Budget & Daily Costs

Backpacking Central & South America can be very affordable, but daily costs vary hugely between countries and regions. Central America and Andean countries offer excellent value, while places like Brazil, Chile and parts of Argentina are more expensive.

This guide shows what you can realistically expect to spend per day and how to keep costs down without missing the best parts of the experience.

£25–£45 / day

  1. Hostel dorm beds or basic guesthouses

  2. Street food, markets and local cafés

  3. Local buses, shared vans and walking

  4. Free viewpoints, beaches, ruins and nature spots

Budget Backpacker

£45–£80 / day

  1. Private hostel rooms or budget hotels

  2. Mix of eating out and casual dining

  3. Buses between cities or occasional taxis

  4. Paid ruins, tours and national parks

Comfortable Backpacker

£80 –£140+ / day

  1. Hotels, boutique hostels and Airbnbs

  2. Restaurants, bars and nightlife

  3. Domestic flights and comfort travel

  4. Tours, activities and guided experiences

Flashpacker

  • Average daily cost

    • Supermarket meals, bakeries, cheap eats: £4–£10

    • Casual local restaurants: £8–£18

    • Tourist areas & western-style restaurants: £18–£30

    Food is one of the easiest ways to keep costs low in this region. Local markets, street stalls, and family-run cafés offer filling meals for very little, while tourist restaurants in popular areas can be several times the price. Eating where locals eat keeps daily costs low without missing out on great food.

  • Typical costs

    • Local buses, trams & metro: £1–£4

    • Long-distance buses & trains: £10-£50

    • Budget flights between countries: £30–£120

    Public transport is simple and very budget-friendly across most of Central and South America. Long-distance buses connect nearly every town and city and are often the main way backpackers travel. For very large distances (like Peru, Colombia, Argentina, or Brazil), domestic flights can save huge amounts of time and are often surprisingly affordable if booked in advance.

  • Average cost per night

    • Dorm beds: £8–£20

    • Private rooms: £20–£50

    • Hotels: £50–£110+

    Accommodation across Central and South America varies by country and region, but excellent hostels, guesthouses, and small hotels are easy to find almost everywhere. Countries like Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and parts of Mexico offer outstanding value, while Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Patagonia are noticeably more expensive.

    Booking in advance is important for popular places like Machu Picchu, Patagonia, and beach destinations in peak season, but travelling outside peak months can reduce nightly costs significantly.

  • Typical costs

    • Museums & attractions: £2–£15

    • Day tours: £25–£80

    • Adventure activities & experiences: £50–£140+

    Many of the best experiences in Central and South America are natural and low-cost — beaches, jungle walks, colonial towns, viewpoints, and ruins you can explore independently. Guided tours to places like Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Uyuni Salt Flats, or volcano treks are unforgettable but can quickly become the biggest part of your budget if done frequently.

Most backpackers in Central & South America spend between £50–90 per day depending on pace, comfort level and the countries you visit.

Next: Visas & Safety →
← Back To Central & South America