Journey
⚠️ Major itinerary rework 15 Jul — Buenos Aires + Mendoza, Patagonia (Las Torres), and El Chaltén all dropped. São Paulo and Iguazú dropped 21 Aug — deferred to a possible later, separate trip. 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. Tour completed, no issues.
Guatemala (return) + Utila — Rescue & Divemaster
✅ September booked — Airbnb "Sea La Vie," Sandy Bay, Utila (1–30 Sept). October still not arranged.
New direction, decided 15 Jul. Flown back to Guatemala City 17 Aug (AV224, via a taxi booked through the Qantu Hotel to reach El Alto for the 03:25 departure). Spent 3 days at Lake Atitlán with Astrid, then to her house — staying there until 31 Aug. Onward Antigua→La Ceiba bus + Utila ferry rebooked and confirmed 31 Aug (Roneey Shuttle Services, same-day connection). Underwater Vision still hard to reach online, but an instructor has confirmed informally that Richard is expected start of September; course price will be based on their online rates, confirmed on arrival. Richard decided to stay the full ~2 months in Utila and push São Paulo/Iguazú to a later, separate trip — resolved 21 Aug, see Brazil card.
Brazil (Rio transit)
None needed — lands GIG 04:00, connects onto BA0248 at 18:00 same day. A day bag/shower stop, not an overnight.
Resolved 21 Aug: São Paulo and Iguazú dropped for this trip, deferred to a possible later, separate visit to Brazil. The paid Rio→Cork return flight (02.11.2026, ref XVEAO9) was kept rather than cancelled — cancelling only recovered ~€6 net after fees, not worth it. Instead, booked a Copa Airlines repositioning flight (San Pedro Sula → Panama City → Rio, ref BTILFD, $568.39, Economy Classic) landing Rio 04:00 on 2 Nov, ~14hrs ahead of BA0248's 18:00 departure — a same-day transit stop, not a Brazil visit.
❌ Removed 15 Jul: Buenos Aires + Mendoza, Patagonia (Las Torres W Circuit — cancellation confirmed 18 Jul, deposit refund requested), El Chaltén (Fitz Roy/Cerro Torre). São Paulo and Iguazú dropped 21 Aug — deferred to a later, separate trip. 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 · Taxi, booked via the hotel for the 03:25 AV224 departure
17.08.2026 · Avianca AV224 · Ref: 🔒
Depart LPB 03:25 → Arrive BOG 06:10 (Terminal 1) · Depart BOG 10:40 → Arrive GUA 13:00
Flex fare · 1x23kg bag · Decided 15 Jul — returned to Guatemala then on to Utila for Rescue + Divemaster with Underwater Vision. Replaces the old Buenos Aires leg.
01–30.09.2026 (30 nights) · Hosted by Andrea Orellana · Conf: 🔒
1 Bedroom with ocean deck, Main Street Apt, Sandy Bay, Bay Islands Department, Honduras. Non-refundable.
Operator TBD · ~01:30 departure (to reconfirm)
⚠️ Original booking missed (wrong date booked) — needs rebooking by email, $90. Must confirm this still connects to the morning La Ceiba→Utila ferry, ahead of the 1 Sept Airbnb check-in.
Was 01.10.2026 · LATAM · Ref: 🔒
Buenos Aires + Patagonia both dropped 15 Jul. Cancelled same day — Full fare allowed a 100% refund.
❌ Dropped 21 Aug
This routing assumed the now-dropped Patagonia/El Chaltén legs. Brazil-or-not resolved 21 Aug — Iguazú isn't happening this trip, deferred to a possible later, separate visit.
❌ Dropped 21 Aug
São Paulo isn't happening this trip — deferred to a possible later, separate Brazil visit.
❌ Dropped 21 Aug — no São Paulo leg this trip
01–02.11.2026 · Copa Airlines · Ref: 🔒
CM287 Depart SAP 13:42 → Arrive PTY 16:54 (1h59m layover)
CM486 Depart PTY 18:53 → Arrive GIG 04:00 (02.11)
Economy Classic, 1 checked bag included. Booked 21 Aug to reconnect with the already-paid Rio→Cork flight below — lands ~14hrs ahead of its 18:00 departure. A repositioning/transit flight, not a Brazil stay.
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
✅ Resolved 21 Aug — kept rather than cancelled (cancellation only recovered ~€6 net after fees). Reconnecting via the Copa repositioning flight above.
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.
Resolved 21 Aug: Iguazú and São Paulo are dropped for this trip, deferred to a possible later, separate Brazil visit. Rio is now just a ~14hr transit stop (1–2 Nov) to connect with the already-paid Rio→Cork return flight — kept rather than cancelled (cancelling only recovered ~€6 net after fees), reconnected via a fresh Copa Airlines flight from San Pedro Sula.
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 price/timeline — online contact details still not working; an instructor confirmed informally that Richard is expected start of September, price will be based on their online rates and confirmed on arrival ⚠️ · Extended Utila accommodation for October — September sorted via Airbnb, October still needed · DFA registration update — still not done, itinerary has changed substantially since the last registration · Internal transport for the final Utila→La Ceiba→San Pedro Sula stretch (to connect with the already-booked 1 Nov Copa flight) — not yet booked, needs the October Utila end-date to firm up first.
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 ✅ and deposit refund received ✅ (€360.52) · Bolivia→Guatemala flight booked and flown ✅ (17 Aug, Avianca AV224, ref BRKZ7Z, via a taxi booked through the Qantu Hotel to El Alto Airport) · Intrepid Bolivia Highlights tour completed ✅ (6–16 Aug, no issues) · Utila September accommodation booked ✅ (Airbnb "Sea La Vie," Sandy Bay, 1–30 Sept) · Antigua→La Ceiba bus + La Ceiba→Utila ferry rebooked ✅ (27 Aug, Roneey Shuttle Services, ref 7NL8162203807344R, bundled same-day connection confirmed) · Antigua overnight booked ✅ (31 Aug–1 Sept, Mr. Mullet's Hostel, Richard + Astrid) · Daily-living budget reconciled against actual spend ✅ (31 Aug — came out ~€44–49/day, essentially on the original €43/day estimate).
New plan (15 Jul, updated 21 Aug): Aug 17 – end of Oct — Guatemala (return) + Utila for Rescue & Divemaster with Underwater Vision. Flown back to Guatemala City 17 Aug (Avianca AV224). Richard decided to stay the full ~2 months in Utila and push Iguazú and São Paulo to a later, separate trip instead. The Brazil-or-not decision is resolved: the paid Rio→Cork return flight (XVEAO9) was kept (cancelling only recovered ~€6 net), and a Copa Airlines flight (San Pedro Sula→Panama City→Rio, ref BTILFD) was booked to reconnect with it — Rio is now just a ~14hr transit stop, 1–2 Nov.
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 resolved 21 Aug — Copa Airlines SAP→PTY→GIG booked, ~€500.40 (was a stale ~€400 estimate), Rio→Cork (XVEAO9) kept, not cancelled. |
| 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. Tour completed 16 Aug, no issues. |
| ✅ Las Torres W Trek (cancelled 15 Jul, confirmed 18 Jul) | €360.52 refund received | 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 (€360.52) refund landed on the original card, confirmed by 21 Aug. Balance $1,656 USD never paid. |
| 🆕 Guatemala/Utila — EFR + Rescue + Divemaster | Not yet quoted | Underwater Vision, online contact details still not working. An instructor confirmed informally that Richard is expected start of September — price will be based on their online-listed rates, confirmed in person on arrival. |
| Utila accommodation — September | 🔒 ✅ | Airbnb "Sea La Vie 1 Bedroom with ocean deck," Sandy Bay, hosted by Andrea Orellana. 1–30 Sept (30 nights), conf 🔒, non-refundable, paid. |
| 🆕 Extended Utila accommodation (October) | Not yet estimated | September now booked (see row above). October still not arranged — needed if Richard stays the full ~2 months as currently leaning. |
| ✅ Antigua → La Ceiba bus + Utila ferry (rebooked) | 🔒 | Roneey Shuttle Services, ref 🔒 — rebooked 27 Aug, confirmed 31 Aug. Bundled shuttle + ferry, same-day connection. Original wrong-date booking cost 🔒, non-refundable, wasted. |
| Antigua overnight (Mr. Mullet's Hostel) | 🔒 | 1 night, 31 Aug–1 Sept, Richard + Astrid, ahead of the 01:30 bus. |
| Calama Airport → San Pedro de Atacama transfer | 🔒 | Transilver Spa, 1 Aug 2026 — gap closed 31 Aug, this leg had never been logged despite being paid. |
| 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, 🔒 · Taxi, Qantu Hotel → El Alto Airport (departure), 🔒. |
| 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. ~€10,665 paid to date (as of 21 Aug — adds the Utila September Airbnb (£463.12 ≈€542, non-refundable) and the Qantu Hotel→El Alto Airport departure taxi (120 BOB ≈€16.20) to the 5 Aug figure of ~€10,107, which included the arrival taxi from El Alto Airport to the Qantu Hotel, the Atacama tours (ANKA Expediciones + SPACE Stargazing, paid cash in San Pedro), the Avianca AV224 Bolivia→Guatemala flight, the Chile/Bolivia accommodation gap-fills (Puna Hostel Atacama, Primeclass Lounge Santiago, Qantu Hotel La Paz; Santiago overnight paid via Marriott points), unplanned Honduras overnights/taxi, first-stint Utila diving + gear, and Quito accommodation actuals). Las Torres deposit refund (€360.52) received 21 Aug but was already excluded from paid-to-date as a non-committed cost. Antigua→La Ceiba bus rebooking ($90) and October Utila accommodation not yet paid, not included. Total available incl. Revolut credit card: €16,500. This total needs re-forecasting once the Divemaster course quote and October 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
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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 · ✅ confirmed 21 Aug — kept (not cancelled), reconnecting via a fresh Honduras→Rio leg below~€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 🔒 — refund 🔒 · balance never paidRefund Received
- Airbnb — Sea La Vie, Utila (Sept stay)01–30.09.2026 · 30 nights, Sandy Bay · non-refundable · conf 🔒🔒Paid
- Taxi — Qantu Hotel → El Alto Airport (LPB)17.08.2026 · booked via hotel for the 03:25 AV224 departure, cash🔒Paid
- Roneey Shuttle Services — Antigua → La Ceiba + Utila ferry01.09.2026 · 01:30 departure ex-Antigua, bundled with same-day La Ceiba→Utila ferry · rebooked 27 Aug, confirmed 31 Aug · ref 🔒🔒Paid
- Roneey Shuttle Services — original booking (wrong date)Marked a no-show 18 Aug — Richard's date error, non-refundable, superseded by the rebooking above🔒Wasted
- Mr. Mullet's Hostel — Antigua overnight31.08–01.09.2026 · 1 night, Richard + Astrid · ahead of the 01:30 bus🔒Paid
- Transilver Spa — Calama Airport → San Pedro de Atacama01.08.2026 · transfer, gap closed 31 Aug🔒Paid
- Extended Utila accommodation (October)September sorted via Airbnb (above) · October still needed, not yet arrangedPending
- Guatemala/Utila — EFR + Rescue + Divemaster (Underwater Vision)New 15 Jul · online contact details still not working · instructor confirmed informally expecting Richard start of September · price to be based on online rates, confirmed on arrivalNot 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
- Copa Airlines CM287+CM486 — San Pedro Sula → Panama City → Rio de Janeiro01–02.11.2026 · 13:42 SAP→16:54 PTY / 18:53 dep→04:00 GIG (+1) · Economy Classic · ref 🔒🔒Paid
💡 Currency and rate auto-fill for your current location — override either field if needed.
| Date | Destination | Category | Local | Rate | EUR | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No expenses yet — add your first above. | |||||||
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.
🔒
Passport scan loads after login ↑
📱 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.