Down to South America in a 1958 VW Bus

[Christian P.]

this shows once again that you can pretty much take any car you want.

http://www.bumfuzzle.com/

http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pages/Miscellaneous/VW.html

This page shows the cost per month - really interesting

http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pages/Main Pages/Cost VW.html

so far they've spent $31800 not including the cost of the bus (another $20K) or so and they just made it to South America.

 

[mtnmedic]

what a great trip...I started reading from there current location, then realized how interesting it is and started all the way at the beginning and ordered the book as well.

 

[haven]

$20K for a 50 year old bus? It must have achieved status as an antique.

VW vans with the swing axle rear suspension are remarkably capable when the road gets rough. They don't go around corners on pavement so well, however!

I agree completely with the notion that people can travel 99% of the globe with a regular passenger vehicle. When I've visited remote places, I found that the folks who live there drive regular cars and rear wheel drive pickups.

You can even drive a stretch limo to Timbuktu, right?

 

[cruiser guy]

I agree completely with the notion that people can travel 99% of the globe with a regular passenger vehicle. When I've visited remote places, I found that the folks who live there drive regular cars and rear wheel drive pickups.

Absolutely!! We drove a '91 Nissan Sentra from Canada to Guatemala for a friend down here.

pics http://www.wirrell.com/fgallery/10

story http://www.wirrell.com/newsletters/spring-2008

 

[UK4X4]

Once took a VW van from the UK to the sahara and back via France spain-Portugal and Morroco

1966 van- me 20 something years old...same birth year as the van......

repairs on route- 1 off clutch cable

Had a pop top and two windsurfers on the roof- when I get a moment I'll scan a photo.....pre digital days...

Bought for $800 - sold a year or two later for double...

great trucks......had many a good time in mine..........go out get drunk...sleep in the van and drive home in the morning..younger times

 

[XXXpedition]

that's an exceptionally clean van!
cool

 

[Beachboyy]

I just got their book about their sailboat travels around the world for Christmas. Can't wait to read it. They had never even sailed before. Bought a boat and took off. Incredible.

 

[adventureduo]

That's a great cost break down. Really gives you a sense of what they're spending to make it happen.

 

[upcruiser]

Thanks for the link, I love it. And yeah, it doesn't take a built 4wd to have adventures for sure. One of the best "overlanding" trips I've had yet was with a rental 2wd Chevy Luv in the Atacama desert. I admire the philosophy that these two hold about travel. I gotta poke around more on the site when I have some time.

 

[haven]

Here's the Bumfuzzle camper crossing the equator in (where else) Ecuador

Using the figures on the Bumfuzzle web page
http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pages/Main Pages/Cost VW.html

Expenses for 14 month drive through 13 countries, including (to date)
all of North America, all of Central America, and 3 countries in South America


......................trip total...........per month
gas.................6,673.30..........477
vw expenses....2,364.24..........169
camping..........2,433.14..........174
hotels/hostels...3,530.74.........252
food................8,660.16.........619
border fees.........553.87...........40
other ..............9,468.15..........676

total..............33,683.60.......2,407

They report 40,880 miles driven, and about $9000 in fuel and vehicle expenses. That's 22 cents per mile.

A big chunk of the "other" category is the cost of shipping the van from Panama to Colombia. It cost $2,616: the container and Panama port fees ($1305), airfare for two to Colombia ($435), ten nights in hotels ($502), and Colombian port fees ($374). Details here: http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pages/2008/2008_12.html

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

how do you access cash when travelling like this?
Travelers checks? I can't imagine carrying a grip of cash- too much risk in that...

 

[haven]

You'll find ATM machines are widespread. Or you can get a cash advance at a bank that's part of the ATM network that you use. American Express works in most larger hotels, but VISA and Mastercard are more widespread in smaller retail establishments. You might look for a bank card that's part of the Cirrus or Plus networks as well.

Once you're on the road, away from the cities, you often can find a company-owned gas station that accepts credit cards. But all the small food stalls and people selling diesel out of a 55 gallon drum by the side of the road will expect cash.

The Bumfuzzle folks talk about using Citibank ATM machines.

The fees that banks charge for cash advances varies from bank to bank. Check before you leave to understand how much you'll be charged. And be sure to tell the bank about your travel itinerary as you go. There's a number for international calls on the back of the card. You want to avoid having a charge denied because the bank is suspicious that the card is stolen.

Chip Haven

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I love this thread. I still have my 1965 VW Micro bus that I bought when I was 16 in SoCal with my father. It was supposed to be this winters project. :sombrero:

 

[Navman]

You'll find ATM machines are widespread. Or you can get a cash advance at a bank that's part of the ATM network that you use. American Express works in most larger hotels, but VISA and Mastercard are more widespread in smaller retail establishments. You might look for a bank card that's part of the Cirrus or Plus networks as well.

Once you're on the road, away from the cities, you often can find a company-owned gas station that accepts credit cards. But all the small food stalls and people selling diesel out of a 55 gallon drum by the side of the road will expect cash.

The Bumfuzzle folks talk about using Citibank ATM machines.

The fees that banks charge for cash advances varies from bank to bank. Check before you leave to understand how much you'll be charged. And be sure to tell the bank about your travel itinerary as you go. There's a number for international calls on the back of the card. You want to avoid having a charge denied because the bank is suspicious that the card is stolen.

Chip Haven

That is great advice for everyone. ATMs work great and typically get you the best exchange rate. Just stock up on local currency in the bigger towns. Definitely notify you bank and credit card companies of your travels. I forgot to notify one card and realized it after I tried to pay for our boat/surf trip to witches rock in Costa Rica. Not good.

Also, due to the recent volatility in the currecny market, it appears that credit card companies are charging larger fees for fx purchases. Capital One doesn't charge fx fees (at least not last year) so it is a great backup card to carry for international travel.