You might consider long-haul travel to be expensive, but this need not be the case. If you can find a cheap flight, perhaps heading indirect, then you can easily find cheap accommodation in many destinations. In the case of South America, there are many budget destinations to check out, and provided you avoid much of the main tourist fare, you can often visit for a fraction of the price you might be thinking of.
South America is packed with stunning natural sights, history, and culture, and a visit is a must do for anyone with a penchant for travel.
If you’re struggling to watch the pennies, here are five budget destinations in South America which won’t break your bank.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
A big city means expensive price tags, right? Wrong! Buenos Aires is a huge, cosmopolitan city but with a lower price tag, which makes it very attractive for visitors. The home of the fiery tango, you can shop ‘til you drop if you so wish, drink coffee with locals, or perhaps watch a spot of horse racing at the very popular Palermo Hippodrome. Buenos Aires has a party on every corner, and it’s one you shouldn’t be missing.
La Paz, Bolivia
The highest capital city in the world is set in the Andes, promising amazing scenery, but it doesn’t promise high prices, which is why many travellers head there! Very picturesque and dramatic, La Paz has some weird and wonderful attractions for those who like something a little different, such as the Witches’ Market, which sells all manner of strange ingredients for Aymara rituals, or perhaps head to Agarnaga Street instead, for more mainstream traditional markets!
Santiago, Chile
Santiago is one of the fastest growing cities in the region, and certainly one of the largest in South America. Visiting here is a great starting point for exploring the rest of the country, but you should certainly be exploring the city first. Parque Metropolitano is home to the Cerro San Cristobal, from which you can see as far as the Andes on a clear day. Plaza de Armas is the main centre-point of the city, where you will find much of daily life, and the beautiful national cathedral.
Cartagena, Colombia
We know that Colombia has been getting more and more popular in terms of tourism over recent years, and Cartagena is the main resort in the country. City life and beach time sit perfectly side by side here, but you can also head out and explore some of the older aspects of the area, with the historic old town a must visit. Much of the old city walls are still intact, making for a great walk.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Everyone knows Rio, and everyone knows it as a bright and vibrant city. Now, Rio isn’t the cheapest destination in South America, but there are many ways you can make it cheaper if your choices are careful, such as staying in a hostel and avoiding the major tourist hotspots. The beaches are stunning, as we know, and the drinks are still thankfully cheap!
Maybe South America should be your next destination!