Backpacking South America 1, 3, 6 Month Itineraries & Expert Tips

Backpacking South America is a dream adventure for many travelers in the form of beautiful places, delicious cuisines and friendly people. Other than this, South America is a land of crazy fun, bustling cities, surfing and wild landscapes.

Above all, one main thing that make South America a famous backpacking route is cheapest backpacking. Do you want to make your next South America backpacking trip memorable? Read this blog post till end to get all the information about backpacking South America itinerary.

Backpacking South America

Backpacking around South America is not easy especially for beginners or first-timers. You must know about the routes, budget, weather conditions & other things earlier so you could easily enjoy hassle-free experience.

Let’s get into the important details of backpacking trip in South America.

Backpacking South America on a Budget

Before going anywhere, the first thing that comes into your mind is budget. The overall cost of traveling in South America totally depends on these factors:

• Economic situation at that time
• Countries you want to visit

Based on research & personal experience, these countries are the most expensive countries in South America:

• Peru
• Chile
• Argentina

Countries that are least expensive:

• Brazil
• Paraguay
• Bolivia
• Colombia
• Ecuador

If you want to know about accommodation, food & commute expenses, these are relatively cheaper but only when you visit during off-peak times.

Accommodation: $10-15 per night

Food: $10 per day

Transport: it depends on which transport mode you want to use.

Backpacking South America 1 Month

With 1 month, you can make your backpacking experience as rewarding as you want. It is best for exploring one country as minimum 3 weeks are required to stroll around the complete country.

For surfing, you could spend a month from Southern Peru to Colombia for memorable beach getaway. Also, you could complete 2 weeks in Argentina completely followed by 14 days hiking in Chilean Patagonia.

Above all, southwest Brazil is best choice where you can travel from Rio de Janeiro to Florianopolis. Ecuador is also the best option for 3-week itinerary within one month. Now, you see there’s a lot to explore in South America for backpacking in just one month.

Backpacking South America 3 Months

If you are not comfortable with 6-month itinerary, 3 months are ideal to visit major countries Or just see the highlights of several routes, trails and attractions. You could start your journey from Brazil and continue your way to visiting these places:

• Uruguay
• Argentine
• Chile
• Patagonia
• Eastern island in Chile

If you are adventurous one and want to experience something different, must visit the Amazon Forest in Peru. Also, in Colombia, take the boat down the river experience on Brazil river to see fascinating Brazil coastline views. Other than these experiences, the possibilities are unlimited in Brazil & Colombia.

Backpacking South America 6 Months Itinerary

Is it easy for you to spend 3 to 6 months in South America? If yes, luckily you have a lot to explore in this vast continent.

We know that 6-month time period is the longest time period but it allows you to stroll around the famous countries, attractions and landmarks. The best backpacking South America requires ample time to explore everything in detail.

You can spend 1 month in each country to explore off=the beaten track towns & villages. During whole month, you can take short breaks for self-relaxation & peace of mind.

It is recommended to start your 6-month journey from Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. Other recommended options are Argentina, Chile Buenos Aires in the south. All depends on you from where you want to start your journey.

Best Backpacking Countries in South America

Deciding between the best places to backpack within South American territory is incredibly difficult. To simplify it, we narrowed down the list of the best South American countries where tourists could easily backpack. The following are these:

1. Brazil

Brazil is one of South America’s dynamic countries with amazing weather, friendly locals & landscapes. Belo Horizonte, Curitiba & Natale are some of the Brazilian famous cities that you should explore in your Brazil backpacking.

2. Colombia

Colombia is a small country but there’s a lot to experience here. Towering mountains, surfing, and delicious cuisines are popular here. For adventure junkies and nature lovers, Colombia is truly a piece of paradise.

3. Bolivia

If you are searching for the cheapest countries to backpack, Bolivia should be on your list. Visit mountains, jungles, landscapes, desserts, lakes & cloud forests in a budget-friendly way. Best spot to experience backpacking charm in less price.

4. Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the smallest South American countries with huge biodiversity. Cotopaxi National Park, Mindo Cloud Forest, shopping, and cycling on streets are some of the best things. Do not skip a visit to the Galapagos Islands as it’s a worth-considering spot.

5. Paraguay

Most of the backpackers skip Paraguay because of not have major tourist attractions or having central location. But if you are on a long tour of South America so why not explore this hidden gem? Maybe you will get amazed by the beauty and atmosphere.

6. Peru

In recent years, tourism has gained popularity in Peru just because of having some magic. Peru is home to scuba diving sites and surf beaches. Machu Picchu and hiking the Inca Trail is one of the best experiences that you won’t forget ever.

7. Argentina

Argentina is a land of wine, meat, friendly people, and Patagonia. Mendoza is the wine region from where you can easily find world-class wineries. Also, the Argentina national parks are famous for their natural beauty, scenic trails, and multiple things to do.

8. Uruguay

A famous stop between Brazil & Argentina. Come to Uruguay to enjoy surfing or spend some quality time at famous beaches. Also, you can stroll around the beautiful colonial towns like Colonia del Sacramento & Montevideo’s old town.

Useful Tips for Backpacking South America for Beginners

As you already know when you are on travel, your utmost priority is safety and reliability so everything could be done easily. If you are beginner and worried about how to make experience safe & sound, your worry ends here. Before go on a backpacking, you have to follow these tips:

• Do not forget to bring toilet roll, wipes, tissues or sanitizer as you could hardly find these things on your way.
• Some tourists claim that backpacking in South America comes with potential threats. So, be aware of your surroundings and follow essential precautions.
• Prepare your mind to enjoy new horizons or experiences in the form of food. culture, and attractions. Do not hesitate to ask help from others, if needed.
• Must carry a good backpacking tent so you can enjoy camping anywhere on the way. For this, you need to confirm whether the area is safe or not where you want to do camping.
• Haggle and enjoy as much as you want. Try to get better price for things in local markets and learn Spanish language as well.

End Note!

Backpacking South America is a unique experience in itself. South America is famous for its diverse culture, gorgeous attractions, award-winning backpacking spots, and one of the most famous countries. Also, it is home to the cultural and historical background of ancient times.

With different itineraries and countries to explore, you can easily make your South American tour enticing and memorable. Moreover, if you are a beginner, we shared with you tips so you could easily make your next backpacking experience hassle-free.

Frequently Asked Questions