Tips from anyone who’s travelled from Thailand to Latin America (Central/South America)?

[falangUK]

I’m planning a trip from Thailand to Latin America (Central and South America). I know it’s a long and expensive journey, and yes—I’ve already checked and compared routes via Europe (London, Barcelona, Lisbon, etc.), which are generally cheaper and quicker.

 

But I’m specifically looking for advice from people who’ve actually done this route *from Thailand*. Any tips, tricks, or things to watch out for?

– Which airlines or routes worked best for you?
– Did you stop over in the Middle East, US, or Europe?
– How did you prep for the trip? Vaccines, visas, cash/cards?
– Did you learn Spanish or just wing it?
– Any culture shocks or travel hacks you wish you knew before?

Appreciate any insights from people who’ve made this kind of journey.

[DrJack54]

Trolling post removed

[Hummin]

South America is big, where is your destination?

 

From here it looks like a nightmare I checked Brazil since Thai do not need visa for a few years ago

 

 

[Yellowtail]

I would fly to the US and fly from the US to SA. 

 

 

 

 

[swbaggies]

Madrid and then in to wherever 

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, swbaggies said:

Madrid and then in to wherever 

Is Madrid in South America? 

[swbaggies]

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Is Madrid in South America? 

Star Member

Yellowtail

Posted 14 minutes ago

I would fly to the US and fly from the US to SA. 

 

Is the US, you ejit? 

[ronnie50]

I know a few colleagues who flew from Bangkok to Rio on ITA airlines (the Italian airline). There was only one stop with a decent 2-3 hour layover at Rome's airport FCO. I'm pretty sure there is a South American airline that crosses the South Pacific but can't recall which carrier and maybe no longer. Qantas might be another option.

[falangUK]

46 minutes ago, Hummin said:

South America is big, where is your destination?

 

From here it looks like a nightmare I checked Brazil since Thai do not need visa for a few years ago

 

 

Yeah, I was first looking at the 7 countries in Central America, then started adding a bunch more in South America—maybe around 12 now, including French Guiana. Probably going to split it into a couple of trips over a few years. Hoping to spend 1–2 months in each place. Might skip countries like Nicaragua though—too many warnings about safety.

[ronnie50]

Unless you're American, best to avoid going through the States given all the nonsense the US border guards are putting people though (and you probably do need to clear immigration and customs before the next international flight). Why tempt fate and potential hassle or worse.

[falangUK]

19 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I know a few colleagues who flew from Bangkok to Rio on ITA airlines (the Italian airline). There was only one stop with a decent 2-3 hour layover at Rome's airport FCO. I'm pretty sure there is a South American airline that crosses the South Pacific but can't recall which carrier and maybe no longer. Qantas might be another option.

Thanks, that’s useful. I’ll check out ITA—hadn’t considered them before. A Rome layover sounds manageable. 

[falangUK]

3 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Unless you're American, best to avoid going through the States given all the nonsense the US border guards are putting people though (and you probably do need to clear immigration and customs before the next international flight). Why tempt fate and potential hassle or worse.

Yeah, that’s one of the reasons I was leaning towards going via Europe instead. Just seems like less drama and fewer chances of getting caught up in some pointless hassle.

[ronnie50]

1 minute ago, falangUK said:

Thanks, that’s useful. I’ll check out ITA—hadn’t considered them before. A Rome layover sounds manageable. 

Yeah, the Italians are big on South America. Probably due to the cultural/migration connections with Argentina. Dunno.

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, ronnie50 said:

Unless you're American, best to avoid going through the States given all the nonsense the US border guards are putting people though (and you probably do need to clear immigration and customs before the next international flight). Why tempt fate and potential hassle or worse.

What nonsense are the "US border guards" putting people through? Unless you're in the country illegally, or beating up Jews, you have nothing to worry about. 

[StayinThailand2much]

4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

4 hours ago, swbaggies said:

Madrid and then in to wherever 

Is Madrid in South America? 

 

Makes sense to me; probably a good number of flights to different destinations in South America.

[tjintx]

3 hours ago, falangUK said:

Yeah, I was first looking at the 7 countries in Central America, then started adding a bunch more in South America—maybe around 12 now, including French Guiana. Probably going to split it into a couple of trips over a few years. Hoping to spend 1–2 months in each place. Might skip countries like Nicaragua though—too many warnings about safety.

 

Nicaragua is relatively safe.    Guatemala (parts....most) and Honduras not.     I'd skip Venezuela too.

 

[G Rex]

French Guyana is easily accessible from Paris.

[lamyai3]

13 hours ago, falangUK said:

Did you learn Spanish or just wing it?

 

Definitely worthwhile if you plan to be there for a while. Latin American Spanish is easier to pronounce and understand than the way it's used in Spain. A lot of vocab is similar to other southern European languages too, so if you already know some French for example it's quite easy to pick up. I studied a couple of months before a trip to South America in the 1990's and never regretted it. 

[ronnie50]

20 hours ago, falangUK said:

Yeah, I was first looking at the 7 countries in Central America, then started adding a bunch more in South America—maybe around 12 now, including French Guiana. Probably going to split it into a couple of trips over a few years. Hoping to spend 1–2 months in each place. Might skip countries like Nicaragua though—too many warnings about safety.

Probably the two safest countries are Costa Rica (near the above paces) and Uruguay ( a bit far down for you, in southern South America but I hear Montevideo is great). Always wanted to do what you're doing. Argentina would be high on my bucket list. Have relatives in Chile so would go there too from Argentina)

[freedomnow]

Don't date hot chix off dating apps in Medellin...I hear that is one tip.

[K2938]

Be prepared for a huge crime rate in most Latin American countries.  Most places are rather dangerous.

[falangUK]

On 6/1/2025 at 2:24 PM, ronnie50 said:

Probably the two safest countries are Costa Rica (near the above paces) and Uruguay ( a bit far down for you, in southern South America but I hear Montevideo is great). Always wanted to do what you're doing. Argentina would be high on my bucket list. Have relatives in Chile so would go there too from Argentina)

I think once I actually get to Central or South America, it should be fairly straightforward. It’s just that first leg from Thailand that’s a real haul. But yeah—Uruguay and Montevideo sound interesting, and I’ve heard good things about Argentina and Chile too.

[falangUK]

On 6/2/2025 at 2:40 AM, freedomnow said:

Don't date hot chix off dating apps in Medellin...I hear that is one tip.

Haha, I guess they’re the travestis of Colombia then? Will keep that in mind!

[falangUK]

On 6/1/2025 at 6:26 AM, lamyai3 said:

 

Definitely worthwhile if you plan to be there for a while. Latin American Spanish is easier to pronounce and understand than the way it's used in Spain. A lot of vocab is similar to other southern European languages too, so if you already know some French for example it's quite easy to pick up. I studied a couple of months before a trip to South America in the 1990's and never regretted it. 

Nice—any resources you’d recommend? I’ve been messing around with Duolingo and came across Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish too. Curious what worked for you back then.

[falangUK]

On 5/31/2025 at 10:09 PM, G Rex said:

French Guyana is easily accessible from Paris.

Didn’t know that—cheers for the tip. Will have a look. Could be handy if it’s cheaper to travel on from French Guiana to other parts of Latin America.
 

[falangUK]

On 6/2/2025 at 6:33 AM, K2938 said:

Be prepared for a huge crime rate in most Latin American countries.  Most places are rather dangerous.

Yeah, that’s been a bit of a concern for me too. It’s actually one of the reasons I’ve always avoided most of Africa, apart from a short trip to Morocco.