Beginner’s Guide To Backpacking South America: 10 Top Things To Know

Whether you’re headed out for a few weeks or you’re one of the crazy ones with a one-way ticket and a dream, trust me — you’re about to have the time of your life in South America. 

If you want to truly feel like you’re on a grand adventure, then South America is simply the place to go. The continent is huge, and the diversity is vast. 

My very first sojourn through South America took just over 8 months. I started in Colombia and then traveled overland in a big curve down to Argentina and Brazil. In the years since I’ve been coming back for 1—to 2-month trips to explore specific regions.

Now, I should say that someone heading to the Galapagos will need a very different guide than someone heading to Ushuaia. South America is huge and I’m taking a stab at a big topic here. However, there are many general tips and truths I can share that will help you backpack through South America without worries.

Thinking of a big trip to South America? Then don’t miss my guide to the Gringo Trail, the most popular backpacker route.

Tip #1: You won’t be able to see it all

From the Amazon rainforest to the breathtaking Andes mountains, and world-class cities like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, the travel opportunities in South America can feel almost limitless.

That’s all nice and good. But… such a vast ocean of possibilities does make trip planning pretty agonizing. Unless you’re a perpetual traveler, you just won’t be able to see it all. 

Even on my 8-month trip, I had to leave tons of places on the chopping block: Patagonia was just too cold by the time I got there, so I turned around back north. By the time I got to Brazil, I ran out of time and had to skip a ton of incredible places. 

I recommend picking out your must-sees, a couple of countries you’re dying to visit, or things on your bucket list and starting from there. Don’t try to cram in too much; otherwise, all that time will be spent in buses instead of exploring and experiencing.

If you only have one month, choose countries close to each other, like Peru and Ecuador, and travel overland. You could spend a month in Peru alone, but if you want to see more than one country, you’ll need to move faster. Some things might not make the cut, and that’s okay! You can always come back someday.

The true size of South America compared to USA, UK, and Germany. Try your own comparisons at thetruesize.com.

Tip #2: Transportation can be both difficult and rewarding

South American transportation… oh, the love/hate relationship I have with it.

Since there aren’t as many international budget airlines in South America yet, as a budget backpacker you’ll surely want to cover much of your route overland. It’s simply the cheapest way to get around.

However, the distances can be unbearable at times! 

My 21-hour bus journey from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls had me desperately piecing back together whatever was still left of my soul upon arrival. 

Even a trip like Lima to Cusco in Peru — which may seem relatively short when viewed on a zoomed-out map — becomes a dispiriting 18+ hour ride along sinuous roads with constant toilet breaks and incessant panflute music playing over the speakers. 

Welcome to South America, where traveling requires a bit of extra patience.

(Okay, there are actually now affordable domestic flights on the Lima-Cusco route, but even so you’ll still need several days to acclimatize to Cusco’s higher elevation. You can’t rush through South America.) 

On the bright side, traveling by bus allows you to see and experience the country in a way that flying just doesn’t offer. You’ll pass by small towns, see beautiful landscapes, and get a true sense of being on a journey.

For long bus rides, consider taking night buses. They usually have reclining seats for sleeping, so you can still get some half-decent sleep. Do bring a jacket because they’re often freaking freezing (they really crank up the AC).

Put loads of entertainment on your phone or tablet (podcasts, TV shows, films, music, etc.) so you can survive a few long trips. You can’t count on being able to stream anything, so my advice is to download as much as you can locally on your device while still at home.

Tip #3: There are times to go with the flow, and there are times to harness the power of planning

Firstly, South America is an excellent place to travel spontaneously. I often find myself being carried by the travel currents and happily sloshing around a destination for a while. 

As a backpacker, you’ll find it easy to just find hostels or guesthouses in person or to book one the previous night. With tons of budget places to stay, there is usually little risk in playing things at least a little by ear.

If you have the time and flexibility to travel in the ‘backpacker way,’ I highly recommend this approach. It’s so much fun! By being spontaneous I discovered so many hidden gems and even received invitations from locals to join them for meals or events. 

Don’t take a nail gun to your itinerary and lock everything down!

However, there are some exceptions where planning is key. 

Small but popular backpacker places can fill up surprisingly fast in high season. One example that comes to mind is the village of Minca in Colombia. While there isn’t an overall lack of beds, all the incredible hostels with epic vistas looking over the jungle canopy do get booked out in advance. Booking.com and Hostelworld often offer bookings without cancellation fees, so you can use this to lock in accommodation in key places like this.

Bucket list activities such as trekking to Machu Picchu should also be booked months in advance. Don’t just leave this until the last minute!

National holidays can also throw a spanner in the works. I once got thoroughly stuck in Colombia because of the Day of the Virgin Carmen, the patron saint of transportation, when all the bus drivers were busy zig-zagging across the streets in parades and shooting off fireworks from the windows. Yeah, I had no idea this was a thing either!

Similarly, I was once stuck in Lima for five more days because it was Easter and literally all the buses out of the Peruvian capital were 100% booked for days. It was upsetting because I’d already seen a lot of Lima and I was eager to move on. Easter is a HUGE deal in many South American countries, so be aware of this if you’re traveling in spring. 

Of course, if you have all the time and money in the world, then some delays aren’t a big deal. However, if you have limited time and specific things you want to experience, it’s worth doing some pre-planning.

If you’ve been backpacking before, you surely already know a bit about balancing planning with improvisation. But if you’re new to this or if you could use a refresher on the backpacking fundamentals, then I highly advise getting a copy of my book, Travel the World Without Worries. 

It goes into way more detail on how to research your trip to ensure you hit the highlights, but also how you can jump on any unexpected opportunities whenever they show up. 

Tip #4: Efficient packing is essential

There is a common image of backpackers in South America hauling around towering 80L backpacks. But this is in no way necessary! 

If you’re moving around a lot from place to place, then it’s best to pack light. Yes, even when traveling long-term — in fact, especially on a longer trip. For some inspiration, check out my guide to packing minimalistically.

However, because the climate changes drastically from one destination to the next, you’ll still need to pack accordingly for South America. 

If you’re going to the Andes, you’ll need warm clothes and a good rain jacket for the high altitudes. But when you head down to Brazil, it will be hot and humid, so you’ll need light, breathable clothing.

Even though you’re close to the equator, countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia are highly mountainous and often quite cold.

I usually travel with carry-on luggage in Southeast Asia or Europe during summer. However, in South America, a 50—or 55-liter backpack may be more suitable so you can more easily pack for varied conditions. I have listed some perfect backpacks for South America here.

Laundry service is usually cheap in South America, so there’s no need to pack more than about a week’s worth of clothes. 

Tip #5: Budgeting is key

Ugh, my least favorite topic. But luckily South America is pretty cheap compared to other continents. It’s a great place to travel if you’re on a budget.

If you plan on doing a lot of activities like Machu Picchu, an Amazon tour, the Galapagos, the Salt Flats, etc., then I recommend keeping the money for those experiences in a separate budget. They can really add up, but they’re not something you want to scrimp on because they’re a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience. 

On the flip side, food and accommodation can be relatively cheap, especially if you stay in hostels instead of hotels. You can also save money by cooking your own meals sometimes instead of eating out every day. (But, for the most part, you can find a menu del dia in local restaurants for a couple of dollars.)

Tip #6: Safety comes first

South America gets a bad rap for being dangerous, and I don’t want to sound naive or downplay the risks, but as long as you take basic precautions, you’ll likely be fine.

There are definitely cities that you should be extra cautious in, such as Rio de Janeiro, Quito, Bogota, and Lima. The capitals tend to have more crime. 

On the other hand, smaller towns and backpacker hubs along the way tend to be much safer as they’re less anonymous.

In all of my time backpacking, these are my biggest tips for remaining safe:

• Don’t use your phone while walking around. If you need to look up something, stop somewhere, then put away your phone again while you’re on your way. (Yep, this will involve a bit of old-school memorization rather than live navigation. However, it will immensely improve your situational awareness.)
• Don’t walk alone at night. This is especially important before/after visiting bars or clubs. Even if you’re going out together, it’s often worth getting a taxi at night. Most incidents I’ve heard of (luckily not many) have involved nightlife situations. Keep your nose clean and don’t get sloppy.
• Research common scams in the area before you go. 
• Trust your gut. If something feels off or too good to be true, trust that instinct and remove yourself from the situation. 

As for unlikely but possible incidents on the road, travel insurance can cover you financially in these situations, as well as offering a 24/7 helpline. I highly recommend getting insurance, particularly for medical coverage. Anyone who says insurance isn’t worth it has simply not yet traveled enough to know better! I’ve explained this in my post, Why Should You Get Travel Insurance? 

If you’re looking for a trusted insurer with plans for longer trips, check out my review of Heymondo. I’ve used them for several years and had to make a claim with them (and yes, they paid out without any issues). 

As for theft or loss, the best insurance is not to bring it. Leave things like your latest MacBook or noise-canceling headphones at home. I travel with a purposely shitty mini-tablet worth $120, wired headphones that cost no more than $20, and other basic gear. 

This makes me: a) look much less like a rich person to be targeted b) removes any worries about losing some precious item, and c) helps me stay comfortably within my travel insurance’s theft coverage limit. 

I’m not saying theft is all that likely, but I love having the peace of mind by simply leaving the most expensive gear at home.

Tip #7: Duolingo is your friend 

Knowing just a little bit of Spanish (or Portuguese in Brazil) will go a long way. You don’t need to know how to have a full-blown conversation, but being able to ask for directions or order food in the local language can make a huge difference.

Let me be clear: most people in South America do NOT speak English. 

I know this can cause some travelers to have panic attacks, but rest assured, you can still manage perfectly fine most of the time. 

People who work in hostels or hotels often will know at least a bit of English. Many things can also be explained with gestures or translation apps. Most locals are very friendly and willing to help, even if you can’t speak the language.

However, it can still be super helpful to speak at least a few words. Spanish is usually ranked as a relatively easy language, so it can be a lot of fun to learn.

Be sure to complete at least the first few sections in Duolingo, or take some classes during your trip. This is a great way to get some cultural immersion too.

Tip #8: You don’t need as much as you think you do

This kind of fits into packing, but it’s more about mentality. You’ll soon realize you can survive (even thrive) off a lot less than you think. 

You don’t need a new outfit every day or fancy accommodations to have an amazing time. Embrace simplicity and enjoy the experience rather than worrying about material possessions.

You might find yourself in humid Mexico wearing your swim shorts every day and end up on a glacier in Peru with borrowed gloves, a friend’s jacket, and a rented tent. Backpacking in South America has a way of bringing things down to Earth that you may not feel again soon, so enjoy this wonderful experience while it lasts!

Tip #9: Don’t be afraid to say no

Just about every person you meet on this trip will tell you how you have to do something. And how you can’t miss this one experience. While it’s great to get recommendations, remember that everyone’s travel style is different. If something doesn’t interest you or doesn’t fit into your budget, don’t be afraid to say no and do what feels right for you.

Just about everyone I met traveled through Ecuador, but on a whim, I decided to skip ahead to Peru to join up with some travel buddies I’d met earlier on the trail. I had an absolute blast traveling Peru and Bolivia with my favorite people, and while it meant skipping Ecuador entirely, I’d do the same thing again. (I’ll surely go back to Ecuador someday!)

Tip #10: You’re never alone

Casa Loma Minca

Besides seeing all the epic places, the best part of traveling is meeting new people. There will be moments when you feel incredibly lonely and like you’re the only one on this crazy journey, but I promise you’re not. South America is such a popular destination for backpacking, I mean, there is even a name for the route travelers take—the gringo trail!

And trust me, everyone wants to make friends. You’ll be shocked by how quickly you develop friendships. Some of my lasting friends are people I met while traveling in South America because we bonded over our shared experiences and love for exploring new places.

Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone at your hostel or join a group tour. You never know who you might meet and the amazing connections you could make on your trip…

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