Which South American countries are cheapest for backpacking?

Bolivia is consistently cheapest at $20-30/day, followed by Peru and Ecuador at $25-40/day. Colombia offers good value at $30-45/day. Avoid Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay if on a tight budget - they can cost $50-80/day.

How much cash should I carry day to day?

Carry $50-100 in local currency daily. Many hostels, restaurants, and tour operators only accept cash. ATMs are common in cities but scarce in rural areas. US dollars are widely accepted as backup in most countries.

Are there ways to cut costs significantly?

Work exchanges through Workaway or WWOOF can eliminate accommodation costs. Couchsurfing is active in major cities. Cook your own meals and buy alcohol from stores, not bars. Take overnight buses instead of hotels plus flights.

How much should I budget for the whole trip?

For 3 months: $3,000-6,000 depending on countries visited and comfort level. For 6 months: $5,000-10,000. Add $1,000-2,000 for flights to/from South America and gear before you go.

What does backpacking South America cost per day?

Budget backpackers can travel South America for $25-35 per day, while mid-range travelers spend $45-65 daily. Costs vary significantly by country, with Bolivia and Peru being cheapest ($20-30/day) and Chile and Argentina most expensive ($40-70/day).

Calculate accommodation costs. Dorm beds cost $8-12 in budget countries (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador), $12-18 in mid-range countries (Colombia, Brazil), and $15-25 in expensive countries (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay). Private rooms in hostels add $10-20 to these rates.
Budget for food expenses. Street food and local restaurants cost $3-8 per meal in most countries. Cooking your own meals drops this to $2-4 daily. Avoid tourist restaurants which can triple costs. Stock up on bread, cheese, and basics from local markets.
Factor in transport between cities. Bus travel averages $1-3 per hour of journey time. A 12-hour bus from Lima to Cusco costs around $20-35. Flights within countries cost $50-150. Budget $5-15 daily for long-distance transport when averaged over your trip.
Add activity and entrance fees. Museum entries cost $2-8. Multi-day treks like Salkantay cost $200-300. Machu Picchu entrance is $45. Budget $10-20 daily for activities, or $30-50 if doing major excursions like Amazon tours or Patagonia treks.
Include local transport and extras. City buses cost $0.30-1.50 per ride. Taxis average $3-8 for short trips. Add $3-8 daily for local transport, laundry ($2-5), sim cards ($10-20), and miscellaneous expenses.

Which South American countries are cheapest for backpacking?: Bolivia is consistently cheapest at $20-30/day, followed by Peru and Ecuador at $25-40/day. Colombia offers good value at $30-45/day. Avoid Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay if on a tight budget - they can cost $50-80/day.
How much cash should I carry day to day?: Carry $50-100 in local currency daily. Many hostels, restaurants, and tour operators only accept cash. ATMs are common in cities but scarce in rural areas. US dollars are widely accepted as backup in most countries.
Are there ways to cut costs significantly?: Work exchanges through Workaway or WWOOF can eliminate accommodation costs. Couchsurfing is active in major cities. Cook your own meals and buy alcohol from stores, not bars. Take overnight buses instead of hotels plus flights.
How much should I budget for the whole trip?: For 3 months: $3,000-6,000 depending on countries visited and comfort level. For 6 months: $5,000-10,000. Add $1,000-2,000 for flights to/from South America and gear before you go.