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Los Caracoles: Epic Andean Pass Between Chile and Argentina
Los Caracoles - The Most Scenic Mountain Switchback in South America
There’s nothing I love more on a trip than a truly beautiful road. And the most epic one I’ve driven? Los Caracoles - a dramatic Andean switchback connecting Chile and Argentina.
The Longest Border and the Strictest Checkpoint in LATAM
This stretch also hosts the longest border in Latin America. Crossing it? A whole production. Border agents unload everything from your car, search with dogs, and hunt for anything forbidden. One massive shepherd sniffed my car and suddenly started barking like it found a bomb. Want to know what got confiscated? A massive crime, truly unforgivable: two apples and a handful of raisins.
Why Chile Bans Foreign Fruit (Yes, Really)
They explained it like this: Chile is naturally sealed off from the rest of Latin America by the Andes. So sealed, in fact, that “not even a fly gets through.” They’re proud of their pest-free ecosystem - and want to keep it that way. No Argentine fruit allowed - it might carry insects or rot.
Three Hours at the Border Were Worth Every Minute!
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Paraguay: Low Taxes, Peace and Business Access to LATAM
Where Even Is Paraguay - and Why Should You Care?
Continuing my series on Latin American countries great for life and business. Last time it was Argentina (you know where to find it), and now - a country you probably never thought about: Paraguay.
Think of it like throwing a dart at the center of South America. If you hit Bolivia, you missed. The wiser among you will have a slight tremble and land the dart just south - in Paraguay.
Paraguay Offers the Most Business-Friendly Tax System in the Region
💰 The lowest personal and business tax burden in LATAM. 0% on foreign income. 10% VAT, 10% income tax. Unlike Caribbean tax residency - which screams “offshore” to regulators - Paraguay still flies under the radar. No red flags.
Strategic Location and Untapped Business Niches
💵 A special economic zone, and land borders with Brazil and Argentina. You’d be shocked how many markets in LATAM are still wide open - and Paraguay is a great entry point to the continent.
Citizenship and Visa-Free EU Access Through Investment
🪪 Bonus: an easy path to citizenship via investment - with visa-free access to the Schengen zone.
Peace, Year-Round Sun, and Quiet Hipster Living
🏡 Paraguay is a slow, calm, remote country - which in 2024 is a feature, not a bug. If another global crisis hits, it’ll take a week for the news to even reach here. You can rent a spacious new apartment with a pool and security for $400/month and wait out the apocalypse in peace. Great weather year-round. Local grocery delivery works flawlessly. Paradise for introverted digital hipsters.
So, What Comes to Mind When You Hear “Paraguay”?
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Atacama Desert by Car: The Ultimate Driving Guide
Welcome to Atacama — The Driest Place on Earth and a Road Trip Dream
Chile’s Atacama Desert is the driest place on the planet - a surreal land of extremes, cosmic mountain views, and raw beauty. Here’s your essential guide to the best spots. Bring your 4x4 and hit the road!
Hand of the Desert — A Lonely Sculpture in the Middle of Nowhere
👋 Hand of the Desert: 8/10. A giant hand sculpture rising out of the sand - a ghostly echo of Burning Man. It’s cool if you’re already driving up from Santiago, but not worth a detour on its own.
San Pedro de Atacama — Your Base for Exploration
The rest of the journey revolves around San Pedro de Atacama - a charming little oasis town with great hotels and easy access to key sites.
Laguna Cejar — Tourist Magnet with Salty Water
🧂 Laguna Cejar: 3/10. Salt lakes popular with tourists for floating. If you’ve done the Dead Sea, this won’t impress. Show up at 9 AM for solitude.
Valley of the Moon - Sunset Hike and Drone Heaven
🌖 Valley of the Moon: 7/10. A classic sunset spot close to town if you don’t want to drive far. Nice 3-hour hiking trail - drone-tested and approved 😎
Valle del Arcoiris - Rainbow Mountains from Your Car Window
🌈 Valle del Arcoiris: 9/10. If you're into scenic mountain drives, this one’s a gem - colorful peaks you can admire straight from your car.
Laguna Chaxa - Sunset, Flamingos, Silence
🦩 Laguna Chaxa: 10/10. Vast salt flats, flocks of flamingos, and jaw-dropping sunsets. Come in the evening for golden light and total silence.
High Altitude Ahead - Take It Easy
The next spots are above 4,000 meters. Respect your limits and go slow.
El Tatio Geysers - Overrated, Overcrowded, and Freezing
💦 El Tatio Geysers: 1/10. The most hyped spot in Atacama, but a letdown. The geysers only really “perform” at sunrise. You’ll need to drive pre-dawn in the dark with zero nearby lodging. You’ll arrive with a crowd - and a headache from the altitude.
Monjes de La Pacana - Dali-Style Desert Surrealism
🗿 Monjes de La Pacana: 10/10. Like a Salvador Dalí animation come to life. The cartoon is called Destino.Massive vertical rocks in the middle of nowhere. Best picnic spot in the world for pondering life with just you, the desert, and a looming boulder.
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How to Pay 60% Less for Hotels in Argentina
How I Paid 60% Less for My Hotel Stay in Argentina
Over the past year, I’ve driven more than 40,000 kilometers across Argentina and Latin America - staying in everything from tiny rooms in remote mountain villages to luxury boutique hotels. Prices in Argentina can be wildly inconsistent. On one trip, I paid 60% less than the first price I was quoted. Here’s how to do the same.
Hack #1 - Compare All Booking Channels
Prices vary between Booking.com, the hotel’s official site, WhatsApp, and the front desk. Often, WhatsApp gives the best deal — but not always. Check them all.
Hack #2 - Ask About Cash Discounts or Local Bank Transfers
Always ask if there’s a discount for paying cash. Tiene discuento para effectivo? Pro tip: immediately follow up by asking if you can pay by bank transfer. In most cases, they’ll give you the cash discount but let you save your precious bills - which are hard to withdraw in rural areas.
Hack #3 - Use Your Foreigner Status to Avoid the 20% IVA Tax
Juggle your passports. Argentine citizens pay a 20% IVA tax. Foreigners using foreign cards can often skip it - but hotels don’t always ask or clarify. Always ask: is this price with or without tax?
Hack #4 - Locals Sometimes Get Better Rates - Use That Too
In some places, locals pay less than foreigners just because… they do. Again - ask.
All You Need Is Five Minutes of Friendly Spanish
That’s it - just a few minutes of polite Spanish conversation and you’re saving big.
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Why Argentina Is a Top Choice for Life and Citizenship
Fast, Simple Legalization and a Powerful Passport
Argentina offers one of the easiest legalization paths, and its passport ranks 11th globally.
Healthcare, Education, and Everyday Friendliness
Excellent, often free, healthcare. Top-tier education - the University of Buenos Aires ranks among the global top 10. Locals love children and are warmly open to newcomers.
Culture, Nature, and Global Events All Around
Tons of cultural and music events - Billie Eilish toured this summer. And the natural diversity is jaw-dropping: ocean, glaciers, volcanoes, mountains, whales, ski resorts, lakes, forests, and steppe.
Inclusivity Is the Norm, Not a Buzzword
100% tolerance and inclusivity - minorities and every social group feel at home here.
Cost of Living That Feels Unreal
Mild climate, cheap gas, fresh fruits and vegetables, and some of the world’s best restaurants for the price of McDonald’s elsewhere: giant steak at a top Buenos Aires restaurant - $10; a kilo of strawberries - $2; nanny, driver, gardener, or chef - $2-3/hour.
Buenos Aires - Green, Walkable, and Full of Capybaras
The capital, Buenos Aires, is full of parks, bike paths, greenery - and yes, capybaras, squirrels, and hummingbirds in the city center.
Russian-Speaking Community Included
A strong, active Russian-speaking expat scene makes integration even easier.
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Argentina: A Digital Nomad Paradise
01.2023
Argentina’s Fall in the Global Happiness Rankings
Argentina dropped from 30th to 49th in the world happiness index. There are many reasons, but one stands out — the dramatic crash of the peso has taken a toll on locals' spirits.
Why Inflation Feels Like a Bonus if You Earn in Dollars
But those problems don’t bother the “sheriffs” earning in U.S. dollars. For Europeans and Americans, Argentina has become a bargain paradise. Every month, your buying power grows by 5–7%, no crypto investment required.
What a Dollar Gets You in Argentina Right Now
A five-hour trip to the surf capital of Mar del Plata — clean ocean, laid-back vibes — costs just $16 (5,500 pesos) on a luxury sleeper bus with more space than an airplane’s business class.
A two-person lunch with fresh seafood or steak and wine? $15–20. A five-star spa hotel? $120.
A two-hour massage or private tai chi session? - $15, señor.
Argentina Is a Goldmine for Remote Entrepreneurs
A promised land for digital nomads and remote-first founders with solid operations. ♥️
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Argentina Tightens Naturalization Laws in 2025: Two Years Without Leaving the Country
Nothing in this world is permanent. Windows for fast-track citizenship open — and then slam shut.
On May 14th, presidential spokesperson Manuel Ardoni announced upcoming restrictions to Argentina’s migration laws. Two major points stand out:
What Exactly Is Changing?
❗ Two uninterrupted years of physical presence in Argentina are now required for naturalization. Previously it was possible to leave the country during this period — no more.
❗ Tighter background checks for criminal records both inside and outside Argentina. This will especially complicate things for applicants with missing or inconsistent documents.
The decree hasn't been signed yet, but judging by the rhetoric of President Javier Milei (who’s been full-on cosplaying Trump lately), this might just be the beginning.
What Does This Mean for Current Residents?
🕰️ Expect naturalization court cases to move slower. Even before this, Argentine courts were never in a rush — your file could sit untouched on a dusty shelf for a year. Now, extra verifications will mean longer delays.
🌴 Leaving the country without notifying immigration could result in status cancellation. We’ve seen this trend all year — now it’s officially policy.
Will Birth Tourism Be Affected?
Argentina has been one of the fastest citizenship options for new parents. If your child was born there, you could immediately file and receive your citizenship within 6 months. родители новорождённого могли сразу подать на гражданство — и за 6 месяцев получить документы. Это привлекало десятки пар каждый месяц.
That may soon no longer be an option. If the new rules require two years of prior residence, birth tourism could collapse. перестать работать.
Right now, the decree is just an announcement — the parliament could cancel it as unconstitutional. But don’t count on that.
What Should You Do?
If you’re already in Argentina:
📄 Submit your documents to court ASAP. There’s still a chance you can get in under the old rules.
If you’re planning to come:
💡 Start thinking about Plan B You may need to commit to two years of uninterrupted residence — or look into another country.
Got questions about legalization or naturalization? Message me directly.