VancBCMan

For Cartagena and Santa Marta, Phillipe can recommend someone. He knows someone in Cartagena, but does not know anyone personally in Santa Marta. I did not go to Cali, but Phillipe may know someone there too.

Phillipe recommended David as the tour guide in Medellin. He speaks good English and has his own car, so in case you wish to go on a tour outside Medellin, he can do that. I went on a city tour one day and a full day outside the city, which included a visit to a family coffee farm. He was really good too.

I also hired Phillipe as my guide when I was in Bogota. He was great. If you wish to great you at the airport on arrival and take you to the hotel, he can arrange that transfer as well. He was unable to do the tour with me on another day, and he recommended his colleague, was good too.

A non government site is showing the "government fee" for a visitor's visa at $44.50 US

I received a similar response from the Consulate in Vancouver on 9th August. I enter Brazil on 1st October. Since I'm on a group tour, there's no flexibility of changing the date and enter a day earlier. I will continue checking their website to see when the portal will open again for eVisa applications. Recent Update: It looks like citizens of Japan will not need visas to enter Brazil, going forward. The 2 countries reached an agreement whereby their citizens will not need a visa to visit the other country.

Hi, you are right!

Thank you @xpaulo, @Tomtravel and @macdaddi for additional suggestions.

Thank you True, lot of flying. Basically wanted a preview of the 3 countries by going on a group tour - Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Have added several days in Colombia at the beginning and then several days in Rio/SP at the end. Yes, still lot of flying. So much of the world to see, so I feel it's OK. Covered some countries in Europe last Spring and then 3 countries in Africa, plus BKK - this last winter. Pent up desire to travel after staying home for 2 years, so it was catch up time! Each time, I tell myself to visit fewer cities and stay longer, but so many places to see. And since I'm not sure if and when I will be back in that Region, I fail to follow my own advice in the end and still pack in lots of places.

@macaroni21, @Keithambrose and @paborn I was was obviously not paying much attention in the past!

Thanks for suggestion. Will look into that

Sorry, ignore my question. Found the answer. Some countries require a Visa starting Oct 1st

Some sightseeing and meet the local boys? lol What is a good amount of time to spend there, in your view? Should I visit Cali for a few days instead and spend less time in Medellin?

Group tour entry into Brazil (Iguassu Falls) is exactly on the evening of Oct 1. Is there something I should be aware of about that date?

Future plans: I am hoping to visit South America for the first time this September. I am looking for feedback or suggestions on my proposed plan. Would really appreciate any suggestions/ comments. Just started a new topic on this in Latin American section: https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/39192-any-feedback-or-suggestions-on-my-plans-for-the-1st-trip-to-south-america-in-sept-2023-will-be-appreciated/

I am hoping to get some suggestions and comments regarding my first trip to South America, which will start in early Sept 2023. This being my first trip to South America, I will take a group tour (already booked) to visit Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Peru was included in my initial plans, but with the current situation there, I have now dropped that from the countries I will visit. This is 2-week tour covering 3 countries. The tour starts in Santiago, Chile, then on to Argentina and ends in Rio. I wish to tack on a couple of cities before the tour starts and then stay over in Brazil for few more days after the group tour ends. I have been to a few of the Asian countries and was in Bangkok in mid-February of this year. I have never been to South America, so this will be my first trip. I have read several posts here from those who have been there and rave about the time they have had. I have also read that there is security issue in a number of cities, so one has to be aware of that: mindful of the surroundings and also when meeting individuals outside of places that can be considered to be more safe (eg saunas). I am thinking of the itinerary outlined below. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should add (days and cities) or exclude (or shorten amount of time) in the cities outlined? I will truly appreciate feedback from those who have been there before. Outside of the group tour, my plan is to stay in a city longer than a couple of days. So not planning to pack in too many cities, where I would only stay for 1-2 nights. Currently planned: Fly to Medellin from Western Canada Medellin: 10 days Bogota: 4 days Santiago, Chile: 2 days prior to start of group tour Group Tour of Chile, Argentina and Brazil 14 days (booked already) Rio: 10 days after group tour In between the stay in Rio, visit São Paulo for 4 days Fly back from Rio to Western Canada I will book the international flights once I have somewhat finalized my plans. Thank you!