How Much Is It To Backpack Through South America?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Shoestring Budget for 1 to 6 Months in South America

A figure of

$1000 per month

is a reasonable starting point for a shoestring budget for the region. Visit predominantly the Andean region of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia and you can get by on less.

How much does it cost to backpack South America for 3 months?

South America on a BACKPACKING BUDGET

-A Comfortable backpacker’s budget when sleeping in a hostel dormitory bed, cooking for yourself or eating in cheap local restaurants, being selective on activities and traveling with public transport should be around $35 per day, so

$1000 per month

.

Can you backpack through South America?


Traveling South America cheaply is possible

; the cost of backpacking here is far cheaper than most other parts of the world and it’s relatively easy to stick to a budget of $50 USD per day.

Is South America expensive to visit?


South America is an amazing continent to travel on a budget

, though you would be wrong to assume that every country in South America is cheap! The least expensive countries are Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia, each attracting large numbers of budget travellers.

Is South America cheap?

Although it may not compare to the likes of South East Asia,

South America is still a solid budget travel destination

. Yet some regions are distinctly more pricey than others, so it really pays to know where to go when trying to traverse the continent on a shoestring.

How can I go to South America for cheap?

  1. 1) Pick the Right Destination(s) …
  2. 2) Avoid Brazil. …
  3. 3) Make Lunch the Big Meal. …
  4. 4) Head to the Market. …
  5. 5) Drink What’s Local. …
  6. 6) Don’t Book All Your Hotels in Advance. …
  7. 7) Take Your Time. …
  8. 8) Learn Some Spanish.

Is South America safe for female backpackers?


All of the countries in Central and South America are generally safe to visit as a solo female traveller

. There are, however, some areas that pose a risk and these should be avoided.

What is the cheapest country in South America?


Bolivia

is always made out to be the cheapest country in South America — and while a case can certainly be made for it — you must be clever about where and what you spend your money on if you really want to get the best bargain out of Bolivia.

How much does it cost to live in South America?

Rank Country Cost of Living Index 1

Uruguay


54.91
2 Chile 49.15 3 Brazil 42.64 4 Ecuador 41.99

How long do you need to backpack South America?

If you want to explore more than one country in South America, you’re gonna need

more than 3 weeks

. For surf bums, you could easily spend a month heading beach to beach from Southern Peru all the way to Colombia, in 1 month. Or you could do 2 weeks in Argentina followed by 2 weeks of hiking in Chilean Patagonia.

Can you do South America in 3 months?


This itinerary for South America is based on spending three months on a South America travel route

. We moved pretty quickly and fit a lot into a short amount of time but it was totally worth it. If you have longer to spend (/more money to spend!)

Is Colombia safe?

The short answer from us is

yes, it is safe to travel to Colombia

– as long as you keep your wits about you and stay away from known dangerous areas, this is one of the most incredible destinations in South America.

Can you drive across South America?


Yes, you can drive to South America with a small caveat that you will have to ship your car from Panama to Colombia

because there is no road connecting the two countries and continents.

Is Peru safe?

The threat of violent crime in most of Peru is no greater than many of the world’s major cities.

Traveling around Peru is relatively safe

, and the Shining Path Maoist rebel group has been largely disbanded. The Peru of today is a far cry from the militaristic repression, rebellion, corruption and terror of the past.

Which is cheapest country in the world?

  • Sudan – 38.29.
  • Kyrgyzstan – 40.38.
  • Azerbaijan – 40.56.
  • Burma – 41.08.
  • Sierra Leone – 41.32.
  • Nepal – 41.85.
  • India – 42.86.
  • Tajikistan – 43.51.

Why is South America so expensive?


Insufficient development of low-cost airlines

is the main reason why international travel within Latin America is so much more expensive than doing so in Europe and Asia.

Which is cheaper Argentina or Chile?

While

Argentina is a little bit cheaper than Chile

, Argentine Patagonia is far larger than Chilean Patagonia, meaning that you will have to put the price into travelling from one spot to another. Therefore the difference in budget might not be significant enough to determine which country is best suited for you.

What’s the cheapest Latin country to live in?


Panama City

ranks as the cheapest place to live in Latin America. A global study of the cost of living published by the EIU ranks the most expensive and cheapest cities in the world.

How safe is Chile?

Chile is

amongst the safest countries on Earth

Chile is a very safe destination for travelers in South America. According to the Global Peace Index (updated every year), Chile currently ranks as the 27

th

safest country on the planet. It is usually considered the safest country in South America, together with Uruguay.

Is Peru or Colombia cheaper?


Colombia is 13.0% cheaper than Peru

.

How much does it cost to backpack Central America?

Backpacking Central America Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of

$30-50 USD per day

, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some local street food and local fruit, visit a few attractions (like museums and national parks), do some free walking tours, and take local transportation to get around.

What is the safest country in South America?


Uruguay

tops this list as the safest South American country in 2021 with an overall score of 1.817 on the most recent Global Peace Index. This number also places the South American nation as the 47th safest country in the world and safest Latin American country after Costa Rica.

What is South America worth?

Statistics Population 430,759,766 GDP

$3.990 trillion (nominal, 2016) $6.567 trillion (PPP, 2017)
GDP growth Per capita: 5.5% (2008) GDP per capita nominal: US$9,239 (2016) PPP: US$14,156 (2016)

Are hostels in South America safe?

South America’s long had a bad reputation which, although not completely unfounded, is unfair. Yes, parts of the continent are dangerous for backpackers. But,

the vast majority places you’ll likely visit when you’re traveling around South America are incredibly safe

.

Can you travel South America alone?


South America is a safe place to travel alone

, but solo travelers in any destination should always be vigilant. Booking hostels in advance, writing down addresses and researching your route means you’ll walk purposefully and won’t have to get your phone out, making you less of a target for thieves.

Which South American country is best to visit?

  • Chile. Santiago. Patagonia. Atacama Desert.
  • Ecuador. Galapagos Islands. Quito. Amazon.
  • Argentina. Buenos Aires. Iguazu Falls.
  • Peru.
  • Bolivia.
  • Brazil. Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo.
  • Colombia.
Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.