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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 23 Jul 2017
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There isn't any direct land route from São Paulo to Colombia. Right now the easiest way to go from São Paulo to Colombia is leaving São Paulo, travel to Peru, ride trough Ecuador until you reach Colombia.

There's 2 main ways to make this route, crossing Bolivia (about 4500 kms from São Paulo to Lima) or going trough the Interoceanic Highway (about 5700 kms from São Paulo to Lima).

Is possible to arrive in Colombia trough Venezuela (you can leave São Paulo, ride all way up to Manaus and then enter Venezuela by the BR-174 and then cross to Colombia - about 7400 kms until you reach Bogota) but Venezuela right now is in the verge of a Civil War and the border between Venezuela and Colombia was closed not long ago and there's the risk to you when arrive in Venezuela be surprised with a new closing of the border between the 2 countries.

If I had to choose a route to arrive in Colombia right now I would choose the Interoceanic Highway route in a heartbeat.
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  #2  
Old 23 Jul 2017
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Venezuela / Colombia
A route passing through Venezuela is currently not an option. It is my understanding that the border between Venezuela and Colombia is not closed to people crossing the border, only vehicles. It is possible to enter Venezuela from Brazil with a motorcycle, but currently exiting Venezuela to Colombia with a motorcycle will be blocked.

Venezuela / Guyana (a side note)
There hasn't been a legal crossing from Venezuela to Guyana for many years, due to a dispute over where an agreed border rests. There are valuable minerals between these two countries and neither will agree to an official border.

Interoceanic Highway
The Interoceanic Highway fascinates me and I intend to ride a section of it one day, but not the whole length from Sao Paulo to Lima. From what I have read, the highway is mostly used by trucks, so a rider will have to deal with heavy commercial traffic. The Brazilian portion between São Paulo Rondônia (BR-364) has been paved since 1984. There may still be an unpaved section between Peru and the end of BR-364. My guess, any remaining gravel is reduced every year. My impression, the majority of the Brazilian highway a tour through farmlands, dull, mostly straight and should be taken only if the fastest route required.
See this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/m...road-trip.html

My un-tested, arm chair recommendation, leave Sao Paulo and navigate to Bonito, Brazil to enjoy the crystal clear waters. Explore the nature in the Pantanal. The most rain fails between November and March. If you visit in the dry season, the wildlife comes closer to the rivers and can be more easily observed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantanal
Brazil's Best Kept Secret: The Pantanal

Bolivia
From southern Brazil, my plan is to ride eastern Bolivia towards La Paz. Probably through Santa Cruz and Cochabamba...but I may have to dip south to Sucre to visit a few friends that I made on a ride in 2013. Take smaller roads with caution as the surface conditions will certainly be difficult and services need to be sought out. Buy gas at every opportunity and be prepared to pay the tourist fees for fuel.

Bolivia is a challenging country due to its poor economic state. It is in one moment unforgivingly brutal and the next moment crushingly beautiful.

Peru
The route along the Peruvian coast is to be avoided. North of Lima the ocean is mostly beyond the view of the traveler. The road is dead flat and populated by double trailer trucks that racing down this wind and sand swept road. If time allows, pick a course that is in land from the coast and enjoy the scenery.
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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride
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  #3  
Old 23 Jul 2017
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Bodtke View Post
Venezuela / Colombia
A route passing through Venezuela is currently not an option. It is my understanding that the border between Venezuela and Colombia is not closed to people crossing the border, only vehicles. It is possible to enter Venezuela from Brazil with a motorcycle, but currently exiting Venezuela to Colombia with a motorcycle will be blocked.

Venezuela / Guyana (a side note)
There hasn't been a legal crossing from Venezuela to Guyana for many years, due to a dispute over where an agreed border rests. There are valuable minerals between these two countries and neither will agree to an official border.

Interoceanic Highway
The Interoceanic Highway fascinates me and I intend to ride a section of it one day, but not the whole length from Sao Paulo to Lima. From what I have read, the highway is mostly used by trucks, so a rider will have to deal with heavy commercial traffic. The Brazilian portion between São Paulo Rondônia (BR-364) has been paved since 1984. There may still be an unpaved section between Peru and the end of BR-364. My guess, any remaining gravel is reduced every year. My impression, the majority of the Brazilian highway a tour through farmlands, dull, mostly straight and should be taken only if the fastest route required.
See this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/23/m...road-trip.html

My un-tested, arm chair recommendation, leave Sao Paulo and navigate to Bonito, Brazil to enjoy the crystal clear waters. Explore the nature in the Pantanal. The most rain fails between November and March. If you visit in the dry season, the wildlife comes closer to the rivers and can be more easily observed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantanal
Brazil's Best Kept Secret: The Pantanal

Bolivia
From southern Brazil, my plan is to ride eastern Bolivia towards La Paz. Probably through Santa Cruz and Cochabamba...but I may have to dip south to Sucre to visit a few friends that I made on a ride in 2013. Take smaller roads with caution as the surface conditions will certainly be difficult and services need to be sought out. Buy gas at every opportunity and be prepared to pay the tourist fees for fuel.

Bolivia is a challenging country due to its poor economic state. It is in one moment unforgivingly brutal and the next moment crushingly beautiful.

Peru
The route along the Peruvian coast is to be avoided. North of Lima the ocean is mostly beyond the view of the traveler. The road is dead flat and populated by double trailer trucks that racing down this wind and sand swept road. If time allows, pick a course that is in land from the coast and enjoy the scenery.
Hello peter
thanks a lot for the very useful info ,that is so great ,,,will keep following your posts
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  #4  
Old 24 Jul 2017
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Bodtke View Post
The Brazilian portion between São Paulo Rondônia (BR-364) has been paved since 1984. There may still be an unpaved section between Peru and the end of BR-364. My guess, any remaining gravel is reduced every year.

The interoceanic highway if fully paved by now.
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  #5  
Old 23 Jul 2017
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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Posts: 426
Quote:
Originally Posted by bkm_br View Post
There isn't any direct land route from São Paulo to Colombia. Right now the easiest way to go from São Paulo to Colombia is leaving São Paulo, travel to Peru, ride trough Ecuador until you reach Colombia.

There's 2 main ways to make this route, crossing Bolivia (about 4500 kms from São Paulo to Lima) or going trough the Interoceanic Highway (about 5700 kms from São Paulo to Lima).

Is possible to arrive in Colombia trough Venezuela (you can leave São Paulo, ride all way up to Manaus and then enter Venezuela by the BR-174 and then cross to Colombia - about 7400 kms until you reach Bogota) but Venezuela right now is in the verge of a Civil War and the border between Venezuela and Colombia was closed not long ago and there's the risk to you when arrive in Venezuela be surprised with a new closing of the border between the 2 countries.

If I had to choose a route to arrive in Colombia right now I would choose the Interoceanic Highway route in a heartbeat.
thanks man for your kind comment so will avoid visiting Venezuela and will take your recommendation in mind
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