Bucket List Heaven
South America is a massive continent, but one that offers so much to anyone who loves to travel. From jungle hikes, to tropical rainforest and ancient history, here you will cross off plenty of bucket list items and create everlasting memories!
This travel guide to South America will give you all the tips you need to plan a safe trip and save money while backpacking this beautiful region of the world.
What is the Gringo Trail?
Anyone who ventures into the world of Latin America is bound to hear about the so called “Gringo Trail“. Based on the word commonly used for foreigners in the region, it describes the most popular route for backpackers travelling through Central- and South America. If you are ever lost here or don’t know where to go, following this trail will ensure you hit the most important places and landmarks. With plenty of cheap accommodation and fellow backpackers to meet, it is a guaranteed backpacking success. For a more in depth look, click here.
Contrary to Central America, the Gringo Trail is not as set in South America mostly because the countries are so much bigger. This means, there’s still a trail to follow, but many backpackers like to add things depending on their preferences and time available to them. This makes the Gringo Trail looser than in Central America, but there’s still plenty of common stops on the way.
How much time do I need?
If you plan to do the whole continent (Colombia down to Argentina and up to Brazil, or vice versa) I recommend at least four months. Backpacking the whole continent is quite the distance, and unless you plan on flying a lot you will need time to move between each place.
If you want to move slower you can easily spend more than a month in each country here. A month per country is also a good starting point for planning how much you need.
Routes
In terms of routes there are many options here and depends mostly on time and preference. For those planning on backpacking larger parts of South America (or all of it), it will depend on where you start. Most common is to start in either Colombia or in Argentina or Brazil. When we talk about backpacking South America we usually mean the following countries. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Some people also add Uruguay and Paraguay because of proximity, while Venezuela has become increasingly difficult the last decade.
Common for many backpackers is to follow a famous path throughout the continent, on the so called Gringo Trail. If you are short on time I recommend focusing on one country at a time. That is because most countries in South America can easily mean spending at least a month. You can of course visit a country with less time than that, but there’s just sooo much to do here.
Top Activities to do in South America
For anyone travelling to South America, you probably already have several bucket list items to cross off here. It is absolutely jam-packed with awesome activities and places to see. Exploring the Amazon Rainforest, hiking the footsteps of the Incas in the Andes, to seeing the extraordinary wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, South America has all you could want and then some! Here are some of my personal favorites!
Inca Trial to Machu Picchu
One of the absolute highlights of Peru and South America is to walk in the footsteps of the Incas. Spend four days in beautiful surroundings camping along the way until you reach the sun gate on the fourth day. Arrive at Machu Picchu for a stunning morning view in a spot just for those brave enough to do the hike.
If your budget is a little lower and you want a more scenic route then do the Salkantay Trek which is absolutely stunning as well. Both treks are considered among the most beautiful treks in the world! Hard to go wrong here.
Rainbow Mountain
Get up in the middle of the night and make the journey up to 4600 meters above sea level and start walking slowly among animals and snow covered mountain tops. At your own pace, arrive at the top to enjoy the view of this colourful mountain. Here you will see how most people saturate their pictures to exaggerate the colours online, but the trip is still very much worth it!
I also recommend paying the extra cost to visit the “Red Valley” on your way down, so see the red mountain range behind Rainbow Mountain! Should be less then $5 and is paid directly there to your guide.
Lost City
Find a local travel agency in Santa Marta, Colombia and book a four day hike into the jungle to see Ciudad Perdida, The Lost City. This place was built more than 600 years before Machu Picchu and is a magical place. Along the way there are smaller camps built for you to sleep in and enjoy a nice meal after a long day of hiking. Make sure you cool off in the rivers to freshen up and prepare you for more hiking the next day.
On day three climb 1200 stairs to finally witness the plateaus that ones were filled with houses of the people living here. After taking it all in begin the long walk back to civilisation! The price is set by the government and is per 2024 around $550 which includes the guides, entrance to the park, food and drinks as well as three nights accommodation. You’re not allowed inside without a guide.
Visit the Amazon Rainforest
Visiting the Amazon Rainforest in South America is an incredible experience. Luckily you will have plenty of options to fit your itinerary. Some people visit the Amazon in Ecuador, others in Peru, Bolivia or Brazil. This makes it easy to fit it into your schedule!
After deciding on which country, you will find plenty of lodges that offer guided tours into the Amazon to experience the unique wildlife and plantation found inside. Both during the day and after dark you will experience what life is like inside the lungs of the world!
Comuna 13
Comuna 13 in Medellín is famous as the former neighbourhood of Pablo Escobar. Ten years ago you would struggle to walk through its streets, but today the people have taken back their neighbourhood to make something new in the ashes of the drug trafficking that put it on the map.
Once the murder capital of the world, today the streets are filled with street art, music and dance groups where the young people tell a new story. A story of a better life and a community that is much more than its haunting past. Now a highlight of any visit to Medellín.
Salt Flats
Visiting the Salt Flats of Uyuni is a must do in Bolivia. This place is so unique and something you won’t forget! If you opt for a multi day tour you will also witness some of the most stunning nature mother earth can offer, making you question if you woke up on the moon or another planet.
Galapagos
A place that doesn’t need much convincing. An absolute must visit for any traveller where you find animals in abundance. If you have the money then there are plenty of cruises to choose from which will give you the opportunity to visit several of the islands.
For backpackers on a budget, I can tell you from experience that it is absolutely possibly to do it on a budget. The biggest expense will be flights and the entrance fee ($120), but once you’re there you can do so many cool things without breaking the bank based out of the three main islands.
Colca Canyon
Twice the size of the famous Grand Canyon in the US, Colca Canyon is a beautiful place to visit. Be it as a day tour to try and see the Andean Condors, or an overnight hike into the bottom and back up. Located about 3 hours outside of Arequipa in Peru, this place will offer plenty of weather, a solid workout and views for days!
Rapa Nui
Rapa Nui, more commonly known as Easter Island is a fascinating place! Not technically the most backpacker friendly stop because of its location and cost, but an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life!
For those backpacking and plan on stopping in Santiago, Chile I would recommend looking out for flights to Rapa Nui. You can only fly there from Santiago, and it’s a 5 hour flight straight west into the Pacific Ocean. Pro tip is to go Latam and making sure you choose Chile to buy tickets using the Chilean Peso. This way I was able to snatch a round trip for about $350, a price that is often seen above $1000.
Once you’re there expect to pay more than mainland Chile, but unique experiences like this is always worth it in my opinion. Nowadays you need a guide to take you into the national parks as well as pay the entrance fee. Usually the people at the hostel offer to take you there. For more details, check out our Ultimate Guide to Easter Island on a Budget!
San Pedro de Atacama
If you want to see the most insane night sky in the world, this is the place. This is the driest place on earth, and because of little to no light pollution a place where you can lay down with a glass of wine and stare at the stars and galaxies far away!
Also the Valley of the Moon is found here for you to venture into a place that makes you feel like Neil Armstrong. Seeing landscapes like no other place on earth is truly a magical experience!
Mendoza
For anyone who likes to drink wine, Mendoza in Argentina is the place to go. Head out to the vineyards, rent a bike and visit as many as you want or can in a day. Try the best wines Argentina has to offer while you eat some big steaks. You’re in Argentina after all!
Waterfalls of Iguazu
Who doesn’t like water? Well, Iguazu has plenty of it! Visit the massive waterfall on the border between Argentina and Brazil for a fun day. Bring a raincoat, good shoes and protection for your electronics and documents, because you will get wet!
The bigger park is on the Argentinian side, where there’s also a train to take you around. I recommend just walking exploring the lower circuit, then upper circuit before finally heading over to the Devils Throat for a special view. Seeing how much water actually passes there is mind blowing!
Next day head over to the Brazilian side to see these gigantic waterfalls from the other side. This is also where you have the opportunity to get close and wet with the waterfall on a path that takes you out onto the water!
Budget for South America
To backpack all of South America you should budget around $50 per day. This means staying in dorms, eating local food and using local transportation. This budget is an average, meaning you might spend more in countries like Chile and parts of Brazil, but you will spend way less in Bolivia.
When planning a trip to South America I would also advise to set up a separate budget for activities. For $50 per day you can easily fit museums and smaller activities into it, but if you plan on doing the big stuff you will need more money. Here is how much I spent on some of the bigger activities in South America:
Lost City Trek – $450
Inca Trail – $750
Galapagos – $800 (Includes flights, boats between island and activities)
Easter Island – $700 (Includes flights and tours)
Uyuni Salt Flats – $200 (3 days 2 nights with transfer to Chile)
As you can see, if you want to add some of the big activities it adds up quickly. Therefore, when planning my trip I made sure I had enough to cover daily expenses like accommodation, transportation food and smaller activities, as well as the big activities that I knew I wanted to do. Crossing off bucket list items have no price!
Food
Throughout most of South America the base for the traditional food will be rice and beans with maybe a salad and a choice of meat. These are local meals that give you the cheapest way to fill up on your trip, costing an average $2-5 depending on the country.
Some countries or places are also famous for certain things like Ceviche in Peru, African inspired dishes like Acarajé and Moqueca in northeast Brazil, steaks in Argentina and piranha in the Amazon!
Always remember that one of the great beauties of travelling is the privilege of trying and experimenting with local food and dishes you would never get back home!
Accommodation
Travelling through South America you will find great hostels everywhere you go. If you have a low standard you can sometimes find a dorm for less than $10. However, in general the prices are between $10-15 for a decent hostel. Depending on the city and season they go up to $20.
In warmer places you also find a lot of hostels with pools, and many of them have bars as well.
Transportation
Unlike Central America that relies heavily on shuttle services (unless you don’t mind the local chicken buses), in South America it’s a different story. Much like Mexico, most countries in South America have very good buses that take you between cities as a backpacker. These are often longer distances and at night, but super comfortable with big reclining seats, air con, TV, chargers and sometimes even snacks!
Depending on how much time you have and where you’re going you probably will need to fly at some point. Good thing is that flying in South America can be fairly cheap and save you some time. In Colombia for example you might find flights cheaper than the long bus rides.
Some places like Galapagos, Easter Island and parts of the Amazon require you to ditch your beloved bus for a comfortable flight. Also keep in the weather in mind. Once trying to cross the border between Chile and Argentina, bad weather closed the mountain crossing for several days giving me the choice of staying longer or hopping on a flight.
When to go to South America
When to go to South America can be a tricky question because the continent is MASSIVE. This means that you have to plan ahead because you will also spend months travelling through it. South America varies a lot with the Caribbean coast of Colombia having a very different climate than the mountains of Peru. This means you will have to pack for all kinds of weather as well.
As a rule of thumb, travelling between November and February will mean summer time below the equator and in general warmer weather. However, this usually means more rain as well. Travelling during the winter time will mean below 0 when hiking in the mountains and activities like the Salt Flats in Uyuni so pack accordingly. Also keep in mind that certain activities might not always be available, like for instance the Inca Trail in February.
Safety in South America
Following the Gringo Trail and sticking to touristic places usually means you will be safe. However, South America sees plenty of violence so you need to take some precaution. Especially when visiting the major cities, where you should avoid certain areas at night. Most popular hostels will always be in a decent area with recommendations from the staff if needed. Like anywhere in the world, follow a few safety guidelines like the ones below and always travel with travel insurance.
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in South America, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful region.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to South America? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
