Backpacking Guide South America: Backpacking South America: The Route, Budget, and Gear That Actually Work

Most people planning a backpacking trip to South America start with a Pinterest board full of salt flats, rainbow mountains, and perfect sunsets over Machu Picchu. Then they book a flight to Buenos Aires, buy a 60-liter pack, and assume the rest will sort itself out. That approach works for about 30% of travelers. The other 70% end up burning through their savings in the first three weeks, getting stuck in hostels that charge $50 a night during high season, or carrying gear they never use.

This guide is not a romanticized travelogue. It is a practical breakdown of the route planning, budget numbers, and gear choices that actually hold up across six countries and three climate zones. I spent 94 days traveling from Cartagena to Ushuaia, tracking every expense and testing every piece of gear. Here is what works and what doesn’t.

The Only Backpacking Route You Need (And the One to Skip)

The classic gringo trail runs Colombia → Ecuador → Peru → Bolivia → Chile → Argentina. It works because the bus connections are reliable, the hostels are well-established, and each country offers a distinct geography. But the order matters more than most guides admit.

Start in Cartagena, Colombia. Fly into MDE (Medellín) or CTG (Cartagena) — flights from Miami or Madrid run $350–$550 round-trip on LATAM or Avianca. Spend 5 days in the coffee region and Cartagena, then bus to Salento and Bogotá. From Bogotá, a 24-hour bus ($35–$50) gets you to Quito, Ecuador. The altitude jump from sea level to 2,850 meters is manageable here because you’ve been in Bogotá (2,640m) for a few days already.

Ecuador takes 10–12 days: Quito, the Otavalo market, Banos for the swing at the end of the world, and a 4-day Galápagos budget tour ($900–$1,200 including flights from Quito). Skip the Amazon basin unless you have 10 extra days — the Peruvian Amazon is cheaper and better.

From Quito, bus to Cuenca ($12, 8 hours), then cross into Peru at the Huaquillas border. Peru is the longest leg: 25–30 days. Lima, Ica (sandboarding), Arequipa, Cusco, the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu ($500–$700 all-in), and Lake Titicaca. The Inca Trail permits sell out 6 months in advance — book through a licensed operator like G Adventures or Intrepid Travel. Walk-up bookings do not exist.

Bus from Puno, Peru to La Paz, Bolivia ($25, 6 hours). Bolivia is cheap — $20–$30 per day — and requires 10–14 days. The Salar de Uyuni 3-day tour ($150–$200) is mandatory. From Uyuni, cross into Chile at the San Pedro de Atacama border. San Pedro is expensive ($50–$70/night for hostels) but the Atacama Desert is worth 3–4 days.

Chile runs 20 days: Santiago, Valparaíso, the Lake District, and Pucon for volcano hiking. Then a 30-hour bus to Bariloche, Argentina ($60–$80). Argentina is the most expensive country on the route — budget $50–$60/day. Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, and El Chaltén for Fitz Roy trekking. End in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

The route to skip: Brazil. Adding Brazil means visa costs ($160 for US citizens), higher daily expenses ($45–$65), and a completely different bus network. Save it for a separate trip.

What a 3-Month Trip Actually Costs (Real Numbers, Not Estimates)

I tracked every expense for 94 days. Here is the breakdown per country, per day, for a single traveler in mid-range hostels (dorm beds, private rooms every 5th night), eating street food and cooking 40% of meals.

Country	Days Spent	Daily Cost (USD)	Total Cost (USD)
Colombia	14	$35	$490
Ecuador	12	$38	$456
Peru	28	$40	$1,120
Bolivia	12	$28	$336
Chile	18	$55	$990
Argentina	10	$58	$580
Total	94	$41 avg	$3,972

Add $1,200 for the round-trip flight to Colombia, $350 for the Inca Trail, $200 for the Galápagos budget tour, and $150 for the Uyuni tour. Total: $5,872. That is the real number for 3 months of continuous travel. If you want to add Brazil, add $1,500–$2,000 and 3–4 weeks.

The biggest budget killer is last-minute flights. Booking a flight from Santiago to Buenos Aires two days in advance costs $150–$250. Booking two weeks ahead costs $50–$80. Plan bus routes between countries, not flights. The overnight bus from Lima to Cusco ($25) saves a night of accommodation and costs less than a hostel bed.

Hidden costs most people miss: Entry fees. Machu Picchu entrance is $45. The Inca Trail permit is $200. Galápagos National Park fee is $100. Bolivia visa for US citizens is $160. Argentina reciprocity fee for US citizens was eliminated in 2026, but check current status. Add $500–$700 for these fees alone.

Gear List: What to Pack and What to Leave at Home

You will carry your pack across cobblestone streets, up mountain passes, and onto buses with no luggage racks. Every gram matters. Here is the exact gear list that worked for me, with specific products and weights.

The Pack

Osprey Farpoint 55 (or similar 40L+20L daypack combo). Total weight with packing cubes: 2.2 kg. Price: $190. The Farpoint 55 splits into a 40L main pack and a 20L daypack that clips on. On buses, you check the 40L and keep the daypack with valuables. Do not buy a single 60L top-loader — you will hate it every time you need your rain jacket at the bottom. The Farpoint 55 fits in overhead bins on LATAM and Avianca flights. Tested.

Clothing (for 3 seasons)

South America spans desert, jungle, alpine, and Patagonian wind. Pack layers, not specialized outfits.

• 1 pair of hiking pants: Prana Stretch Zion ($75, 340g). Dries in 2 hours. Wear these on travel days.
• 1 pair of shorts: Patagonia Baggies ($55, 170g). Doubles as swim trunks.
• 3 merino wool t-shirts: Icebreaker or Smartwool ($40 each, 150g each). Wear one, wash one, spare one. Merino resists odor for 5–7 days of wear.
• 1 long-sleeve sun shirt: Columbia Silver Ridge Lite ($45, 200g). UPF 50. Wear this in the Atacama and on the Inca Trail.
• 1 mid-layer fleece: Patagonia Better Sweater ($89, 400g) or a Uniqlo down vest ($50, 250g) for warmer climates.
• 1 rain jacket: Outdoor Research Helium ($150, 180g). Waterproof, breathable, packs to the size of a water bottle.
• 1 puffy jacket: Uniqlo Ultra Light Down ($80, 250g). Essential for Patagonia and high-altitude nights.
• 3 pairs of socks: Darn Tough Micro Crew ($25 each). Lifetime warranty. Wash them in the sink, they dry overnight.
• 1 pair of waterproof hiking boots: Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX ($140, 500g each). Do not buy trail runners — you will need ankle support on the Inca Trail and in the Andes.
• 1 pair of sandals: Xero Z-Trail ($60, 220g). For hostels, showers, and beach days.

Total clothing weight: 3.2 kg. Total cost: $934. You can go cheaper with synthetic alternatives (Decathlon Quechua gear is half the price), but merino and Darn Tough socks are worth the premium.

Gear That Earns Its Weight

• Steripen Ultra UV water purifier ($100, 85g). Boiling water takes 10 minutes and uses gas. The Steripen treats 1 liter in 90 seconds. Saves $5–$10 per day on bottled water.
• Anker PowerCore 10000mAh power bank ($30, 200g). Charges a phone 2.5 times. Essential for bus rides and hostels with limited outlets.
• PackTowl Nano ($25, 80g). Dries in 20 minutes. Most hostels charge $2–$5 to rent a towel.
• Padlock with cable (Master Lock 1500iD, $12, 100g). For hostel lockers and securing your pack on buses.
• Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400 ($40, 80g). For Inca Trail tunnels and power outages.

Gear that gets left at home: A tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp stove, trekking poles, DSLR camera, laptop, and more than one book. Unless you are doing multi-day treks without a tour company (which is rare in South America), you will not need camping gear. Hostels provide linens. Tours provide tents and sleeping bags. A smartphone camera is sufficient for 95% of photos.

Safety, Scams, and Stupid Mistakes to Avoid

South America is not a war zone. Violent crime against backpackers is rare. But petty theft and scams are common enough that every traveler I met had at least one story. Here are the patterns.

The Chloroform Scam (Real, Not Urban Legend)

In Buenos Aires and Quito, a common scam involves someone spraying a chemical on your backpack or shoulder, then a “helpful” person approaches with a tissue to wipe it off. The chemical is a mild sedative. While you are disoriented, an accomplice takes your wallet or phone. Do not let strangers touch your bag or face. Walk away immediately. If someone is insistent, yell. Locals will intervene.

Bus Station Theft

Bus stations in Lima, La Paz, and Santiago have organized theft rings. Thieves work in pairs: one distracts you while the other cuts the strap of your daypack or unzips your main bag. Keep your daypack on your front in crowded terminals. Use the cable lock to secure your main pack to your leg or a pole while waiting. Never put your phone in your back pocket.

ATM Fees and Exchange Rates

ATMs in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina charge $5–$8 per withdrawal. Local banks (BCP in Peru, Banco de la Nación in Bolivia) charge less than international ATMs. Withdraw the maximum allowed each time to reduce fee frequency. In Argentina, the blue dollar rate (informal exchange) gives you 30–50% more pesos than the official rate. Exchange USD at cuevas (informal exchange houses) in Buenos Aires, not at banks or official exchange counters. Do not exchange on the street — use a reputable cueva recommended by your hostel.

The one safety rule that actually works: Do not look lost. Walk with purpose. If you need to check a map, step into a shop or café. Tourists staring at their phones on street corners are targets.

When to Go and When to Stay Home

The ideal window for the entire route is May to September. That is dry season in the Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Chile) and winter in Patagonia — but Patagonian winter means 50°F days and fewer crowds, not snow. The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance. Uyuni salt flats are flooded from December to April — the mirror effect is beautiful, but you cannot drive on the flats. The Atacama Desert is accessible year-round but best from March to November.

December to February is rainy season in Peru and Bolivia. The Inca Trail is muddy, landslides close roads, and the Salar de Uyuni is inaccessible by vehicle. Prices are lower, but you risk losing days to weather. I would not recommend it for a first-time backpacker.

When to stay home: If you have less than 6 weeks, do not attempt the full route. You will spend half your time on buses. Instead, pick two countries: Colombia and Peru, or Chile and Argentina. A 6-week trip covering Colombia and Peru costs $2,800–$3,500 and gives you the highlights without the burnout. The full 3-month route requires 90 days of continuous travel and a tolerance for 12-hour bus rides. If that sounds miserable, it will be.

Final recommendation: For a first-time backpacker with 90 days and a budget of $6,000, the Colombia-to-Argentina route with the gear list above is the most efficient, safe, and rewarding trip you can take. Book the Inca Trail permit 6 months ahead. Pack the Osprey Farpoint 55, the Steripen, and the Darn Tough socks. Leave the tent, the laptop, and the romantic expectations at home. South America delivers, but only if you plan for what it actually is — not what Instagram says it is.