So, next summer will be heading south of the border (from US). Eventually, my wife and I want to see all the countries, but for now curious to the thoughts on the following countries and particularly regarding activities we plan on doing. We will probably go for 2-3 weeks.
Would like a place where we can do semi touristy things (likely a city or cities) for the first trip. Ideally fairly safe. And, perhaps fairly safe at night. We can be night owls when we are away. For me, would like a place I can run and maybe bike. The countries we are considering are Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, and maybe Brazil. She is interested more in Argentina (and perhaps Peru/Chile). Me, more Chile, Ecuador, Colombia (particularly for cycling), and Costa Rica. I like wine and would probably enjoy Chile and Argentina for that. So, perhaps a wine region where cycling (for Road / Gravel) may be good? While I know Colombia can be a cycling Oasis and desire to go one day curious if it may be better to rent bikes and solo or do a cycling camp type setting.
Anyway, curious on the recommendations. Sadly, I recognize a city is usually not the best place to ride and therefore I may have to forgo that for a few weeks. For 2-3 weeks, I don’t envision us seeing more that 4 places (so, maybe 1-2 countries)….
Interesting. That was the area I was thinking provided it winds up being Argentina. Also, contemplating a stay there and then Santiago Chile (the other wine region). Any intel on cycling culture in each area (and good/bad driver behavior)?
Having cycled for 2.5 years in south America .
I would add bariloche in Argentina and Salta in the north is also a great area and a sizable city . The pucon area in Chile and San Pedro de Atacama great places , and I was told by a Chilean guy a few weeks ago has become a lot bigger as a small town than it was 25 years ago and you are rather close to the salar de uyuni and a road where you can cycle up to 5700 m and then climb a 6150 m mountain.
Equador has many great places and while I was there it was one of the safest places it has changed a bit and I would not make it my first country to go given your description at the same time when I was in columbia it was not regarded to be safe and I had 0 issues
ATM Chile the safest country.
In the south el calafate in Argentina and Puerto Natales in Chile are places one kind of has to go if in those 2 countries.
But overall I would say bariloche in Argentina might fit your needs best .
As would cuenca in equador and sucre in Bolivia
Columbia is fab and nevado Ruiz area is great ( Manizales area )
I would not waste my time with Santiago it’s not a bad place Los Andes would be the better place for cycling in that area
I spent 3 months riding/camping/hostelling through Argentina and Bolivia and never had anything but positive experiences.
Like most countries,tourist areas can be different with a tourist fatigue vibe from the locals and Mendoza is a tourist spot ( as is Bariloche) It is though, something of a cycling destination with road/gravel and MTB popular with travellers. In fact,the owner of Ultraman Oz was scouting out Mendoza as a potential Ultraman Argentina host town.
You are close to the Andes for hiking and there are some epic multi-day looped bikepacking routes that you can access from Mendoza.
My next long ride,after my current round Oz wanderings,is most likely the famous Route 40 almost the length of Argentina with Mendoza a must do stop over.
As mentioned above,northern Agentina is amazing from Salta to Juyjuy and the jump up to the higher elevations in the Quebrada de Humahuaca . So much to see but hard to see it all unless you are there for a loooong time.
Thank you for all the recommendations. Think we will do all the Northern Argentina and Chile recs as it will be their winter / our (Northern Hem) Summer.
