3 months in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina

Yes it's a lot of ground to cover, might not make it all, but that doesn't matter. Thought I'd try to use the accumulated knowledge of the knowledgeable to help me on my way. Any tips for places to go/things to do/things to be careful of/things not to worry about would be much appreciated.

Peace and love and shit

 

Over the past three years I've been to all of those countries. I'm really not an ocean type so I can't speak too well of ocean locales as I'm much more mesmerized by mountains and mountain streams. So I mostly did the higher altitude locales. La Paz is a bit much at 12,500 feet (Airport at 13,500) but it's a DON'T MISS city! One of the most spectacular cities in South America! But, overall, most of your problems will naturally occur in the big cities. I generally fly into a big city down there, take a taxi directly to the bus station, and then head for the smaller cities of 25,000 to 500,000. There's nothing that those cities can offer you that a big city can't. All I need is a great hotel and one great restaurant and I'm a happy camper. Another MUST SEE city in Bolivia is Potosi at 14,000 feet. Altitude gets to you, just stop off in a cafe for some coca tea, and believe me, it takes the edge off of altitude sickeness, if you get it. As for Peru, there's popular Macchu Picchu but I enjoyed Hauraz even more and the city that Peruvian people frequent for a vacation spot: Cajamarca. Well worth the visit! The Atacama Desert of Chile is, for me, a don't miss as well. PURE desert! Lots of nice smaller cities in norther Chile like Iqueque, Arica, Antofagasta and La Serena. Just returned from doing NW Argentina. Spent 18 days there. Mendoza is one of the finest cities in the world, DON'T MISS IT! Also enjoyed Salta, Jujuy, El Cafayate and Tucuman. Felt most safe everywhere EXCEPT the big cities. Had a couple incidents in Quito, had a wallet stolen in Santiago, Chile, bag stolen in Trujillo, but that's your big cities for you! But you need to take your precautions. I sew pockets INSIDE my pants to keep valuables, I put a ziplock plastic bag in each sock inside my shoes to carry money (They'd have to knock me down, take off my shoes and socks to get to it) but make sure you don't step in puddles! With logical, sane precautions you shouldn't have little to worry about. Overall, I find the people in both Central & South American to be honest and honorable. DO keep in mind opposition of seasons, as when it's summer in the north, it's winter down there (speaking mostly of Chile and Argentina), spring and fall reversed. I went to ARgentina in Sept., with the trees budding and flowers blooming. Go in April, you'll see the leaves falling. Take your pick of seasons. Enjoy your trip!

 

Brazil, Peru and Chile are among my South American sojourns. Interesting you commented on La Serena, one of my favorite places. Have friends there and love it. Also love Lima, Peru and Santiago Chile, but Lima more so. In the North of Peru is a place called Mancora. Very out of the way, amazing beaches, loads of tourists, although the local population is about 10,000. Very near the border with Ecuador.