Backpacking South America
I personally backpacked through Latin America for more than 8 months, starting from Colombia, heading down to Patagonia and then back up to Brazil. All of it overland and on a limited budget.
Whether it’s a two-week trip or one lasting several months, in this article you’ll find a ton of useful information and tips to help you plan your trip to South America as best you can.
Quick menu
- When to go to South America
- Documents and vaccinations for South America
- Backpacking South America: where to go and costs
- Backpacking itineraries in South America
- Backpacking South America: what to bring
- Backpacking South America: safety
Iguazu Falls.
Backpacking South America: when to go
It’s a pretty big continent, so figuring out the best time to go to South America is fairly difficult, but we can roughly identify three climate zones (by clicking on the various countries you’ll be taken to more detailed information).
Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay have a very similar climate, with two clearly distinct seasons: the rainy season, which runs roughly from November to March, and the dry season, which runs from May to October.
Although the dry season is preferable, I visited all these countries during the rainy season and never had any big problems, since the rain is often concentrated in a few hours in the afternoon, the sites are less crowded and prices are lower.
It’s also worth remembering that all these countries (except Paraguay) are crossed by the Andes, where altitude has a huge effect on rainfall and temperatures.
Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil have a climate very similar to Italy’s, with four usually clearly distinct seasons, hot summers and cold winters.
Finally, there’s the far south of the continent, known as Patagonia, where the winters are extremely harsh and make the region virtually impossible to visit, with many activities and facilities closing from June to September; the best time to visit this region is roughly from October to April.
Documents and vaccinations for South America
For all the countries I visited and listed at the beginning of the guide, with an Italian passport you don’t need to apply for a visa in advance (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours): you’re generally given 90 days of free stay on arrival at the airport or when you cross the border overland. No exit or entry fees.
Be aware that officially some countries require proof of onward travel within the limits of your visa. This isn’t a problem for anyone who has a return flight or a flight to another country (even a bus ticket is fine), but it could be for those who have a one-way ticket and plan to leave the country in question overland or by sea without a precise date or booked tickets.
Checks are at the discretion of the border officer and of the airlines at boarding before departure; I was never asked for anything. This is also the experience of lots of other travelers, but reading the various online forums there are cases of people who were actually asked for proof of exit from the country. My advice is to rent a ticket (a real one, it’s a paid service) on a site like onwardticket. To learn more about the issue you can take a look at this article.
As for vaccinations, Hepatitis A and B are always recommended, while the yellow fever vaccine is only recommended if you plan to visit at-risk areas. Remember, though, that some countries – for example Colombia and Bolivia – officially require it if you’ve recently been in an at-risk country. So, for example, if you fly in from Brazil, the immigration officer could in theory ask for the certificate.
For more detailed information on extensions, visa length and mandatory vaccinations, I suggest you check the specific section of each guide.
Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
Arequipa, Peru.
Backpacking South America: where to go and costs
Below you’ll find mini travel guides for all the countries I visited, with the best destinations and the most beautiful places to visit, plus an overview of each country just to give you an idea of what to expect. As always, for more detailed information, check out the guide for each individual country.
At the beginning of each country’s section you’ll find the recommended daily budget. This budget obviously depends on the way you travel and on the activities/tours you’re going to do, but it’s fairly reliable as long as you travel on a budget. The budget can be summed up as: hostels, street food/local restaurants and a few meals you cook yourself (especially in the more expensive countries), public transport, the odd tour every now and then and not-too-crazy nightlife.
If you plan to volunteer, cook all your meals and so on, you can easily get it down to less than half.
If you plan to move between several countries, you can also take a look at my guide to the best travel cards to cut down on exchange and withdrawal fees.
Colombia
Daily budget: 30-35€.
Night in a hostel: 20,000 – 30,000 Colombian pesos, about 6-9€.
When it comes to costs, Colombia sits in the middle: there are clearly cheaper destinations like Peru and Bolivia, but also far more expensive countries like Argentina and Brazil.
It’s a country rich in biodiversity and colonial cities, with extremely welcoming people. Having stayed off the mass-tourism radar for years, mainly because of the bad reputation caused by drug trafficking, it can now be considered a safe country to visit, or at any rate no more dangerous than other more popular Latin American countries, such as Peru.
The country has something to offer for every taste, from the Caribbean beaches in the north, colonial cities like Cartagena and Villa de Leyva, modern Medellin, the impressive ruins of the Ciudad Perdida, the coffee region and also easy access to the Amazon rainforest. In short, you’re spoiled for choice.
For itineraries, costs, tips and much more, check out my Colombia travel guide.
The Ciudad Perdida in Colombia.
Ecuador
Daily budget: 30€.
Night in a hostel: 7-10$, about 6-9€.
N.b. In the Galapagos expect to pay at least double for anything.
Talking about costs, the country is slightly cheaper than Colombia; on top of that, since it’s really compact, getting from one destination to the next never takes too long, which cuts down on costs and downtime. It’s a completely different story when it comes to the Galapagos: the islands are in fact much more expensive than the mainland.
Despite its size, the country has a huge amount to offer: colonial cities like the capital Quito and beautiful Cuenca, easy access to the Amazon rainforest and loads of volcanoes to climb and admire, not to mention the Galapagos which, budget permitting, are one of the most incredible places in the world.
For itineraries, costs, tips and much more, check out my Ecuador travel guide.
Laguna Quilotoa in Ecuador.
Peru
Daily budget: 25-30€.
Night in a hostel: 25-35 Soles, about 6-9€.
As far as costs go, after Bolivia Peru is the cheapest country on the continent, but some attractions (Machu Picchu above all) can be extremely expensive, especially if you decide to do the Inca Trail, which on its own can easily cost more than 500€. Either way, it remains an extremely cheap country where you can eat a two-course meal for less than 2€.
In the south of the country, which is definitely the most touristy area, we find Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa with the nearby Colca Canyon (one of the deepest canyons in the world), Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world), the Nazca Lines (gigantic geoglyphs carved into the ground) and easy access to the Amazon rainforest via Puerto Maldonado.
The north of the country, on the other hand, much less visited but just as magnificent, offers spectacular treks along the Cordillera Blanca near Huaraz, many other archaeological sites including the ruins of the ancient city of Chan Chan and Kuelap, surfing and nightlife in Mancora and finally Iquitos which, deep in the Amazon rainforest, is the biggest city in the world that can’t be reached by road.
For itineraries, costs, tips and also how to visit Machu Picchu spending as little as possible, check out my Peru travel guide.
Machu Picchu.
Bolivia
Daily budget: 25€.
Night in a hostel: 45-65 Bolivianos, about 6-8€.
If you’re looking for the cheapest country on the whole continent, look no further. What does this country have to offer? Much more than just the Salar de Uyuni.
The country in fact shares the famous Lake Titicaca with Peru. La Paz, while not exactly a beautiful city, undoubtedly has its charm and is the ideal base for doing the famous “Ruta de la muerte” (Death Road). And finally, acclimatization permitting, climbing Huayna Potosi, considered one of the easiest 6000m peaks in the world.
In the south, on the other hand, we find the beautiful colonial city of Sucre, the mining city of Potosi and the quiet towns of Tupiza and Tarija, as well as, of course, the famous salt flat. To wrap up, Bolivia also has its fair share of the Amazon rainforest and, in particular, the town of Rurrenabaque is considered the cheapest place to explore it.
For itineraries, costs, tips and much more, check out my Bolivia travel guide.
Laguna Colorada.
Chile
Daily budget: 35-40€.
Night in a hostel: 8000-12000 Chilean pesos, about 10-15€.
As for the cost of living, this is definitely one of the most expensive countries on the continent. To stay within budget you have to cook much more often than in the countries just listed and, especially along the Carretera Austral and on Easter Island, or in any remote area, particularly in the south of the country, food and transport can be really expensive even by European standards.
Chile was the country that impressed me the most during my trip to South America: from the Atacama Desert in the far north (the driest in the world!) with the beautiful city of Valparaiso, to the legendary Carretera Austral in the south, a road that crosses Chilean Patagonia from north to south among fjords, mountains and glaciers. Not to mention the Lake District further north and Torres del Paine National Park in the far south. All places that no nature lover can miss.
For itineraries, costs, tips and much more, check out my Chile travel guide.
Torres del Paine National Park.
Argentina
Daily budget: 35-40€.
Night in a hostel: 400-600 Argentine pesos, about 10-15€.
N.b. The high inflation the country has been experiencing for years can make prices obsolete within a few months.
As I just said, prices in Argentina can change quickly because of inflation, but generally speaking it’s an expensive country, although, just like Chile, a lot depends on the region: the north is in fact much cheaper than Patagonia in the south.
Argentina really has a lot to offer, with loads of natural wonders like the famous Iguazu Falls and the Perito Moreno Glacier, but also culture, colonial cities and good wine.
For itineraries, tips and much more, check out my Argentina travel guide.
Perito Moreno Glacier.
Planning your trip? If you still need travel insurance, you can find my guide to the best travel insurance here. Purchasing through the links in the guide supports this site at no additional cost to you.
Uruguay
Daily budget: 30-50€.
Night in a hostel: 400 – 1000 Uruguayan pesos, about 10-25€.
This absurd price range is due to the fact that the country is essentially a beach destination where, during the summer months, prices, especially in the main tourist resorts (Punta del Este above all), go through the roof. Either way, even in the low season Uruguay is still a fairly expensive country by Latin American standards.
The country, as I said, is mainly a beach destination; it has no tourist attraction considered unmissable and is in fact fairly snubbed by most travelers, who tend to prefer other destinations. It’s still a great destination to visit, especially in the shoulder seasons, when the weather is pleasant, the atmosphere more relaxed and prices more affordable.
Besides the long beaches, you can visit laid-back Montevideo and the beautiful colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento, and taste some of the best meat in the world. All in what is considered the safest country in Latin America.
For itineraries, tips and much more, check out my Uruguay travel guide.
Colonia del Sacramento.
Paraguay
Daily budget: 25 – 30€.
Night in a hostel: 50,000 – 70,000 Guarani, about 7-10€.
After Bolivia and Peru, Paraguay is probably the cheapest country in the region.
Here too, a bit like Uruguay, the country is fairly snubbed by travelers and tourism in general is really underdeveloped.
The capital Asuncion isn’t exactly a beautiful city, but the ruins of the Jesuit missions, located near the border with Argentina and Brazil, are an extraordinary site which, unlike many others of equal beauty, is practically free of tourists.
Basically, I’d recommend visiting Paraguay as part of a long trip with several stops. It’s definitely worth spending a few days exploring this country that’s still far from mass tourism.
For itineraries, tips and much more, check out my Paraguay travel guide.
Santísima Trinidad de Paraná.
Brazil
Daily budget: 30-40€.
Night in a hostel: 30-50 Reais, about 7-12€.
Cost-wise we’re roughly on the same level as Chile and Argentina; the distances between one destination and the next are often nothing short of enormous and have a big impact on your budget, and here too it’s worth keeping in mind that the north tends to be cheaper than the south.
Either way, Brazil is undoubtedly an extraordinary country, with colonial cities, Caribbean beaches, unspoiled nature and easy access to the Amazon rainforest, which covers a large part of the country.
The safety issue you often hear about is indeed a problem, especially in the big cities where, without taking the proper precautions, you risk getting into trouble. This, however, absolutely shouldn’t discourage you: even though I heard more than a few bad stories, I personally spent about a month in the country without having any kind of problem.
For itineraries, tips and much more, check out my Brazil travel guide.
Rio de Janeiro.
Venezuela
Let me start by saying that I haven’t personally visited the country, but as you probably know, Venezuela is going through a deep economic and political crisis. I met lots of Venezuelans in Colombia who had fled their own country in search of a better life, which should say a lot.
At the same time, though, I also met some travelers who assured me they didn’t have any problems, staying away from the big cities. Also, given the very high inflation, if you bring strong currencies like dollars and euros into the country the cost of living can be extremely low, but I strongly believe this isn’t the ideal time to visit.
That said, some people still decide to visit it: here you’ll find a very comprehensive guide.
Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname
Here too I haven’t personally visited these countries, but I can assure you that all three are definitely expensive. French Guiana uses the euro as its official currency and is probably the most expensive country in Latin America.
Besides the relatively high cost of living, traveling on a budget in these countries is made even harder by the almost complete lack of infrastructure such as hostels, which, where they exist, can easily cost 30€ a night.
To conclude, if you’re planning a multi-month trip around the whole of South America, a comfortable budget is around 1000€ a month; obviously there are countries where you’ll go over it and others where you’ll spend less, but from my personal experience and that of other travelers this is a realistic budget.
Backpacking itineraries in South America
For specific itineraries for each individual country, check out the dedicated section in each guide, which I link below for convenience.
Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
For those who instead have in mind a trip through several countries, or maybe the whole continent, the itinerary that many people follow, and that I did myself, is the one you can roughly see on the map below; you’ll find detailed information on where and how to cross the various borders in the guide for each individual country.
The only thing I’d add is that if you plan to visit Patagonia as part of your trip to South America, you need to time it so that you’re in the region between October and April; outside these months the region is basically “inaccessible” to tourism.
For the rest, don’t worry too much about the seasons: I did most of my trip during the rainy season and it was never a big problem.
As for flights to South America, generally speaking the cheapest destinations to fly to from Europe are the main cities of Brazil and Colombia, but of course great fares can pop up to any other destination; I recommend taking a look at my article on how to find cheap flights.
Backpacking South America: what to bring
Obviously it depends a lot on the country/countries you decide to visit: if, for example, you plan to spend two weeks in Brazil between beaches and caipirinhas, then a few summer clothes are more than enough.
If, on the other hand, you plan to visit other countries – I’m mainly referring to those straddling the Andes – or maybe do a trip with several stops, then I strongly recommend also bringing some slightly warmer clothes, since many countries, although at generally warm latitudes (Ecuador is crossed by the equator), can have temperatures that aren’t exactly tropical because of the altitude. Many cities – for example Quito and Bogotá – are in fact at over 2000 meters, and La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, even at 4000m, and it goes without saying that it can get really cold, especially at night. The same goes for Patagonia, where even in the middle of summer the nights can be decidedly chilly. Traveling light is anything but impossible, and I suggest you take a look at my list of things to bring on a trip, which let me handle all the different climates I came across during my trip to South America without any problems.
To conclude, many people ask me which SIM is best to choose; the fact is that there are no roaming agreements between the various countries like there are in the European Union. If you want to be always connected, I recommend buying a local SIM every time you enter a new country.
If you have a phone that supports eSIMs and you want the convenience of being online right away without having to buy a local SIM, then I recommend using a service like the one offered by Airalo and Ubigi. If you go for this solution, though, there are at least a couple of things to consider. First of all, with rare exceptions, you pay much more per gigabyte than you would with a local SIM; secondly, their local partner isn’t always the one with the best coverage in the country.
Basically, I think most travelers would be better off buying a local SIM (or maybe trying to buy the eSIM of a local provider), but I suggest you think it over for yourself, since there’s no shortage of exceptions. For example, when I visited Japan, the plan offered by Ubigi was cheaper than any local SIM I could buy without proving I was a resident.
That said, I don’t think it’s necessary at all to do it: you can easily travel far and wide without being constantly connected to the internet. It may sound absurd, but during my entire trip through South and Central America I never had a local SIM. I only ever used wifi whenever I had the chance and, in general, I think staying disconnected isn’t so bad after all. To find your way around cities you can simply download Organic Maps and the various maps you need.
Backpacking South America: safety
Is it safe to travel in South America? Generally speaking yes, although with a few exceptions.
Many people imagine Latin America as an extremely dangerous continent where violence and theft are the order of the day. The truth is that, although it’s reasonable to say that in most South American countries safety is indeed a problem, especially in the big cities, it’s just as reasonable to say that here in Italy, too, many cities aren’t exactly safe, especially at certain hours of the night. Either way, all this violence you hear about very rarely involves tourists and tourist areas.
With a bit of common sense, the chances of having any kind of incident are really low and, in the worst case, you could lose your wallet or some electronic device, which your insurance can easily reimburse.
Personally, over more than 8 months in which I always got around by public transport and very often walked alone on the streets, even at not exactly advisable hours, the only thing stolen from me was a pair of shoes – in all likelihood by another traveler – that I’d left outside the room.
The reality is that traveling in South America, even solo, is much safer than people think; take a look at my tips on how to travel safely and you’ll see that everything will be fine.
Planning a trip to South America? Check out these posts:
Which travel backpack to choose
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