Backpacking South America Tips (47 Things you Must-Know)
Whether you’re still planning for your big trip or already out there on the road, it’s always good to get some fresh perspectives on how to improve your own travel experience.
Having spent many years backpacking and living all throughout South America, I have made my fair share of travel mistakes, and have also learnt some incredible travel hacks to have a more enjoyable and easier time.
Read on as I now share 47 of my very best backpacking South America travel tips. Feel free to bookmark this giant post on your browser, as it can come in handy later either before, during or after your trip.
Tips For Before You Head To South America
1. Get A Quality Travel Insurance Policy
It’s easy to gloss over this whilst planning your trip and pick any old provider, however trust me when I say you’ll want a good one in case you need it! I once got really sick and had to spend a night in a hospital in Chiapas, and luckily was spared once they gave me the $200 bill.
2. Plan Out A Loose Itinerary
Online you’ll find tons of great itineraries and we’ve also provided our own here on this site. However, try to stay flexible and keep some time free, as you never know who you’ll bump into and if you’ll want to head to some lesser-known places (or those you hadn’t originally known about or planned on going to). If you’re short on time, why don’t you taka a look at this 10 days in South America itinerary to some inspiration for your trip?
3. Set A Realistic Budget
By far the biggest issue we’ve heard from backpackers (and lived ourselves) is issues with money and budgets running out. Avoid this entirely by planning ahead and knowing what to expect, and also to leave a bit of wiggle room for those days where you overspend (which you definitely will do more than once!).
4. Get Our South America Travel Bible
After spending numerous years backpacking all around South America, we’ve compiled our very best tips, travel hacks and itineraries into our South America Travel Bible. Get your copy now to help you plan properly before you start your trip!
5. Consider Buying An eSIM
Whilst I only use traditional SIM cards when arriving in a new country (I’m quite stubborn these days), many friends have told me that an eSIM is much quicker and easier to use. This means you’ll be connected to the Internet immediately upon arrival, and won’t need to save your physical SIM card somewhere to use when you get back home.
6. Book A Visit With Your Doctor
Once you’ve booked your fights, now is the time to check what vaccinations you’ll need. Whilst this can be done last minute, I highly recommend sorting this earlier to guarantee your jab dates (not to mention some specific ones like Rabies need various doses administered on different dates).
7. Pack Properly For Your Trip
My main golden rule is to fill your backpack up by 3/4 and no more. This way you’ll leave space for any extra things you buy along the way (we always do), and also to avoid bringing those non-necessities you don’t need. Speaking of which…
8. Leave Those Non-necessities At Home
Of course there are no rules here, so technically you can bring whatever you want with you. However we suggest leaving expensive jewelry or clothing at home since you’ll make yourself a bigger target for theft. It’s also a wise idea to leave heavy things at home too (such as books) to save your back along the way!
9. Invest In Quality Backpacking Gear
By this I mean a high quality backpack that is sturdy and will do the job (such as this one by Osprey). If you know you’ll be hiking a lot then it’s also worth investing in some decent hiking boots and clothing layers. Whilst it may feel painful to spend a bit upfront – again trust me when I say you’ll win in the long-term (both financially as you won’t need to replace it, and for your overall health).
10. Update Your Bank At Home
Over the years I have had issues with my bank when they don’t know what country I’m in, and especially whenever I head to Venezuela or other random ones like Bolivia. It’s worth letting them know before and also during your trip when you are about to move countries. For example, Santander has an easy way online for you to keep them updated on where you’ll be and for what dates.
11. Get A Travel Money Card
You can easily prevent the above issues entirely by getting yourself a travel money card such as those by Revolute or Monzo. You’ll also avoid racking up those unhelpful ATM fees too whilst traveling around South America.
12. Plan Out Your Travel Bucket List
Similar to having a solid itinerary, your personal bucket list is actually more important. These are those “must-see” things or activities to do when in South America. If you’re looking for inspiration, you can check out my own personal bucket list.
13. Do Some Safety Groundwork
This is most important for the first destination you’ll arrive into, given you’ll need a few days to get used to being out here. On this site we’ve covered safety well for all countries in South America, which will help you to relax for those first few days as you get adjusted.
14. Take Out Some Local Currency (Optional)
I say optional since it’s not really necessary given major airports in South America all have workable ATMs (although they usually have higher fees). If you prefer the extra piece of mind then you can take some out before. Bear in mind that certain countries at this time will be near impossible for you to get your hands on their local currency from home, such as Venezuela and Cuba.
15. Get A Reusable Water Filter Bottle
Trust me when I say this has saved me a few times, especially since the microfibre mechanism helps purify less safe water sources. This is even more important if you are planning on heading on multi-day hikes in the jungle or mountains. I highly recommend choosing the Grayl UltraPress Water Filter Bottle, which is what I currently use traveling out here.
16. Learn Some Spanish Or Portuguese
Although it can really help, being fluent really isn’t necessary and even with some basic phrases you can get by and have an enjoyable time connecting with the local culture. You can download DuoLingo to begin with, which will help you pick-up some much needed vocabulary before you arrive here.
Tips For Your First Week In South America
17. Take It Easy During Your First 2 Days
We know the temptation to go all-out as soon as you arrive, and feel free to do so if you want. However just remember to get some extra rest in (for jet lag) and also as you get used to being in South America and how things work here. This is even more important if arriving somewhere at higher altitude such as in La Paz or Cusco.
18. Decide If This Trip Is A “Sprint” Or A “Marathon”
An important caveat to my last point is how long you’ll be here for. If you’ve planned 2/3 months then you can of course go all-in from the start with zero issues. However if on a longer trip then go at 70%, as travel burnout could become an issue a few months into your trip.
19. How To Exchange Money In South America
In case you brought over some of your own currency when you arrived, now is a good time to convert it for local use at a Casa de Cambio (may have a different name depending on the country). Whilst Dollars can be accepted at places, this is definitely the exception and not the rule so don’t bank on it!
20. Immediately Raise A Guard
This is something that I do every time I come back here from abroad, and helps me to recalibrate the safety situation. Basically it means to be over-the-top about your safety the first few days, and then start to gently relax once you know how things work where you are and can take some measured risks.
Tips For Backpacking South America
21. Stay Open Whilst Traveling
Even the most open-minded of us can get complacent at times, and resort to too many comforts. Whilst you’re 100% free to do what you want with your trip and enjoy it however you wish, we recommend changing things up if you’re starting to feel it’s all the same. A good way of doing this is by…
22. Embrace New Ways
South America is home to some really diverse cultural practices and ancient ways. This forms a big part of the experience backpacking through the continent, and can really enhance your experience and perspective. Getting involved can range from trying Ayahuasca in the deep Amazon Rainforest, to cooking dishes with a local chef in the cities.
23. How To Choose A Good Hostel
There’s a good chance you’ll be spending most of your time in hostels when traveling, so you’ll need to get good at picking the right ones. Highly-rated hostels on sites like Hostelworld and Booking are a good place to start, however we also recommend ones that are close to major plazas for good logistics and solid nearby eating options. You can read this South America hostel guide for our top personal choices.
24. Avoid Food Sickness
It’s an easy habit to build, but you’ll always need to keep an eye out for where you eat (especially if sticking to street food). We always recommend sticking to busy places that are popular with locals, and asking workers in the hostel for their recommendations.
25. Try Out Local Foods
Not only are there over 10 different countries in South America, each has their own distinct biomes and cultural practices which have led to wildly different cuisines. Trying these foods is a great way to connect with the local cultures better, and you may even find a new food love for yourself! Joining a food tour is one of the best ways of going all-in to a new cuisine over here, and if heading to Lima I recommend heading on this ultimate food tour.
26. Drink Water Safely
We already touched upon the importance of using a filtered water bottle, however you probably won’t be using this daily. Be sure to only drink from sealed bottles of water, and never to drink tap water since the water systems here are rarely treated (which you could pick up a nasty bug from).
27. Safely Take Taxis
Sometimes taxis are a really good idea (such as when arriving at a bus station or airport in awkward hours), however you’ll want to only hail registered taxis to keep yourself safe. You can also use apps like Uber or InDriver which also give you fair rates.
28. Save Money On Bus Rides
If sticking to a low budget is important for you, then this tip will be especially useful. Whilst buying bus tickets online is more convenient, if you’re flexible then you can head to the bus station and buy the next ride (you can sometimes save as much as 40% as they try to sell off any last seats).
29. Tackle Long Travel Distances
There’s a good chance you’ll be using buses to get around, given how cheap and abundant they are in South America. However some routes (such as those that wind around the giant Andes) can sometimes take over 15 hours, so be sure to bring some entertainment options with you. I’ve written an entire article on this subject to give you some more ideas on tackling longer travel distances.
30. Find Your Own Travel Rhythm
This isn’t something we’re usually conscious of, however it can really affect our experience. Start taking note of how much time you need to really enjoy a place, and when it is too much or too little. For me personally it’s 5-6 days, which can be useful when planning out where I’ll be heading next and also for those longer trips too.
31. Tackle Border Crossings Efficiently
First of all, always try to go as early as possible to avoid long crowds and delays. As well as this, be cautious as some crossings can be unsafe (so it’s best to use a taxi to get there, and another out the other side). This is especially the case with the border crossings from Tumbes (Peru-Ecuador), and also from Desaguadero (Bolivia-Peru).
32. Prevent Altitude Sickness
If you are planning on heading to countries like Bolivia, Peru or Chile, then there’s a good chance you’ll be in high altitudes. Be sure to make good use of Coca Leaves, and also read this guide for extra tips and tricks I’ve used with good success, which are especially important before heading on more demanding hikes in the mountains.
33. Spend Time With Locals
Look, your trip is your trip and you’re free to do what you want. However, in my experience (and from many other backpackers I’ve known), my trip has been much better and more fulfilling when making local friends or dating as such and getting a much more intimate and authentic experience. Those who stuck just to their friend groups and nationalities tended to complain more about things, so again the choice is really yours…
34. Throw Caution To The Wind
Following on from our last point, it’s those unplanned and epic memories that are going to really stick with you and help you grow. This means saying “fuck it” more often, doing that uncomfortable activity you deep down want to and keeping yourself open to new opportunities. We’re in South America, after all!
35. Join Reputable Tours
Sometimes you’ll head on a random spur of the moment tour on your trip, however in general we recommend heading on organized tours. Not only are they much safer (especially when heading into more remote regions such as with this tour in the Brazilian Amazon), you’ll also have extras included such as a professional guide and transport.
36. Upgrade Your Things
This tip is more aimed at those who are traveling long-term (say over 5-6 months). Whilst being self-sufficient with what you already have is important, sometimes upgrading an item or two can save you both money and time in the long run. This could include your Day Pack, Clothes and a Poncho.
37. Rest Up For A Week
Again this tip is more for those on a much longer trip, but can also be used by anyone who’s starting to get tired or feeling it’s all the same. Travel burnout is real and can sometimes prematurely end trips, so if your plans are to keep going then it’s a good idea to take a week off here and there (staying somewhere nice and not doing walking tours or partying every day).
38. Exchange Money Smartly For A Good Rate
Once it’s time to move to your next country, you’ll suddenly wonder what to do with all the local currency you’ve accumulated. Converting it with locals on the border is okay, but you’ll have to accept whatever they give you. Best to look up the XE rate on the day, and then exchange in a Casa de Cambio within a city or town before heading to the border.
39. Plan Well For Multi-Day Excursions
From exploring the Salar de Uyuni to hiking through the Cordillera Blanca, there’s lots of really memorable multi-day trips. Be sure to really think about what you need during the trip, which may include a water purifier bottle, mosquito repellent and medications. You can ask your guide beforehand on what you may need.
40. Use Public Transportation
This is by far one of the best ways to stick to a lower budget, and will save you a lot over the long run when repeated each day. This includes using colectivos, the Metro and city buses to get around which are much cheaper than taxis. Just remember to padlock your bags before heading off, and to always keep them in sight.
41. Visit Off The Beaten Path Destinations
Whilst not on all of our own travel plans, visiting these more unique places can end up being really memorable as we get a better perspective of the country we are in. Be sure to read this guide of the best unique places to visit in Peru, where I share some of my best travel experiences to this day.
42. Your Trip Is 100% Yours, And Yours Only
To round off this section we now have arguably one of my most important tips. This is to say that once all is done at the end of the day, only you will stick with you. This means that you best live your trip out to how you want, and not just following your friends or other people’s ideas. This way you can live it out exactly what you want with zero regrets (which is what I feel when I think about my past trips and certainly do not complain about).
Tips For After Your South America Trip
43. Take Your Time Readjusting
Finishing up a trip can be quite a low time, especially when you’ve been out on the road for many months at a time. Be nice to yourself the first week or so, and remember if you’ve ticked-off major bucket list items for yourself and the satisfaction of it all.
44. See Friends And Family Immediately
Not only will they have missed you a lot, it will also help you to get grounded again quicker back home. Don’t expect everyone to be super keen to hear about all of your stories (they’ve been living their different lives during the same time), however do remember to make the effort for them too and hear their own stories.
45. Start Journaling Or Blogging
This is a great way to remember everything you’ve done, and can help put your entire trip into perspective. You can also try your hand at blogging too and help inspire others to travel Latin America just like we aim to! P.S. if you do feel inspired by us, then feel free to say thanks by making a donation to help us keep creating awesome content.
46. Upload Your Photos Online
As soon as I finish seeing a new country, I immediately upload my photos to Google Drive for safe keeping. I’d recommend you to do the same when you get home, as losing your phone and memorable photos could be quite painful after such an awesome trip.
47. Plan Your Next Latin American Trip
Travel blues or not, there’s a very good chance that one trip to Latin America won’t be enough, and once home and relaxed you can start looking at different ideas and itineraries. Mexico is a solid choice given it’s full of culture and diverse landscapes, and you can also look at our Backpacking Central America Itinerary if you fancy changing things up.
Overview Of These 47 Backpacking South America Tips
And that’s all for this guide on my very best tips for backpacking around South America.
Having been there and done it, I know first-hand the excitement you can feel before starting a trip, and also the challenges and surprises that can randomly pop-up along the way.
This is why I’ve compiled many years of my experience into the above tips to help you have the best time possible when in South America.
Did you know we have written our most comprehensive book to date for this continent?
Take a look at our Backpacking South America Bible, and how it can help you with trip planning, staying safe and more.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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