FOR SOUTH AMERICA

Visa conditions for South America vary for each country, so it is essential that you check the requirements of every country you will be visiting with the local embassy or consulate before you travel. For the majority of countries, Australian tourists can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.  For those countries in South America requiring Australian visitors to have a visa for entry, most can be obtained on arrival, however there are some exceptions. For example, Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Brazil and this must be obtained prior to departure.

As entry conditions are subject to change at short notice, DFAT recommends travellers consult the closest Consular or Ebassy for the relevant country.

You should also ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned date of departure from South America and that you have blank pages in your passport for all of the visas you require and one or two spare pages.

ON ARRIVAL

South America is a massive continent so you're likely to catch more than one flight, but arriving in South America is a fairly smooth process, as long as you have your visa.  Destination bloggers are full of stories about shonky taxi drivers who lurk at airports, looking for first-time tourists that make easy prey. Fortunately, most major airports now offer secure alternatives for arriving passengers.  The smart option is to just head to a booth before passing security to prepay for a registered cab.  They usually take credit cards too, which is convenient if you haven't yet picked up any of the local currency.  For the small price you pay, it is a great way to avoid dramas.

GETTING AROUND

Rental car agencies don't allow cars to be taken across international borders, so it can be very difficult to drive around the continent.  For most of South America buses are the main method of transportation and should be embraced. There is an enormous network of bus lines, and if you have the time and patience, you can travel easily by bus from one country to another. But be warned, both the road conditions and quality of travel vary drastically between countries and regions in South America. If money is no object, and time is short, flying makes a lot of sense. Internal air travel is expensive and trains are rare, whereas buses are cheap, realible and often very comfortable.  You will also have the chance to rub shoulders with some of the most passionate people on the place, the local population.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Being such a vast continent with variations in altitude and latitude, the weather can differ greatly from place to place in South America.  Having said that, with two thirds of South America within close proximity of the tropic of Capricorn or the equator, travellers to most destinations can expect a tropical or subtropical climate all year round. Rainforest regions average maximum temperatures of about 30°C and temperatures rarely drop below 20°C.

Like most destinations, prices tend to spike during the school holiday periods in July, August and late-December so where possilbe it's best not to travel during these months if you wish to avoid crowded tourist trails and inflated prices.

WHERE TO GO

South America is one hell of a continent with diverse landscapes, cultures and natural wonders.  Think Argentina, Bolivia, Bueno Aires, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Galápagos Islands, Peru and Venezuela, where do you even begin? From the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu to gushing cascades of Iguazu falls, there is so much to delight the senses in South America.  Rather than attempt to conquer the whole continent, it's a good idea to choose one country or maybe your big ticket attraction and then build yourself an itinerary around that.

While it's a good idea to keep a loose itinerary to allow for spontaneity and adventure, there are some things that will need to be pre-booked in advance. If you're planning on doing the classic Inca trail hike, you'll need to book at least three to six months ahead of time as spaces are limited.

You could go for a month and barely scratch the surface, so it will pay to take as much time as you can.

There are many well researched bucket lists for South America, so what are you waiting for?  Zoom to it! 

ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?

Are you zooming elsewhere on your holidays? Whether you're going to large it up in London or heading to the land of stars and stripes, we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!