You can explore ancient sites like Machu Picchu, walk in the Amazon jungles, party in Rio, hang with the locals, fish for piranha or get dwarfed by Iguassu Falls. We travel in smaller groups, and fly you between the longer stretches so you can make the most of your trip. Our accommodation is unreal, and we include more meals and sights along the way. And there's plenty of free time to soak up the culture, and create your own adventure.
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Country information
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Capital
Currency
Language
Peru
Lima
Nuevo Sol (PEN)
Spanish
Argentina
Buenos Aires
Peso (ARS)
Spanish
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Real (BRL)
Portuguese
Mexico
Mexico City
Peso (MXN)
Spanish
Ecuador
Quito
US Dollar (USD)
Spanish
Costa Rica
San José
Colón (CRC)
Spanish
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Sights and attractions
- • The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru
• The Inca Trail, Peru
• The Amazon Rainforest
• Tango, architecture and beef in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• The stunning Iguassu Falls, bordering Brazil and Argentina
• The impressive statue 'Christ the Redeemer' towering over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Surfing in Buzios, Brazil
- • The ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru
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What to pack
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When most people think about South America they assume that it will be warm which is not always the case. South America is very large and with rainforest, mountains, desert and pretty much everything in between, packing can be a challenge. One thing that remains constant is that spaces can be tight, stairs often have to be climbed and hotels do not always have porters so we recommend that you bring a backpack or duffle bag and not a suitcase. It is now easy to find duffle bags with wheels which is a great mix of the ease of a suitcase and the flexibility of a soft bag. You should also bring a small backpack or a satchel/courier bag with you for excursions during the day.
We have broken down the packing list for tours going into the Andes, such as Peru and those visiting Argentina and Brazil.
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Peru
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Clothes
• 1 Rainproof jacket
• 2 shorts/skirts
• 1 Thick sweater / fleece jacket
• Swimming Towel
• 1 or 2 Jeans
• 2 or 3 T-shirts
• Nightwear
• 1 Swimwear
• Socks / stockings (lots)
• Underwear (lots)
• 2 or 3 Casual shirts
• Slacks
• 1 or 2 Collared shirts
• A dress
• Thermal underwear if travelling between May and October as it can get cold at night.
Shoes
• Thongs/flip flops/sandals
• Going out shoes
• Comfortable walking shoes
Hiking the Inca Trail
• One pair of convertible hiking pants that zip into shorts (can replace one pair of jeans)
• Hiking shoes or boots (can replace comfortable walking shoes)
• Comfortable back pack to carry your gear for the day
Toiletries
• Toiletry bag
• Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Deodorant
• Make up, moisturizers and hair products
• Contact lens solution if required
• Sunblock, SPF30
• Handkerchiefs/tissues
• Insect repellent
Miscellaneous
• Travel Clock
• Sunglasses and sunhat
• Warm woolen hat, scarf and gloves for the nights if travelling between May and October although all can be purchased cheaply in Peru.
• Plastic bags
• Sewing kit
• Aspirins/medications
• Pens and writing materials
• Camera and memory card
• (There are not proper facilities for disposing of batteries in South America and toxins from batteries end up in rivers and lakes. Please help us keep South America clean.)
• Refillable water bottles. There is no recycling in most of South America so when possible please buy large water bottles and refill your smaller water bottle to cut down on plastic.
• Power adapters
Label your suitcase inside and out with your name and your home address and perhaps attach a sticker, ribbon, patch or other unique identifier to your luggage to make it easier to spot.
Carry a copy of your passport, visas, travel and other important documents with you in your luggage. You should scan these documents and email them to yourself and also leave a copy of all this information at home with someone trusted and contactable while you are away.
Don't pack your travel documents and passport in your luggage rather take it with you in your carry luggage.
Remember to bring more than enough of any medication you might need along with you and carry prescriptions for any medications that you carry with you. Prescription medication should be packed in your carry-on luggage however please note that you are not allowed to bring syringes onto the plane so if required they must be packed in your checked luggage.
Laundry Facilities
Having your laundry done for you in Peru is not only inexpensive but makes your life way easier. For approximately $1US you can get a pound of laundry washed, dried and folded. It is not recommended that you send items with special washing or drying instructions to the laundry as they may not come back the same way. These you can either hand-wash or dry-clean.
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Clothes
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Argentina and Brazil
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Although the temperature in Brazil stays fairly constant Iguassu Falls sometimes has cold spells in their winter and the climate in Buenos Aires varies considerably throughout the year.
Spring /Summer (November to March)
Clothes
• 1 Rainproof jacket
• 2 or 3shorts/skirts
• 1 sweater
• Swimming Towel
• 1 or 2 Jeans
• 2 or 3 T-shirts
• Nightwear
• 1 or 2 Swimwear
• Socks (lots)
• Underwear (lots)
• 2 Casual shirts
• Slacks
• 1 or 2 Collared shirts
• Summer dress
Winter/ Fall (April to October)
Clothes
• 1 Rainproof jacket
• 1 Jacket for going out at night (ie jean jacket or similar)
• 2 or 3shorts/skirts
• 1 warm sweater or sweat shirt
• Swimming Towel
• 1 or 2 Jeans
• 2 or 3 T-shirts
• Nightwear
• 1 or 2 Swimwear
• Socks / stockings (lots)
• Underwear (lots)
• 2 Casual shirts
• Slacks
• 1 or 2 Collared shirts
• 1 dress
Shoes
• Thongs/flip flops/sandals
• Going out shoes
• Comfortable walking shoes
Toiletries
• Toiletry bag
• Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Deodorant
• Make up, moisturizers and hair products
• Contact lens solution if required
• Sunblock
• Handkerchiefs/tissues
• Insect repellent
Miscellaneous
• Travel Clock
• Sunglasses and sunhat
• Plastic bags
• Sewing kit
• Aspirins/medications
• Pens and writing materials
• Camera and memory card
• Refillable water bottles. There is no recycling in most of South America so when possible please buy large water bottles and refill your smaller water bottle to cut down on plastic.
• Rechargeable batteries (There are not proper facilities for disposing of batteries in South America and toxins from batteries end up in rivers and lakes. Please help us keep South America clean.)
• Power adapters
Label your suitcase inside and out with your name and your home address and perhaps attach a sticker, ribbon, patch or other unique identifier to your luggage to make it easier to spot.
Carry a copy of your passport, visas, travel and other important documents with you in your luggage. You should scan these documents and email them to yourself and also leave a copy of all this information at home with someone trusted and contactable while you are away.
Don't pack your travel documents and passport in your luggage rather take it with you in your carry luggage.
Remember to bring more than enough of any medication you might need along with you and carry prescriptions for any medications that you carry with you. Prescription medication should be packed in your carry-on luggage however please note that you are not allowed to bring syringes onto the plane so if required they must be packed in your checked luggage.
Laundry Facilities
Having your laundry done for you in Argentina and Brazil is fairly inexpensive. For approximately $2-3US you can get a pound of laundry washed, dried and folded at laundromats in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Many hotels also offer luandry service but it may be more expensive. It is not recommended that you send items with special washing or drying instructions to the laundry as they may not come back the same way. These you can either hand-wash or dry-clean.
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Although the temperature in Brazil stays fairly constant Iguassu Falls sometimes has cold spells in their winter and the climate in Buenos Aires varies considerably throughout the year.
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Peru
-
When most people think about South America they assume that it will be warm which is not always the case. South America is very large and with rainforest, mountains, desert and pretty much everything in between, packing can be a challenge. One thing that remains constant is that spaces can be tight, stairs often have to be climbed and hotels do not always have porters so we recommend that you bring a backpack or duffle bag and not a suitcase. It is now easy to find duffle bags with wheels which is a great mix of the ease of a suitcase and the flexibility of a soft bag. You should also bring a small backpack or a satchel/courier bag with you for excursions during the day.
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Getting around
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Lima, Peru
When flying into Jorge Chavez International airport you have several options for arriving to your hotel. The most secure option is to book an arrival transfer directly from Gray Line. This service must be arranged in advance so that they will be waiting for you upon your arrival. When you exit the baggage terminal into the main pick-up area a Gray Line representative will be waiting for you with a placard with your name on it. It can be busy so keep on eye out for your name. Be sure to have you voucher printed and ready to submit. Because this is not a private transfer service you may be required to wait for other clients to arrive.
If you choose not to book an arrival transfer you can take an official airport Green taxi to Miraflores for approximately $35 USD (this can be paid by cash, Mastercard or Visa at their desk in the airport). Depending on the traffic, the ride will take between 40-60 minutes. We do NOT recommend taking unofficial taxis or the public bus into the city centre.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is located just on the edge of the city and the easiest way to get to your hotel from here is by taxi. There are no “official” taxi services approved by the Tourism Bureau - though some services may claim to be “official” these are best avoided to prevent being overcharged for your journey. A more reliable option is to use one the taxis waiting outside upon exiting the airport.
There are no tariff zones or meters in Cusco taxis, so the price must be negotiated before entering the vehicle. Prices can vary, but a taxi to your hotel should cost no more than 15 soles, or US$5.00, and should take approximately 10–15 minutes.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
International flights arrive into Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires, located approximately an hour out of town. The easiest way to get to the hotel is to take an official airport taxi for approximately 180-190 Argentine Pesos. Please note taxis have meters and so the actual price may vary based on the amount of traffic in the city.
Another transfer option is to take the shuttle bus service, Manuel Tienda Leon, which can be arranged upon arrival and costs approximately 220 Argentine Pesos. Often they will drop you off directly at the hotel for free, however, you should confirm this with them before paying for the service. If you arrive during the day there is a public bus that runs as far as the Plaza de Mayo but it is a long ride and can take up to 3 hours in heavy traffic. The current cost of the bus (April 2011) is 1.50 Argentine Pesos.
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Lima, Peru
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Where you'll stay
- *PLEASE NOTE:* These are the hotels Contiki generally uses in the cities shown. There is no guarantee that every tour will stay in the lodgings listed below. Check your Contiki Travel Documents for confirmation of your accommodations.
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*Buenos Aires:* Icaro Suites
*Rio de Janeiro:* Hotel Vermont
*Rio de Janeiro:* South American Copacabana Hotel
*San Jose:* Tryp Hotel
*Quito:* Fuente de Piedra #1
*Quayaquil:* Hotel Palace Guayaquil
*Cancun:* Holiday Inn Arenas
*Mexico City:* Best Western Royal Zona Roasa
*Lima:* Hotel Girasoles
*Lima:* Hotel Antigua
*Cusco:* Tupac Yupanqui
Recent Tips
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Featured Travel Photos
Photo by Dinger
Photo by akbrittanyusc
