We really grew to like Lima, especially the Barranco district, but I think that had a lot to do with a local friend showing us around. Lima has a tough skin to crack, and we have spoken with a lot of tourists who literally hate it, and I can see why. Miraflores, or where basically all the info desks and everything guide you, is insanely Americanized, and not in a good way. For us it screamed “avoid!” Prices in dollars, American fast food chains and multiple casinos. Bleh. Lima has no public transportation system. I’m not kidding. Your choice is to take cabs, or learn the insane gyspy bus system. We found it really hard to stay in our budget, constantly - but the amount of amazing, literally amazing, food everywhere had a lot to do with that.

In fewer words: I would be careful how much time you plan on spending there, in Lima. It’s a big, commercial city. The best of our experiences in South America came from tiny cities in the middle of nowhere. Plan just a few days in Lima, but leave yourself flexibility in case you want to stay longer. You really don’t want to be stuck there if you don’t like it.

We never took Spanish, but after our first month in Mexico, we knew enough to get by day to day, and continued learning every moment. Maybe just some learning at home will be enough to get started?

We hope that when we are done with our year abroad we can actually come back to Perú, and to Lima. We’d like to rent an apartment and take cooking classes for 2 months, and then return to Arequipa and Cusco for another month each. We are in love with the country, absolutely.

Just looking at your itenerary for South America.

I agree that Puno wasn’t one of my favourites though it is still worthwhile going there since that is the base for visiting the Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca

You probably won’t need 4 days in Santiago. Just 2 (or 3 maximum) should be enough. It’s pretty much another big city and preferable to spend those other couple of days elsewhere.

I used to have to do the Mendoza run (Santiago to Mendoza) every three months before I got my residency and I can say it is a great trip (the first couple of times, after the 8th or so it gets tiresome!). Something you should have in mind about crossing from Santiago to Mendoza in winter is that sometimes it snows up in the mountains and nothing can get through for a couple/few days. I got caught hitchhiking up there once as a storm started blowing and fortunately a truck driver picked me up otherwise I would have been in serious problems.

You will go WAY UP into the Andes Mountains with the border control nestled in one of the highest parts there (I forget how many thousands of metres up). After going through Chilean immigration, and after a few kilometres, keep an eye out to the left (get bus seats on that side) where you will get a glimpse of Aconcagua, the highest mountain on the continent.

Also the Argentinian side of the Iguazu falls is better than the Brazilian side (if you have to choose only one of them). The Brazilian side is more of an overall view whereas the Argentinian side is more immersed in it. There are walkways that go almos right up into some of the falls and at the top of them there are also ledges that you can peer over.

Saludos,
Woodward

You have to see Iguazu, and maybe hop into the Brazilian side, although I preferred the Argentina side over the Brazilian. Buenos Aires is awesome, and its a city you need to have be with someone else to enjoy it better IMO, something you are obviously doing.

Looking forward to reading about your adventures, and yes, I will be back on the road soon, even if briefly

Watch the yellow fever arrangement from an entry viewpoint. Some countries demand a yellow fever certificate as part of their entry requirements. This might be more in Africa than South America but just check out what you can. I have been asked for it in several countries over some period of time but I cannot recall where now. I’m sure you’ll work something out.

Todd: Thanks for the link and recommendation - always good to get a locals view!

Jodi: No advice is unsolicited when you write about your plans on a blog!! I’ve heard from a few people that Lima is not so nice - a local, well travelled, friend said that it was the worst city she has ever been in! I think we will stop there to have a look see, but I will also be researching spanish schools in other places - thanks for the link!!

Wish you all the best in your planning!