The cheapest countries in South America

South America is one of the most exciting and cheapest continents to visit in the world. Enjoy an adventure with memories that last a lifetime without any long-term impacts on your bank account.

Perú

The cheap way to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

With impressive architecture and a dynamic nightlife scene, Perú’s capital, Lima, is one of the most underrated capital cities in South America and is a lot easier on the wallet than the big cities of neighbouring Brazil.

But the standout attraction in Perú, and arguably the whole of South America, is Machu Picchu. Uncover the ancient mysteries of the Inca Empire and then make sure to add a couple of days in Cusco. Transportation from Cusco to Machu Picchu is on the expensive side, but everything else in Cusco is ultra-affordable. If you want to hike up to Machu Picchu, you can opt for cheaper alternative treks than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, such as the Salkantay trek, which can save you half of the price.

Whatever you decide, we promise you that you won’t experience a view in all of South America that will stick with you the way one of Machu Picchu does it’s a must do!

Flying around:

There are currently seven airlines that fly within Chile and are good for travelling longer distances across the country. These include LATAM Peru, Star Peru and more. Check out our guide to buying domestic flights around Peru.

Ecuador

The affordable UNESCO World Heritage City.

Overlooked by many as a gateway to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador’s capital, Quito, is one of the cheapest capital cities in South America and one of the cheapest places you can visit in South America overall.

As one of the cheapest places to visit in South America, it's not hard to find cheap accommodation in well-known tourist destinations as well as fun tourist activities all at a low price.

But, if a UNESCO World Heritage Site city isn’t your thing. There’s plenty more to see in Ecuador. From Cotopaxi volcano to the Quilotoa Loop, and even parts of the Amazon Rainforest!

Getting there by air:

Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Ecuador are the primary airlines in Ecuador.

Chile

The cheap country with a reputation for being expensive

You might be surprised to see Chile on this list. But Chile is actually considerably less expensive than it’s made out to be and still much cheaper than most European and North American cities and one of the cheaper South American countries. You can cut costs by shopping around and not eating at the first restaurant you pass and to be honest — the amazing scenery in Chile is worth the extra cost anyway!

There is plenty of affordable activities in Chile - from exploring street art in San Miguel to visiting museums and hiking along breathtaking trails. There are over 200 trails in Chile and beautiful landscapes to discover. Although some of the more popular hikes cost money, they're still affordable.

Getting there by air: 

There is no national carrier of Chile, but LATAM Chile is the main airline in the country and you can fly into Chile on LATAM. Other airlines from Chile include Sky Airline and JetSmart

Bolivia

The cheap way to see the Amazon rainforest

Bolivia is always made out to be the cheapest country in South America — and while a case can certainly be made for it — you must be clever about where and what you spend your money on if you really want to get the best bargain out of Bolivia.

While accommodation can be more expensive than other cheap South American countries, you can make savings in your budget by opting for super-cheap bus journeys over taxis, drinking wine over beer (nearly half the price!) and eating at local restaurants and markets for astonishingly great prices.

There’s plenty of things to do for cheap in Bolivia, like visiting the amazing Valle de la Luna in La Paz, featured on our 10 out-of-this-world destinations, and hiking in the countryside of the Copacabana (the town, not the Brazilian beach). Plus, it’s much more budget-friendly than Brazil for trekking through the Amazon rainforest.

Getting there by air: 

Boliviana de Aviación is the flag carrier of Bolivia. You can also fly domestically within Bolivia with EcoJet.

Colombia

The cheap alternative to a Caribbean beach

If you’ve read our guide to Bogotá, you’ll know that Colombia’s capital has plenty to do at a fairly reasonable price. But, what if we were tell you there was more fun to have in other parts of Colombia for even cheaper?

Cartagena is a beautiful fishing village on Colombia’s Caribbean coast with a UNESCO World Heritage Site old town and is home to a number of budget Caribbean beaches. Salento in the coffee region will leave you amazed by its verdant green hills and 200ft tall palm trees. And Medellin has as many fascinating museums as it does fantastic nightclubs.

As one of the cheapest places to visit in South America, backpackers love spending time in Colombia for it's vibrant nightlife and friendly locals. And with tourism booming in recent years, there’s plenty to do no matter where you go!

Flying around

There are a few airlines that you can use to fly around Colombia with. These include Avianca, Wingo, Satena and more. If you want to book domestic flights or want to know more about flying within Colombia, check out our domestic flights within Colombia page.

Paraguay

The cheap country that no one is visiting

Paraguay is the true dark horse of South America. Whether you’re exploring Paraguay’s colonial capital, Asuncion, discovering the variety of flora and fauna in the Chaco region, or getting to know the extremely friendly locals, Paraguay promises a great time and is very budget-friendly.

Paraguay is one of the cheapest South American country to visit that will leave you in awe and wonder. What’s most unique about Paraguay is that you’ll feel a thousand miles away from home at any given moment. Sure, there’s a security and comfort that comes with being in a tourist-friendly destination — and don’t get us wrong, the rest of South America is far from a tourist trap. But the sense of adventure that comes from being in a totally unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people is the defining factor that makes Paraguay standout from the rest of South America. And that's something that money can't buy.

Getting there by air: 

The only active Paraguayan airline is LATAM Paraguay, which can be used for domestic flights within the country. For international flights, LATAM is a good option.

For more cheap travel destinations, check out our other blogs:

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Cheapest Countries in Southeast Asia
Cheapest Airlines in the World
Cheap Alternative to the Most Popular & Expensive Destinations
Cheapest Places to Visit in the UK