Budget Tours to South America
Rio's Christ the Redeemer, walking through Buenos Aires' colorful La Boca neighborhood, and Iguazu Falls from both Argentina and Brazil because the views are different from each side. Wine tasting in Mendoza, Machu Picchu trek, and La Paz's markets high up in Bolivia. Cusco for acclimatizing, Amazon rainforest sections, and beach time in Brazil. Several countries on a budget - what an experience!
10 best Budget South America tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar
- The Grand Southern Experience: Andes, Patagonia & Rio 20-Day Tour
- La Paz to Rio via Uyuni and Iguazu (22 Days)
- Northern Argentina, Chile & Uyuni Salt Flats
- Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days
- Salt flats, sacred valleys, and tropical islands: Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador W/Galápagos
- Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador with Galápagos : The Spirit of the Andes & Islands
- Buenos Aires to La Paz via Uyuni (16 Days)
- Best of Bolivia on a Budget: 5-Day Tour from Puno – Copacabana, Sun Island, La Paz & Uyuni Salt Flats
- La Paz to Santiago via Uyuni (21 Days)
- The Best Of Peru & Bolivia: Lima, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Moray & The Salt Mines, Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake Hike, Machupicchu, La Paz, Uyuni Flats & All Lagoons
Duration 20 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $291 Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
- US$5,825
South America's highlights unfold at approx. $100 per day, featuring Uyuni Salt Flats and Iguazu Falls. Accommodations range from salt hostels to city lodgings. The package includes 21 nights' accommodation, essential transportation, and guided tours to Tiwanaku ruins and Cafayate wine region.
Duration 22 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $114 Operator HI Travel South America From
- US$2,508
Three-country adventure priced at approx. $340 per day, featuring Villa Mar Hostel and Salt Hotel stays. Buenos Aires city tours, Cafayate wine visits, and Uyuni Salt Flats exploration included. Package offers daily breakfasts and guided excursions.
Duration 16 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Bolivia Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $267 Operator Say Hueque Argentina & Chile Journeys From
- US$4,275
Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We loved every minute of our tour! The girls were amazing and super helpful.”
Judy, traveled in July
South American highlights tour at approx. $100 daily includes modern hostels and comfortable buses. Christ the Redeemer, Devil's Throat waterfall, and Lujan de Cuyo wineries await, with daily breakfasts and guided excursions.
Duration 17 days Destinations Brazil, Argentina, Chile Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $125 Operator HI Travel South America From
- US$2,130
At around $290 per day, you'll stay in 4-star hotels across La Paz, Cusco, and Quito, all with over 80% TripAdvisor ratings. The trip includes 16 breakfasts and 5 lunches with Andean buffet dishes and fresh trout on Lake Titicaca's floating islands, plus flights connecting La Paz, Uyuni, Cusco, Quito, and the Galapagos.
Duration 17 days Destinations Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $464 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $8,299
5% Off- US$7,884You save $415
At around $190 per day, this 17-day trip includes stays at 4-star hotels in places like La Paz, Cusco, and Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. Budget-friendly inclusions cover scenic train rides through the Sacred Valley, flights from La Paz to Uyuni and Cusco to Quito, and 16 breakfasts plus 5 lunches featuring regional specialties like fried trout on Lake Titicaca.
Duration 17 days Destinations Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $552 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
5% Off- US$9,383
Buenos Aires to La Paz via Uyuni (16 Days)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Every activity was well planned, all the guides very professional, and the hostels very clean.”
Piedad, traveled in August
16-day expedition costs approx. $100 per day with breakfast and accommodations. Selina Hostel La Paz and family-run hostels provide comfort. Package includes Uyuni Salt Flats tours, Tiwanaku ruins visits, and inter-city transport.
Duration 16 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Bolivia Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $112 Operator HI Travel South America From
5% Off- US$1,786
Bolivian highlights await at approx. $190 per day with basic hotels featuring private bathrooms. Visit Lake Titicaca, La Paz's cable cars, and Uyuni Salt Flats with English-speaking guides. Complimentary visits to Train Cemetery, Witch Market, and Valle de la Luna included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Peru, Bolivia, Chile Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $238 Operator Peru Trek 4 Good From
5% Off- US$1,190
Comprehensive South American tour at approx. $100 per day includes accommodations and guided tours. The itinerary features Tiwanaku ruins, Uyuni Salt Flats, and Atacama Desert with included breakfasts. Visitors enjoy wine tastings in Mendoza's Maipu valley and Santiago's bike tours while maintaining budget-friendly travel.
Duration 21 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $111 Operator HI Travel South America From
5% Off- US$2,333
The package offers approx.$230 per day, including 3-star hotels with breakfast and all entrance fees. Visit 16 South American cities, UNESCO site Machu Picchu, and Uyuni Salt Flats. Guided tours, local transportation, and stays at Luna Salada Salt Hotel included.
Duration 12 days Destinations Peru, Bolivia, Chile Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $283 Operator Peru Trek 4 Good From
5% Off- US$3,390
What people love about Budget Tours in South America
- Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days
I found Hi tours & particularly Cristian to be there at the end of the telephone every step of the way. The tour was phenomenal value & superbly thought out. As a 72 year old travelling alone & not wishing to be in the standard group tour this was perfect. The company kept in touch regularly to make sure the itinerary was living up to my expectations. It certainly was. I unhesitatingly recommend them.
- Buenos Aires to La Paz via Uyuni (16 Days)
This tour was excellent. I would give it 9.5 out of 10 for planning and 9 out of 10 for execution. Value for money was better than 10 out of 10. I have some comments to help you improve your services. Your tour schedule either printed without the RH side if done in letter format, or without the bottom bit if done in landscape. Once the tourist has booked the trip, they do not need all the pictures and marketing guff: dump it, in favour of a more readable itinerary. The tourist needs to know what happens when. Full details of place and time are needed. A tour should indicate not only what time it starts, but also how long it is and what else is necessary. For example you included generic statement that park fees were the tourist's responsibility, but he main Bolivia park fee was incorrect, and there were 2 other park fees that had to be paid which were a surprise. The tourist needs to plan their currency availability. they need to know exactly which days they cross borders, for example. Being picked up in BA is very good, especially as the tourist arrive without A pesos. If the tourist needs to go from bus station to accommodation or accommodation to bus station, then they need to know, how to get there, approx cost of taxi etc, and how to ask for it. Several tours arrive late, I guess that is South America. One day our tour did not arrive atall, but we were rebooked for the following day. No worries. We had booked a private room. The accommodation in the Bolivia Park did not have a private room, unless it had a private bathroom (which we had not contracted for), so they charged us about $30 extra. I have no real problem with paying that and I am not asking for anything from you, but if a private room is not available, you should not promise it. :) The accommodation in BA and the Selina hostals was excellent. Please ensure that all guides are english speaking: most were but our excellent drive in Bolivia was Spanish only. :( Leaving us at midday in Uyuni to wait for a 9:30 bus was a pain in the arse. Overall, well done, we will definitely consider using tourradar again. John Parkinson
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to South America
When is the most affordable time to visit South America?
The best deals in South America can be found during April-June and September-November. These shoulder seasons bring mild weather and fewer tourists which means better rates on flights and hotels. Travelers can save up to 20% compared to peak seasons by visiting major sites like Machu Picchu in April or the Uyuni Salt Flats in September. The busiest and most expensive periods are December-February (summer high season) and July-August (winter high season) when prices can spike significantly.
What are some good budget-friendly areas to visit in South America?
Bolivia stands out as one of South America's best values with affordable food lodging and activities in cities like La Paz and Sucre. The famous Salar de Uyuni tours remain reasonably priced despite their popularity. Northern Argentina particularly around Salta delivers authentic experiences without the premium prices of more touristy regions. In Peru smaller Sacred Valley towns such as Ollantaytambo and Pisac offer similar cultural richness to Cusco but at lower prices that stretch travel budgets further.
What type of accommodation can I expect on budget tours in South America?
Budget accommodations range from basic hostels to distinctive local stays. Near Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats guests sleep in hotels built from salt blocks while Lake Titicaca offers homestays with local families. The Oasis Overland tour features camping in the Atacama Desert and stays at mid-range hotels like Casa Andina Standard in Cusco. While amenities are simple the lodgings are clean comfortable and provide genuine local experiences at reasonable rates.
What is the average daily budget needed for expenses not included in South American budget tours?
Budget 30-45 USD daily for meals activities and personal expenses not covered by tours. Local meals cost 5-10 USD in Peru and 10-15 USD in Argentina. Additional activities remain affordable with sandboarding in Huacachina at 15 USD and Baños hot springs for 4 USD. Recent G Adventures tour participants reported spending about 35 USD per day on extra expenses when choosing local eateries and markets over tourist restaurants.
What essential tips help save money while traveling through South America on a budget?
For a 2-3 week tour plan 300-500 USD for optional activities. Popular choices include sandboarding in Huacachina for 15 USD wine tasting tours in Mendoza at 50 USD and Bolivia's Death Road bike adventure for 125 USD. This budget allows flexibility to join most offered activities while maintaining reasonable spending limits.
How much should I budget for entrance fees to attractions in South America?
Reserve 300-500 USD for activity fees and entrance costs. Common expenses include Huacachina sandboarding at 30 USD Rainbow Mountain treks for 40 USD and Lake Titicaca boat excursions at 35 USD. This amount typically covers most desired activities during a standard multi-week tour without requiring strict budgeting.
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