Cheapest Countries to Visit in South America

South America is one of those continents where an unforgettable trip does not have to come with an expensive price tag. From colorful colonial cities and dramatic mountain landscapes to tropical beaches, ancient ruins, and wild national parks, there are plenty of places where travelers can experience a lot without spending a fortune.

For backpackers, budget travelers, digital nomads, and anyone trying to stretch their travel money, choosing the right country can make a huge difference. Accommodation, food, transportation, activities, and even long-distance travel can vary considerably from one destination to another.

If you’re planning an affordable South American adventure, here are some of the cheapest countries to visit in South America and what makes each one worth considering.

1. Bolivia

Bolivia is often one of the first countries budget travelers consider when exploring South America. It combines spectacular scenery, fascinating indigenous culture, historic cities, and some of the continent’s most unusual landscapes without requiring a huge travel budget.

One of the country’s biggest attractions is the famous Salar de Uyuni, the enormous salt flat that creates surreal mirror-like landscapes during the rainy season. You can also explore La Paz, visit Lake Titicaca, hike around the Cordillera Real, or discover the colonial streets of Sucre.

Local food, public transportation, and simple accommodation can be relatively inexpensive compared with many destinations elsewhere on the continent.

• Best for: Backpackers, mountains, culture, adventure
• Budget style: Hostels, local restaurants, buses
• Highlights: Salar de Uyuni, La Paz, Sucre, Lake Titicaca

2. Colombia

Colombia offers an impressive combination of affordability and variety. Travelers can move from Caribbean beaches to coffee-covered mountains, colonial towns, rainforests, and lively cities without constantly worrying about luxury-level prices.

Medellín is known for its pleasant climate and modern urban atmosphere, while Bogotá provides museums, restaurants, historic neighborhoods, and cultural attractions. Cartagena is more tourist-oriented and can be more expensive, but travelers can still save money by staying outside the most popular areas.

For a more affordable experience, consider destinations such as Salento, Santa Marta, or smaller towns in the Coffee Region.

• Best for: Beaches, cities, coffee culture, hiking
• Budget style: Guesthouses, local eateries, buses
• Highlights: Medellín, Salento, Tayrona, Bogotá, Caribbean coast

3. Ecuador

Ecuador is another excellent choice for travelers who want to experience a wide range of landscapes in a relatively compact country. You can explore the Andes, Amazon rainforest, Pacific coast, and historic cities during the same trip.

Quito’s historic center is a major attraction, while cities such as Cuenca offer beautiful architecture and a slower pace. Adventure travelers can explore Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, and other Andean destinations.

The Galápagos Islands are considerably more expensive than mainland Ecuador, so travelers on a tight budget may want to focus their trip on the mainland.

• Best for: Nature, mountains, culture, adventure
• Budget style: Hostels, local markets, public buses
• Highlights: Quito, Cuenca, Quilotoa, Cotopaxi, Amazon

4. Peru

Peru can be surprisingly affordable, especially if you travel beyond the country’s most famous tourist attractions. The country offers ancient archaeological sites, mountain landscapes, Pacific beaches, colonial cities, and some of the best food in South America.

Lima can be explored on different budgets, while Arequipa and Cusco provide access to some of Peru’s most impressive cultural and natural attractions.

The main challenge for budget travelers is that popular attractions such as Machu Picchu can significantly increase the cost of a trip. However, careful planning, local transportation, affordable accommodation, and eating at local restaurants can keep overall expenses manageable.

• Best for: History, food, hiking, archaeology
• Budget style: Hostels, menus del día, buses
• Highlights: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Lima, Sacred Valley

5. Paraguay

Paraguay is one of South America’s less-visited countries, which can be an advantage for travelers looking for affordable experiences away from the continent’s busiest tourist routes.

Asunción is a good starting point, with historic buildings, parks, markets, and riverside areas. Outside the capital, travelers can discover smaller towns, natural landscapes, and cultural attractions.

Paraguay does not have the same international tourism profile as neighboring Argentina or Brazil, but that is precisely what makes it interesting for travelers who enjoy going beyond the standard itinerary.

• Best for: Off-the-beaten-path travel, culture, slow travel
• Budget style: Local guesthouses, buses, traditional restaurants
• Highlights: Asunción, Encarnación, Jesuit missions, countryside

6. Argentina

Argentina has traditionally been an attractive destination for travelers seeking a relatively affordable South American adventure, although prices can vary considerably because of economic conditions and exchange rates.

Buenos Aires provides an enormous range of budget accommodation, inexpensive local eateries, cultural attractions, and public transportation. Travelers can also explore destinations such as Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, and the northern provinces.

Patagonia is spectacular but generally requires a larger budget, particularly for transportation and outdoor activities. Travelers trying to save money can spend more time in urban areas and northern Argentina.

• Best for: Food, cities, wine, culture, road trips
• Budget style: Hostels, public transport, local restaurants
• Highlights: Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Salta, Mendoza

7. Brazil

Brazil is enormous, so travel costs can differ dramatically between destinations. While famous beach destinations and major tourist areas can be expensive, budget travelers can find affordable accommodation, food, and transportation in many parts of the country.

Rio de Janeiro offers iconic beaches, mountains, viewpoints, and nightlife. São Paulo is a massive cultural and culinary destination, while northeastern Brazil offers beautiful beaches and colorful coastal towns.

Traveling slowly can help reduce costs because Brazil’s huge size means that frequent flights and long-distance journeys can quickly consume a budget.

• Best for: Beaches, nature, cities, festivals
• Budget style: Hostels, local restaurants, buses
• Highlights: Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, São Paulo, northeastern coast

8. Chile

Chile is generally not the cheapest country in South America, but budget travelers can still explore it without spending excessively if they plan carefully.

Santiago has extensive public transportation and a wide selection of accommodation and food options. Travelers can also explore smaller cities and towns where prices may be lower than in some of the country’s major tourist destinations.

Patagonia and the Atacama Desert can be expensive because of transportation, tours, and accommodation, so these regions require additional planning for travelers on a strict budget.

• Best for: Hiking, landscapes, adventure
• Budget style: Hostels, buses, self-guided activities
• Highlights: Santiago, Valparaíso, Atacama Desert, Patagonia

9. Guyana

Guyana is one of South America’s most unusual destinations. It receives far fewer international visitors than many countries on the continent, making it particularly appealing to adventurous travelers.

The country is famous for its immense forests, rivers, wildlife, and Kaieteur Falls. Georgetown offers a glimpse into Guyana’s multicultural heritage, while trips into the interior provide opportunities for nature and wildlife experiences.

However, remote excursions can be expensive. Budget travelers should distinguish between everyday travel costs and the cost of specialized jungle tours.

• Best for: Wildlife, rainforest, adventure
• Budget style: Local accommodation and independent exploration where practical
• Highlights: Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls, rainforest, rivers

10. Suriname

Suriname is another lesser-known destination that can appeal to travelers interested in exploring a different side of South America. Paramaribo combines Dutch colonial architecture with strong Caribbean, Asian, African, and Indigenous cultural influences.

Beyond the capital, much of Suriname is covered by tropical rainforest. The country’s relatively small tourism industry means it feels very different from destinations such as Peru, Brazil, or Colombia.

Independent travel can be affordable in some areas, although organized trips into the interior can increase the cost substantially.

• Best for: Culture, rainforest, unusual destinations
• Budget style: Guesthouses, local food, shared transport
• Highlights: Paramaribo, rainforest, river communities

How to Travel South America on a Small Budget

Choosing an affordable country is only one part of keeping travel costs down. Your daily habits can make an even bigger difference.

Stay in Hostels and Guesthouses

Hostels are particularly useful for solo travelers and backpackers. Dormitory beds can be much cheaper than private hotel rooms, while guesthouses can offer good value for couples or small groups.

Eat Where Locals Eat

Restaurants located directly beside major tourist attractions often charge considerably more. Local markets, bakeries, small family restaurants, and daily lunch menus can provide filling meals at much lower prices.

Use Public Transportation

Buses are an important part of budget travel across much of South America. Within cities, public transportation can also dramatically reduce the cost of getting around.

Travel Slowly

Trying to visit six countries in two weeks can become expensive. Flights, transfers, accommodation changes, and tours quickly add up. Staying longer in fewer destinations can give you a better travel experience while reducing transportation costs.

Travel During Shoulder Seasons

Traveling outside the busiest periods can sometimes provide cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds. Before booking, compare prices across different months and check local holidays and major events.

Choose Free and Low-Cost Activities

South America is full of experiences that cost little or nothing. Hiking trails, public beaches, historic neighborhoods, local markets, viewpoints, parks, and free walking tours can fill an itinerary without draining your budget.

Which South American Countries Are Best for Backpackers?

For travelers primarily concerned with keeping daily expenses low, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay are worth investigating first. Each offers a different style of travel, so the cheapest option for one traveler may not be the cheapest for another.

For example, a traveler interested in mountains and high-altitude landscapes may find Bolivia particularly appealing, while someone focused on beaches might get better value from parts of Colombia or Brazil. Travelers interested in archaeology and ancient cultures may prioritize Peru.

Sample South America Budget Strategy

A practical budget trip could combine several destinations rather than trying to see an entire continent at once. For example, you could spend time in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, using buses where practical, staying in hostels, eating mostly local food, and choosing a mixture of free and paid activities.

Another option would be exploring Colombia more slowly rather than crossing several borders. Spending two or three weeks exploring different regions can reduce transportation costs and give you more time to experience local life.

Final Thoughts

South America can be surprisingly accessible to budget travelers. Countries such as Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay offer opportunities to experience dramatic landscapes, fascinating cultures, historic cities, and memorable adventures without requiring the budget of a luxury traveler.

The key is to look beyond headline attractions, compare destinations, use local transportation, eat locally, and avoid packing too many destinations into one trip. Even countries that are not traditionally considered cheap can become manageable when you travel slowly and make thoughtful choices.

If your goal is to explore South America while spending as little as reasonably possible, start by choosing one or two countries that match your interests rather than trying to cover the entire continent. The best budget adventure is often the one that gives you enough time to actually enjoy where you are.

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