Good places to live in South America for 3-6 months (place, people)

[Bily Lovec]

Ive spent a fair amount of time in Bolivia, I would live in Tarija in a heartbeat.
beautiful city, pleasant people, awesome weather, short drive to Argentina.

[inspironmini]

My updated plan is pick 2 cities (or towns) and spend roughly 2-3 months in each place. We decided it would be a nice medium between staying in the same place the entire time and constantly traveling around the entire time.

I am thinking that since we are going in January, we actually would want to start out in a place like Uruguay to avoid the wet season in many other parts of South America.

Here's what I am thinking right now: spend the first half of the time in Montevideo and the second half in one of two countries: Bolivia or Ecuador. Both of them have cheap costs of living and would be a totally unique and different experience after hanging out in a coastal beach area for a few months.

I looked at many of the towns suggested by Tijlover and am finding it hard to narrow down my choices. I am torn between being in a huge and exciting (but potentially dangerous and touristy) city such as Quito or La Paz (high altitude is also a consideration), and staying in a quiter and smaller (but potentially 'boring') town.

What can anyone suggest as far as narrowing my options in Ecuador or Bolivia? If we are going to be spending the first half of the trip in a coastal environment I think we would want to be in a more mountainous region for the second half (which is why I was looking at La Paz or Quito). We are looking for some place that is relatively safe and has good access to outdoor opportunities (such as trekking) but also somewhat exciting. Any suggestions or further details of some of the town already mentioned by Tijlover?

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

I would think Ecuador is the perfect fit for you. Cheap, beautiful and one of the best South American countries to learn Spanish since it is so clean(no real accents). Not to mention the sheer beauty of the country. If you are outdoor enthusiests, even better. Great surfing, white water rafting and mountain climbing. Due to the Andes mountains, you can choose your climate. Too hot? Move on up in elevation. You occasionally hear about crime, but it is mostly petty with very little violent crime. Just use basic common sense.

[pigeonhole]

It's not south but central america, but I've heard that costa rica is a pretty nice place, I hesitate between manuel antonio on the pacific side and puerto limon on the atlantic side, any feedback ?

[Chava61]

I spent a year in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I found the Ecuadorians to be very friendly. I came to Ecuador without knowing any Spanish. But I lived with an Ecuadorian family and was speaking Spanish relatively well by the end of year. Also Ecuador was relatively cheap for an American and there are lots of places to visit including the Galapagos Islands.

[pigeonhole]

Originally Posted by Chava61

I spent a year in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I found the Ecuadorians to be very friendly. I came to Ecuador without knowing any Spanish. But I lived with an Ecuadorian family and was speaking Spanish relatively well by the end of year. Also Ecuador was relatively cheap for an American and there are lots of places to visit including the Galapagos Islands.

I did some homework and I found Ecuador a bit...problematic.
I've read that the "Archipialago Colon" being a national park and isolated in the Pacific, the access is very expensive.
Also heard that there is a lot of insecurity in the Barrio Antiguo of Quito.
Seen pictures of Baños, "typical spa"..not so beautiful.
Sure, for trekkers , the Andes are certainly worth it , though.
But I've heard that the present government is doing a political U-turn and getting close to Chavez's Venezuela, not good either.
There are too many unanswered questions about Ecuador , as I can only travel once every 2 years or so, I think I'll skip it, I don't want to run the risk of being disappointed. I'm sure CR is a more reliable destination.

[Alaskan_Adventurer]

Costa Rica has become one big and quite a bit more expansive tourist trap with crime on the rise. But if you think CR is your thing, go for it. And yes, I have been to CR.

[tijlover]

Myself, I gravitate more to the more Indian-flavored countries of SA. I believe Ecuador is around 35-40% Indian and Bolivia is about 60%+ with their own Indian President Eva Morales. And in those countries, any number of these people don't even speak Spanish, in Ecuador it's Quecha and in Bolivia, I'm not sure what Indian language they speak. So you may run into people in those countries where you won't even be able to practise Spanish with.

As far as hostels, I don't know of a hostel where you can't cook your own food.

Again, consider climate. Coastal Ecuador will be hot, humid, muggy, and high altitude cities more comfortable, may need a blanket or light coat at night.

And consider location, don't pick a city that's too isolated, where it's too far to the next city, and in Bolivia one must consider the conditions of the roads between major cities.

Costa Rica appeals to sheepy, safety-delusional, monkey-see, monkey-do Americans. Give Americans the green light to go somewhere in the world and they can't pack the planes tight enough and get there fast enough, and then destroy the place once they get there. They're notorious for that: Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, etc.

[pigeonhole]

To tiljover : I know Vallarta well (and enjoy it, I must admit to my own shame) : is Costa Rica the same kind of place ? is it as secure ?

[gc57]

So, SA is a better choice tha CR for reloaction from the US?