Hi there,

I am from Hong Kong & I shall be making a trip from SFO to Agentina and would like to learn a few things:

1. Can the US phone card (prepaid type) be used all over central & s. america? Or I need to buy a phone card in each and every country I plan to stay longer than 3 days? What is the cheapest way to have mobile phone service?

2. How easy it is to get internet access or WiFi? I will bring my netbook.

3. Do you think I can buy a secondhand Garmin maps to be used on my GPSMAP 276C? It seems too expensive just to buy a new map and use it only once.

Any other advise would also be appreciated.

Cheers,

Franki

Wi-Fi everywhere, check the navigation site on the Hubb for free very good South America and Argentina in particular downloads finally, I havn't got the slightest idea about mobile phones. Ride safe.

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Mike
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Mike is riding the twisty road in the sky

Thank you Maja for the info. It helps with my planning. Anyone with any advise or suggestions are welcomed.

Can't tell you about roaming phones (I always buy the call cards in each country and it is always pennies per minute to call to the US), but as far as internet, in 30,000 South American kms, I have NEVER seen a town without internet!

Cheers,

Toby

__________________
http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'

Mobile Phones: I just got a free SIM card in Argentina and Chile, you can top them up in kiosks or chemists. I hardly ever use it though!

I don't have Sat Nav, not sure why you would want it. If I get stuck in a big city I just get a taxi driver to take me where I want to go - much cheaper that Sat Nav.

Wifi - pretty much everywhere but of varying speed

Thanks Toby for the phone card advise and reassurance on internet availability.

Hi Delbert,

There are free SIM card in these countries? Wow....
The GPS is useful for a non-Spanish speaking traveller to know where he/she is especially when asking for direction becomes confusing or not possible.

Thanks for the heads up.

Franki

I followed people with GPS's a couple of times through large Latin American cities. It didn't seem to work very well: we took the least efficient routes, rambled aimlessly in large circles, sometimes didn't arrive at all due to changes, construction, one-way streets etc., and in general got frustrated and started to squabble. I can't say how representative my experience was, but it didn't make me want to run right out and buy one for my bike.

Asking directions is an essential skill. So is hiring taxis to lead you wherever you want to go (which is the only reason I'm here at home, not still circling Panama City with my friend and his GPS). There is no time or place where asking directions is "not possible," and many times when it's less confusing than following directions on your little screen.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Thank you Mark for your insight on GPS. I have been travelling on motorcycles for over 40 years, over 12 years with a GPS. I learnt not to rely solely on machines but to use it wisely. I have also learnt to accept new things and technologies that will help me broaden my horizons.

That is why I post this thread so I can learn from you.

Cheers,

Franki

Franki

We are also thinking of continuing our bike trip from north America to Argentina so very interested in how your trip goes. We are from HK and also Shanghai btw... So far 33,000kms and want to keep going.

Check out our English and Chinese diaries at Rupert & Fanny's Big Bike Trip | South Africa and the world on KTM 990 Adventures and weibo.

Rupert and Fanny

I bought an ulocked phone from Amazon. It will take any SIM card, work on any network and the battery lasts a claimed 30 days (about 14 days in practise).
SIM cards are very cheap and easy to find in any country but sometimes have quirks. For example, prepaid mobiles in Chile won't let you make international calls. I get around this by using Skype. I put £10(GBP) credit on Skype before I left Blighty and I've got something like £9.70 left after four months on the road. All my important calls (bank, home, parts suppliers etc) have been on Skype.

Most hostels have WiFi. Some places (Bolivia) have municipal WiFi in public spaces. Many restaruants and bars also have WiFi. Unless you're in the middle of nowhere (very possible in SA) you'll be able to find a connection.


I bought the City Navigator South America maps for about £80. They were fine for Argentina and Chile but not a fat lot of use in Bolivia or Peru. There's a sticky thread ^ that way with links to free maps. Getting the hang of OpenStreetMap is a good skill to acquire before you leave but basically, don't worry about it too much, just download what you need from the net.


Just get out and do it and don't stress out too much. Anything you need to learn can be done on the road and it'll be the best thing you could possibly do.
It's certainly the best thing I've ever done.

Have fun and welcome to the HUBB.

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http://specialneedsdonkey.blogspot.com

When you get lost is when you know more of the country.

For me, GPS are helpful on big cities (not always) for not wasting time, and for checking general directions.

Main roads are in GPS, but they usually are signaled, so you don´t need the screen.

BUT, when you are lost in the middle of nowhere, and you come to a Y, your GPS has not that tiny road in its memory....so what it is for ???

And, asking for directions obligue you to interact with residents and they will interact with you, a bonus in your trip, instead of going insulated in "full technology".

Santiago

Hi Rupert,

We never met but I know Fanny. She came visit me in HK when she was on her way to SA. She is also posting your trip in our forum www.advchina.com There are many followers on her post.

I am leaving for SFO on Oct. 24 and should be riding south end of Oct.

If you guys like to make a team, please let me know. In fact I have already told Fanny about joining me a few months ago when you became "residents" in Dahab...

Keep on rollin,

Franki

Hi Santiago, I agree with you 100%. That is what I have been doing. When it comes to planning or knowing the local knowledge, there is no stupid questions

Cheers,

Franki

Thanks for your systematic reply. Clear as a bell.
I stood educated