South America is an amazing destination for adventure seekers! Any trip to this mysterious continent is filled with entertainment and the incredible hospitality of the locals. Of course, you certainly want to get the best experience without spending all the money in the world.
So, we’ve rounded up a list of countries you should visit, taking reasonable prices into account. Plus, the key to budget travel is excellent preparation. What does that mean? First, tickets bought in advance and accommodation reservations. Second, profound research on comfortable routes and student discounts.
Of course, such planning takes time, but what if you have a limited amount of it? The best thing you can do is send your homework to the college paper writing service Essaypro and not worry about deadlines and grades. Then, with your mind at peace, you can start making must-see and must-do lists.
Before We Begin
Let’s highlight the best tips to follow in South America:
- Don’t forget about safety and better keep cash and phone away from strangers’ eyes. If you happen to lose the latter, follow the necessary rules as fast as you can to get it back;
- Don’t walk alone in the dark; carry a backpack in front of you and give up valuable accessories while you’re there;
- If you’re going to live in hostels, try Hola Hostels, a famous budget chain with dozens of locations across the continent;
- Learn some phrases in Spanish. They will definitely come in handy;
- Climb the mountains smoothly to avoid altitude sickness;
- Don’t visit popular places during the high season. Machu Picchu and the Iguazu Falls can be very crowded;
- Local flights don’t always take off on time, and buses often get delayed en route. Always have time to spare.
Argentina
Argentina surprises tourists with contrasts between rich and poor as well as great differences between urban development and untouched nature. Elongated from north to south, the country covers so many diverse areas! Iguazu Falls and tropical forests, Patagonian glaciers and deserts – in Argentina, there’s a place for all wonders.
Start with a route through the west and northwest of the country. Be ready to admire salt flats, red rocks, and gorges, as well as explore local history and culture. It is also a wine region and the birthplace of the known Malbec.
Pros:
- From glaciers to tropics, all landscapes are insanely beautiful;
- Plenty of opportunities for tracking;
- Good tourist infrastructure, take glamping in Patagonia, for example;
- Animal lovers will be happy to see penguins, fur seals, and whales live.
Cons:
- Big cities have dangerous areas;
- Weird temperature: summer nights are sometimes freezing in Patagonia, so be sure to take warm clothes.
Peru
You can travel across Peru for months and for a good reason. The main attractions here are the city of Cusco and Arequipa, the ruins of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, and the Peruvian Amazonia. If you have long dreamed of visiting the mysterious city of the Incas, now it’s time to see it with your own eyes!
Pros:
- In addition to the iconic Machu Picchu, there are other mind-blowing places;
- Tourist infrastructure is quite developed: it is easy to find comfortable accommodation and cozy restaurants offering delicious food.
Cons:
- Crowds of tourists in top attractions;
- Public transport needs improvement.
Brazil
The culture of Brazil was formed under the influence of Portuguese and African traditions. The diversity of cultures adds to unforgettable local vibes, so trips around the country promise a lot of enchanting experiences. They may include carnivals and festivals as well as visits to cultural centers or religious sites. Be sure to put these wonderful events on your itinerary – you certainly have to manage it all if you are working remotely while traveling.
As for the main attractions, pay attention to the Iguazu Falls, the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the Amazonian jungle, and the Chapada dos Guimarães National Park.
Pros:
- Emotional festive atmosphere;
- Good beach holiday;
- Impressive sights that look more like a dream;
- Excellent cuisine.
Cons:
- Not all locals speak English, which can be a problem if you don’t know Portuguese.
Bolivia
Bright, colorful, wild, authentic – all these words are not enough to describe this fantastic country. Experienced travelers call Bolivia the less studied place in South America. The Andes, the Amazonian jungle, and the Atacama Desert attract people from all over the world!
Interestingly, except for a few cities where all population is concentrated, Bolivia is a huge deserted territory. Imagine a country twice the size of Spain, where only 11 million people live. For comparison, 8 million people live in New York alone. Another thing you should learn about Bolivia is that it’s quite multinational: there are various ethnic groups and religions.
Fortunately, there are not so many tourists here yet, as in neighboring countries of Latin America. But at the same time, the infrastructure is not quite developed, so keep this in mind.
Pros:
- Animal lovers will admire llamas, alpacas and flamingos;
- You can explore the old authentic traditions;
- Traveling by rented car is a good option;
- There are great trekking routes;
- Bolivians are friendly and open-minded.
Cons:
- No access to the sea;
- Some travelers complain about the quality of accommodation and service;
- There are often strikes with road blockages.
Chile
Doing research on the most remote countries to see, you’ll certainly stumble upon Chile. A country of mysterious statues, frozen volcanoes, crystal lakes, snow-white beaches, and lifeless deserts. It’s not just another culture, but another world.
Chile is known for its ski resorts as the country is surrounded by the Andes and the Cordilleras. In addition, there are beautiful volcanoes. For example, Osorno Volcano is compared to Fujiyama, and Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano in the world.
The long, narrow strip of land that Chile occupies relates to many adventures and overwhelming impressions. Nothing compares to the feeling of freedom you get on the legendary Carretera Austral Highway or under the starry skies of the desert. And nothing will distract you from exploring the local beauties: Chile is one of the most prosperous countries on the continent.
Pros:
- A true experience of a lifetime – that’s what you get, traveling across the country;
- A paradise for road trip fans;
- The climate varies all over Chile: regardless of the season, you will find a place with the weather that suits you best.
Cons:
- High prices on Easter Island;
- Long distances and long journeys, and not all roads are in good condition;
To Sum It Up
Going to South America, you discover a huge unknown world. One may want to conquer Machu Picchu at a time, reveal each town’s secrets, walk through the Siloli desert and see the Perito Moreno glacier. It is quite possible to do all this, but not at once.
Those visiting South America often underestimate the distances between the sights. Also, a common mistake is poorly thought out logistics. For example, the path to Machu Picchu is not an easy one, and to get to the ancient city; you need to change three means of transport.
And last but not least, many locals don’t speak English which can be a serious inconvenience.
Thus, pay attention to all these factors to prepare well and finally, have a perfect trip!
