Frequently Asked Questions

How much did the trip cost?

About $100/day. Although we have not done a complete analysis, our rough cost estimate for the trip is $35,000. That includes the purchase price of the 4Runner, shipping to and from South America, and several flights we made during the trip.

How many miles did you drive?

Outside the United States the totals were 282 days and 34,900 miles. The complete trip from Colorado was 40100 miles.

Which country did you like the most?

For Dieter the answer is always - Costa Rica. It really did have a lot to offer: miles and miles of beaches, active volcanoes, great hiking trails, good food, and a safe environment. Raghbir liked Guatemala, Ecuador and Peru for the beautiful mountain sceneries and the interesting indigineous cultures.

What was your favorite big city?

We spent 10 days in Rio de Janeiro, more than any other city. Geographically, Rio is beautiful. The people were friendly. Rio also had great restaurants and juice bars, fun beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, and great shopping. Buenos Aires, Argentina, was another of our favorite cities. Cartagena, Colombia was our favorite historical city.

What was your most memorable experience?

Definitely the Perito Moreno glacier in the Los Glaciers National Park in Argentina. As we reached the glacier late in the evening, we decided to camp overnight in our 4Runner and observe it in the morning. As the sun came up, the morning light created magical effects on the icy blue glacier. The chalfing of the ice created unbelievable sounds and ripples on the lake. We were mesmerized for several hours, only briefly interrepted by two military helicopters that flew by for a closeup of the glacier.

Did you get stopped by the police?

Yes, numerous times. Reasons ranged from plain curiosity to hassling. Majority of the time we talked our way out of the tickets. The few times we had to pay a fine, we were able to get it reduced (once from $100 to $7!). In Peru twice we were asked to pay a fine that covered the gas for the motorcycle. $2 that we payed was considered sufficient. In Chile and Argentina, the policemen were extremely professional. Suggesting a bribe to them could get a person in serious trouble.

Was the trip worth it?

Yes, most definitely!! Although it was stressful at times, it was also very educational. We had a chance to meet many friendly people and visit some beautiful sights! Overcoming some of the challenges along the way gave us more confidence along the trip.

Would you recommend this type of trip to someone else?

Yes, but only to those willing to commit the time, learn the language and customs, and become familiar with basic repairs of their vehicle. It is definitely safer to travel with a companion. However, it can also be stressful to spend so much time with another person!

How were the roads?

90% of the time -- awful!

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