Hi All
I had no trouble with cash or cards in South America. Hostels I used were happy with cash.
Having said that, petty theft is endemic there though the only place I have heard of actual robberies is Venezuela (though I had no trouble there). I have a small pouch which fits onto my belt which is also big enough to hold my passport.
Many do not realise that when abroad almost anywhere, you can be asked by the police or any other such figure for your passport and be expected to produce it. It can be an offence not to do so (like in Thailand).
No problem with onwards tickets. They might ask your onward plans but I cannot recall them asking mine at any time. Lots of tourists travel around by bus, train and plane in SA without hindrance.
If you plan on taking any flights in SA, book early and before arriving there as flights are expensive if booked there and late. Distances can be very great and roads not always the best so the bus goes slow so you can find yourself spending more than a day on buses at times.
Example. The distance between Flores and Guatemala City is 166 miles in a straight line. I could have taken a $60 flight but I thought you don't see much from six miles up and it isn't far so I took the bus. It took 12 HOURS.
Thanks Cyberia for your comments
Keeping cash and passport on you at all times is usually the best way to go, will just need to buy a good belt/system for keeping it under my running top too :-)
Good about the onward travel. I see that almost all countries want to know, but having a pre booked ticket is not for me. I have no idea where I am going to end up or for how long, but at least 1+ years in South America.
I know what you mean about distances. Living in Europe now and everything is close by, but lived for 3 years in NZ and in that area of the World you learn about distance. 100km can take all day to drive (with sightseeing and driving conditions). 12h bus rides right now sounds like luxury compared to my life here at the moment.
Thanks again
A couple of banks in Argentina were on PLUS but not CIRRUS, and that became a pain....but mostly, you're Golden. You're just paying through the news on usage fees.
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