About the Green Toad Bus!
Some of us arrived to Latin America as backpackers and others were born here, but we have all made friends with the Owners, Operators and just plain travel enthusiasts who make up the Backpackers scene on the continent and whom make it possible to offer our bus passes at such low prices.
Our hope and dream is that you have the travel experiences in South America similar to those experiences that we have been lucky to have which has made us come to the conclusion that South America is the best region in the world to travel!
Our Objective
To provide an easily accessible network of local transport travel passes facilitating easy travel for backpackers covering the majority of the best destinations and attractions that South America has to offer.
To provide, activities, tours and accommodation available as add-on's to the travel pass allowing you, the Traveler, to completely plan, book and pay for your trip prior to starting your adventures! We want the only thing you have to worry about to be where to find the cheapest beer or where to find the nearest internet, but don't worry, we will even be able to tell you that as well!
So why the Green Toad??
Original thoughts were to name ourselves the 'Gringo Bus' in reference to what the locals call foreign travellers in Latin America. After a bit more wine, we decided to go with something that rhymed a little with 'Gringo' and fitted better into the hop-on hop-off nature of our travel passes. And so Green Toad Bus was born. We called it 'toad' rather than 'frog' because frogs are pretty, we are not (well some of us!) and toads looked better equipped to backpack more than frogs (must have been the wine!).
All of us at the Green Toad Bus want you to enjoy your experiences here in South America and hope that you decide to Hop with the Toad!!!!
The People Behind the Toad!
Valentine Murray (Australia)
After studying tourism, Valentine decided to see the world before sending others to see it first. While travelling Latin America he realised that's where he wanted to stay. Val became a guide, leading tours all over Mexico, Central America, Cuba and South America for 5 years. These tour were conducted on either local transport or overland trucks where groups would camp all over South America. It was while doing these tours that he saw the potential in a product like the Green Toad Bus pass, which fills a niche between organised tours and independent travel.
Favourite Sth American Country = Brazil
Favourite South American Food = Peruvian Cerviche or Lomo Saltado
Favourite Sth American Attraction = Machu Picchu in Peru
Favourite Sth American Activity = Huacachina Dune buggies & Paraty boat trip
Best Trait = Big puffy cheeks when is smiles
Worst Trait = bad speller (sorry for all the mistakes)
Travel Experience = Papua New Guinea,Thailand, Hong Kong, England, Spain, France, Germany Italy, Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, USA, Cuba and every Latin American country except the Guyanas, Surinam and El Salvador
Where does he want to go next = The Guyanas, Surinam, El Salvador & Morroco
Photo: This is Valentine jumping off the boat in Paraty (Brazil). We reckon he looks scared, but he swears he wasn't hehehe.
Diego Marcel (Brazil)
Born to a Brazilian dad and Argentinian mother, Diego gets to choose what country he comes from depending on who won the football that day! Diego has done his own backpacking around South America travelling all over Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Columbia. He studied tourism and became a guide leading people around the Iguassu Waterfalls and national parks. Diego worked in hostels in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, the Pantanal area, Florinopolis and the USA before moving back to Foz do Iguacu to open his own. He also has his own travel agency in Foz, which the Green Toad Bus also works out of. If he's not backpacking or working in the hostel and agency, you will find Diego on the Iguacu river on his wake-board.
Favourite Sth American Country = Argentina
Favourite South American Food = Argentinian Steak
Favourite Sth American Attraction = Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia
Favourite Sth American Activity = Surfing Peru
Best Trait = he is a charmer
Worst Trait = he is too charming for his own good
Travel Experience = Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, USA, Canada
Where does he want to go next = South-east Asia
Photo: Diego is also a black-belt in Taekwondo, and here he is doing his Jacky Chan moves at Machu Picchu.
Joanna Goodman (United Kingdom)
Sent to South America by a military court for a crime she didn't commit, Jo promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the South American underground. Today, still wanted by the government, she survives as a soldier of fortune (well a Tour Leader, a tour planner and a hostel Manager with a chihuahua!!). If you have a problem, if no one else can help AND if you can find her, maybe you can hire........You know the rest! Apart from being a massive A-Team fan, Jo uses her love, passion and extensive travel experience as an ex Tour Leader in South America to help you to experience the amazing Continent like she has! (apart from the Karaoke..well maybe!)
Favourite Sth American Country = Argentina
Favourite South American Food = Lomo Saltado (Peru) or Argie steak or Nelin's Pina Coladas!
Favourite Sth American Attraction = The drive in to La Paz or Iguazu Falls or Torres National Park!
Favourite Sth American Activity = Horse riding in Salta
Best Trait = Positivity or karaoke prowess
Worst Trait = Talks ALOT or karaoke prowess!
Travel Experience = Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Dubai, Egypt, Malaysia & lots of Europe!
Where does she want to go next = India or Mexico
Photo: Jo horseriding in Salta on the horse that had a heart attack the very next day!! (She must have been singing to him!)
