Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in the local markets or just sitting on the side of the street selling tiny, easily made dishes like empanadas or
BBQ skewers. In more expensive countries, like Chile, costs will be closer to $2 USD. In inflation-plagued
Argentina, you won't find cheap street food; sometimes food prices increase in that country as much as 30
percent per month.
Small, locally owned restaurants throughout the region cost around $4 USD for a local meal that includes
a couple of courses and a drink. Even in Puna, Peru, home to touristy and popular Lake Titicaca, you can get
a complete three-course meal for $2 USD. Nicer meals at a casual restaurant with attractive décor will cost
around $10 USD. In Argentina, again due to inflation, meal prices for even a cheap restaurant will begin at
around $10 USD and move up from there.
As David Lee (gobackpacking.com) says about Colombia: “The easiest way to save money on food in
Colombia is to eat like a local. In the cities, walk a few blocks away from any tourist-oriented restaurant and
you'll find smaller places filled with Colombians taking advantage of set lunches. These daily deals, which
can cost as little as $3-4 USD, include soup, a main course (typically meat or fish, plus rice and potatoes),
and drink.”
Throughout the region, local eateries are easy on the wallet. Look for signs that say “Menus ejecutivos.”
These are the best budget option for eating out and usually only available for lunch. They will include a
starter, main course, and dessert and usually a drink. They are simple meals, but they are simply wonderful
on the wallet.
Western food is going to cost the most, especially if you want something that actually tastes like it does
back home. Most restaurants can't do a good burger to save their life. However, if you're just looking for
anything, most Western dishes will cost about $7 USD for a burger, sandwich, or pizza, with higher-quality
meals costing $10-15 USD. If you are looking for a really nice sit-down meal with good steak and wine,
expect to pay $25 USD and up. Prices in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil will cost about 25 percent more.
Grocery shopping is very cheap, costing $15-20 USD per week. In more expensive Argentina, where
inflation is very bad, groceries cost about $30 USD per week. Colombia and Chile are also more expensive,
and you will most likely spend $40 USD a week in both countries. I personally don't do a lot of grocery
shopping while in South America. It's cheaper than eating locally, but anything I am going to make—pasta,
burgers—can be easier to just go buy already made. You can eat well on $10 USD anyway. If you do choose
to cook, the local markets will provide a large array of beans, rice, vegetables, meats, and fruits for you.
Fresh food will be very cheap, but anything that needs to be imported will only cost slightly less than it
would at home.
Outside of Argentina, Chile, or Colombia, South America is a place where cooking your own food
doesn't make sense as the food is already so cheap. You'll spend more money cooking your own food than
purchasing it already made. Simply put—eat at the vendors, enjoy the local cuisine and culinary style, and
save some money.
TRANSPORTATION
Local buses are the most effective way to get around in South America. Most cities, even large ones, lack
extensive commuter rail systems. The buses are typically old tour or school buses from the United States.
Buses cost around 50 cents USD inside a city. Taxis are available everywhere and cost $2-5 USD per trip
within a city's limits. Larger metropolitan and capital cities have subway systems that cost around $1 USD
per ride.
