Quote:
Originally Posted by suzzer99
Seeing Angel Falls would be really really cool. Other than that I'd mostly try to high-tail it through the country.
It is! I flew into a national park (Kavak?), which had some great trails/swims, and on the way out, the pilot took us by Angel Falls. I bet it's even better from the ground (though I'm not sure it's accessible by road).
Anyway, a few things:
You mention selling the car, assuming it survives. Double-check into that. I think I remember that you have to fill out paperwork saying you're taking a vehicle back out when bringing one into a country. Seems like I remember reading about big fines, or headaches, or something trying to get rid of one down there. Though I suppose there's always a market with varying shades of gray.
Also, the reason I mentioned being more than conversational in Spanish before is it seems like I've read that border officials need everything filled out
just so, and anything wrong sends you back to square one. Especially in the Darien Gap workaround, since it's between countries.
In that link I posted earlier, I think I remember Dan taking a side trip to Belize. Might be something to think about. I guess it's really nice, might be able to see Tikal too.
I think you mentioned being in BA a while back, but can't remember if you were in Ushuaia. Ushuaia itself isn't much. A tourist town whose reason for existence seems to be Antarctic cruises and people going to Tierra del Fuego NP. Not sure if Torres del Paine NP in Chile is road-accessible from Ushuaia.
Anyway, there's plenty of places to eat and stay there. If you take the road to Tierra del Fuego NP, there's a sign that's the unofficial-official 'end of the pan-american highway. Need to get the FJ pictured there & Ushuaia's "Fin del Mondo" sign.
Also, one thing I've read on (I've researched this but am too chicken, have to live vicariously through others) is to make sure you know about all the safety requirements for each country. Sounds like it removes one way for the police to shake you down if you have the hazard triangles, fire extinguishers, etc, etc that are required.
Finally, find the episode(s) of the old Top Gear (Clarkson, May, and Hammond) where they have a Patagonian adventure.
Best of luck, I hope you're able to accomplish this. Looking forward to hearing adventures from the road.