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
- Lima to Buenos Aires (via Salta) Travel Pass
- 5 Countries: Rio de Janeiro to La Paz (30 Days)
- Bolivia to Brazil: Highlands & Coastlines
- Buenos Aires to Lima (via Pantanal) Travel Pass
- Buenos Aires to Lima (via Uyuni) Travel Pass
- La Paz to Rio via Uyuni and Iguazu (22 Days)
- Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador with Galápagos : The Spirit of the Andes & Islands
- Salt flats, sacred valleys, and tropical islands: Bolivia, Peru & Ecuador W/Galápagos
- Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days
Duration 20 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $419 Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
- US$8,370
Duration 36 days Destinations Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $85 Operator Bamba Travel From
- US$3,062
5 Countries: Rio de Janeiro to La Paz (30 Days)
“Excellent variety of experiences. All accommodation, bus and excursion reservations worked perfectly.”
Heather, traveled in March
The tour offers great value at approx. $90 per day across 5 countries, including accommodations and essential excursions. Travelers enjoy budget-friendly options like hostels in La Paz, walking opportunities in Buenos Aires' colorful La Boca, and affordable local transport between destinations. Perfect for cost-conscious adventurers.
Duration 30 days Destinations Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia Age Range Ages 18+ Price Per Day $109 Operator HI Travel South America From
- US$3,281
Bolivia to Brazil: Highlands & Coastlines
“Great adventure from La Paz to Rio. I will always remember.”
Karen, traveled in July
Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate this tour at approx. $190 per day, with simple hotels and hostels. The price includes 23 breakfasts, internal flights, and guided experiences. Transportation between 15 cities and optional free activities like hiking in Ilha Grande are included.
Duration 31 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $156 Operator G Adventures From $5,699
15% off- US$4,844
Duration 43 days Destinations Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $90 Operator Bamba Travel From
15% off- US$3,882
Budget-friendly route costs around $50 daily across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. The $2,400 total includes transportation between 22 cities, guided activities, and mixed accommodations. Highlights include cooking classes and desert expeditions.
Duration 45 days Destinations Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru Age Range Ages 10+ Price Per Day $64 Operator Bamba Travel From
15% off- US$2,890
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
15% off- US$2,508
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 $559 Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From $10,434
9% off- US$9,495
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 $481 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $9,399
13% off- US$8,177
Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days
“The tour was phenomenal value & superbly thought out. I unhesitatingly recommend them.”
Jack, 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
13% off- US$2,130
What people love about Budget Tours in South America
- Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days
Great tour, well organised with options to personalise the accommodation and activities. Bus trips were more comfortable than I had feared, although the 28 hours Rio to Iguassu was a little much even for me. Planned activities were good - particularly the cycling tour in Buenos Aires.
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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