Should I go to Ecuador, Colombia, or Chile?

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

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Because I travel often, I have signed up for an exorbitant amount of Frequent Flier programs, in the hopes of accruing miles so I could get a free trip somewhere.

Alas, the fact that I’m not loyal to any particular airline and will often buy the cheapest ticket means that it’s hard for me to collect enough miles with any one program to net me a free flight somewhere.

Buying the cheapest flight also means that I often end up purchasing a ticket in a fare class that is not eligible to earn air miles (phooey!).

At any rate,it would appear that I have racked up enough frequent flier miles with American Airlines AAdvantage program to merit a (nearly) free flight from Canada or the Continental U.S. to somewhere in South America. I realized the other day that I had all these miles sitting around and that they would expire soon. So I got myself on the American Airlines website and started tinkering. I have a week in late September that would be the perfect opportunity to go on this sort of trip.

But where to go? What to see?

My eye were wide with wonderment as I looked up airline codes and worked out itineraries.

My initial thought, after an invigorating Skype session with travel-writer, and international man of mystery, Fly Brother, was to jet down to Brazil and tour Rio and Salvador de Bahia, before finding my way to Sao Paolo, where he is based, to hang with him a bit. But alas, twas not to be. The frequent flier miles needed for a ticket to Brazil were way over the measly 65,000 miles I have at my disposal- something to the tune of 120,000.

Brazil would have to wait.

I then thought of going to Peru and tackling the Inca Trail and Macchu Picchu. But then a quhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifick look and search on the AAdvantage website revealed that there was no service to Cuzco, the city near where the Inca Trail starts.

How about Bolivia? The breathtaking Salar de Uyuni salt flats beckoned. But that was not to be either. Flights to La Paz were 110,000 frequent flier miles.

I was ready to give up.

But the I keyed in the airport code for Quito, Ecuador. I expected to see yet another high number of frequent flier miles required, and nearly closed down my browser when the page loaded.

I would only need 30,000 miles for round-trip tickets to Quito.

I had to shake my head, and make sure that my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me. I keyed airport code again, pressed the “go” button to send the information, then refreshed the page. It was still the same. Only 30,000 miles.

Then I got greedy.
I wanted to see what else I could get, and for how cheap.

I keyed in the airport code for Santiago, Chile, then the one for Bogota, Colombia. I discovered that the miles required for those destinations are only 35,000and 30,000 respectively.

At this rate, I could afford to go on TWO (nearly) free trips. But I probably wont, since time is a bit of an issue.

And so, dear readers, this is where you come in. I have an eight day window to travel in. I am thinking of travelling during the very last days of September until the very first week of October (around September 28th-ish to October 5 or 6th-ish, depending on flight availability). I don’t mind if the place I’m going to is cold, but I don’t think I could stand if it rained the whole time I was there. Will it be winter or the rainy season in any of these places?

I’m thinking of sticking close to the capital cities in this places because I don’t have the time (or money!) to venture very far beyond. So I’m thinking I’ll stay in the regions of Quito, Santiago, and Bogota. Are there any cool day trips around these cities? Keep in mind that I’ll just be finishing up a month in Guatemala. For some reason I feel like Ecuador (at least around Quito) will be a lot like Guatemala, and that makes me wonder if I should go to someplace that has more of a contrast.

Keep in mind that I will also be travelling solo. What is the safety level like in these places?

I don’t want to spend too much money. I hear that Ecuador is dirt cheap, while Chile and Colombia are very expensive to travel in. Can anyone shed some light?

Where should I go? Recommendations and advice appreciated. And I would LOVE to have a travel buddy, if you are game!

SHARING IS CARING

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140 Comments

  • Obviously I vote for Chile! Although between the other two options I would pick Colombia because I reaaaally want to go there. It will be spring in Santiago and usually isn't rainy at that time of the year although nights are still colder.

    As far as budget concerns, yes it will be more expensive than Ecuador. But you can travel pretty cheaply even in Santiago. It's an expensive city to live, but you can stay at a hostel for $17/night, eat a set price lunch in the central market for $4 and take the buses both within the city and on day trips. Day trips which could include wine tasting, seeing Valparaiso/the beach, going hiking in the Andes…I'm sure I can think of others!

  • Purely for selfish reasons, I would suggest Ecuador-the hubby and I were planning on going for a visit perhaps next year. Heard it was a good place to retire (we aren't nearly there yet)-so ofcourse I would love your viewpoint if you happen to go…Chile sounds amazing too though!

  • I have never been to south America so I can't be too much of a help here, but I'd go to Chile because I know people there. 🙂

  • Gah idk! I love the idea of Chile! I meet a friend online from Chile and it sounds wonderful! With both beautiful beaches and gorgeous mountains.

    I also had a Spanish teacher from Columbia and she left a very good impression on me!

    Whichever you pick, I hope you have fun!

  • I wish I was more versed in South American travel. I actually have heard the exact opposite. Colombia is supposedly really cheap. Maybe I'm getting wrong info or perhaps it's expensive to travel internally? Brazil is actually not as cheap as it could be. 🙂 Excited to hear what you end up choosing.

  • Just go somewhere in S. America and let us see lots of photos. I've always dreamed of going to Chile. But follow your bliss.

  • i've been to Ecuador, the country is very beautiful, and the people are diverse and the food…..gosh…don't get me started.

  • COLOMBIA!! I spent a month there last year after living in Panama. LOVED IT!! My itinerary was to be in Bogota for only 3 days–I ended up staying 6 and would have stayed longer if I wasn't headed to Cali, etc. The people are WONDERFUL! The food is VERY GOOD! Bogota "es preciosa!" I traveled by myself and of course met wonderful people. Shopping is awesome. Yes, it was more expensive than Pma but hostels and food were still inexpensive. Bus travel can be costly but you can haggle prices. Also, if you like Botero and Gold those are very good museums. I can go on-an-on about Colombia…Hit me up if you decided to go. I know a good hostel. Oh and it is cooler than Cali and Cartegena but it is a great city. Hope that helps!!!

  • i haven't really looked into any south american countries – so i don't know a whole lot of useful information about them to help you decide…..but one of my bff's is from colombia so that's probably where i would head first of the three!

  • Thanks so much for weighing in, everyone!!! I really appreciate your comment! I've made my decision…

  • i heard wonderful things about colombia, so this would be my choice!! but i think all three destinations will be fantastic!! lucky you 🙂

  • You mentioned cheapoair.com in one of your posts and OMG thank you!!! I used to book all of my international flights on Kayak and I've been wanting to go to Portugal and I totally found a flight that I thought was 1000 for only $530. And it includes a 11 hr layover in Frankfurt. 2 for 1 special!! lol I seriously cannot thank you enough.

  • I would definitely visit Ecuador, for it's diversity. I read this article about Ecuador, and I was very surprised to see how beautiful this country is…I'm sure there are many beautiful places unknown for most of us.

  • @Avril: Thanks for the input! I ended up getting a flight for Chile but I definitely will visit Ecuador someday!

  • I went to Medellin ,Colombia in 2010 and loved it ,amazing nice friendly people,beautiful culture,fairly cheap,and had a ball.

  • Hello! we hope you are well. We would like to enquire about your time in Chile, do you think you made the right decision? Or in retrospect, would you have chosen Ecuador? how expensive is the cost of living in Chile? We are young, wild travellers. Two attractive young females.

    • I ADORED Chile. I loved the Santiago and the desert. I still haven’t been to Ecuador or Colombia though.

  • Colombia and Ecuador can be similar, but Chile is different. Is like comparing Canada with Florida or Germany with Greece… in terms of weather and geography.

    Colombia is the cheapest in this moment. Chile the most expensive but also the safest.

    I would say my suggestion are:

    If you like beaches, tropical weather and jungle ->Colombia
    If you like tropical weather, jungle and Inca culture ->Ecuador
    If you like dessert, mountains, glaciers, black forests -> Chile

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