Updated for 2019 by Robert Bell, traveler and business analyst based in Bolivia. All prices updated + the latest on the economic situation in Argentina.

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 past year has seen weakening currency in some countries (particularly Argentina), though prices have also risen at the same time.

The least expensive countries have traditionally been Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia, with each attracting large numbers of budget travellers, followed by Colombia which is more or less mid-priced. Countries like Brazil and Chile are relatively more expensive, sometimes approaching Western prices.

If you’re travelling across South America, a good rule of thumb is that you’ll need about $1000 a month, though this depends greatly on which countries you’ll spend most of your time.

This backpacking in South America cost overview is based on notes from my own travels as well as up-to-date research.

The hostel bed average is based on analysis of listed prices on hostel booking sites. Of course, not everyone will sleep in dorm beds: as a rule of thumb, double this value and you’ll roughly know the cost of a basic private room in a hostel, guesthouse, or small independent hotel, possibly with a shared bathroom. Triple or quadruple the hostel bed cost and you’ll have a ballpark estimate for a mid-range hotel room.

About budget estimates: everything obviously depends on your travel style and specific activities. Stay in rural village in Bolivia only to volunteer, and you could spend as little as $15 a day — but this post assumes an average budget travel style, not ultimate shoestring travel. As always, your mileage may vary.

Local currencies in this post are converted to EUR and USD automatically based on today’s exchange rate.

South America backpacking budgets

Country Suggested Daily Budget
Colombia $35 – $50
Ecuador $25 – $35
Peru $35 – $50
Bolivia $20 – $35
Argentina $30 – $50 (see notes)
Chile $50 – $70
Brazil $40 – $60

 

Colombia

Hostel bed average: 31,500 pesos ($10 / €9)
Daily backpacker budget: $35 to $50 (€31 to 45)

Colombia backpacking guide »

Colombia is mid-range by South American standards — not the cheapest destination but certainly not the most expensive either. The falling value of the peso also makes it cheaper for foreign tourists than it was just a few years ago.

The priciest location in Colombia is the beautiful and historic colonial city of Cartagena, as it is the most touristy place in the country. Beyond this, there are some expected price differences between the cities like Bogota or Medellin and the countryside.

Activities are quite affordable by Western standards. For example, a paragliding session in San Gil costs 60,000 pesos  ($19 or €17) for a short flight and 170,000 pesos ($54 or €48) for a longer one. An hour-long private salsa dancing lesson in Medellin costs around 50,000 pesos. Museum entry is often free or only a couple of thousand pesos.

Colombia is twice the size of France and bus travel is moderately expensive, so if you will be moving around the country a lot then this will add to your expenses. Viva Colombia is the main budget airline and often has special offers that could work out as good value. For more, read my Colombia budget travel guide.

 

 

Ecuador

Hostel bed average: $12 (or €11)
Daily backpacker budget: $25 to $35 (€22 – 31) not including Galapagos

Note: Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its official currency.

Ecuador has a fairly low cost of living. It is astonishingly diverse and interesting but it’s also a relatively small and compact country, which reduces the need to spend on long-distance transportation the way you will in neighbouring countries.

Activities are pretty cheap here. For example, a round trip on the stunning Devil’s Nose train will cost $40 (€36). Hiking trips to volcanoes and mountains usually start at around $40 (€36), with bigger groups getting better rates.

In terms of accommodation there are ample cheap private rooms to be found in Ecuador, and often the price difference between a dorm bed and a basic private is minimal. Basic private rooms cost between $10 and $15.

The one thing that can really tip the scale is visiting the Galapagos Islands. This is comparatively expensive as for a visit to these islands you should budget at least $1000 per person (€890), though probably a bit more.

 

 

 

Peru

Hostel bed average: 36 soles ($11 / €10)
Daily backpacker budget: $35 to $50 (€31 to 45)

Peru backpacking guide »

Peru is still pretty affordable with a lot of great value accommodation and food in the amazing places that every backpacker wants to visit; Cusco, Lima, Nazca, Lake Titicaca, etc. However, a resurgent economy means that it is no longer quite the cheapie destination it used to be.

Your biggest expense is likely to be a Machu Picchu Inca Trail trek, if this will be part of your itinerary. This will set you back at least $500 (the price is almost always quoted in US dollars) if you book in Cusco and potentially a lot more if you arrange it elsewhere. It is worth bearing in mind that the pricier agencies may offer better food and a more comfortable camping experience. Also, many backpackers view $500 as being a good price for seeing one of the world’s most incredible sights on a multi-day trek. The Inca Trail trek is limited to 500 persons per day and needs to be booked well ahead of time; alternatives such as the Salkantay Trek are cheaper and/or easier to arrange.

Bus travel is not only quite affordable but can be very comfortable as well. Travelling by bus from Lima to Arequipa for instance costs around 135 soles ($41 or €$36) for a ‘full cama’ (full reclining luxury seat) and around 100 soles ($30 or €$27) for a regular 2nd class ticket.

Many of the costs in Peru will be far higher if you book online while abroad. For example, a short flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines could cost you over $250 if you book it from abroad, but well under 270 soles ($82 or €73) if you do so in Nazca.

You should bear in mind that the overall cost of travelling in Peru can be high due to the cost of the main attractions, which some travellers visit in very quick succession. A short loop around Lima, Nazca, Cusco and Machu Picchu is likely to cost you more than the same amount of time spent in neighbouring countries. However, it makes for an incredible experience with a lot of fascinating culture in a short period of time. The daily backpacker budget listed above assumes a tight itinerary hitting up all the major attractions. You can, however, spend much less on average if you’re slow-travelling through Peru and including more local experiences. For more, read my Peru budget travel guide.

 

 

Do you have insurance?

Travelling in South America can be cheap — that is, if you don’t run into any unforeseen situations. Travel insurance won’t in itself protect you from everything, but it can minimize the considerable financial risks of travelling.

I recommend getting a policy with World Nomads. They’ll cover you for any theft, emergency medical expenses, personal liability, cancellation, and much more. You’ll also get a 24-hour helpline with worldwide assistance.

Get insurance for South America »

 

 

Bolivia

Hostel bed average: 98 bolivianos ($14 / €13)
Daily backpacker budget: $20 to $35 (€18 to 31)

Bolivia backpacking guide »

Bolivia is the ultimate cheapie of South America. Although the country’s recent economic progress has seen some prices and the standard of living rise, there are still bargains to be found in food and accommodation. You can go for the very basic approach and make your money stretch a long way, or else pay a little bit more on the higher quality restaurants and hotels that are springing in the most touristy places.

Bolivia often has the lowest prices for accommodation and food, especially in poorer places like Potosi and Oruro. But keep in mind Bolivia is not always the most comfortable country. Cities like La Paz and Potosi are rugged and often dreary, with the threat of protest marches and blocked roads almost always present.

There are certain tourist activities that you will need to take into account. For example, a popular activity is to ride a mountain bike down the so-called ‘Death Road’ near La Paz, which costs from around 500 bolivianos to maybe 860 bolivianos ($124 or €111) depending on the company and the quality of the bikes. Some of the cheaper companies use old bikes that are probably best avoided on such a demanding and dangerous downhill ride.

A 3-day tour of the Salt Flats of Uyuni costs from roughly 700 bolivianos to maybe 850 bolivianos ($123 or €106), which is a steal for the incredible experience you’ll get. Take a 3-day tour instead of the shorter 1- or 2-day offerings if you can, as it will be well worth it.

Overall, Bolivia is an adventurous traveller’s paradise at knock-down prices as long as you don’t mind roughing it a little at times. For more, read my Bolivia budget travel guide.

 

 

Argentina

Hostel bed average: 220 pesos ($5 / €5)
Daily backpacker budget: $30 to $50 (€27 to 45)

Argentina has been undergoing some serious economic turmoil for quite some time now. Stability still appears frustratingly out of reach for this massive country, but the truth is that foreign travellers can get a bargain trip due to these difficulties. The country can be relatively inexpensive to travel in now, although prices and exchange rates are subject to constant change.

The infrastructure in Argentina is first class and in the past 1 peso was worth 1 dollar, making it one of the continent’s traditionally most expensive destinations. Now, the peso has dropped through the floor, meaning that you can get up to 40 pesos for 1 dollar. Inflation runs at a staggering rate and has left the locals shell-shocked, but as long as the peso stays so low it is still cheap to travel in style here.

For example, the food in Argentina is probably the among the best you will find anywhere but an excellent 2 or 3 course set lunch in a good restaurant should set you back no more than maybe 120 to 150 pesos ($3 or €3).

The country’s policies on foreign exchange rates has varied recently, so be sure to check the up to date information before travelling. It used to be that the “grey” rate for dollars was far better than the official one but at the time of writing it is pretty much the same. However, ATMs here don’t always seem to give you a great exchange rate, so taking cash could still be a good move.

Buenos Aires is a bit more expensive in some ways, whereas outer cities like Salta and Cordoba are cheaper. Beautiful Mendoza and Bariloche are regarded as the most expensive places to stay. Overland travellers beware; distances in Argentina are huge and long bus rides are not uncommon, so be sure to factor bus travel into your budget. For instance, a long trip from Buenos Aires up to Salta will take you the best part of a day and cost you around 2000 pesos ($48 or €43). The good news is that the long, flat roads here mean that you can choose a comfortable overnight bus and save on your hotel bill without too many worries.

2018 has also seen the de-regulation of the domestic airline industry. At the time of writing, you can fly from Buenos Aires to Salta about as cheaply as on that bus trip quoted earlier. Buses that cover the same routes as low-cost airlines are starting to drop in price to meet this new challenge.

Entry to the Iguazu Park costs some 600 pesos ($14 or €13) on the Argentine side and you get up far closer than on the Brazilian side (although it is really best to see it from both points of view if you can).

Travelling in Argentina is probably the closest that South America offers to the experience of travelling in Europe. Provided that you are smart about how you get hold of your pesos you will see a magnificent country in comfort for a bargain price. While Argentina costs more in absolute terms than some other countries, it also offers some of the best value for money on the continent.

The higher end of my daily backpacker budget assumes you will cover many regions of Argentina, rather than focusing only on one or two areas.

 

Chile

Hostel bed average: 12,000 pesos ($18 / €16)
Daily backpacker budget: $50 to $70 (€45 to 62) (not including Easter Island)

Chile is the country that most often surprises people. It’s sometimes thought of as a developing country yet a traveller will find that parts of it are very modern and not very cheap at all. If you are on a tight budget, consider cooking your own food rather than eating out.

Transportation can be a major cost especially if going down all the way to Patagonia, in which case flying could be a tempting option. If you make it down to the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park then the current entrance fee is some 28,000 pesos ($32 or €28) in the high season and 11,000 pesos ($17 or €15) in the low season. You need to pay in cash. Camping is relatively cheap here but the size of the park means that you are likely to need to pay to hop on a bus, boat or horse at some point.

The poorer north of the country is usually cheaper than the south, but overall it is a country where you will want to keep a close eye on your spending. The Uyuni Salt Flats tour can be started in San Pedro de Atacama, taking you across the border into Bolivia. A 3 day tour should set you back from 90,000 pesos to 140,000 pesos ($212 / €188).

One place where you will find it impossible to travel on a tiny budget is Easter Island. This wonderfully enigmatic island with its incredible stone moai is officially part of Chile but is very far from the mainland. At the time of writing, only LAN fly there and you will be paying anywhere up to 700,000 pesos ($1,058 / €942) or more for a return flight. Once you are there, you will be doing very well indeed if you manage to keep your daily living costs under 35,000 pesos ($53 / €47).

 

 

Brazil

Hostel bed average: 47 reais ($12 / €11)
Daily backpacker budget: $40 to $60 (€36 to 53)

From the dirt poor favelas to the high-rise offices of Rio, Brazil is clearly a country of contrasts and has one of the highest levels of social inequality anywhere on the planet. However, make no mistake; prices in Brazil are close to ‘Western’ prices and you should budget accordingly.

While the north of Brazil (for example around Manaus) is a good deal cheaper, most backpackers follow a trail in the south, either looping back to Rio or Sao Paulo to go home or else crossing the border into Paraguay or Argentina to seek out new adventures. Accommodation and food costs are usually higher in Brazil than elsewhere in South America.

Budget sufficiently for sightseeing as well. A cable car trip up to Sugarloaf Mountain to see the bay of Rio de Janeiro costs 71 reais ($18 or €16), which would almost be a day’s budget in Bolivia. Access to the Iguacu Falls park costs 62 reais ($16 or €14). This is well worth it of course, especially if you aren’t going to see the Argentine side.

Those on a bigger regional backpacking trip tend to keep up a decent pace in Brazil in order to keep costs down, but then take it easy in one of its neighbouring countries.

 

Paraguay & Uruguay

In brief: prices in Paraguay are very low and you should be able to get by on a backpacker budget of up to $30/day. Uruguay is very expensive; use Brazil’s prices as a rough reference. The trendy resorts on the Uruguayan Atlantic coast – such as Punta del Este and José Ignacio – are gorgeous but the prices are eye-wateringly high. These places are aimed at the local and international celebrities who vacation there, not backpackers on a tight budget.

Venezuela

First ask yourself if you really want to go to Venezuela right now, as it’s experiencing a lot of political and economic upheaval. Inflation is rife, certain products become unexpectedly unavailable, and crime is a real issue, making Venezuela far from a mainstream travel destination currently. That said, at the time of writing Venezuela can be mind-bogglingly inexpensive if you bring in hard Western currency and exchange it on the grey market. Some travellers report spending under $10 a day. The situation in Venezuela is highly changeable however.

Guyana, French Guyana, Suriname

As these countries are the least-visited in South America and completely off the backpacker radar, we’ll will cover them only briefly. All of them are on the expensive end of the scale, with French Guyana being possibly the most expensive on the whole continent (as it is part of France and Euro is its official currency). Budget travel is on the whole more difficult in these countries as there is not much of a backpacker infrastructure, which means having to stay in more expensive hotels more often, or having to use taxis where no public transportation is available. Friends of mine travelled these three countries on a budget by mostly sleeping in hammocks, though this was not always possible and some € 50 / night hotels had to be included as well.

 

Further reading