Printable View
Has anyone actually taken a drive down to South America? I have seen the excellent http://www.well.com/~dreyer/ site, but was wondering if there are any onther sites talking about a drive to South America.
Does anyone have any experiences or links they can share? The site listed above mentions very dangerous parts of Columbia, etc.. Kidnapping, bribes. How many people out there actually do this?
Scott, We haven't a great deal of reader response to questions of this type.
Scott - my husband, myself and 5 kids drove from LA, CA to Argentina in 1978 in a 24 foot motorhome - spent 13 months before coming back to US - if you are interested go to my blog about the trip
we are planning on doing it again later this fall - just the 2 of us
I was trying to get to the website with the story about the folks going in 1978 and i was unable to get to it. I am trying to put together a collection of websites to give my family so they see that it isnt certain death for me to drive to south america. i thought pointing out that people have been going for a while and that it is safe would be helpful. does anyone else have any other ideas to help the fam sleep at night?
[Editor: That link in the previous post still works fine]
We (Carol and Bill) did drive the Panamerican Highway trip from Alaska to Rio de Janeyro, and will do it again this year in the begining of March from Las Vegas, Nevada. Anybody going that way? we would like to have a caravan of about 3 or 4 vehicles, it is more fun to share adventures during the trip. and to help each other and remember it is safety in numbers! We are driving a 40 foot DP Motor Home and towing a Jeep this so we don't miss those beautiful places out of the way were the Motorhome can't go. We have a web site with all our trips and the preparation of the incoming one, Lets go and enjoy the trip of your life. Bill
[Editor's Note: E-mail address removed as per this statement]
I enjoyed looking around your site some -- evidence of quite a sense of humor on the jeep!
Mark
Thank you Mark. Bill
Bill & Carol,
I took a peek on your website yesterday (Carol's), and I began to read the story of your 1978 trip... now I just can't stop reading (now in the middle of the Nicaragua part). Did you write that recently or when you got back from your trip? I'm amazed by all the details you managed to remember. Were you keeping a journal or something? It takes a lot of courage to go on such a long trip with a bunch of little boys, I don't know if I'd have the nerve to do the same!:o) Anyway, thanks for sharing all of that information with us and good luck on your upcoming trip.
Geneviève
Ps-Have you seen the movie Diarios de motocicletas?
Hello,
I'm new to this forum but am not to traveling. Greetings Bill And Carol, ive read that you have taken an rv to South America. Me and my family of Eight hope to do the same. We love Jesus and want to bring the gospel to South America. my first Q is how did you guys ship it? What company? did you Do crate or RoRo? and other details would be great. i would love to contact u all by email. Thanks! God Speed.
Pura Vida
El Peragrino
I am planning to drive from the US to the tip of South America, starting this fall. I thought I would share my site link about what I am doing to prepare for anyone who is interested: http://thedarienplan.blogspot.com/
I did send in 1998 a truck and tenttrailer from Vancouver Canada to Lima Peru per container.Flew down and took it out of customs and drove it to Paraguay.It was a adventure to say the least.People are very friendly and helpful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Kilbourne
Roads are rough over the Andes mountains.Broke the springs twice on a 2500 km trip.
My son and I plan a trip next year over Central America and then Col.,Ven., and Brazil to Paraguay.
Wow, welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Do you have some photos you can share (and some tall tales)?Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Janzen
Mark
I would love to hear more about this trip as well.
Laura
Count me in.
Count me in too. Some pics, if available would be great!
Awesome blog...amazing plan..i will definately take some tips and hints from your blog.
I however plan something similar but very different at the same time.
The similar part is driving in south america, the different part is buying a 4x4 in south america and driving around for 2-3 months.
I will be avoiding colombia. Precautionary aswell as my 3 mates who will be making this journey with me, are convinced that the media potrays the truth, hence i have to unwillingly scrap it out.
I have been reading alot into driving around in south america.
From some stating that a car bought in Argentina cant leave the border.
and others stating that Jeeps can be bought in the black market.
I do not understand these concepts, are they talking about a new vehicle or a used one?
In the UK when you go to purchase a second hand car all you need to do is Sign the V5 Document, the owner signs it off and off you go. and the owner will send your details to the motoring authority and they will post the new documents to the adress of the buyer.
How does it work in south america? has anyone bought a used vehicle? Is it complicated?
Can i get a old Jeep for say $2000? i mean it can be 100 years old...all i need is 4 wheels an engine...i can fix a jeep up in no time...but it has to start.
Do advice me on these matters...by the way i just joined this forum and its awesome...thanks for reading.
Mamba24, I don't have any answers for you but we have had some discussions about this issue here and you might use the search function (green bar above) to see what you can find. This discussion might give you a few tips.
Hi all,
Thank you for the information shared - it has been very useful! I am preparing to drive from Durham, NC, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a Toyota 4Runner with my boyfriend and our dog. We are leaving February 2009, and we plan to take about 8 months for the entire journey (with about 2 months cruising through the States).
To read about our travels before and during the trip, visit this site. I will be blogging about as much useful information as possible.
And if anyone has useful info about taking a dog across borders, it would be much appreciated!
Rochelle
{Editor's Note: I just had to add this.... on their site they have a list of gear for the truck they plan to use on the adventure. This item is in that list:
I bet they meant winch... The wench can be seen hanging out of the left side of the truck....Quote:
WENCH: to be added
Welcome to the RTA forum, Ramble!
I think you are going to have to do a lot of homework to figure out what you'll need to take a dog across borders, especially as you work deeper into Central and South America. This is certainly something you'll want to have figured out , prefereably in writing, before you go.
Have you figured out how you'll solve the problem of the Darien Gap?
Hey, I just found you guys, we've been driving through North, Central and South America for over a year now and we're having a blast. We probably broke all the rules by going with a smaller car ('91 VW Golf) but we haven't had too many problems and we're in Bolivia now so I think we're going to make it.
Don't worry about the negative stuff you hear about Colombia, it was one of our favorite countries and the one in which we felt most safe! (It's also a better and safer and cheaper option than sending your car to Ecuador) We found a great lady in panama who helped to ship our car around the Darien Gap and made the process very hassle free.
Let me know if you need any info.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi tom, welcome to the RTA forums !
It sounds like a great adventure you are on, enjoy and thanks for the info !
Hey Dave,
Yeah we're having a great time, just about to head into Brazil for a few weeks and then down into Argentina. We'll let you know how that goes.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom
Could you send me info about crossing to Colombia?
Also how much was processing your car into Colombia.
Thanks
Nino
{email removed}
I guess colombia is somewhat dangerous with the FARC and the Guerillas fighting over the cocaine regions up in the mountains and forests....So if you plan to drive around there I would be careful. You will also attract attention if your car or truck has an american license plate... But you should be safe in cities like Bogota..I guess..But I have never been so I cant really tell.
Hello everyone, I have had fun reading about your adventures! I am planning on taking one of my own soon, and I have a few questions - hopefully someone can help me answer them.
1) I am planning to take two cars to my parents in Venezuela from Panama - I am planning to leave the cars with my parents once I get there. I live in Florida, and I am planning on driving my car to Panama, and then I am interested in shipping the two cars to Venezuela because I am trying to avoid the Darien Gap problem - how can I find out how much this costs and if there is someone that can help me? I saw in a previous post that someone found a lady that could help them - I am wondering if I can do this also?
2) Is it really dangerous to make the drive from the US to Panama? What are the main problems that have been run into? Especially with the attraction of the US license plates, and the fact that both cars are decent cars and not very old.
3) Will it even be possible to register the cars and leave them with my parents once we get to Venezuela? Are we going to be charged the same amount of taxes, etc. as if we were to just have shipped them there in the first place? Should I just forget the whole trip? HAHA.
I have never done anything like this before, and I really appreciate any advice!!!
SuperTravelers
I have done this trip over 10 times with a RV. I am using a diesel Ford Pickup with a Lance Camper it is a great trip and will post a information blog, as soon as possible. Now the Ferry is connecting Panama with Columbia saving both money and time.. This is the longest highway in the world.
We are leaving in August with a trekoftheamericas group and some are even coming from Alaska... Alaska to Argentina...thats is end to end... It is a marvelous trip and you should go if you have the chance.
MOST OF THE OTHER THREADS ARE VERY OLD... I just completed the Trek of the Americas Expedition, finishing in December 2011 in Bueno Aires, Argentina. I will have to comment the part thru Columbia...was the greatest!!!! Lovely food, people, and the most beautiful country!!! adventuretrek has a site, I will get the address with Pan Am Updates...