Tag Archives: Peru

Gas Prices in South America

Posted on by
5

As promised, here are the gas prices for the South American countries we’ve visited. All prices are per gallon in US Dollars for regular, unleaded gasoline, except in Peru. In Peru, regular is only 84 octane so we always filled up with 90 octane.

Fuel Prices By Country (South America):

Northern and Central Colombia: $4.35 (as of 6 Jan 2012)
Southern Colombia: $2.92 (as of 7 Jan 2012)
Ecuador: $1.48 (as of 12 Feb 2012)
Peru: $5.26 (as of 25 Feb 2012)
Northern Chile: $6.45(as of 28 Feb 2012)
Northern Argentina: $5.28 (as of 05 Mar 2012)
Argentine Patagonia (south of Bariloche): $3.55 (as of 31 Mar 2012)

Note that unlike Central America, there’s quite a bit of variation between gas prices at different stations and in different parts of the countries. For example, prices in Peru ranged from $4.73 per gallon in Lima to $5.82 per gallon in Juliaca. Prices in Agentina have ranged from $4.72 per gallon in Cafayate to $6.07 per gallon at Paso Jama on the border with Chile. Note also that regular gas (Super) isn’t always available in Argentina even if it’s advertised, so we had to fill up with Premium a few times.

Looking for gas prices in Central America? Check out my earlier post.

Posted from Córdoba, Cordoba, Argentina.

Driving Through the Deserts of Northern Peru

Posted on by
3

Wow. When we crossed into Peru, I was expecting llamas and mountains and Machu Picchu. Instead, I got this:

20120217-090033.jpg

Plus, it’s hot. Not Arizona hot, but definitely hotter than the 75-degree weather we were used to in Cuenca.

Oh right! That’s because it’s summer here! In fact, the stores are advertising their summer sales – in February. That’s gonna take some getting used to.

We’ll be turning from the coast into the highlands to see some llamas in the next couple of days, but for now, it’s more of this:

20120217-090315.jpg

And sometimes this:

20120217-090353.jpg

Those are houses made of woven straw mats attached to frames. The big ones are about three times the size of our van and come with windbreakers to ward off the sand dunes. The small ones are about the same size as our van, with no windbreakers.

20120217-090807.jpg

The shanty towns got bigger as we neared Lima. In fact, I can fully confirm that Rio is not the only place with favelas built into the surrounding hills.

shanty town outside Lima, Peru

Lima itself was mostly dry and crowded, but it got nicer and more city-like towards the town center. But driving is still a ulcer waiting to happen, and I’m pretty sure traffic laws are more like guidelines than actual rules. I really hope Daniel doesn’t retain any of his new driving habits when we get back to the States. I don’t think US cops would appreciate passing on the shoulder, or forcing the other cars onto the shoulders to pass the middle of the road.

But we shall drive on! Past the Nasca Lines and Incan mummies, onwards to Machu Picchu and beyond!

Volkswagen Vanagon Adventurewagen driving in Peru

Posted from Ica Region, Peru.

Quick update: in Peru!

Posted on by
2

Fastest update ever! We said goodbye to Cuenca early Saturday morning and crossed into Peru. It is flat and barren and desolate. Now we’re in Lima, sitting in a TGI Friday’s using WiFi between bites. We have to look for another place to stay because the hostel in all the guides for RV’s is full for the next three days. But we will prevail!

Okay, bill’s here! Will talk soon!

20120215-150430.jpg

Posted from Miraflores District, Lima Region, Peru.