Spending 2.5 months in South America - how's our itinerary?
 

Hey all! Been a couple months since we last spoke :) My friend and I will be spending 2.5 months in South America. Here's what we have in mind, would love your thoughts.

- Sept/Oct for 3 weeks: Moto-tour through Bolivia (we have motorbike rentals lined up)
- Oct for 1.5 weeks: Backpack through Peru
- Nov for 2 weeks: Backpack through Colombia
- Nov for 1.5 weeks: Backpack through Venezuela
- Nov/Dec 2.5 weeks: Backpack through Brazil OR Chile

Given the rough itinerary above, had a couple questions

- How is the weather in these countries given the times of year we'll be visiting each? Any countries we should not consider going to given the general weather patterns in the region?
- As you can tell, we're deciding between Brazil or Chile as our last stop. Given we'll be in Bolivia/Peru/Colombia/Venezuela, what would be a better choice to get the holistic South American experience?
- For a U.S. visitor to these countries, would we need to arrange visas in advance or can we get them at the border? Anybody happen to know the price of each?
- Any glaring issues with this itinerary that you'd consider changing?

Thanks so much!
-Kevin

Brazil requires a visa for U.S. passport holders, obtained in advance, preferably at the Brazilian Consulate that has jurisdiction over your residence. U$140 (usually +$20 if someone else drops off/picks up and more if you use a visa service). Brazil is also very expensive to travel in these days.

Bolivia is $135.

We spent 5 months in South America a few years ago and will be returning next year. We were there at a similar time of year - aug to dec, and had good but very variable weather for most of the time. My only comment re your itinerary is that you seem to be constantly on the move with not enough time in each country. My, very subjective view, is that you would be better reducing the no. Of countries visited and spend more time in each one.

Flying is very expensive in SA and the bus system, whilst cheap and efficient, does take a lot of time.

2.5 months = 3 countries max IMO.

Countries are huge in SA and you will only scratch the surface in 2 (ish) weeks.

Cut Colombia and Venezuela and enter Brazil after Peru (Lima-Sao Paolo flight may be your best option). Then revise your itinerary to 3 weeks Bolivia, 4 weeks Peru and 4 weeks Brazil.

I would choose Brazil > Chile if you want more authentic SA. While parts of Brazil are very touristy, and while Chile is a great country, I feel Brazil offers more, particularly if you can get up to Bahia.