Mobissimo

Well, it's summer and fares are always expensive, even though it's winter down there, also, gas prices are high. Mexico City is cheap though, though being in DF this time of year is about as much fun as rolling around in steak sauce and going to the dog pound.

For flights departing 08/01 returning 08/09

How many times have you heard that you must visit Argentina and Buenos Aires? I've been going since the early 90s, the travel pioneer that I am, but it is still a good time to go (login may be required).

Travelers Are Heading to Buenos Aires for the Culture -- and Staying for the $250 Rent

By Allen Salkin

Special to The Washington Post
Sunday, April 23, 2006

Meghan Curry starts her day with a walk to the river. The former real estate agent from Denver, who is 26, holds hands with her fiance, Patricio de Vasconcellos, 31, a wavy-haired Argentine with dark eyes, as they gaze over the coffee-colored waters of the Rio de la Plata. Around midday, when de Vasconcellos heads to work at the wine shop where the two met a year ago, Curry settles into her two-bedroom apartment to work on her travel memoir and a collection of poetry. Then she might nap or head downtown for café con leche with friends at one of the city's thousands of outdoor cafes. Later, much later, it's time for a slow dinner on Buenos Aires time, where many restaurants don't open until 10 p.m.

If this sounds appealing to you, you should head down. If you haven't already, you should subscibe to the Latin American FareIndex to get updated pricing and trends - a huge tool for those wanting the optimal time to purchase a ticket.

At the end of April, there is usually a dip in prices to South America because it's right after Easter, so not too many people are travelling. It's a great opportunity to head down and get some sun. If you've been rained on, snowed on, beat on by the weather, now's your chance to shed your woolens and expose your pasty white body to the brilliantly tanned, magically sculpted natives of Brasil, or maybe Venezuela. Or you could just hang with others of your kind in Costa Rica, sheesh, that fare is cheap.

For flights departing 04/24 returning 05/02

Unfortunately, we have turned the corner, April signifies the entrance into the high season for airfare and the prices reflect this. Sigh* Prices higher for most all destinations, except Panama City, which is a great destination. Perhaps now is the time to discover why Manuel Noriega loved this country so - perhaps the lax banking laws and well maintained infra-structure for smuggling. Nice.

For flights departing 04/06 returning 04/14

We're heading into fall for South America, and that means cheaper fares, these are among the cheapest fares (as a whole) since we started the Latin America FareIndex. Lots, and I mean lots, of bright spots, Rio (GIG) for $841 is a good price, Santiago (SCL) for $764 is a great price, Mexico City (DF) (MEX) at $362. Head down, it's all good.

For flights departing 03/27 returning 04/02

If you're an American, Venezuela isn't the best place to be, especially when Chavez is consided less US-friendly than Osama. However, Isla Margarita is an unbelievably beautiful place, forget about Porlamar, hit the small areas and you will be rewarded. Otherwise, Rio is cheap as is Mexico City (DF). However, if you've seen Man on Fire, you may want to pass on DF, but that's just me.

For flights departing 03/01 returning 03/09

Zoiks, prices are higher to personal favourites like Rio and Santiago, but some good spots to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. Again, it's a great time to go, post Mardi Gras (in Brasil) and the weather is still hot. And by hot I mean caliente. And by caliente, I mean spicy.

For flights departing 02/22 returning 03/02

Prices to almost all Latin American destinations are cheaper. Yes, January is a great time to go south of the border, where it is summer. Seriously, Hawaii and Mexico are over-rated tourist holes, try Venezuela (and enjoy being an American in a Chavez environment) or Argentina. Trust me, these places are gems, a little bit off the beaten path, but worth it. Challenge yourself.

For flights departing 02/05 returning 02/13

The prices to Latin America have soared in the blink of an eye! I guess it really does pay to book your tickets in advance...or to wait until after the holidays to travel. Mexico City isn't priced too bad and from there you can get to a bunch of cool destinations by bus. Let's wait and see what happens next week...

For flights departing 12/21 returning 12/29

Well, I told you so, I told you so. Fares to everywhere to Latin America have skyrocketed. It's summer down there and many are going back home for Christmas - not a good combination for cheap fares. Still, it's worth it, at least to me.

For flights departing 12/13 returning 12/21

Ok, so prices this week are very high, travel to my personal favourite Brasil is much much higher - shoulda, woulda, coulda. As mentioned last time, Christmas, or Navidad in much of South America is the main travel season of the year. One bright spot is Quito, I've been there, fascinating, intriguing. Make it happen.

For flights departing 12/06 returning 12/14

Well, fares are up pretty much across the board from San Francisco to Latin America. There's a good fare for $725 to Rio if bikinis, beach, and cheese on a stick sound good to you. Hmmm... I have some vacation time saved up ...

For flights departing 11/9 returning 11/16