Looking for cheap countries in South America for travel or remote work? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll go over the top destinations to visit. Whether you’re looking for a travel adventure or are a remote worker looking for the next place to work from, South America has tons of places that won’t break the bank. As a seasoned traveler, I’ll also share tips that have saved me over $10,000 towards travels to over 20 countries and a move abroad.
Read on to learn about cheap countries in South America for travel or work.
Why Choose a Budget Travel Destination?
Of course, this article is about traveling to South America on the cheap. Why travel on a budget? There are many different reasons why it’s good to set aside a finite amount of funds for your adventures. Even if you’re someone who can afford to splash out on a ritzier vacation, there are many benefits to being frugal when traveling. Let’s get into the top three reasons why below.
1. Save and Invest for Other Future Goals
When you travel on a budget, you’ll be forced to limit your spending. Budgeting makes it a lot easier for you to know how much money you can and have saved each month. Furthermore, you’ll be able to decide where the extra funds will be allocated. Generally, the extra funds can be used towards:
- Stocking an emergency fund
- Paying off debt or paying down some of it
- Saving for a short-term goal such as a big vacation or continuing education
- Investing for the long-term for a goal such as your child’s college fund or retirement
Did you know that when you start investing your money earlier, you’ll need to save less later on in life? There’s something called compound interest, where the interest you make makes interest on top of it. Picture a snowball rolling down a hill. The larger the snowball gets, the faster it gets bigger and bigger.
2. Enjoy Getting Creative with Budget Travel Options
When you’re on a budget, you won’t be able to splash out for every single excursion, meal and transport option. By all means, you should still splurge on the must-do travel experiences (bungee jumping in New Zealand, anyone?), but in general, you’ll need to be smart with your spending.
As a hardcore budget traveler, I enjoy finding creative ways to save while still enjoying my travel experiences. For example, when I visited Tulum, Mexico, I enjoyed staying in the puebla (town) instead of on the beach, about a 20 minute bike ride from the sand and surf. I found delicious tacos and margaritas for less than half the price of the exact same items at the tourist spots on the beaches. While I still visited the beach a couple times and indulged in some seaside dining, staying in the town allowed me to live local while saving.
3. Feel Accomplished for Traveling Within Your Budget
Let’s face it: traveling on a budget takes work. You’ll need to spend extra time researching budget hotels, finding local food joints and will generally spend more time traveling from A to B (public transport may take longer than renting a private car). However, when you see all that cash in your account after your trip, you’ll feel great! Not only have you enjoyed traveling like a local, but you’ve kept some leftover cash for your future goals. Win-win!
The Ultimate List of Cheap Countries in South America
Popular Cheap Countries in South America
Alright – I’ve covered the main reasons you should travel on a budget. Without further ado, let’s get into the top popular, cheap countries in South America for your next vacation or remote work stint.
Ecuador
Both nature and architecture fans will love Ecuador. Ecuador’s capital, Quito, has tons of architecture to see. Outside of the capital, take part in visiting waterfalls and doing extreme sports such as bungee jumping. Other towns to visit include Cuenca for churches and Baños to see hot springs and volcanoes. Ecuador’s jungles have nearly 1,000 different types of animal species!
You’ll be able to find hostel dorms for $5-7 USD per night and private rooms for $10-40 USD per night. Snack on empanadas, ceviche, arroz con pollo and cassava, dishes which will only cost you $3-6 USD per meal!
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Peru
Peru is another one of the top budget travel destinations. Furthermore, it is one of the safest countries South America has to offer. Of course, there’s the famous Machu Picchu which you can visit by going on a day trip, doing a 1-2 day hike or taking a longer 7-8 day trek there.
Aside from Machu Picchu, visit the Larco Museum and Aliaga House in Lima. Enjoy the city’s night markets and go out in the Barranco district in the evening. Cusco is also worth visiting to see the colonial architecture there. Additionally, don’t miss out on other sites such as:
- Rainbow Mountain, a colorful mountain that has earned its look due to mineral deposits in its sandstone rock
- Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain
- Huaca de la Luna, ancient ruins in the Trujillo Valley
Colombia
Colombia has beautiful buildings, white sand beaches and lush jungles and is one of the best countries in South America for budget travelers. Explore the vast, dynamic and energizing cities of Bogotá and MedellÃn. Revel at the beautiful architecture in Cartagena.
Beyond the cities, enjoy exploring Tayrona National Park, Isla Gorgona and the San Andres islands.
A dorm bed in a Colombia hostel generally costs around 30,000-45000 COP a night. Private rooms will cost around the same, usually around 40,000 COP. Hotels are around the 60,000 COP mark for one night.
Colombia has tons of delicious maize, potato, plantain and rice-based dishes, fresh fruits and other delicacies. Expect to pay between 10,000-15,000 COP for a meal in larger cities and 5,000-10,000 COP for a meal in smaller, less popular cities.
Argentina
Argentina has beautiful mountains, huge cities and a massive wine scene to discover. It’s number one on the list of the most visited countries in South America for a reason! In Buenos Aires, discover cultural sites such as the National History Museum, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Museo Evita. Try out some tango dancing lessons, which are available in many places!
Once you’ve explored Buenos Aires, head off to Mendoza for wine tours and Iguazu Falls to see the natural wonders of this waterfall.
If you’re on a budget, you’re in luck. Hostel beds will run you anywhere from $8-30 USD per night depending on where you are traveling to. Generally, prices will be higher in Mendoza. Food will cost you $5-10 per meal. Don’t leave Argentina without trying asado and yerba mate!
Chile
Chile is another fantastic cheap country in South America to visit. Explore the Easter Islands and the snowy mountains in this long country.
Start your travels in Chile by visiting Santiago, a huge metropolis with many food and nightlife choices. Visit the Parue Metropolitano to escape from the chaotic city. Check out the Cerro San Cristóbal and take some photos for your Insta feed.
Brazil
Brazil is another popular, cheap South American travel destination. Enjoy checking out the massive city of Rio de Janeiro which has the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and Copacabana Beach. Outside the city, go explore Sugarloaf Mountain and Tijuca National Park. Tired of the heat? Head to an indoor museum to take in some culture and get some respite from the blazing sun.
Aside from Rio, if you have the time, visit the country’s two other major cities, Brasilia and São Paulo. While they’re not as popular, there is still a lot to see there, such as the Cathedral of Brasilia and different cathedrals in São Paulo.
A hostel bed in Brazil will typically run you between $10-15 USD per night and $30 per night or so in more remote areas. Hotels are around $45-60 USD a night. Another alternative to hostels and hostels in Brazil is camping. A spot at a campsite in Brazil costs between $10-15 USD a night.
Take advantage of wallet-friendly Brazilian eats like moqueca (fish stew), pão de queijo (cheese rolls) and vatapá (a bread stew) which generally cost between $4-8 USD per dish.
Other Cheap Countries in South America
Exhausted your options on the popular destination list? No worries. Here are four more cheap places to travel in South America you should consider.
Paraguay
Paraguay is a lesser-known travel destination, but should not be missed. This country is a fantastic option for those who love hiking. There are many hiking trails, wildlife and rivers in this country.
Visit Ciudad del Este to take advantage of the array of shopping options here. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit rural Chaco to go hiking. There are over 15 national parks in Paraguay to explore where you can see over 200 different bird species.
Food lovers will enjoy delicious dishes such as chipa asador, mbeju and cocido. Food can cost around $2-5 USD a meal. Accommodation in Paraguay is inexpensive. You’ll pay around $10 USD for a hostel dorm bed. Expect to pay around $50 USD per day for all expenses during your travels in Paraguay.
English is not widely spoken in Paraguay, so brush up on some Spanish phrases before you head there! When you speak just a little bit of the country’s language, there’s a much lower chance you’ll pay inflated tourist prices as you’ll be able to bargain and negotiate with the locals.
Nicaragua
As the largest country in Central America, Nicaragua offers volcanoes, swamps, islands and tropical rainforests to explore. Start by visiting Granada, Nicaragua’s oldest city. There are beautiful colored buildings, cobblestone streets and art galleries to visit. Don’t miss León, a city full of monuments and museums.
Outside of the cities, check out San Juan del Sur, a great place for surfing, Little Corn Island for diving, seafood and relaxing on the beach and visiting a coffee plantation.
Accommodation in a Nicaraguan dorm will cost around 250-350 NIO per night and 600-1700 NIO per night for a private room. Want a hotel? You’ll pay 1,000-2700 NIO for a basic room. Food in Nicaragua centers around chicken, pork, beef, beans and rice. Don’t forget to try out the quesillo, a tortilla with white cream cheese.
Uruguay
Uruguay is becoming more popular with travelers – and for a reason! This country has some gorgeous beaches and cities full of stuff to do.
Start by visiting Montevideo and doing a walking tour there. Go see the Plaza Independencia where the president works. Check out the Rambla (sidewalk), the largest continuous sidewalk in the world and one of the beaches such as Playa Rameriz.
Uruguay is a bit more expensive than other destinations on this list of the cheapest countries in South America. However, if you’re careful, you can get away with spending around $50 USD a day in this country.
Hotels will cost you around $10-14 for a hostel room, $30-40 for a private hostel room and $50 for a budget hotel room. Food will cost you around $10-15 a meal in Uruguay.
Bolivia
Bolivia is arguably one of the cheapest countries to backpack or work remotely from in South America. Explore various rainforests and ruins while spending less money than you would in Chile, Brazil or Argentina. Be sure to visit the cultural sites in Santa Cruz and check out the Amazon rainforest, Atacama Desert, Uyuni Salt Flats and Lake Titicaca.
Expect to pay around $10 USD a night for a dorm bed and $20 USD a night for a private room. Food is cheap – street eats can often be anywhere from $1-3 USD per dish.
A Final Word on Cheap Countries in South America
Is South America cheap? Absolutely – there are many cheap destinations here that have tons to offer without breaking the bank. Choose a destination – or destinations – that work for you and suit your interests. Enjoy the planning process and the feeling of satisfaction after having traveled while saving some cash. Whether you’re looking for your next vacation or for the cheapest place to live in South America, there are so many options for every personality and travel style. Have lots of fun on your next adventure!
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Janita is a frugal living expert and owner of Frugal Fun Finance. With over five years of personal experience finding and trying out the best ways to make and save more money, she's eager to share her knowledge. Janita's strategies have helped her save thousands of dollars for funding investments and traveling to over 20 countries.
Janita completed training in personal finance at The University of Western Ontario and McGill University, two prestigious Canadian universities. Her expertise has been shared on GoBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, and NASDAQ.com.
