Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
20
South America
Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia,
Paraguay, Uruguay
South America is another area of the world where your money will go very far. Though costs vary dra-
matically and prices have risen over the last few years, you can still find a lot of value here. More ex-
pensive destinations, like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Patagonia, will eat into your budget, as
will big trips like the Galápagos Islands, Easter Island, and Machu Picchu. However, countries such as
Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia are very affordable and will offset the costs of the other destinations. There is a lot
of variety in South America. With the region covering such a large landmass, make sure you devote consider-
able time to exploring it.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hostels
Hostels in this region provide a host of amenities—free breakfast, Internet access, bars, game rooms, tour or-
ganization, and large kitchens. Most are independently owned and not part of the YHA hostel chain discussed
previously in the topic.
Hostels are abundant, but prices range greatly throughout the region. Most hostel dorm rooms cost
between $6 USD and $10 USD per night. In more developed regions of Chile, Brazil, and Colombia and
cities like Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro, you can expect to pay upward of $20 USD for a dormitory room.
Private rooms with a shared bath are generally double the price of dorm rooms, though in Rio they are closer
to triple the price of a dorm room.
Guesthouses
Small, family-owned budget hotels are also widely abundant and a cheap accommodation option if hostels
don't interest you. For a double room with a private bathroom, breakfast, TV, and air-conditioning, you can
expect to pay around $20-40 USD per night. More expensive places, like Rio and Patagonia, cost upward of
$50 USD per night. As in Central America, the best family-owned hotels are found on TripAdvisor, for the
same reasons discussed in that chapter. And just as in Central America, these guesthouses provide the right
mix of comfort and affordability. If you are on a super-tight budget of a lot less than $50 USD per day, you're
better off staying at a hostel. But if you want more comfort and have a bit more money to spend, I recommend
these hotels over the larger international chains because they offer better value for your money.
South America is much more developed than Central America, and you'll find large international hotels
here. These include larger four- to five-star hotels and big international brands like Hilton, Intercontinental,
