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Country Information
The information under each country is just
our thoughts and comments based on the experiences and time that we have spent
in each of them. It also comes from ideas that have been given to us by other
travellers including but not limited to other overlanders.
The financial information should only be used as a really rough guide because exchange rates have a tendency to
fluctuate in this area of the world especially where the US$ is concerned. We have included the
exchange rate that was prevalent for the majority of the time that we were in
any one country.
Fuel costs are for diesel bought at a variety of service stations in every country.
We have split our spending under two categories (cost per day and excursions)
to try and make it more useful to other travellers. The cost per day is for
two people and includes food; accommodation (which is a mixture of camping,
hostels and mid range hotels); other transport costs such as ferries, road
& bridge tolls; laundry; souvenirs; and communications (internet and postage).
The excursions amount is how much we spent in total in each country on doing
trips, tours, museums, etc. Each traveller will have their own ideas of trips
they want to do but at least it gives an idea of those extra costs and if you
look at our diary pages and highlights under each country you'll
be able to see the major trips we did.
| Argentina
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Belize
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Bolivia
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Brazil
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Chile
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Costa Rica
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Ecuador
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El Salvador
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Guatemala
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Honduras
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Mexico
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Nicaragua
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Panama
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Paraguay
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Peru
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Uruguay
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Argentina
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$33.00
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$355.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.49
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Exchange rate
Peso to US$
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3:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Camping El Oasis Las Grutas
(Km 11 Acceso las Grutas)
2.
Pista Del Andino Ushuaia (www.lapistadelandino.com.ar)
3.
SierrAventura Sierra de la
Ventana (www.sierraventura.com.ar)
4.
Chacra Daniel Rio Gallegos
5.
Camping Suizo Mendoza
6.
Camping Selva Negra Bariloche
7.
Camping La Chacra El Bolson
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Top sights
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1.
Peninsular Valdez amazing
whale watching
2.
Tierra Del Fuego Parque National Tierra Del Fuego, Ushuaia town,
3.
Perito Moreno National Park
4.
Monumento Natural Bosques
Petrificados 250 km west Puerto Deseado
5.
Parque National Los Glaciares
6.
Teatro Colon Buenos Aires
7.
Iguaçu Falls both sides are good however the Argentinean is probably better
for the tours.
8.
Puente del Inca
9.
Waterfalls at Caviahue
10.
Canon de Atuel
11.
Mendoza Wineries (Norton do an awesome tour in English)
12.
Paso Agua Negra
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Belize
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$67.68
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$90.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.82
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Exchange rate
Exchange rate Belize$ to US$
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2:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Trek Stop - 10km outside San Ignacio - lovely camping and cabanas, very eco friendly.
2.
Belcove Hotel - Belize City - not cheap but no where in the city is. Staff very helpful and friendly.
3.
Lamanai Riverside Retreat - Orange Walk - lovely cabanas right by the river where the boat will collect you for the Lamanai tour.
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Top sights
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1.
Lamanai Ruins
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Bolivia
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Average Cost per day (US$) |
$29.00 |
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$160.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.42
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Exchange rate
Boliviano to US$
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7.2:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Hotel Oberland La Paz (www.h-oberland.com)
2.
La Cupula Copacabana on Lake Titicaca (www.hotelcupula.com)
3.
Tonito Hotel Uyuni (www.bolivianexpeitions.com)
Best pizza in restaurant next door (Minuteman Pizza)
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Top sights
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1.
Salar de Uyuni
2.
Potosi especially the mine tours
3.
The worlds most dangerous road
La Paz (we recommend Gravity)
4.
La Paz city
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Brazil
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$40.00
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$350.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.53
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Exchange rate
Reais to US$
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3:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Camping Itaju Between
Aquidauana & Miranda (south Pantanal) (www.pousadaitaju.com.br)
2.
Fazenda Santa Teresa 5km
south Coxim BR163 (www.fazendasantateresa.com)
3.
Bonito Hostelling
International Bonito
4.
Sesi Camping 2.5 km outside
Canela
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Top sights
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1.
Santuario do Caraca (You can
stay at the monastery part of which has been converted to a hotel) & Ouro
Preto
2.
Pantanal both north and south
including Chapada dos Guimares
3.
Bonito for the caves and
floating on the river
4.
Rio de
Janeiro
5.
Paraty
6.
Ilha Comprida Nr Cananeia
7.
Parque National de Aparados
da Serra Nr Canela
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Chile
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$32.00
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$133.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.57
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Exchange rate
Peso to US$
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595:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Sunny Days Arica (www.sunny-days-arica.cl)
2.
Los Salamandras Coyhaique (www.salamandras.cl)
3.
Mama Tierra San Pedro de
Atacama
4.
Casa Marias Las Serena
5.
Kila Leufu Pucon (www.kilaleufu.cl)
6.
Termas de Panqui Curarrhue
7.
Zapato Amarillo Puerto Octay (www.zapatoamarillo.8k.com)
8.
Hostel Mundo Nuevo Ancud, Chiloe (www.newworld.cl)
9.
Esmeralda by the Sea Chonchi, Chiloe
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Top sights
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1.
Torres Del Paine National
Park
2.
Tierra Del Fuego West coast, Lago Blanco & Lago Deseado,
3.
Atacama desert
4.
Carratera Austral
5.
Parque Nacional Conguillio
6.
Volcan Villarrica
7.
Waterfall Huilo Huilo
8.
Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar
9.
Island of Chiloe
10.
Lauca National Park - just outside Arica
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Costa Rica
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$39.36
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$55.97
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.59
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Exchange rate
Colones to US$
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460:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Playa Blanca - just south of Rinco, Peninsuala de Osa (Camping on beach)
2.
Motel Cortez Azul - Alajuela
3.
Cabinas Sissy - La Fortuna has rooms and camping (east end of town)
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Top sights
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1.
Wilson Botanical Gardens - near San Vito
2.
Parque Nacional Corcovado - Peninsula de Osa (roads bad though!)
3.
Parque Nacional Volcan Poas - 37kms north of Alajuela
4.
Volcan Arenal and Lago Arenal
5.
Peninsula Nicoya - Playa del Coco less touristy and gringofied than Tamarindo. Playa Ostional even better and turtles between July & Nov
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Ecuador
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$48.00
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$34.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.29
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Exchange rate
Currency is the US$
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1:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Izhacyluma Vilcabamba (2km's out of town but well worth it) (www.izhcayluma.com)
2.
Casa del Barranco - Cuenca (secure parking haf a block away)
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Top sights
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1.
Vilcabamba for a chilled time
2.
Cuenca town for its Colonial architecture
3.
Quito especially the old city
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El Salvador
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$30.06
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$00.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.61
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Exchange rate
Currency is the US$
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1:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Los Almendros de Sal Lorenzo Hotel - Suchitoto (for a bit of a splurge!) Beautiful and wonderful staff (www.hotelsalvador.com)
2.
Campo Belo - Parque Nacional Cerro Verde in the shadow of Volcan Santa Ana
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Top sights
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1.
Suchitoto town for a lovely relaxed atmosphere
2.
Lago de Coatepeque (although hidden by cloud most of the time we were there!)
3.
Ruta de las Flores - road between Sonsonate and Ahuachapan beautiful even if the flowers aren't out and lovely handicrafts
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Guatemala
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$34.31
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$63.51
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.68
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Exchange rate
Exchange rate Quetzal to US$
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7.4:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Yellow House - Antigua (www.granjaguar.com) There is secure parking just around the corner at Hotel Santa Lucia (20Q's a day)
2.
Casa Argentina - Quetzaltenango. Basic but good value.
3.
Hospedaje Casa Familiar - Todos Santos - Basic, good, great views from balcony
4.
El Retiro - Lanquin - Excellent camping by the river, organises tours to the caves and Semuc Champey.
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Top sights
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1.
Antigua town - even though touristy still a lovely place
2.
Road from Huehuetenango to Coban
3.
Lanquin caves and Semuc Champey
4.
Tikal Ruins
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Honduras
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$27.57
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$144.81
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.72
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Exchange rate
Lempiras to the US$
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18.5:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Cabana Mirador El Rosario - right next to Rosario entrance to Parque Nacional La Tigra. Only two rooms. Stunning views. Highly recommended (mobile 987 5835)
2.
Omega Lodge - 10kms out of La Ceiba (www.omegatours.hn)
3.
Roli's Place - Omoa ([email protected])
4.
Café Via Via - Copan Ruinas (www.viaviacafe.com)
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Top sights
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1.
Parque Nacional La Tigra - Can camp at ranger station at both entrances
2.
Horse riding on the beach at La Ceiba
3.
Copan ruins (definitely take a guide)
4.
Finca El Cisne - Nr Copan Ruinas. Working Coffee farm with beautiful accomodation and camping. Tours given in english by owners son who is US trained agronomist. (www.fincaelcisne.com)
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Mexico
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$35.51
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$61.64
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.48
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Exchange rate
Peso to US$
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11:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Blue Parrot Inn - Playa del Carmen - Treatsville! But well worth it.
2.
Sacbe - Santa Elena near Uxmal - Great campsite well set up.
3.
Trailer Park Mayabel - Inside Palenque ruins park - well set up.
4.
Rancho San Nicolas - San Cristobal - 2kms out of town easy walk and lovely shaded campsite
5.
Cabanas Eddy - Puerto Escondido south of city on highway. Allows camping
6.
Playa Suave Trailer Park (next to hotel of same name) - Acapulco - A little expensive but right in middle of town, very secure and each site has private bathroom
7.
Sayulita Bungalows & Trailer Park - Sayulita 35kms north of Puerto Vallarta - wonderful camp ground on the beach with excellent bar!
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Top sights
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1.
Tulum ruins - only coastal Mayan ruins
2.
Chitchen Itza - Carvings galore
3.
Uxmal - Carvings and more carvings and the quadrangles
4.
Calakmul & Balamku - Calakmul huge and no visitors and Balamku for the amazing frieze
5.
Palenque - Probably the most stunning of all the ruins
6.
San Cristobal and Oaxaca as nice Colonial cities
7.
Acapulco for the cliff divers
8.
Playa Maruata - reckoned to be one of Mexicos top beaches - beautiful
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Nicaragua
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$47.36
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$23.13
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.73
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Exchange rate
Cordobas to the US$
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16:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Finca Magdalena - Balgue,Isla Ometepe ([email protected])
2.
Hostal Oasis - Granada ([email protected])
3.
Hotel Central - Jinotega (cheap and cheerful)
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Top sights
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1.
Isla Ometepe - climbing either volcano although Maderas is easier! (Car ferry US$24 for car plus 2 people but often very busy would recommend reservation!)
2.
Granada town (Dona Conchi's restaurant for excellent food and sangria)
3.
Parque Nacional Volcan Masaya - one of the few active volcano's you can drive to the top of (6 kms from Masaya)
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Panama
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$56.25
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$84.72
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.56
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Currency is the
US$
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1:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
XS Memories RV Park - Santa Clara 100m north of Pan American
2.
Playa Venado - Peninsula Azuero southern tip near Canas
3.
Playa Las Lajas - Los Tres Palmeras cabanas and camping on unspoilt beach run by Roy
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Top sights
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1.
Parque Internacional La Amistad - near Cerro Punto (can camp in park)
2.
Jardin Botanico Dracula - Guadalupe (orchid sanctuary 2500 species)
3.
Panama Canal - Miraflores and Gatun Locks
4.
Old City of Panama
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Paraguay
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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We didnt spend long enough in the country and the time we did
spend there was on a full board estancia which was US60 per person per day
full board.
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.25
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Exchange rate
Paraguay Guarani to US$
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6000:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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Estantia Golondrina Km235 on ruta 7. Accommodation, activities
and all meals included. Tourism manager is Gustavo Helman [email protected]
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Top sights
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See Golondrina above.
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Peru
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$39.54
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$770.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.75
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Exchange rate
Sol to US$
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3.25:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Club Hotel Cuzco (Good place
to camp with vehicle & you can leave safely while you trek) www.telser.com.pe/clubhotel Also recommend Jacks Café for the best
breakfast!!
2.
Hostal Las Mercedes - Arequipa (allows vehicle camping & only 5 blocks from centre of town)
3.
Jo's place - Huaraz (great place to chill)
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Top sights
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1.
Machu Picchu, (of course but think about doing a trek other than the standard
one. Ours was 7 days and amazing!!)
2.
Pisac and Tipon outside of Cuzco
3.
Lake Titicaca especially the floating reed islands
4.
Arequipa - Santa Catalina Convent & Ice Maiden
5.
Colca Canyon
6.
Paracas National Reserve - reserve for marine birds and sea lions
7.
Nasca - the lines but also the other ruins nearby
8.
Chachapoyas and the ruins of Kuelap nearby
9.
The border crossing between San Ignacio and Vilcabamba (slow but well worthwhile!)
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Uruguay
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Average Cost per day (US$)
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$16.64
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Spend on Excursions (US$)
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$0.00
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Average Fuel cost (US$/litre)
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0.65
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Exchange rate
Uraguayan Peso to US$
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26:1
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Recommended Hostels/Camping
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1.
Camping Arequita Nr Minas
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Top sights
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1.
Parque National Santa Teresa
good camping as well
2.
Colonia del Sacramento
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