Is $30 a day actually realistic?

Yes, provided you avoid alcohol, domestic flights, and private rooms. It is a 'survival' budget, not a 'vacation' budget.

How do I deal with money?

Carry a debit card that refunds ATM fees (like Charles Schwab) and keep an emergency stash of $200 USD in clean, crisp bills hidden in your luggage.

Backpacking South America on $30 a Day

To survive on $30 a day, stick to bus travel instead of flights, sleep in shared hostel dorms, and eat exclusively at local markets or 'menu del día' lunch spots. Avoid tourist-heavy hubs like Patagonia or the Galapagos, focusing instead on Bolivia, Peru, and northern Argentina where your money stretches significantly further.

Prioritize high-value countries. Base your route around Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. Avoid Chile and Uruguay, where $30 won't cover a bed and a single meal.
Master the 'Menu del Día'. Eat your main meal at lunch. Most local restaurants offer a 'menu del día' consisting of soup, a main, and a drink for $2-$4.
Book overnight buses. Use overnight buses for long distances (e.g., Lima to Cusco). It saves you the cost of one night’s accommodation and gets you to your next destination by morning.
Cook your own breakfast and dinner. Always pick hostels with a shared kitchen. Buy eggs, bread, and fruit at local markets for breakfast ($1) and pasta or rice for dinner ($2).
Walk everywhere. Avoid taxis or Ubers entirely. Most backpacker districts are walkable. Use local 'colectivos' (shared vans) for anything further, which usually cost less than $0.50.

Is $30 a day actually realistic?: Yes, provided you avoid alcohol, domestic flights, and private rooms. It is a 'survival' budget, not a 'vacation' budget.
How do I deal with money?: Carry a debit card that refunds ATM fees (like Charles Schwab) and keep an emergency stash of $200 USD in clean, crisp bills hidden in your luggage.