The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Through South America on a Budget

South America is a dream destination for many people; people think twice before coming here. Coming to this place will give an experience of adventure that you would never like to forget, be it the mountains covered in snow of the Andes, the rainforest of the Amazon, cheerful cities like Buenos Aires, or the famous city of Rio de Janeiro. And do you know what is the best part of this trip? You can enjoy this trip and that too without paying much. With the help of this guide, you will come to know how you can explore the different parts of the countries and that too without spending too much from your pocket.

In this guide, we will also help you know and provide you with the information about the packing process for South America, how you get there, the cheapest destinations to visit, how to go around, and especially how you can save a lot of money, but still enjoy the trip.

Why Backup South America?

South America is said to be one of the most diversified continents in the world. You can explore every hook and corner of this continent, and you can enjoy every aspect of this diversity, be it the Patagonia, or you can relax on the beaches of the Caribbean in Colombia, you can even explore the old and ancient remains of Peru, or you can even explore staying a night away from Brazil. Coming to South America is more affordable than travelling to any other place, like Europe or North America. This place is very affordable for people, especially when you know how to manage your money and how to use it.

By telling you to pack your bags, we didn’t only mean to travel cheaply, we also meant to connect with the culture, get to know other travellers, and explore the rare and natural beauty of the place, and that too without spending any extra amount.

Best Budget-Friendly Countries

1. Bolivia

Known to be one of the most budget-friendly places in South America. You can explore the different local foods available on the streets at affordable prices. Staying here is also very affordable, and if you want to travel, then preferably use local buses to travel, as they cost very little. The main attractions here are like the Salar de Uyuni, the famous Lake Titicaca, and the very beautiful and vibrant markets of La Paz.

2. Peru

The main attraction of this place is Macha Picchu, but it still has a lot to showcase. You can stop at Cusco, Arequipa, and the Sacred Valley; they are quite affordable and beautiful to watch. The Inca Trail might be a bit expensive, but in contrast to that Salkantay trek is preferred as it is more affordable and will give you the same experience. You can stay at the hostels and enjoy the local street food, which is quite affordable.

3. Colombia

Colombia is the hotspot for travellers, it gives you the experience of a mixture of the beaches of the Caribbean, coffee regions, and the beautiful cities like Medellin and Cartagena. The availability of public transport, like buses and all, makes it very easy to travel long distances, and that too without spending much.

4. Ecuador

While travelling to Ecuador, you can also visit other places like the Andes, Amazon, or Pacific Coast; all these places are located very close to each other. The cultural hub of this place is believed to be Quito and Cuenca, while the adventure spot is said to be Banos, and you can enjoy the adventure activities, and that too at a low price. Travelling to Galapagos is expensive, but you can try exploring Ecuador, which is quite affordable.

Getting Around South America

1. Buses

This is the best and most affordable way to travel in South America. Buses are the most common transport there. Travelling at night on the bus would help you save the cost of staying in hotels. Argentina, Chile, and Peru are some places where you can find buses that are comfortable for long-distance journeys.

2. Flights

There are some budget-friendly airlines that help you get tickets at cheap and affordable prices, like SKY, JetSMART, and others. You need to book your tickets early so that you can avail of this offer. You can use this to travel longer distances that you cannot reach by bus early.

3. Trains

Though travelling by train is very limited, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the place while travelling in Peru and Bolivia, and it is worth travelling.

4. Carpooling and Rideshares

You can use carpools so that you can cut down the cost of transportation, and you can split costs with the locals. There are different apps like BlaBlaCar, which is very popular in Argentina and Brazil.

Budget Accommodation

• Hostels: You can stay in the hostels, which come in the range from $5-$15, which is quite affordable; this might also include breakfast.
• Guesthouses: There are many guesthouses which are run by families and which is quite affordable and give you a very homely vibe.
• Camping: You can explore and experience camping. This is a low-cost option, places like Patagonia and national parks, which allow you to explore.
• Work Exchange: There are some websites that allow you to volunteer in exchange so that you can get the opportunity to stay for free and have meals with them.

Eating on a Budget

You can enjoy food in South America; the food here is quite cheap, affordable, and delicious. If you want to know where you can find this, then look:

• Street Food: The foods available here are quite delicious, foods as Empanadas, arepas, anticuchos, and tamales. These will cost you just a few dollars.
• Local Markets: The local markets here are filled with meals that are quite delicious. You can also get soup, a main course, and a drink, which comes under $5.
• Cooking Yourself: There are many hotels that give the opportunity to cook your own food, and you will also have fresh products, which are usually brought from the local markets.
• Menu del Dia: Some restaurants in countries like Peru and Ecuador offer you affordable and delicious food, but the price of the menu remains fixed.

Attractions That Won’t Break the Bank

• Machu Picchu (Peru): You might find the Inca Trail a bit costly, so you can choose an alternative by trekking over Salkantay or Lares, which is a budget-friendly destination.
• Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia): It is a 3-day tour, which is quite affordable in comparison to the other world wonders.
• Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil): Here, the entry fees are very affordable and reasonable, and you can enjoy and visit both sides of the falls.
• Torres del Paine (Chile): Patagonia is very cheap and affordable, as you can camp here.
• Cartagena’s Old Town (Colombia): You can freely walk here, and even the travel here is very affordable and cheap.
• Quito’s Historic Center (Ecuador): It is very easy to explore the different parts of the city when you have free walking tours.

Safety Tips for Budget Travellers

When you are travelling under budget, that does not mean that you will adjust and compromise your safety. So here are some tips on how you can be safe:

• You should avoid carrying a large amount of cash with you so that you can be safe from pickpockets.
• You should use only official websites for booking your ride in major cities.
• Keep all your valuable items and money in your money belt to somewhere in a hidden pouch.
• Choose hotels which has positive reviews, so that you can be safe and secure.
• You should learn some local phrases in Spanish and Portuguese, so that it becomes easy for you to be there.

Suggested Itinerary (3 Months)

How Much Does It Cost to Backpack?

If we generally look, then we see that a budget traveller spends something around $25-$40 per day, it depends on the country you go to. In the low range, you can go to countries like Bolivia and Paraguay, which are less expensive in comparison to Chile and Argentina, which are a bit more expensive. With the help of this guide and proper planning, you can plan a 3-month trip that will cost you around $2,500-$3,000. This includes all your essentials like the food, your stay, the transportation, and even the adventure activities.

Final Tips for Travelling

• You should travel slowly, as the more you use transport more you spend your money, so take time to travel, and use public transport.
• You should take advantage of the free walking tours in the main and major cities here.
• Try to travel during the off-season, as if you travel during the peak season, then you will find everything very expensive, along with a lot of crowds around you.
• Always try to bargain with the local shopkeepers in the local market.
• Try to get in contact with other travellers so that you can split your costs of the tour and transport.

The best thing a traveller always wants is to travel to a nice destination like South America, but that too under their budget. This place offers you a lot of opportunities, and that too without spending a lot of money, be it the old and ancient remains, the cheerful cities, or the majestic beauty of the landscapes. Just with the help of a few planning tips and the correct mindset, you can easily create some memories that you don’t want to forget, and that too without spending a lot from your pocket.

So get ready, pack your bags to explore South America, just learn a bit of Spanish, and get ready to explore and get the experience, and that too in a budget-friendly manner.