Lots of VSO's in Guyana go on to see a bit more of the rest of the continent. In spite of the lack of Cricket grounds it can be a great experience. Here are some useful tips on travelling in South America, based on personal experience. VSO's travelling from Guyana may have access to the travel guide that was developed in the office as well. Click here to see the details of some recommended trips.

Permits and VISA's

Basically check from an authority of repute about the entry VISA requirements of different countries. Venezuela for instance asks for a VISA to be sorted out before you go (which is free). Brazil needed nothing for UK citizens, but other nationalities did.

Take your Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate with you as well. In particular, Brazil requires it for entry from some other countries (which included Bolivia and Venezuela at time of travel).

Also - ensure you get your EXIT stamp from Brazil. It will cause you a lot of trouble if you try and go back into Brazil without the exit stamp, and may cost you money (one of us had to pay $300 US!!).

Literature

If you are interested in South American travel we found the following books really useful (amongst other slightly less useful books that we took with us).

	Footprint South American Handbook 2002:... This was the best amongst the Lonely Planet/Rough Guide type books - certainly in South America the Footprints is useful across all the countries we went through, even some of the remoter areas.
	Lonely Planet : Latin American Spanish... All countries except the Guianas and Brazil are Spanish speaking. This was the best amongst the set of phrasebooks we had - it covered all sorts of travelling and getting friendly situations. It is also geared towards South American Spanish and travelling.
	BBC Suenos World Spanish: Course Book Of course learning Spanish before travelling is also a great idea. The Suenos book is fun, colourful yet thorough in what it teaches. It approaches Spanish from a 'World' view - covering all pronounciation types.
	BBC Suenos World Spanish: CD Pack The Suenos book above can also be bought with a set of CD's as well.

Places

Where you go is up to you! What I am outlining here is 2 trips to take from Guyana to the rest of South America. Getting to Manaus in Brazil is useful - Manaus is a central hub for transport and has coaches to other parts of the continent. Check upto date guide books for other suggestions.

1. Getting to Manaus

   • Go to Lethem (on the Brazil border)
   • get to Boa Vista in Brazil bu taxi
   • Boa Vista to Manaus by coach

2. Going to Mount Roraima - can also be used to see the Angel Falls

   • The trip to Venezuela can be done in a day if you fly to Lethem and get to Manaus by noon (though check for upto date times). From Manaus get a coach to Santa Elena - takes maybe 4-5 hours.
   • Getting to Mount Roraima is now your choice - there are tour operators in Santa Elena. Or you can get to the village at the base of the Mountain. You WILL have to hire a guide though.
   • After the trek you can either go North to Caracas and fly back to Guyana/UK from Trinidad. Or go back the way you came.
   (See Photos)

3. Lake Titicaca, La Paz(Bolivia)/Machu Pichu, Lima (Peru)

   • Getting to Bolivia involves going through Brazil. Get to Manaus and get a boat to Puerto Velho. Take hammocks for the ride, and get tickets for the upper deck. Downstairs is where the loud engines are. Takes 3-5 days, and usually leaves on Tuesdays.
   • From Puerto Velho get Taxi/coach to Guyaramarin on the Brazil/Bolivia border.
   • Coach from border to La Paz takes 2 days - take your own food and entertainment. It is possible to fly this as well, but I haven't done this. La Paz is cold and high altitude. Take it easy, drink Mate de Coca and visit museums.
   • Lake Titicaca - coaches from La Paz (if there is no strike) goes to Copocabana on the shores.
   • After a few days here - onto Cusco to get to Machu Pichu. First step is coach to Puno - try and sit on a right-hand window for seats. This does have the reed islands on its shore.
   • Train to Cusco - 12 hour ride, but great scenery. At the destination we stayed in and thoroughly recommend the Royal Hotel Frankenstein, complete with mad German hotelier.
   • From Cusco you can take trains to Machu Pichu, staying in Agua Caliente if you wish to go overnight, or do treks if weather permits.
   • Fly/Coach to Lima afterwards .... and then onto wherever you are going!
   (See Photos)