GT Overlander

GT Overlander Blog

Destinations, preparation and overlander life for those who travel overland.

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Iguazu Falls with several cascades plunging into the gorge and mist rising over the green forest

Destinations & Routes

Foz do Iguacu by Car: The Falls and the Triple Border

Foz do Iguacu by car: the drive, both sides of the falls, and the border paperwork for Argentina and Paraguay, for anyone driving their own vehicle.

August 13, 2026

López Palace, seat of the Paraguayan government, in Asunción, Paraguay

Destinations & Routes

Paraguay by Car: How to Cross the Border and the Route to Asunción

Paraguay by car: cross the border at Foz do Iguaçu, the documents to drive, and the route from Ciudad del Este to Asunción along Ruta 2.

August 11, 2026

Waterfall and native cerrado landscape at Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás, Brazil

Destinations & Routes

Chapada dos Veadeiros by Car: A Route Through the Cerrado

Chapada dos Veadeiros by car from Brasília: Alto Paraíso, São Jorge, Vale da Lua and the waterfalls. How to get there, when to go and what to expect from the cerrado.

August 9, 2026

White dunes and a blue freshwater lagoon at Lençóis Maranhenses in Maranhão, Brazil

Destinations & Routes

Lençóis Maranhenses by Car: A Route Through Maranhão

Lençóis Maranhenses by car: São Luís to Barreirinhas, the lagoons, dunes and Preguiças River. How to get there, when to go and what to expect from the park.

August 5, 2026

Natural aquarium in Bonito with crystal-clear turquoise water and a tree in the center of Mato Grosso do Sul

Destinations & Routes

Bonito by Car: A Route Through the Waters of Mato Grosso do Sul

A road trip to Bonito from Campo Grande: snorkeling the crystal-clear rivers, the Gruta do Lago Azul and Buraco das Araras, plus when to go and how booking works.

August 2, 2026

Colonial street in Paraty flooded by the tide with the historic facades reflected on the pavement

Destinations & Routes

Costa Verde by Car: From Angra dos Reis to Paraty

A road trip along the Rio-Santos: from Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande to colonial Paraty and Trindade beach, with the best stops and the season to go.

July 30, 2026

Stone road lined with cypress trees among the vineyards of the Vale dos Vinhedos in the Serra Gaucha

Destinations & Routes

Serra Gaucha by Car: From Gramado to the Vale dos Vinhedos

A road trip through the Serra Gaucha: from Gramado and Canela to the wineries of the Vale dos Vinhedos, with the best stops, roads and the season to go.

July 26, 2026

Couple on the sand of Praia do Cassino with the grounded Altair shipwreck in the background in winter

Destinations & Routes

Praia do Cassino: Driving the Beach Crossing to Chuí

Drive the world's longest beach: Praia do Cassino to Chuí, over 200 km of sand. Tides, 4x4, landmarks and how to prepare for the crossing.

July 23, 2026

Jabiru stork walking across the flooded plain of the Brazilian Pantanal

Destinations & Routes

Pantanal by Car: A Route Along the Transpantaneira

How to drive Brazil's Pantanal along the Transpantaneira: jaguars, caimans and macaws by the roadside, the best season and what vehicle you really need.

July 19, 2026

Person floating in a crystal-clear fervedouro spring in Jalapão with the sandy bottom visible

Destinations & Routes

Jalapão by Car: A Route Through the Springs of Tocantins

How to explore Jalapão by car: fervedouros, white dunes, waterfalls and golden grass in Tocantins. What to expect from the roads, when to go and how to prepare.

July 16, 2026

Board of artisanal Canastra cheese outdoors with the mountain range in the background

Destinations & Routes

Serra da Canastra by Car: A Route Through the National Park

Drive Serra da Canastra: the source of the Sao Francisco River, the Casca D'Anta waterfall, dirt roads and the famous artisanal Canastra cheese.

July 12, 2026

River with rocks and native vegetation in Chapada Diamantina at dusk with a rocky plateau in the background

Destinations & Routes

Chapada Diamantina by Car: Route Through Lencois and Mucuge

A complete driving route through Chapada Diamantina: Lencois, Pai Inacio, Vale do Capao, Mucuge, Igatu and the blue caves of Bahia.

July 9, 2026

Colonial street in Cartagena with colorful houses and wooden balconies in the historic district

Destinations & Routes

Colombia by Car: Route From Ecuador to Cartagena Through the Interior

Drive Colombia from the Ecuador border to Cartagena: Las Lajas, Popayan, San Agustin, the Tatacoa Desert, Medellin, Guatape and the Caribbean coast.

July 5, 2026

Organized gear inside the trunk of an overland vehicle.

Preparation & Planning

How to Organize Your Car Interior for Overland Travel

Organize your overland car interior by frequency of access: three zones, weight distribution and what must stay within reach on the road.

July 2, 2026

A parked overland car at a quiet spot, unhurried, during a slow-travel trip

Overlander Life

Slow Travel by Car: How to Travel With Less Rush and More Depth

Slow travel by car means staying longer in fewer places, moving at the pace of the destination. Why the car is the ideal vehicle for it and how to plan an overland trip this way.

June 28, 2026

A traveler looking out over an open road at sunset during an overland trip

Overlander Life

What Overland Travel Teaches That No Book Can

The real lessons only the road delivers: improvisation, patience with the world's scale, reading people, presence, friendships that last, and the trust that the road provides.

June 25, 2026

Andean landscape along the overland route through Peru.

Destinations & Routes

Peru Overland by Car: Cusco, Titicaca, Arequipa and Bolivia

An overland car itinerary through Peru: Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Arequipa and Colca Canyon, with altitude and acclimatization tips.

June 21, 2026

A lighthouse on the Uruguayan coast seen from the promenade during an overland trip

Destinations & Routes

Uruguay by Car: Full Coastal Route From Chuy to Colonia del Sacramento

The complete Uruguay coastal route by car, from the Chuy border to Colonia del Sacramento: Punta del Diablo, Cabo Polonio, Jose Ignacio, Punta del Este and Montevideo.

June 17, 2026

View from inside the car with hands on the wheel, an open road ahead and snowy mountains on the horizon at dusk

Overlander Life

Why I Traded the Plane Ticket for the Road and Never Looked Back

Why trading the plane ticket for the road changes how you travel South America. Real scale, route freedom and discoveries a flight will never deliver.

June 13, 2026

Overland travel gear laid out next to a vehicle before a long trip.

Preparation & Planning

What to Pack for an Overland Trip: Essentials to Comfort

A layered overland packing list: documents, vehicle safety, sleeping and food basics, plus the comfort gear worth adding for long trips.

June 10, 2026

An all-terrain tire on an overland vehicle parked on a gravel road

Preparation & Planning

Overland Tires: How to Choose, Inflate and How Many to Carry

A practical tire guide for overland travel in South America: HT vs AT vs MT, tire pressure for each terrain, how many spares to carry, and how to fix a flat far from any shop.

June 7, 2026

A Carretera Austral sign photographed from inside the car with Patagonian mountains in the background

Destinations & Routes

Carretera Austral by Car: Full Route With Ferries and Without

A complete Carretera Austral self-drive guide: Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins with ferries, and the ferry-free version entering via Argentina. Distances, stops and tips.

June 3, 2026

A boy watching a landscape of trees through the car window

Overlander Life

Overland Trip With Kids: How to Plan as a Family

How to plan an overland trip with kids through South America: documents, vehicle safety, daily routine, education on the road and children's health.

May 31, 2026

A first-aid kit and travel documents laid out on a table before an overland trip

Preparation & Planning

Vaccines and Health for Overland Travel in South America

Mandatory and recommended vaccines, the yellow-fever certificate, a first-aid kit, health insurance and altitude care for an overland trip through South America.

May 30, 2026

Loaded 4x4 vehicle in the altiplano landscape of Atacama with a snowy volcano in the background

Destinations & Routes

Atacama Desert Self-Drive: A Road Trip Through Chile

A self-drive itinerary through Chile's Atacama Desert: San Pedro, Valley of the Moon, geysers, altiplanic lagoons and the crossing to Bolivia or Argentina.

May 29, 2026

Argentine peso notes, coins and a SUBE card on a map of Buenos Aires, a South America travel budget

Preparation & Planning

Overland Budget: How Much It Costs to Drive South America

How much an overland trip through South America costs: three budget profiles, spending categories and a country-by-country comparison, with values in USD.

May 27, 2026

The snowy Aconcagua seen from the Horcones valley, near the Paso Cristo Redentor, Argentina

Preparation & Planning

Crossing the Andes by Car: 7 Argentina-Chile Passes

Seven Andean passes between Argentina and Chile you can cross by car, with altitude, season and the best path for each destination.

May 24, 2026

A motorhome driving alone on Ruta 40 with the snowy Fitz Roy massif in the background, Argentine Patagonia

Destinations & Routes

How to Drive to Ushuaia From Brazil: 3 Routes

Three routes to drive from Brazil to Ushuaia, with must-do stops, estimated time and real tips for each path.

May 23, 2026

Physical map of South America with colored pins marking travel destinations

Preparation & Planning

How to Plan an Overland Trip Through South America

A complete guide to planning your first overland trip through South America: from the dream to the drawn route, from the vehicle to the waypoints, step by step.

May 22, 2026

Yellow labrador with its head out of a car window on a road with a mountain landscape in the background

Overlander Life

Traveling With a Dog: How to Do an Overland Trip With Your Pet

How to travel overland with a dog through South America: border documents, a car routine, safety and care at altitude, cold and heat.

May 20, 2026

Loaded Toyota 4x4 reflected in the water mirror of the Salar de Uyuni with the cordillera at sunset in the background

Destinations & Routes

Salar de Uyuni Self-Drive: Southwest Bolivia Route

How to drive the Salar de Uyuni and southwest Bolivia in your own vehicle: itinerary, borders, altitude and what to adjust on the vehicle before going up.

May 17, 2026

Open laptop with a keyboard and mouse on a folding table inside a van, with a window showing vegetation in the background

Preparation & Planning

Internet on the Road: SIM, eSIM and Starlink for Overland Travel

How to get internet driving through South America: a strategy with a local SIM, an international eSIM and Starlink Roam for each scenario and country.

May 16, 2026

Meal on a camping grill with people relaxing in the background during an overland trip

Overlander Life

Food on the Road: How to Eat on an Overland Trip

How to eat on an overland trip, whether by car, motorcycle, motorhome or van. Strategies for any length, focused on routine, practicality and cost.

May 15, 2026

Paved road cutting through a landscape of colorful mountains in red and ochre layers in northern Argentina

Destinations & Routes

Northern Argentina: 10-Day Itinerary Salta, Jujuy, Cafayate

A 10-day itinerary through northern Argentina by car: Salta, Jujuy, Cafayate, Humahuaca and Purmamarca, with stops, stages and what to adjust before leaving.

May 12, 2026

Person working on a laptop sitting on a rock at the edge of a lake, with a portable power station beside them, mountains and forest in the background

Overlander Life

Working While Traveling: A Remote-Work Routine for Overlanders

How to work while traveling as an overlander: an internet strategy, a routine, choosing stops and gear to keep a remote income on the road.

May 10, 2026

Ruta 40 kilometer marker (RN 40, km 4432) on a gravel road in northwestern Argentina with ochre mountains in the background

Destinations & Routes

Ruta 40 Argentina: Complete Road Trip Guide by Car

How to drive Argentina's Ruta 40: section by section, essential stops, the best season, the ideal vehicle and what to adjust before hitting the road.

May 9, 2026

Yellow camper Kombi parked at a lit Shell gas station at night with a convenience store in the background

Overlander Life

Sleeping at Gas Stations: How to Choose One and Sleep Safe

How to pick the right gas station, ask the staff for permission and sleep safe and free on the road, even in a truck or van.

May 8, 2026

Silver 4x4 SUV at a mechanic shop with the hood open and a rear wheel removed during a pre-trip service

Preparation & Planning

Overland Vehicle Maintenance: Pre-Trip Checklist

A complete vehicle maintenance checklist before an overland trip: what to check 30 days before, 7 days before and the day before hitting the road.

May 7, 2026

Argentine and Chilean peso notes and US dollars scattered on a surface

Preparation & Planning

Money in South America: How to Pay on a Road Trip

How to pay while driving through South America: a currency strategy with an international card, cash dollars and what to consider for each currency in the region.

May 6, 2026

Paved road in Argentine Patagonia with snowy mountains in the background and a blue sky

Destinations & Routes

Patagonia Road Trip: 30-Day Itinerary Argentina and Chile

A complete 30-day Patagonia road trip through Argentina and Chile: what to see, when to go, which border to use and what to adjust on the vehicle.

May 3, 2026

SUV with a roof rack parked at a dirt viewpoint at dusk, with two people in silhouette watching a valley covered by clouds

Overlander Life

The First Week of an Overland Trip: What No One Tells You

The first seven days of an overland trip are the hardest. The real adjustments, the struggles, and what makes the trip worth it.

May 2, 2026

Toll plaza in Uruguay on a cloudy day with cars passing through

Preparation & Planning

Uruguay Tolls by Car: How to Pay as a Foreign Driver

Uruguay's tolls are almost all electronic and Brazilian tags don't work. How to register before you go and cross the border without waiting in line.

May 1, 2026

Custom motorcycle parked at the foot of a Rota Biker monument under a cloudy sky

Destinations & Routes

Rota Biker: Brazil's Motorcycle Monument Trail

Rota Biker is a Brazilian motorcycle tourism movement started in 2023, with 40+ monuments across Brazil and Paraguay. Each one becomes a rider's stop, and GT has them all mapped.

April 29, 2026

Overlander campsite at dusk with a lit campfire, a person sitting in a folding chair and a rest area inside the vehicle at the forest edge

Overlander Life

Wild Camping on the Road: How to Choose a Campsite

How to read the terrain, stay safe and sleep well camping from your car, van or motorcycle: paid, wild or with permission.

April 29, 2026

Paved road crossing an open landscape in South America with mountains in the background

Preparation & Planning

Documents to Cross South America Borders by Car: Checklist

ID, vehicle registration, Green Card insurance and more: the full checklist of documents to cross any Mercosur border by car without getting stuck.

April 29, 2026

Dirt road winding between fences and eucalyptus trees through green hills in a rural Brazilian landscape

Destinations & Routes

Overlanding in Brazil: 5 Best Destinations for Beginners

Five beginner-friendly overlanding destinations in Brazil: Serra Gaucha, Jalapao, Bonito, Serra da Canastra and Lencois Maranhenses. What to expect and how to pick your first.

April 29, 2026

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