Journey
⚠️ Major itinerary rework 15 Jul — Buenos Aires + Mendoza, Patagonia (Las Torres), and El Chaltén all dropped. See Notes for the full story.
Journey
Destination Details
Rome
Free (friend's place)
New York
Free (friend's place)
Guatemala
Mostly arranged (brother's wedding)
Sunday 14 Jun · 12:00 PM local (19:00 Irish time) · La Quebrada, La Esperanza, Xela · Live stream: YouTube Live (unlisted) via OBS on MacBook Air · DJI Mic 3 on Sam + Astrid (officiant)
Honduras — Utila
Utila — budget dive hub, hostels & dive lodges
Utila over Roatán — cheaper, excellent diving, great for logging dives before Galápagos. Arriving Jul 3 via SAP→La Ceiba→4:40pm ferry. Depart Jul 7 on 3:20pm ferry.
Ecuador Mainland
Community Hostel, Quito (Jul 10–12 & Jul 14–20) · 1 night Cotopaxi + 1 night Baños via Ecuador Hop loop (Jul 12–14)
Galápagos Islands
Hostal Sir Francis Drake, Puerto Ayora
Atacama Desert
Puna Hostel, San Pedro de Atacama — capsule bed, 4-person mixed dorm ✅
Bolivia
Intrepid Bolivia Highlights — included
Guatemala (return) + Utila — Rescue & Divemaster
Not yet arranged — will book own place for the extended stay rather than dorm rooms.
New direction, decided 15 Jul — Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Patagonia (Las Torres) and El Chaltén all dropped. Cost + isolation of that leg felt like too much on top of an already ambitious trip. Instead: return to Guatemala after Bolivia, then Utila for PADI Rescue + Divemaster (EFR required first) with Underwater Vision, min. ~1.5 months. ✅ Flight booked 23 Jul — Avianca AV224, La Paz→Bogotá→Guatemala City, departs 03:25am 17 Aug. Course quote/timeline requested 15 Jul, awaiting reply.
Brazil (São Paulo + Rio)
São Paulo: friend's place, if the leg happens. Rio: hostels / budget stays.
Iguazú Falls, São Paulo, and Rio are all uncertain, pending the Divemaster course timeline and a decision on whether to still visit Brazil before flying home. Currently leaning toward a short ~1–2 week visit, since Utila now covers the "slow down" role Buenos Aires was meant to. The paid Rio→Cork return flight (02.11.2026) assumes ending the trip via Rio — needs revisiting once this is decided.
❌ Removed 15 Jul: Buenos Aires + Mendoza, Patagonia (Las Torres W Circuit — cancellation confirmed 18 Jul, deposit refund requested), El Chaltén (Fitz Roy/Cerro Torre). See Notes tab for the full story.
Bookings
01.06.2026 · Ryanair FR9611
Depart 15:30 DUB Terminal 1 → Arrive 19:35 FCO Terminal 1
04.06.2026 · British Airways BA1584 · Ref: 🔒 · Direct
Depart 11:05 FCO Terminal 3 → Arrive 14:35 JFK Terminal 8
Rescheduled from 13:10→16:40 (change accepted)
08.06.2026 · JetBlue · Ref: 🔒
B6 1328 Depart JFK 06:00 → Fort Lauderdale (FLL) ~09:00
B6 1380 Depart FLL 11:00 → Arrive GUA ~13:30
⚠️ Schedule changed — was direct JFK→GUA 10:41. Now connects via FLL. Confirm on jetblue.com once logged in.
02.07.2026 · Marvelus Travel / Maya de Oro STARBUS · GUA → SAP
Depart 05:30 from Calz. Aguilar Batres 7-55, zona 12 · ⚠️ Actual journey ran ~15hrs (vs ~10hrs planned) — arrived SAP late, overnighted there at Hyatt Place SAP · 48 reclinable seats, A/C, TV
$65.10 USD incl. taxes (charged under merchant name "Seapro Divers") · Non-refundable · + 🔒 unplanned Hyatt Place SAP overnight
03.07.2026 · Taxi + Ferry
SAP Terminal Metropolitana → La Ceiba by taxi (planned walk-up bus wasn't running due to protests, booked a taxi instead to avoid losing a day) · 4:40pm ferry → Utila (~1hr)
Taxi: 🔒 · Ferry (return): 🔒
04–07.07.2026 · Underwater Vision · 4 dive days
Fun dives + Lionfish Tracker specialty · plus dive computer/gear from Tgi Diving Supplies
Diving: 🔒 · Gear: 🔒
08.07.2026 · Avianca · Ref: 🔒 · via San Salvador
AV535 Depart SAP 20:10 → Arrive SAL 21:00 · TACA · A320
AV315 Depart SAL 22:05 → Arrive MGA 23:00 · TACA · A320
Booked 3 Jul — replaced original overland Las Manos border plan (delay risk flagged at that crossing). Taxi La Ceiba→SAP same day (Jul 8) preceded this flight.
08–09.07.2026 · Best Western
Landed MGA 23:00 — had a hostel booked but couldn't reach the owner to check in, booked a hotel across the road instead
🔒
09.07.2026 · Avianca · Ref: 🔒 · 2 stops · 12h 10m
AV393 Depart MGA 19:30 → Arrive SAL 20:25 · Seat 11A · TACA · A320
AV365 Depart SAL 22:05 → Arrive BOG 02:00+1 · Seat 14A · GOL/TACA · 737 MAX 8 · 1h 40min connection at SAL — stay airside
AV8377 Depart BOG 06:55 → Arrive UIO 08:40 · Seat 4K · Avianca Ecuador · A320 · 4h 55min BOG layover (airside)
Rerouted 22 Jun (was AV457 SAL→UIO direct) — now via BOG. Arrives UIO 08:40 Fri 10 Jul. ✅ Seats selected.
12–14.07.2026 · Ecuador Hop · Ref: 🔒
3 Day 2 Night Cotopaxi and Baños — guided loop incl. Cotopaxi National Park tour, Quilotoa Lake viewpoint, Toachi Canyon, Devil's Cauldron waterfall, La Casa de Árbol swing
Add-ons: 1 night Cotopaxi (Chuquiragua Lodge, shared dorm), 1 night Baños (Hotel Chimenea Casa Piedad, double room), half-day Pastaza rafting
Pickup from Community Hostel, Quito, 06:30 Jul 12. Returns to Quito ~20:30 Jul 14 (drop-off: Biblioteca Municipal, Montalvo Park — taxi needed back to hostel).
10–12.07.2026 & 14–20.07.2026 · N6-78 Pedro Fermin Cevallos and Olmedo, Quito
Charged as a series of nightly installments rather than one lump payment
🔒
20.07.2026 · Avianca AV1688 · Ref: 🔒
AV 1688 Depart UIO 11:10 → Arrive GPS 12:20 · 2h 10m direct · Airbus A320neo
Classic fare · 10kg carry-on + 23kg checked bag · Arrives GPS 12:20 → ferry + bus to Puerto Ayora ~1hr → Scuba Iguana gear fitting 15:00
30.07.2026 · Avianca AV1689 · Ref: 🔒
AV 1689 Depart GPS 11:15 → Arrive UIO 14:25 · 2h 10m direct · Airbus A320
Classic fare · 10kg carry-on + 23kg checked bag · Last dive Jul 28 · rest day Jul 29 · one night Quito · onwards to Atacama Aug 1
31.07.2026 · LATAM LA1353 + LA1447 · Ref: 🔒
LA 1353 Depart UIO 13:29 → Arrive GYE 14:22 · 53min · Seat 9A
LA 1447 Depart GYE 17:38 → Arrive SCL 23:29 · 4hr 51min · Seat 20F · 3hr 16min layover GYE
Economy Full · 12kg carry-on + 23kg checked bag included
31.07–01.08.2026 · Santiago Aeropuerto
Lands Santiago 23:29, next flight (LA150 to Calama) not until 16:56 next day — ~17.5hr gap
🚐 Free hourly shuttle (not pre-booked) — meeting point 3rd floor, Door No. 3 (both terminals). On arrival, WhatsApp +56 9 3195 4983 to call the van, then wait (shared, hourly on the hour, subject to availability). Return shuttle must be arranged at hotel check-in, not on the day — request ~15:00–15:15 pickup. Max 1 suitcase/person.
Booked via 🔒
01.08.2026 · LATAM LA150 · Ref: 🔒
Depart SCL 16:56 → Arrive CJC 19:05 · Economy Light · 23kg bag included
Then bus/transfer CJC → San Pedro de Atacama (~1hr)
01–04.08.2026 · 3 nights · Standard Capsule, 4-person Mixed Dorm
Booked via Hostelworld, ref 🔒 · Free cancellation before 23:59 28 Jul 2026
04–05.08.2026 · LATAM LA375 + LA864 + OB673
LA375 04.08 Depart CJC 21:37 → Arrive SCL 23:43 · Ref: 🔒 · Seat 13A
LA864 05.08 Depart SCL 04:36 → Arrive VVI 07:56 · OB673 Depart VVI 13:50 → Arrive LPB 14:55 · Ref: 🔒 · Seat 11A (LA864)
⚠️ OB673 (VVI→LPB) operated by Boliviana de Aviación — check in at VVI with OB, not LATAM · Arrive La Paz 14:55 — full day before Intrepid welcome meeting Aug 6 18:00
05.08.2026, 01:00–04:00 · Pier C, International Departure, Terminal 2
Covers the ~5hr gap between LA375 arrival (23:43 Aug 4) and LA864 departure (04:36 Aug 5) — too tight to leave the airport
Lounge Use, 3 hours · Booked via Plaza Premium, order 🔒
05–06.08.2026 · Illampu No. 740, La Paz — same hotel as the Intrepid tour's joining point
Confirmed via Intrepid trip notes: the night of Aug 5 is NOT included in booking #6909868 — Day 1 accommodation only covers Aug 6 after the 18:00 welcome meeting
Standard Twin Room, breakfast included, no prepayment · Free cancellation until 23:59 3 Aug
06–16.08.2026 · Intrepid Travel · Booking: 🔒 · Ref: 🔒
La Paz → Uyuni Salt Flats (4WD, Train Cemetery, Fish Island) → Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (Laguna Colorada, Árbol de Piedra) → Potosí (silver mines) → Sucre (UNESCO, dinosaur footprints) → La Paz
11 days · Twin share (travelling with friends) · Accommodation included throughout · Max group 12 · Rated 4.8/5 · Welcome meeting Aug 6 18:00 La Paz
17.08.2026 · Avianca AV224 · Ref: 🔒
Depart LPB 03:25 → Arrive BOG 06:10 (Terminal 1) · Depart BOG 10:40 → Arrive GUA 13:00
⚠️ Very early 03:25am departure — right after the Bolivia tour ends 16 Aug. Need a plan for getting to El Alto airport overnight (taxi arranged in advance or a nearby hotel).
Flex fare · 1x23kg bag · Decided 15 Jul — returning to Guatemala then Utila for Rescue + Divemaster with Underwater Vision, min. ~1.5 months. Replaces the old Buenos Aires leg.
Was 01.10.2026 · LATAM · Ref: 🔒
Buenos Aires + Patagonia both dropped 15 Jul. Cancelled same day — Full fare allowed a 100% refund.
🟡 Uncertain — tied to the Brazil-or-not decision
This routing assumed the now-dropped Patagonia/El Chaltén legs. If Brazil still happens, routing from Utila needs to be worked out fresh.
🟡 Uncertain — only relevant if the Brazil leg happens
Depart from Brazilian side. Irish passport — no visa required for Brazil.
🟡 Uncertain — only relevant if the Brazil leg happens
02.11.2026 · British Airways · Ref: 🔒
BA0248 Depart GIG 18:00 Terminal 2 → Arrive LHR 08:35 Terminal 5 (03.11)
BA5929 (Aer Lingus) Depart LHR 14:00 Terminal 2 → Arrive Cork 15:25
🟡 Paid, but assumes ending the trip via Rio — uncertain since 15 Jul rework. Revisit once the Brazil-or-not decision is made.
20-28.07.2026 · Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz · Lisa Lindzus — [email protected]
Gear fitting 20.07 (15:00–18:00) · 21.07 Gordon Rocks · 22.07 Seymour/Mosquera North · 23.07 Bartolome/Cousins Rock · 24.07 Mosquera South/Daphne · 25–26.07 rest · 27.07 Floreana · 28.07 Gordon Rocks
6 × $252 USD = $1,512 USD · Includes all gear, transport, bilingual PADI guide, lunch + snacks
✅ Balance $756 USD paid 20 Jun 2026 — fully paid
20-30.07.2026 · 10 nights · Double Room · Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz · Tel: +593 5-252-6221
Booked 29 May via Booking.com · Conf: 🔒 · PIN: 🔒
Walk to Scuba Iguana on Av. Charles Darwin — no panic for 07:15 dive starts
Was 03-07.10.2026 · Ref 🔒 · [email protected]
Buenos Aires + Patagonia both dropped 15 Jul — cost and isolation too much on top of an already ambitious trip. Cancellation confirmed 18 Jul by Niscerelle Barrientos G. (Las Torres).
Deposit paid 26 May (🔒) · Refund: 🔒 · Balance ($1,656 USD) never paid
01.06.2026 – 03.11.2026
True Traveller · Policy 🔒 · Adventure Pack (scuba to 40m, trekking to 4,600m, surfing)
DAN Europe Sport Silver · ID 🔒 · All diving incl. DCI treatment + evacuation
Planning Notes
Setup: YouTube Live (Unlisted link — private to invited viewers only, auto-records). iPhone 16 Pro on tripod via Continuity Camera → OBS Studio on MacBook Air → YouTube. DJI Mic 3 receiver into MacBook Air USB-C.
Mic placement: Mic 1 on Sam (groom) · Mic 2 on Astrid (officiant, confirmed no PA system). Yessika's vows captured by Sam's mic at close range.
Day-of timeline: Arrive 9:00 AM with wedding party for photos — collect WiFi password then. Mics on at ~11:30. Stream goes live ~11:50. Ceremony 12:00 PM.
Backups: OBS records locally simultaneously. Mobile eSIM hotspot if venue WiFi drops.
Files: Viewer PDF (watch_the_wedding.html) and technical plan PDF (wedding_stream_plan.html) saved to Desktop/trip/Sam's Wedding/. YouTube link to be added to viewer PDF once stream is created.
Confirmed schedule (updated voucher 26 May): Jul 20 gear fitting 3–6 PM · Jul 21 Gordon Rocks · Jul 22 Seymour Channel/Mosquera North · Jul 23 Bartolome/Cousin Rocks (back ~17:00) · Jul 24 Mosquera South/Daphne · Jul 25 rest · Jul 26 rest · Jul 27 Floreana ✅ (back ~17:00) · Jul 28 Gordon Rocks. Jul 26 Gordon Rocks dive dropped — swapped for Floreana Jul 27.
Pricing: 6 × $252 USD = $1,512 USD. Includes all gear (5 or 7mm wetsuit), transport, bilingual PADI guide (max 6:1), lunch + snacks.
Payment: 50% deposit ($756 USD) paid 24 May ✅. Balance $756 USD paid 20 Jun 2026 ✅. Fully paid — $1,512 USD total.
Gordon Rocks: 25 logged dives required, last within 18 months. Richard has ~55 dives ✅ (updated 15 Jul, after 8 dives with Underwater Vision in Utila). PADI Advanced OW ✅.
Arrival notes: National Park entrance fee $200 USD cash (payable at Baltra airport — get USD cash in New York or Quito). ✅ TCT pre-registered and paid $20 USD (ref 🔒, passport 🔒). On Jul 20: present preliminary TCT PDF at Galápagos Government counter at Quito airport before boarding AV1688 → receive definitive TCT by email → show at Baltra. ✅ Return GPS → UIO flight booked (see Bookings tab, Jul 30).
New plan: return to Guatemala after Bolivia — flight booked 23 Jul, arriving 17 Aug — then Utila for PADI Rescue + Divemaster with Underwater Vision (same operator as the first Utila stint) — EFR required first as a prerequisite for Rescue. Minimum ~1.5 months, through mid-October. This now serves the slow, unstructured recovery role the Buenos Aires window was meant to.
Patagonia: cancellation confirmed 18 Jul by Niscerelle Barrientos G. (Las Torres) — full $414 USD deposit refund requested to the original card, ~15 business days max. Balance ($1,656, was due 23 Jul) never paid.
LATAM CYEAUC (Buenos Aires→Punta Arenas, paid €333.47) — cancelled 15 Jul, 100% refund (€335.42) confirmed and in progress since it was Full fare.
Iguazú, São Paulo, and Rio are all now uncertain, pending a course timeline from Underwater Vision and a decision on whether to still visit Brazil before flying home — currently leaning toward a short ~1–2 week visit. The paid Rio→Cork return flight assumes ending via Rio and needs revisiting once that's settled.
CA-4 visa check: confirmed safe for the second Guatemala/Honduras entry — a 72hr+ stamped-out gap via Ecuador/Galápagos/Atacama/Bolivia resets the 90-day clock before re-entering Guatemala.
Dates: 6–16 Aug 2026 (11 days) · Twin share · Travelling with two friends.
Itinerary: La Paz (welcome meeting 18:00 Aug 6) → Uyuni (Salt Flats, 4WD, Train Cemetery, Fish Island) → Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (Laguna Colorada, flamingos, Árbol de Piedra) → Potosí (silver mines, Casa Real de Moneda) → Sucre (UNESCO White City, dinosaur footprints, Chataquila trek) → La Paz.
Logistics: Arriving La Paz Aug 5 (LATAM LA864+OB673, 14:55 LPB) — full day before welcome meeting. ⚠️ OB673 VVI→LPB operated by Boliviana de Aviación — check in at VVI with OB, not LATAM.
Still to action on the road: Underwater Vision course quote/timeline — replied via WhatsApp 18 Jul (Grace), awaiting bundle quote ⚠️ · Las Torres deposit refund — confirmed 18 Jul, watch for the $414 USD to actually land (~15 business days) · ⚠️ Bolivia→Guatemala flight departs 03:25am 17 Aug — need a plan for getting to La Paz El Alto airport overnight right after the tour ends 16 Aug · Extended Utila accommodation — not yet arranged · Brazil-or-not decision + Rio→Cork return flight (XVEAO9) revisit.
Completed on the road: Scuba Iguana balance paid ✅ (20 Jun) · Bolivia Intrepid GGSV booked + paid ✅ (20 Jun) · LATAM LA150 SCL→CJC booked ✅ · LATAM LA375+LA864 Atacama→La Paz booked ✅ · GUA→SAP bus booked ✅ (30 Jun, Marvelus Travel — actual journey ~15hrs vs ~10hrs planned, unplanned Hyatt Place SAP overnight) · SAP→La Ceiba→Utila done ✅ (3 Jul, by taxi — planned bus wasn't running due to protests) · Utila diving + gear (first stint) ✅ (4–7 Jul) · La Ceiba→Managua booked as flight (not overland) ✅ (3 Jul, unplanned Managua hotel overnight when hostel was unreachable) · Ecuador Hop Cotopaxi/Quilotoa/Baños loop booked ✅ (8 Jul) · Major itinerary rework ✅ (15 Jul — see note above) · LATAM CYEAUC cancelled ✅ and fully refunded ✅ (confirmed 18 Jul) · Card statements reconciled against the tracker ✅ (18 Jul — surfaced ~€1,100 of previously untracked real spend) · Las Torres cancellation confirmed ✅ (18 Jul, $414 USD refund requested) · Bolivia→Guatemala flight booked ✅ (23 Jul, Avianca AV224, ref BRKZ7Z).
New plan (15 Jul): Aug 17 – mid-Oct — Guatemala (return) + Utila for Rescue & Divemaster with Underwater Vision, min. ~1.5 months. Flight booked 23 Jul (Avianca AV224, La Paz→Bogotá→Guatemala City). Iguazú, São Paulo and Rio are all now uncertain pending the course timeline and a Brazil-or-not decision — currently leaning toward a short ~1–2 week Brazil visit before flying home.
Checklist
Budget Overview
| Category | Estimated Cost (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galápagos Diving (6 days) | ~€1,385 | Scuba Iguana, Puerto Ayora. 6 × $252 USD = $1,512 USD. Deposit $756 paid 24 May ✅. Balance $756 paid 20 Jun 2026 ✅. Fully paid. Schedule confirmed incl. Floreana Jul 27. |
| Galápagos Accommodation | €332 | Hostal Sir Francis Drake, Puerto Ayora. 10 nights Jul 20–30. Booked 29 May ✅. Conf: 🔒 |
| Internal Flights | ~€2,660 paid | Paid: Avianca MGA→UIO €554 ✅ · UIO→GPS €282 ✅ · GPS→UIO €269 ✅ · LATAM UIO→SCL €394 ✅ · LA150 SCL→CJC €99 ✅ · LA375 CJC→SCL €169 ✅ · LA864+OB673 SCL→LPB €265 ✅ · Avianca SAP→MGA €435 ✅ · Avianca LPB→BOG→GUA €421 ✅ (~€2,888 paid). LATAM CYEAUC (Buenos Aires→Punta Arenas, €333.47) cancelled 15 Jul, fully refunded €335.42 — confirmed 18 Jul via LATAM refund tracker (order 🔒). End-of-trip/Brazil flights ~€400 stale estimate, uncertain pending Brazil decision. |
| Honduras — Unplanned Overnights + Local Transport | ~€518 paid | Hyatt Place SAP (unplanned overnight, bus ran ~15hrs vs planned 10) 🔒 · SAP→La Ceiba taxi (planned bus wasn't running due to protests) 🔒 · La Ceiba↔Utila ferry 🔒 · Managua overnight (hostel unreachable, booked a hotel instead) 🔒 — none of this was in the original plan, all discovered reconciling card statements 18 Jul. |
| Utila Diving — first stint (4–7 Jul) | ~€566 paid | Underwater Vision 🔒 (4 dive days, fun dives + Lionfish Tracker specialty) + dive computer/gear from Tgi Diving Supplies 🔒. |
| Travel Insurance | €622.66 ✅ | True Traveller (€520.60) + DAN Europe Sport Silver (€102.06) — both paid. |
| Bolivia Intrepid "Bolivia Highlights" (Aug 6–16) | ~€1,550 ✅ | Intrepid Travel · Booking #🔒 · Ref 🔒 · $1,676.25 USD paid 20 Jun 2026 ✅. 11 days La Paz → Uyuni → Potosí → Sucre → La Paz. Twin share, accommodation included. |
| ❌ Las Torres W Trek (cancelled 15 Jul, confirmed 18 Jul) | €360.52 refund requested | Was 5D/4N All Inclusive Self-Guided, $2,070 USD. Deposit €360.52 paid 26 May — cancellation confirmed 18 Jul by Las Torres, full $414 USD refund requested to original card (~15 business days max). Balance $1,656 USD never paid. |
| 🆕 Guatemala/Utila — EFR + Rescue + Divemaster | Not yet quoted | Underwater Vision, min. ~1.5 months from ~Aug 17. Quote requested 15 Jul (bundle discount, cost with/without accommodation), awaiting reply. |
| 🆕 Extended Utila accommodation (~8–9 weeks) | Not yet estimated | Richard wants his own place rather than dorm rooms for the extended stay — not yet arranged. |
| Ecuador Loop + Quito Stays | ~€367 paid | Ecuador Hop Cotopaxi/Quilotoa/Baños loop 🔒 · Community Hostel Quito, first + second stints 🔒. |
| Chile/Bolivia Gap-Fills (accommodation + lounge + taxi) | ~€166 paid | Santiago overnight — City Express by Marriott, 🔒 · Puna Hostel, Atacama, 🔒 · Primeclass Lounge, Santiago, 🔒 · Qantu Hotel, La Paz pre-tour night, 🔒 · Taxi, El Alto Airport → Qantu Hotel, 🔒. |
| Atacama Tours (ANKA + SPACE) | ~€228 paid | ANKA Expediciones — Valle de la Luna, Valle Arcoíris, Laguna Baltinache, Tatio Geysers 🔒 · SPACE Stargazing Tour, 3 Aug evening 🔒. All paid cash in San Pedro. |
| Avianca AV224 — La Paz → Bogotá → Guatemala City | ~€421 ✅ | 17.08.2026 · Ref 🔒 · 🔒 paid 23 Jul. Flex fare, 1x23kg bag. |
| Daily Living | €6,000 – €7,500 | Hostels €15–30/night, food €10–15/day, local transport, activities, occasional nicer stays. ⚠️ Not yet re-forecast for the 15 Jul rework — Utila is likely cheaper than the dropped Buenos Aires/Patagonia leg, but Divemaster course fees are an added cost not previously budgeted. |
| Buffer / Emergencies | €500 – €1,000 | Keep separate. Use only for true emergencies or last-minute changes. |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED | ~€13,000 – €14,700 (stale — needs re-forecast) | Original budget €14,000. ~€10,107 paid to date (as of 5 Aug — includes a taxi from El Alto Airport to the Qantu Hotel, 100 BOB (~€13.50), paid cash, plus the Atacama tours: ANKA Expediciones (Valle de la Luna, Valle Arcoíris, Laguna Baltinache, Tatio Geysers) + SPACE Stargazing, all paid cash in San Pedro. Also includes the Avianca AV224 Bolivia→Guatemala flight and the Chile/Bolivia accommodation gap-fills: Puna Hostel Atacama, Primeclass Lounge Santiago, Qantu Hotel La Paz; Santiago overnight paid via Marriott points. Also includes unplanned Honduras overnights/taxi, first-stint Utila diving + gear, and Quito accommodation actuals reconciled 18 Jul; removes the cancelled Las Torres cost and the now-refunded CYEAUC flight). Galápagos accommodation came in at €332 (vs ~€780 est.) — saving ~€448. Total available incl. Revolut credit card: €16,500. This total needs re-forecasting once the Divemaster course quote and extended Utila accommodation cost are known. |
Budget Recommendations:
- Use the built-in Budget Tracker tab — Log daily in real-time. All data saves locally to your device.
- Galápagos fully booked — Scuba Iguana 6 dive days (~€1,385) + Hostal Sir Francis Drake 10 nights (€332 ✅) + National Park fee $200 cash + TCT card $30. Total Galápagos est. ~€1,900. Accommodation came in €448 under original estimate.
- Internal flights — Book as you go (closer dates = cheaper sometimes). Use Google Flights or Skyscanner for price alerts. Consider overnight buses to save money (overnight bus = free accommodation).
- Accommodation — Aim for €15–25/night average in hostels, mix in one nicer hotel per country (€40–60) for mental health breaks.
- Food — South America is cheap. Street food €2–5, restaurant meals €8–15. Cook in hostels sometimes. Budget €10–12/day average.
- Activities — Diving, hiking, tours are your main splurges. Most rest covered by accommodation/food budget.
- Keep €500–1,000 emergency fund separate — Don't touch for daily spending.
Insurance
True Traveller — Traveller Policy
Underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance (AXA Group)
Medical Emergency (worldwide): +44 20 7985 7446
Within USA/Canada: 1 800 986 6380
Claims online: truetraveller.com/claims
General: +44 20 3822 0200
DAN Europe — Sport Silver
Underwritten by IDA Insurance Limited, Malta
International: +39 06 4211 5685
Email: [email protected]
Call DAN immediately for any diving incident — decompression illness, ear barotrauma, nitrogen narcosis.
✅ What You're Covered For
True Traveller (Adventure Pack)
Both policies — TT medical + DAN diving-specific
True Traveller (Traveller Pack)
True Traveller (Adventure Pack)
Within Adventure Pack limit
True Traveller — specified item
7-day USA allowance on Area 4 policy
DAN Europe — total cost, no limit
Travel Stats
Flight and ferry distances are great-circle (straight-line) calculations between airport/port coordinates — real flown distance is usually a little higher due to routing and holding patterns. Bus and taxi distances are road-distance estimates and flagged as approximate. Updated each session as new legs are completed — doesn't yet include planned-but-not-happened legs (Bolivia onward).
Embassies & Contacts
Source: ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies — verify details before travel. Emergency: +353 1 408 2000 (DFA Dublin, 24hr).
Guatemala
Jun 8 – Jun 27, 2026
Honduras
Jul 3 – Jul 7, 2026
Nicaragua
Jul 8, 2026 (transit only)
Ecuador (inc. Galápagos)
Jul 9 – Jul 30, 2026
Chile
Aug 1–4 & Oct 1–7, 2026
Bolivia
Aug 6 – Aug 16, 2026
Brazil
Oct 12 – Nov 2, 2026
Journey
Journal
Loading posts…
Expense Tracker
- Ryanair FR9611 — Dublin → Rome01.06.2026€150.98Paid
- British Airways BA1584 — Rome → New York04.06.2026€404.26Paid
- JetBlue B6 1328+1380 — New York → Guatemala08.06.2026 · via Fort Lauderdale~€279Paid
- British Airways — Rio → Cork02.11.2026 · BA0248 + BA5929 · 🟡 assumes Brazil ending — uncertain since 15 Jul rework~€590Paid
- True Traveller InsuranceJun–Nov 2026€520.60Paid
- DAN Europe Sport SilverApr 2026–2027€102.06Paid
- Avianca AV393+AV365+AV8377 — Managua → Quito09.07.2026 · via San Salvador + Bogotá · arrives UIO 08:40 10 Jul · ref 🔒€553.94Paid
- Avianca AV535+AV315 — San Pedro Sula → Managua08.07.2026 · 20:10→23:00 via San Salvador · Classic · ref 🔒€435.06Paid
- Managua overnight — Best Western08–09.07.2026 · hostel unreachable, booked a hotel instead🔒Paid
- Marvelus Travel — Guatemala City → San Pedro Sula02.07.2026 · 05:30am · charged under merchant name "Seapro Divers"$65.10Paid
- Hyatt Place SAP — unplanned overnight02.07.2026 · bus ran ~15hrs vs planned 10🔒Paid
- SAP → La Ceiba taxi + Utila ferry03.07.2026 · planned bus wasn't running due to protests🔒 + 🔒Paid
- Underwater Vision — Utila diving, first stint04–07.07.2026 · 4 dive days · fun dives + Lionfish Tracker🔒Paid
- Tgi Diving Supplies — dive gear/computer04.07.2026 · Utila🔒Paid
- Ecuador Hop — Cotopaxi/Quilotoa/Baños loop12–14.07.2026 · 3 Day 2 Night, incl. Cotopaxi dorm + Baños room + Pastaza rafting · ref 🔒🔒Paid
- Community Hostel Quito — first + second stints10–12.07.2026 & 14–20.07.2026 · nightly installments🔒Paid
- ✅ LATAM LA476+LA304 — Buenos Aires → Punta Arenas (cancelled)Was 01.10.2026 · cancelled 15 Jul, fully refunded 🔒 — confirmed 18 Jul€0Refunded
- Avianca AV1688 — Quito → Galápagos20.07.2026 · 11:10→12:20 direct · ref 🔒🔒Paid
- Avianca AV1689 — Galápagos → Quito30.07.2026 · 11:15→14:25 direct · ref 🔒🔒Paid
- LATAM LA1353+LA1447 — Quito → Santiago via GYE31.07.2026 · 13:29 UIO→GYE→23:29 SCL · Economy Full · 23kg bag incl · ref 🔒🔒Paid
- Galápagos Diving — Scuba Iguana (6 days)Jul 21–28 · Floreana Jul 27 ✅ · fully paid 20 Jun 2026~€1,385Paid
- City Express by Marriott — Santiago Aeropuerto31.07–01.08.2026 · 1 night · covers ~17.5hr gap before LA150 · conf 🔒🔒Paid
- LATAM LA150 — Santiago → Calama (Atacama)01.08.2026 · 16:56→19:05 · Economy Light + 23kg bag · ref 🔒€98.72Paid
- Puna Hostel — San Pedro de Atacama01–04.08.2026 · 3 nights · capsule bed, 4-person mixed dorm · Hostelworld ref 🔒🔒Paid
- LATAM LA375 — Calama → Santiago04.08.2026 · 21:37→23:43 · Seat 13A · Economy Full · ref 🔒€168.72Paid
- Primeclass Lounge Isla de Pascua — Santiago (SCL)05.08.2026, 01:00–04:00 · Pier C Intl Departure T2 · covers LA375→LA864 gap · order 🔒🔒Paid
- LATAM LA864+OB673 — Santiago → La Paz via Santa Cruz05.08.2026 · 04:36 SCL → 14:55 LPB · Seat 11A (LA864) · Economy Full · ref 🔒€264.77Paid
- Taxi — El Alto Airport (LPB) → Qantu Hotel05.08.2026 · arranged on arrival, cash🔒Paid
- Qantu Hotel — La Paz pre-tour night05–06.08.2026 · same hotel as Intrepid joining point · Booking.com conf 🔒🔒Paid
- Intrepid Bolivia Highlights (Aug 6–16)Booking #🔒 · Ref 🔒 · 11 days twin share · La Paz→Uyuni→Potosí→Sucre→La Paz · paid 20 Jun~€1,550Paid
- Avianca AV224 — La Paz → Bogotá → Guatemala City17.08.2026 · 03:25 LPB→06:10 BOG / 10:40 dep→13:00 GUA · Flex · ref 🔒🔒Paid
- ✅ Las Torres W Circuit 5D/4N (cancelled)Was Oct 3–7 · cancellation confirmed 18 Jul · deposit €360.52 paid 26 May, full $414 USD refund requested (~15 business days) · balance never paidRefund Requested
- Guatemala/Utila — EFR + Rescue + Divemaster (Underwater Vision)New 15 Jul · quote requested via WhatsApp (Grace) 18 Jul, awaiting reply · min. ~1.5 months from ~Aug 17Not Yet Quoted
- SPACE Stargazing Tour — San Pedro de Atacama03.08.2026 evening · Shared Tour🔒Paid
- ANKA Expediciones — Valle de la Luna, Valle Arcoíris, Laguna Baltinache, Tatio Geysers02–04.08.2026 · Valle de la Luna sunset (2nd) · Arcoíris AM + Baltinache PM (3rd) · Tatio Geysers early AM (4th) · cash, paid at booking🔒Paid
- Extended Utila accommodation (~8–9 weeks)New 15 Jul · own place rather than dorms · not yet arrangedPending
- End-of-trip flights / Brazil leg (if it happens)🟡 Uncertain — El Calafate→BA→Iguazú routing no longer applies; a Utila→Brazil routing would need pricing fresh~€400 (stale estimate)Uncertain
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| Date | Destination | Category | Local | Rate | EUR | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Packing List
Family Info
This page is for Mum and Dad. It has Richard's bank details, contact information, and who to call if something goes wrong. The Now tab always shows his current location — check there first.
🏦 Bank Account IBANs
Use these if you need to transfer money to Richard in an emergency. All three accounts are his.
For international transfers, the bank may also ask for SWIFT/BIC: IPBSIE2D (PTSB) · BOFIIE2D (BOI) · REVOGB21 (Revolut)
🛂 Passport Details
Keep this page available in case Richard loses his passport abroad and you need to report it to the DFA or an embassy.
🔒
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📱 How to Reach Richard
🚨 Emergency Contacts
✅ Safety Preparations — What Richard Has Done
True Traveller policy (€520.60) — covers medical, hospitalisation, evacuation, repatriation. No excess.
DAN Europe Sport Silver — covers all diving incidents, hyperbaric treatment, follow-up care. 24/7 emergency line.
Yellow fever, typhoid, rabies, hepatitis A & B, tetanus — all done. Malaria tablets and altitude pills packed.
Registered at citizensregistration.dfa.ie — Irish authorities know his route. They can assist if needed.
The Home tab of this site always shows exactly where he is and what dates. Updated throughout the trip.
Richard posts updates on the Blog tab as he goes. If there's a recent post, he's fine and having a great time.