Is it cheaper to book a round trip or two one-way tickets?

For international flights to South America, a round-trip ticket is almost always cheaper. If you plan to travel through multiple countries, book a 'multi-city' ticket rather than separate one-ways.

Which airlines offer the best value?

LATAM is the primary carrier with the best network. For budget travelers, look at Copa Airlines for central connectivity or Avianca for North/South connections.

Booking affordable flights to South America

To get the best price, book your flights 3 to 6 months in advance and use hub cities like Bogotá, Lima, or Panama City as your primary entry points. Always search using incognito mode and track prices via Google Flights to catch sudden drops.

Pick a budget-friendly entry hub. Avoid flying directly into expensive secondary cities. Search for flights into Bogotá (BOG), Lima (LIM), or Panama City (PTY). These are major airline hubs and almost always cheaper than flying into Buenos Aires or Santiago.
Set up price tracking. Create a price alert on Google Flights for your departure city and your chosen hubs. Set the alert for your entire date range. You will receive an email the moment the price drops.
Use the 'Explore' feature. If your dates are flexible, use the Google Flights 'Explore' map. Enter your home city and 'South America' as the destination. It will show you the cheapest landing spots across the entire continent for any given month.
Book individual legs for long distances. If you are traveling between countries once you land, do not book one single ticket for the whole trip. Book a long-haul flight to your entry hub, then use local low-cost carriers (like JetSmart or Sky Airline) for regional travel.

Is it cheaper to book a round trip or two one-way tickets?: For international flights to South America, a round-trip ticket is almost always cheaper. If you plan to travel through multiple countries, book a 'multi-city' ticket rather than separate one-ways.
Which airlines offer the best value?: LATAM is the primary carrier with the best network. For budget travelers, look at Copa Airlines for central connectivity or Avianca for North/South connections.