How Much Time To Backpack South America?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

How long do you need to see South America?

In my ever so humble opinion, if you wish to explore as much of South America as possible and take in all of the major sites, I think you need to spend

at least 12 months

here. That way, you wouldn’t have to move as quickly as we did and can take more time to enjoy what they astounding continent has to offer.

How much money do you need to backpack South America for 6 months?

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.

Can you travel South America in 3 months?


Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicuna, is a relatively new tourist destination and a must on a 3 month South America itinerary

. If you like a little challenge and adventure, plan a trip to Rainbow Mountain! It’s a full-day trip from Cusco and the journey through the Andes is jaw-dropping.

Is backpacking safe in South America?


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.

How hard is Machu Picchu?

The easiest approach is by train from Cusco along the floor of the Urubamba Valley, then by bus up to the entrance of the ruins. Alternatively, from the station at Aguas Calientes you can opt to take a strenuous walk up to Machu Picchu –

expect it to take 90 minutes to two hours

.

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

.

Is South America cheap?


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.

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.

How much money do you need for 2 months in South America?

All this can bring down your costs a lot. A good rule of thumb is you’ll need about

$1100 a month

for traveling on a budget in South America (for one person). Of course, your average could get a lot lower if, say, you end up staying in a rural village in Bolivia to volunteer.

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.

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.

Is Peru safe?

Peru –

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

. Reconsider travel to Peru due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Peru due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.

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.

How long do you need to backpack Central America?

How long does it take to backpack Central America? On average we’d suggest spending about

10 days in each country (so roughly 2 months in total) although you could squeeze it all into 6 weeks at a push

. With lots of volunteering and learning opportunities you could easily stick around for longer.

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.

Can you travel South America in a month?

South America is a big place, so

you won’t be able to see every country in one month

. However, a month is still a reasonable amount of time to see three or four countries and the very best sights the continent has to offer.

How do I travel South America solo?

  1. Local Buses Are Safe And A Great Way To Travel, But You Need A Couple Of Tips. …
  2. Pay Attention To Dangerous Areas, And Use Your Intuition. …
  3. Learn Some Spanish, But Be Ready For Dialects. …
  4. It’s A Lot Colder Than You Might Expect. …
  5. Make Room In Your Suitcase.

Can you take a helicopter to Machu Picchu?

Specifically, the noise produced by helicopter rotors is considered detrimental to some 50 species whose habitat includes Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Inca Trail home.

Helicopters are not permitted to fly within the 125 square mile area surrounding Peru’s most popular Inca site

.

Can you go to Machu Picchu with kids?

Visiting Machu Picchu With Kids


There are three areas that you can access at Machu Picchu, depending on which ticket you purchase: the citadel ruins, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu

. The most kid-friendly — and the most popular overall — is the citadel.

Are there bathrooms at Machu Picchu?


Restrooms are provided outside the main entry

, and for only 2 soles per person, you can use them as frequently as you need to. But if you exit the park to have a go during your tour, you will not be allowed to re-enter with general admission tickets.

How much money do you need to backpack for 6 months?

But for long-term budget travel, I usually recommend planning to spend at least $1500 per month. So that means to backpack around the world for 6-months, you should have

at least $9000

in your bank account before you leave.

How much is Backpacking South America?

Country Shoestring Backpacker Daily Budget $ (USD) Flashpacker Daily Budget $$$ (USD)
Bolivia


$15-25


$50-60
Brazil $30-40 $80-110 Chile $35-45 $80-100 Colombia $20-40 $60-90

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 safe is Chile?

Chile is

amongst the safest countries on Earth

It is usually considered the safest country in South America, together with Uruguay. Thanks to its low crime rates and nice behavior towards travelers, the “thin country” can be considered a very safe destination (especially if you visit its spectacular national parks).

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.

Which South American country is the safest?


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.

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.