Backpacking South America

A backpacking trip is an amazing way to explore a new destination at your own pace, and backpacking in Central or South America is an incredible experience for all types of travellers! There are so many options for travellers looking to embark on their own backpacking adventure.

See all backpacking tours in South America

South America routes for Backpackers

Travelling through South America on a group tour is a great way to enjoy your backpacking experience! Whether you decide to kick off your travels with a tour, finish your trip in style, or you just think travelling on a tour is the perfect way to backpack through South America, there are countless tours you'll love; here are just a few of them.

Best of Peru & Galapagos
Duration: 18 days
Highlights: See the ancient city of Machu Picchu, experience a homestay in Lake Titicaca, explore the Galapagos Islands

Peru, Bolivia & Chile
Duration: 15 days
Highlights: Visit the world's largest salt flat, get lost in the vibrant city of Lima, relax in the incredible Andes

South America Express
Duration: 26 days
Highlights: Wander the Atacama Desert, see the amazing Iguazu Falls up close, take in a tango show

Epic South America
Duration: 40 days
Highlights: Explore several South American countries from Ecuador to Brazil, spend two nights in the Amazon Jungle, enjoy plenty of free time to discover everything your destination has to offer

Explore more South America backpacking tours here.

Your budget for Backpacking in South America

The cost of a backpacking trip in South America varies greatly depending on where you'd like to go, how long you'd like to travel, the time of year you're travelling, and the style of travel you'd like to enjoy. Generally speaking, travelling on a tight budget and staying in hostels will cost around $35 USD per day. More luxurious options will set travellers back up to $100 USD or more per day - one option to cut costs is to travel on a group tour!

Tips for backpacking South America

Brush up on your photography skills beforehand - you'll appreciate it when you have amazing pictures of your journey
Bring activities that don't require an internet connection, like a deck of cards
Be on the lookout for pickpockets and petty crime
Learn a few words of Spanish
Make sure you have travel insurance
Try new foods - you're there to learn and explore, after all!

Backpacking in Central America

While backpacking in South America is an incredible adventure that travellers dream about, backpacking in Central America is just as exciting and provides other unique opportunities. Whether you're looking to extend your travels to South America with a trip to Central America, or you want to make this often-overlooked region the star of your trip, here are a few tours to get you started.

Central American Journey, Intrepid Travel
Duration: 17 days
Highlights: See ancient Mayan ruins, travel by boat through the Gulf of Fonseca, explore a lush jungle reserve in Costa Rica

Central American Journey, G Adventures
Duration: 32 days
Highlights: Bike through Antigua, snorkel with stingrays, enjoy a homestay with a local family in Coope San Juan

Volcano Trail
Duration: 17 days
Highlights: Visit Monteverde; The City in the Clouds, go canyoneering in La Fortuna, take surfing lessons in a picturesque beach town

Best of Panama with Boquete & San Blas Islands
Duration: 11 days
Highlights: Explore Panama in-depth, stay in a rainforest resort located within a national park, go birdwatching in Boquete

Explore more Central America backpacking tours here.

Useful expressions

Irse el avion: Lose your train of thoughts
Echando la hueva: Being extra lazy
Buena onda: Good vibes
Vivir en nube de pedos: Be out of touch with reality
Hazme un fa: Do me a favor

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