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South America:self-guided vacation planning

Before the head in the clouds… the head in the papers

Passport, visa, vaccines, international driving license, payment card… Do these words give you a headache? Unfortunately, you won't cut it. Going on vacation in South America cannot be improvised. You will need a passport valid for six months after the date of your stay and, depending on the country, a visa. Vaccinations must be done at least two weeks before your departure. And, as with any trip abroad, you will need to ensure you have health insurance and a valid overseas payment card.

Prepare your dream itinerary

Do you dream of Brazilian beaches? A trek to Machu Picchu? To meet the Indians in Bolivia? To take a tango lesson in Argentina? Take inspiration from the itineraries offered by travel agencies and travel guides. You will find very good ideas there to carry out a program which resembles you. To go further and get off the beaten track, read travel blogs:so many good addresses, tips or anecdotes that will allow you to refine your itinerary.

Transport, accommodation and activities:book before you go

In the era of travel 2.0, planning your vacation has never been easier. The more organized you are, the fewer unpleasant surprises you will have. Book your bus tickets online or, if you prefer to be as free as air, rent a car. To have peace of mind once there, book your hotels. This will save you from searching at the last minute and ending up in a seedy or overpriced hotel when everything is full. This is common in high season in tourist places. Finally, make a list of the activities or places you want to visit and check on the internet if it is possible to book tickets to avoid the queues.