South-America is a huge continent and it can be hard to know where to start when you are planning your big trip. There are many different approaches to planning a backpacker trip. Some prefer to have everything planned down to every single day and location, some prefer to do none. The approach we recommend is to do a bit of both. We have created a guide that will help you get started planning and preparing for your great adventure. Enjoy!

Why South America?

The world is filled with tempting travel destinations, so why pick South America? South America is the ultimate travel destination for all types of backpackers. The continent is packed with rich culture, interesting history and world-class attractions. With a good combination of modern cities and small cultural towns in the outback you are free to do whatever you want. Learn Spanish, visit Machu Picchu and party like never before during the well known Carnivale! Backpacking South America is an adventure you will never forget!

When/Where should I go?

South America is a huge continent with a wide range of climate and seasons. When it’s perfect to visit one part it might be a terrible time to go to another. The good thing about it is that there is always a good time to be somewhere in South America! The most popular time period is between December and April. Seasons in the southern hemisphere are reversed, so summer in South America is from December to March. December to April is also a period with a lot of big attractions like the Càrnivalè.

As previously mentioned, South America is a huge, huge continent and covering all of it requires a lot of time. It would be wrong to say you should go there and there, therefore the best advice I can give you is to do some research and find out where you want to go. Find the attractions and the cities that you can’t miss on your trip and plot them in on a map. Use the map to create a rough route for where you want to go.

Getting around:

The best way to get around South America is definitely by bus. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay has a tour bus standard that beats Europe and Nothern America by miles. The companies have high class buses with sleeping chairs that actually are comfortable! Flights are also a reasonable option for long distance travels. If you are flexible on date and time you can get tickets down to a minimum price. Renting a car is not recommended. Roads in South America can be really dangerous, especially if you don’t have an experienced driver that knows the area. There have been numerous cavers where self-driving travelers have got lost in the “wrong districts” and been robbed for all their possessions. Buses are really the way to go; they are cheap, have flexible hours and everything else you would need for a comfortable journey.

Accommodation:

With the increasing number of backpackers in South America, the hostel marked has exploded over the years. What used to be “cheap hotels” are now modern hostels with everything you would need for a fun and comfortable stay. For a long term a shared or private apartment is the stay. The easiest way to get it is through a Spanish language school or a rental office. Big cities like Buenos Aires, Santiago and Rio De Janeiro flourish with English speaking agents that can get you cheap fully furnished apartments. They usually have a minimum requirement of 2 weeks stay.

Budget:

One of the best things about backpacking in South America is that it’s cheap. A Budget vary from person to person, some prefer a private hostel room and eating out while others are pleased with the 20 bed dorm rooms and noodles. A general rule is that you can survive on $25/day and live good on $45. It’s important to notice that prices vary a lot from country to country. Brazil, Venezuela, Chile and Uruguay are the most expensive, while Argentina, Boliva, Peru, Colombia and Argentina are the cheapest.

Save money by booking early:

Planning ahead is very important for numerous reasons. Booking a flight 2-3 months ahead can save you up an extra month for your trip.  Some of the major attractions like the carnival sell out months ahead, and prices can get really stiff for late reservations. Buying a carnival package early on will save you loads of money and give you the opportunity to pick between the most popular packages.

Getting started – What next?

The most crucial step to realizing your trip is to actually book it. When the flight tickets are booked there is no way back. In order to book the flight you at least need a start city. Creating a rough route for your trip is a good way to save money on early bookings and also gives you an idea of what you are going into.

Preparing for your trip might sound boring on paper, but it shouldn’t be! Talk with friends/acquaintances that have to South America and use the information provided on this site to get excited for your trip. Find the activities, cities, tours and happenings that you really want to visit and plan your dream trip! South America awaits you!