How To Prepare For Backpacking South America?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Bring Offline Activities.
  2. Watch What You Eat.
  3. Wear Pick-Pocket Proof Clothing.
  4. Interact With Locals.
  5. Bring Your Sweet Tooth.
  6. Take A Photography Class.
  7. Know The Exchange Rate.
  8. Sometimes “Roughing It” Isn’t The Best Option.

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.

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

.

What are the following steps to get ready for your first backpacking trip?

  1. Go on day hikes with a backpack on. …
  2. Go on Longer Day Hikes. …
  3. Decide Where You Want to Go. …
  4. Check Which Permits You Will Need for Your Trip. …
  5. Make Sure You Have All the Necessary Supplies. …
  6. Bring Enough Food and Water. …
  7. Get Friends to Go With You.

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.

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.

What can you not do in South America?

  • Don’t – Travel with valuables such as jewellery. …
  • Don’t – Photograph locals without permission.
  • Don’t – Be offended if a South American stands too close while talking. …
  • Don’t – Accept drinks from strangers. …
  • Don’t – Take public transport unless absolutely necessary!

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

.

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 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.

Which 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 money do you need for 4 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 many miles a day should I go backpacking?

Most people will plan to hike

3-10 miles per day

, depending on what shape you’re in and how much elevation gain there is.

What are some codes for backpacking?

  • 20KDISCORD – Redeem code for 650 Marshmallow.
  • FREE – Redeem code for 10 Marshmallow.

How long should backpacking be?

Many beginning hikers wonder how many backpacking miles per day they can expect to cover. On average, a backpacker with some experience usually treks at speeds ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 miles per hour. At this speed, if you hike for 7 hours each day of your trip, you can trek

between 17.5 and 24.5 miles

.

How can I travel alone in South America?

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 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.

How do people in South America stay safe?

  1. Be careful with Alcohol. …
  2. Leave your valuables at your hostel/hotel. …
  3. Do your research. …
  4. Be careful in buses. …
  5. Be careful with taxis. …
  6. Get information at your accommodation/hostel. …
  7. Time your arrival. …
  8. Avoid certain areas (especially at night)

Is South America expensive?

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 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

What countries can you skip in South America?

  1. Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuela is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous countries to live in. …
  2. Buenaventura, Colombia. In terms of geography, Buenaventura is one of the largest port cities of Colombia. …
  3. Honduras. …
  4. Natal, Brazil. …
  5. Cusco, Peru.

Which is the best country to visit in South America?

  • Chile. Santiago. Patagonia. Atacama Desert.
  • Ecuador. Galapagos Islands. Quito. Amazon.
  • Argentina. Buenos Aires. Iguazu Falls.
  • Peru.
  • Bolivia.
  • Brazil. Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo.
  • Colombia.

Is it safe to go to South America?

While some parts of South America have been deemed dangerous by the U.S. Department of State,

much of the continent is perfectly safe to visit

. Travelers are advised to avoid the entire country of Venezuela due to ongoing political instability.

Why was Machu Picchu abandoned?


Because Machu Picchu was a retreat for the Inca Royalty

when the Spanish took over Peru and took the Inca royalty captive Machu Picchu fell into disrepair.

Can you hike Machu Picchu without a guide?

  • Although you do not need a ticket to hire a guide, you should know that the guide service is mandatory in Machu Picchu.
  • You can book a tour guide with an online tourism agency. …
  • Another option is to hire one at the same entrance to Machu Picchu.

How fit do you need to be to go to Machu Picchu?

Treks to Machu Picchu vary in difficulty and length, but all require

a basic level of fitness

. In general you will be trekking anywhere between 10-15km a day, for up to six days on the longer routes (i.e. Choquequirao or Salkantay / Inca Trail Combo).

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.