6 reasons why Pinoys should visit South America

In June 2014 we arrived in South America to start a new journey after backpacking for a year in Asia. It had been one of my dreams since childhood to go to South America.

It’s been almost a year now since we arrived here, but it seems like we will be staying in this continent for the next two years, as we’re actually preparing for a big hitchhiking trip from Brazil to the south of Argentina to catch a boat to Antarctica!

Backpacking in South America is relatively cheap compared to Europe and most Western countries, but not as cheap as backpacking in Southeast Asia. You can stay in hostel dorm beds for $10 to $20 a night and eat the local food from between $4 and $10 a meal depending on which country you’re visiting.

Chile, Argentina and Brazil are relatively expensive, but in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador you can survive on a $20-per-day backpacking budget. Another option is to try volunteering in exchange for bed and food which can really help you stretch your money.

And don’t forget your yellow fever vaccine!

For most Filipinos, Asia, Europe, Australia, the USA and Great Britain are big travel destinations, but South America never seems to be that high on the "to do" list. To try and correct that and show the continent as an amazing destination for Filipino travelers, check out these 6 reasons why Pinoys should visit South America.

1. It's easy to get visas for a Philippines passport holder

Most countries in South America are visa-free for Philippine passport holders. In fact, 7 out of the 11 countries are free for us to enter! When we first arrived in Peru, immigration gave us a 183-day stamped visa, then before our visa expired we took an overnight bus to cross by land into Bolivia, which granted me a 30-day free visa. Our next stop was Chile where a visa was required for Filipinos, so a month before we left to Peru, I applied for my Chilean visa which was granted just one week after. The Consulate gave me a 90-day multiple entry visa—the requirements? A visa fee of $60 and my passport, nothing else!

So if you’re too worried about your visas in South America. I highly suggest you enter a visa-free country first and from there apply for another tourist visa in the consulate/embassy of that country. It’s not as hard as you think it is, but please always remember the golden rule: never overstay, as this gives us negative impression to our host country.

Below is what Philippines passport holders need:

• Argentina - you need a pre-approved visa, $50
• Bolivia - up to 60 days visa-free
• Brazil - up to 90 days visa-free
• Chile - you need a pre-approved visa, $60 for 90 days
• Colombia - up to 90 days visa-free
• Ecuador - up to 90 days visa-free
• Paraguay - you need a pre-approved visa, $100
• Peru - up to 183 days visa-free
• Suriname - up to 60 days visa-free
• Uruguay - you need a pre-approved visa, $45
• Venezuela - you need a pre-approved visa, $100

2. The Spanish-influenced cultures will make you feel more at home

Being part of the worldwide club of former Spanish colonies, we have been left with many aspects of Hispanic culture deeply ingrained into every facet of our society: food, religion, language, class systems, colonial architecture and many more.

To be honest, backpacking in Southeast Asia was a completely unique experience for me because I couldn’t understand the East Asian languages, they use chopsticks when they eat, and their looks are completely different from Filipinos.

When we arrived in Peru, however, I almost felt at home! The architecture of the central city plaza of Arequipa (Plaza de Armas) reminds me of the classical styling of Intramuros, while the Catholic churches on every corner, shrines in and outside of every home and huge celebrations of the faith, are all reminders that we share the same religious beliefs. The atmosphere feels very familiar, yet distinctly different at the same time.

3. Filipinos are rare – and the locals are curious about us

By visiting South America, you will be a great representative of our country. Very few Filipinos visit South America compared to other nationalities, so as well as amazing memories, you get the bonus of exclusive bragging rights among your friends!

As a Filipino in South America, you are often the basis of people's knowledge of our country. We’ve even met locals who didn’t know where our country is on the world map. One really funny situation happened while we were hitchhiking in Patagonia de Chile; we met three Chileans and when I told them that I’m Filipino, the first thing they said was, "Manny Pacquiao!"

There are Filipinos who live here and get married to locals or even Filipino-Americans who have decided to start a new life in Latin America.

It’s understandable that the major factor is flights: flights from Manila are very expensive, so you really need to book smartly. You also need to know if you require a visa when transiting through the USA, Australia or Europe. The best route I can suggest is flying via the Middle East, Hong Kong or Singapore, with the cheapest first stop destination being Colombia or Brazil.

4. You can blend in with the locals

There is usually a fairly clear visual difference between Filipinos and most other Asians, even before we open our mouths!

However, In many parts of South America, we Filipinos look kind of similar to the local people, so if your Spanish is good, you can avoid the tourist prices! I’ve been able to get away with this too, until I ruined it with my broken Spanish. It can be a very bizarre feeling to be surrounded by people who look just like you and follow many of the same or similar traditions as you, but at the same time feel so completely out of touch with them.

The similarity in looks is always a great talking point with locals and we have met some amazing people because of it.

5. The food and the booze are delicious

Peru has their own adobo! Yes, they call it adobo too, but it’s quite different from ours. Peruvian food so far is the tastiest food in Latin America—ceviche; rocoto relleno, adobo and lomo saltado are all staple dishes that exemplify the variety and creativity of Peruvian cuisine. You can even eat a very special dish, called cuy, which is essential a roasted guinea pig. Try it, it’s tastier than you think!

Peru takes the overall food prize for us, but the freshest salmon we’ve ever had in our life was in Chile. It was natural, local and tasted fresh out of the Pacific Ocean! Food in South America really will blow you away!  

When it comes to drinking, nothing is better than a smooth, Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, for just $3, or if you prefer something with a little more kick, try the Peruvian Pisco, made by fermenting sweet grapes. Just be careful, it’s strong stuff!

6. South America has world-class tourist destinations

The world's highest capital city, the highest lake, the greatest ruins, spectacular festivals and so many different landscapes you need never travel anywhere else on Earth...but of course you should! South America is so diverse in its range of tourist attractions that you you could tick off half of your bucket list in one trip.

As if the world-class cuisine, fine wines and spirits and ease of travel wasn’t enough, here’s my Top 10 things you must do if you decide to visit this incredible part of the world:

1. Make a DIY trek to Machu Picchu in Peru
2. Visit the Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
3. Hitchhike in Patagonia – Chile and Argentina
4. Take a week trip to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador!
5. Bike down the Death Road in Bolivia
6. Take a Latin dance lesson in Medellin, Colombia
7. Visit the famous Salar Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia
8. Get wet in the Iguazu Waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil
9. Attend festivals and fiestas like Brazil's Rio Carnival
10. Visit South America’s biggest lake – Lake Titicaca on the border of Peru and Bolivia

If you have some extra money in your budget, you can also take a trip of a lifetime to the Easter Island, many miles off the coast of Chile! — BM, GMA News