South America Travel Itinerary – Tours, Ideas and Routes
South America is huge! Allow a good amount of time travel around the continent, dont try and fit to much in or you will regret it. We started in Caracas, travelling south through Venezuela down through Brazil along the Amazon to the east coast. We then travelled south down the east coast of Brazil crossing into Argentina by Iguazu Falls. We then travelled down to Buenos Aires and then north up into Bolivia. We looped through Bolivia up into Peru as far as Lima. The route we did was all over land using buses – except from Salvador to Rio de Janerio which we flew, this was only because it was actually cheaper to fly than get the bus.
We spent 4 months on this route and it was just about the right balance of having time to spare when you wanted to and not feeling like you havent seen enough. I would highly recommend this route to anybody thinking of going travelling.
View South America Backpacking Route in a larger map
Hi Benedict,
I am planning on backpacking from Caracas to Salvador, Brazil this August. Is there a special route you took? Did you fly or take a bus? What places did you stop on the way. Any helpful info would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Robin
Hi Robin, we traveled by bus and boat – by bus down through Venezuela into Brazil, then by boat along the Amazon then by bus along the Brazilian Coast to Salvador.
I will write a post detailing the route and places to go as soon as I can.
Out of curiosity, do you think that in two months time my boyfriend and I could enjoy backpacking through South America and if so, what are the places you would highly recommend? Also, is it fairly easy to find places to stay? Do you shack up at a hostel or do you have connections? Sorry for all of the questions, but we are very excited to begin planning for the trip and are trying to figure out the logistics!
Thank you and safe travels!
Eli’
Hi Eli
It entirely depends how many places your planning on visiting. If you try and fit too much in I don’t think you’ll enjoy it as much, so make sure your not over stretching yourself. It also depends which countries your were thinking about visiting, obviously getting through Brazil takes a lot longer than Uruguay.
We stayed mainly in hostels and guest houses and found places when we got there, going on peoples recommendations and those in the guide books.
I’d highly recommend going to Bolivia (it was our favourite country), its very cheap and there’s a lot to see. We also loved north Argentina and Buenos Aires, The coast of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (our favourite place), and the Inca areas of Peru.
If you’d like any more detail of places we went to in each country just let me know.
PS I’m very jealous!
Hi!
I was hoping you could help me out in finding a bus company i can look up in venezuela to travel to brazil so I can estimate costs.
If you dont mind my asking how much money did you need to bring in order to get you through your 4 months?
Thanks!
Sara
You can go to Puerto Ordaz from Caracas via AeroExpresos Ejecutivos (http://201.210.232.212/). Don't worry much about the money in Venezuela. The trip would cost you Officially 32US$ one way less than the half with unofficial rate (see below).
You could take advantage from the parallel exchange of money. If you change at local official rate you'll get 2,15 Bolivares per US$ But if you find friends (i've got loads that would love to make a deal) you can exchange as high as 4,50. Our currency is stuck in 2,15 since 2.003 via the government and honestly the US$ is higher than that.
Regards and have a nice trip!
Hi,
Me and few friends are booking a trip to south america in Nov. Start in mexico then head over to cuba, then down into south america? Which route do you suggest, sites, and any festivals or carnivals in certain countries that we shouldnt miss.
Please let us know,
Hi Omar,
If you traveling down from Central America I’d recommend the route we took, passing through Venezuela, down into Brazil then down the Brazilian coast across into Argentina then up through Bolivia and Peru.
Make sure you visit Bolivia and Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina if you’ve time.
We didn’t specifically go to any festival or Carnivals though we stumbled across quite a few on our way. If Carnivals are what your after then you couldn’t go wrong with Brazil. Cities like Olinda and Salvador have Carnival like atmospheres all year round with music and parades in the streets an everyday occurrence.
Hope that helps, if you need more details about Carnivals and dates this looks like a good resource.
Enjoy your trip, let me know how you get on
Hi Sara,
Sorry for delay in replying, I couldn’t find any of my old bus tickets, I did find this bus companies website, seems like a nice one http://www.aeroexpresos.com.ve You can look up prices on it which is helpful a trip from Caracas to Ciudad Bolivar will set you back Bs62.400 which is about £14.50, not bad for 591km on a pretty nice looking bus!
Hi~
Im heading to Peru in Jan and was wanting to touch up my spanish before going further. Have you heard of any good courses or do you have any recommendations?
amanda
Hi Amanda,
I just took a spanish course at my local college and learnt the most while I was away, i’m sure there’s lots of online resources, I know the BBC Spanish is meant to be good but it may be a bit basic. Anyone got any suggestions/recommendations?
Better find some spanish speaking person in your area and practice a bit!
Me and wife are in Brighton, a pint will do to sharpen those skills =)
Hi,
Omar again, plans changed. We are looking to arrive in Argentina on 17th Jan, spend some time there before heading over to brazil for carnival. Looking to stay in south america for around 6 months before flying out of chile. With that in mind, which route would you recommend. Also, on average a day how much do you think is needed?
Any MUST visit places??
Thanks so much for your help…
Hello Amanda,
I’ve a lot of friends who have come to visit me in Peru (I’m peruvian but used to live in the States) and many of them didn’t really know any spanish at all, but they picked it up along the way so don’t worry too much, besides in Peru people do make an effort to try to understand visitors. I would recomend just learning some common phrases but nothing too complicated. Hope you have fun around Peru.
Luis
Hello Benedict,
I’m a very eager Canadian rock climber, snowboarder and sightseer and I am just beginning the process of planning our South American tour. We are looking to spend about 6 months in your favourite continent. I have a couple of novice questions; fist and foremost how much should we realistically be banking on spending? Do you need several Visa’s, if any at all, to pass that much time there? Which were your abosolute must stop, can’t miss favourite, maybe not so popular small places to see/visit?
I really appreciate any advice you can pass my way.
Thanks so much in advance.
Rebecca
Hi guys..
Im arriving in Sao Paulo on the Dec 10th and planning on spending 3 months backpacking through South America, Benedict… im pretty much doing the second leg of your trip… Sao Paulo – Rio – Iguazu Falls – Salta then through South Bolivia – La Paz – Lake titicaca – into Peru – Cusco – Lima then back down through chile as far as Santiago or even Osorno – Bariloche – Mendoza Argentina -Finally to B. A –
Doing all this in 3 months? is it possible on $4000 ? do you have any advice on cheap but comfy hostels… cheap busses? and great sights??
Thanks a mill…
Kyle
@Rebecca – For getting an idea of budgets I would recommend you have a look in some recent guide books, they usually have suggested budgets depending on how luxuriously you want to live. Add a bit to these amounts as they are usually on the conservative side. It also really depends on lots of other things, what excursions your planning to do and how cheap your willing to go for food and accommodation.
Of the countries I visited we only needed a Visa for Venezuela. As your Canadian you’d need to check visa requirements specifically for your country. It also depends how long your planning on spending in each country.
As for highlights of the top of my head:
Venezuela – Angle Falls, Merida… Brazil – Jericoacara, Praia de Pipa, Olidna, Salvador, Foz de Iguasu, Rio de Janiero… Argentina – Buenos Aires, Salta, Tilcara…. Bolivia – Tupiza, Sala de Uyuni,Sucra, Lapaz….Peru – Lake Titicaca, Copacabana, Cusco…
Hi Benedict, am planning a four month trip to south america, flying into Buenos Aires and leaving from Buenos Aires. I'm planning on travelling around from there (to chile for more than a month) but will i need a visa for Argentina since i'm going to be in south america for more than 3 months even though i wont be in Argentina for all of that time?
thanks
Ted
Sorry Ted, not too sure about that one, you probably need to talk to your government and investigate Argentina's requirements.
Hi Benedict,
Happy Christmas! If you are in England I sympathise – I am so sick of this cold! Anyway, i'm lucky enough to be taking a 2 month sabbatical and want to travel for 5 weeks. I would really love to go to South America but am a little concerned about being a lone female traveller – what is your take on this? I'm 28 and have travelled before but only in Europe . Do you think SE Asia would be safer? In the 5 weeks which countries/sights in S America would you recommend?
Cheers
Sarah
Hi Sarah
We met a number of girls travelling on their own that had experienced no problems at all. It'll cost you a bit more to travel alone but staying in popular hostels your bound to meet people going your way and there's websites full of people looking for people to travel with. I'd recommend pre booking you first couple of nights, there's nothing worse than getting somewhere and not knowing where you going. We met less travellers in S America but the ones we met seemed to be a buit more friendly, I guess as there's less.
In general we found most people in South America were more honest and less likely to rip tourists off than in South East Asia. Of course if your travelling alone take the usual precautions you'd take in any country, checkout the guidebooks for specific advice for where's safe to go and when in each place you go to. The only time we got caught out was wandering around early on a Sunday morning, don't scrimp on taxi's if your not sure, or its dark or early or late!
Favourite countries where Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.
Have a great time, let me know how you get on!
Sarah,
You on Facebook?
Cheers,
TJ
Hi Benedict!
I'm just planning my next trip on july…now i wanna backpack in south america, but i'm not sure yet. "cause i've traveled to europe, but its completly diferent……talking about transport, safety, etc.
I'm 24 y/o, female,brazilian… and i'm going to travel to alone. I'm thinking about going to Peru or Chile, which of these countries u liked most? I need tips of places to go, hostel, food, transport.
Ah! u've been in Brazil also, which city did u like most? plz, don't tell me sao paulo or rio de janeiro, both of them i already know.
Tka care, see ya!
Hi Adam,
Leaving for a trip through South America starting in Santiago. I was just speaking to someone who told me that i would require an onward ticket before i would be allowed into each country? Would you be able to help with this? Thanks,
Steven
Hey,
super interesting site. Planning to go to Venezuela early March, and then go clockwise around SA…inc. Guyana and Suriname…why did you guys not go to these places? Are they expensive? Also, like Steve above, I wasn't planning on booking a ticket home until I knew where i was to finish up after 5 months…are they hardcore about onward travel plans? They weren't in Asia.
@ Steven & Flynn, We flew in to Venezuela, with a ticket to fly out of Peru 4 months later, we we're slighty unsure if this was gonna be okay but there wasn't a problem.
@Flynn We didnt have time to check out Guyana & Suriname, after meeting someone from Guyana it sounded like a great place to visit, I do have a feeling its a little more expensive than the other countries in South America but I might be wrong.
Hey Ben, Cuanto crees que necesite para viajar por 6 meses mas o menos en el mismo viaje que tu hiciste? espero que no te moleste la pregunta
gracias
Hey,
Me and my girlfriend have booked our tickets for South America flying into and out of Santiago. We have booked for 6 weeks but are able to change the departure date for a minimal fee. We were thinking of heading straight up to Bolivia and check out La Paz, and then straight to Peru for the Inca Trail. Then maybe a tour into the Amazon and then over to Rio. After that i was thinking of meandering down the coast towards Argentina and then across back to Santiago to fly out again. Is 6 weeks enough to do this or will we be pushing it?
Cheers
I think you’ll be fairly pushed with that amount of time, you’ll have to miss a fair bit out and take a fair few night buses and maybe a flight if you want to go to Rio. As long as you accept that it wont be a relaxing holiday you’ll have a great time.
One thing I’ve concluded though from past trips trying to fit too much in is that its far more rewarding to take your time and really see each place. You can always come back!
4 months! What a fantastic trip! I have gone to travel in South America 4 times, and each time was an experience I’ll never forget. Especially Peru and Brazil.
Hey,
I just had one quick question.
I am looking to do something exactly like what you did.
How much did the whole trip cost you in total?
Cheers
Hey
I will be flying into Santiago, Chile in early March and flying out from Rio, Brazil 5 weeks later. I no this isnt really long enough for such a huge continent but was hoping you could recommend a good route on a backpacker budget? Any places I def shouldnt miss? Any I could skip?? Ideally I was also hoping to do the Inca Trail as well! Any Help would be appreciated!
Dan
Hey guys,
I am planning on backpacking around South America for about six weeks in June-July. We are having trouble picking outes because we don’t want to try and cram too much stuff in, but do want to see a lot. We are in our early-mid 20s and are looking for an awesome time. Any route suggestions? We would like to see Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil, but don’t know if all of that is realistically possible in 6 weeks for relatively cheap…
I think your going to struggle to fit all that into 6 weeks, with the size of South America you’ll probably have to budget in a few flights which will make it difficult to do for cheap.
For 6 months I would suggest either just going to Brazil or just Peru and Bolivia, you could probably fit in a quick visit to BA as well.
IMO its best to see a country properly (although its very hard even with months in a country) so better to under estimate, you could always have a plan A and B keep the trip flexible depending on how your getting along and enjoying each place you visit.
Hey Travelers…..so I have 4 weeks in july and I’d love to go to Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay. Chile was in the mix but I’m having a hard time finding flights there. I’m a Peruvian who lives in the states, so I have family in Peru and people i know everywhere! I was hoping to go by bus as much possible and fly if needed. I’m going with a friend and know our time is limited but not impossible…..what are the must see places….and any good routes????
Hi Ellie,
Thats seems like a lot of destinations to fit into 4 weeks, especially if your planning on busing it, i’d really recommend trying to cut them down to a couple of counties that are next to each other.
Ellie/Megan,
Where are you guys flying from and what dates in June/July. …..reason I am asking is that I am planning to travel as well for 6 weeks and I would be travelling alone so we can buddy up with your mates as well …let me know …my email is: danishiswaiting@gmail.com ..cheers ! and yeah, I’ll be flying from London
Hey – I’m arriving in Chile in May (solo) and have no itinerary/plan so ideas welcome – was hoping to head to lake district first before it gets frosty and then scoot north but is that wise – my time is endless my budget less so…..
It seems so many of us have the same questions … I too have six weeks in July – August. I would like to do a route from Buenos Aires to Lima and am wondering if its possible. If one is to have one chance to go to South America in your lifetime (I’m South African – our currency doesn’t go far and flights are pricey!) you do want to cram in as much as you can. Could anyone let me know if they have done this route, which way round is best, and if it would be possible in six weeks. Thanks!
Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to do 8-10 weeks in SA starting in Brazil (Rio) in September, then heading down to Buenos Aires by bus, then up through Argentina, through Boliva and finishing in Peru.
I can find lots of links on the web for the route down from Rio to Beunos Aires, but not too much info on how to continue with the rest of the trip? Does anyone know if this would be possible to do (and safe) by bus/train, and does anyone have any accomodation recommendations?
Thanks! Jen
Hey Ben,
Im looking to go backpacking a see the world abit, and South America
has always appealled to me because its doesnt seem to be the default place
to go like the more traditional destinations. Did I read that you spent 4 months travelling
the root above? I was just wondering what sort of cost would a trip like this cost? As I am
eager to start saving towards a target. Also Im thinking of maybe doing this trip alone, is
this advised, or are there any safety issues to being in south america? Would there be plenty of people to meet and join up with do you think? sorry for all the questions, im just really eagar to find out.
Thanks
Chris
Hi,
Im looking to travel around South America at the beginning of next year for three months what do you think the best places are to visit before travelling onto New Zealand and South East Asia. Also ive recently completed an online TEFL course, where do you think the best places to teach are?
Thanks
Tom
Hey im spending 8 weeks in SA starting in late June, im flying into Rio.Im heading down on my own ..any other independent travellers, be nice to meet up though im sure like Africa Asia and the states u meet up with people in the hostels. id fancy a mail if any one has any ideas of were to go etc..
scouseman3@hotmail.com
Cheers
Brian( Ireland )
hey, i hope this helps, im new to this whole blog thing, but advice would really be appreciated,im from south africa, a nature lover and adventure seeker, i have a passion for travel, and after doing southern africa, south america just seems to call my name,,, im alone and plan on backpacking, i have 6 weeks, n i intend on flying into lima,-macchu-picchu, – santiago- lake district- buenos- iguazzu and finally rio.
do you think this itinerary is possible,,,and how difficult is it meeting other backpackers along the way?
I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil… if someone will be around here… i can show you the city … bars etc…
i don’t know man… i was in santiago, Chile 5 months ago… and i spent a really good time there… actually i went to a hostel, called terra extremus. It was a really good one, and they help me a lot in my trip.
i put you the website of that place… and man, santiago it’s a really good place. i love it
http://www.terraextremus.com
Hello travellers!
OK so I have 6 months from March – September to travel around S.America.
My main aims are the 4 day Inca Trail and going to Madidi National Park in Bolivia. Other than that I just want to see everything – nto too much to ask?
Does anyone know if I can get 1 visa for this or do I need several? Benedict’s route looks pretty much ideal really, although I want to include Mexico and Santiago too. I’m estimating taking £3000 for this, although this is still uncertain.
Is the rainy season worth avoiding? I’ve been told May is a good time to do the Inca trail, is this true?
Also I am hoping to only do 1 flight in and 1 out, is this realistic and do I need to have my return journey planned before setting off? Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks
Nick
Hi there,
Im planning on backpacking up through south America and into Mexico, from there i was hoping to get to the Caribbeans and or Jamaica and then up through Florida and then traveling the east coast back up into Canada. My main concern is how to get from Mexico to Jamaica or the Caribbeans and doing it the cheapest way possible.
Thanks for your help!
Steve.
hi guys, 1st of october i’m leaving 2 months in america latina. arrive in Lima and come back home from buenos aires. can you reccomend me some nice places?
somebody wants to come with me..?
bye
america latina or south est asia? can you give me your advices.
bye guys.
for 2 months alone
Hi! I will be leaving Nov 29 and returning late March. And I’ve YET to get my tickets! I am struggling with where to start and which direction to travel.
Plan A: Nov 29 to Quito, spanish class and volunteer for 3 weeks followed by a trip into Isla del La Plata. Dec 20: Fly to Cuzco, Peru for Machu Pichu and another volunteer experience. In Mid Jan either train or bus to rurrenabaque, lake titicaca, into bolivia to alyuni,…not sure what order or whether to travel plain or bus?
Plan B: Fly into Cuzco take in same plan in reverse order – move my way through bolivia and into ecuador.
Either way I will then fly to Puerto Iguazu Argentina in early March.
Suggestions?????
Hi,
I am travelling from San Pedro Chili into boliva a and dont know what route to take through Bolivia to end up in lake titicaca. I only have about a week to do this and was wondering if you can help on a quick route and travel ideas that will fit in most of the must see sites.
Thanks
Hi!
I have four months before I start my job this summer and it has been my dream to backpack South America. I’ve been debating whether it was possible to go to the places I want to go to in 4 months. How did you travel between most cities? Was it mostly by bus? How much spanish did you speak, and would you recommend taking a week long spanish intensive course? What travel books would you recommend? Finally, do you think that the weather will be disappointing since it’s winter during our summer?
Thanks I can’t wait to hear from you!
Danielle
Hi
Im planning on doing a year long trip in south america, my idea was to start in Ecuador work my way down to Peru then along the cost of Chile up through Argentina and then threw Brazil…. Any suggestions for places to go and how to travel to all these countries?? I was thinking of buying a used car and taking buses or should I just stick to using buses??…. Also I was curious as to how much money I should save and what are MUST see places and for accommodation should I just find places along the way or pre-book any??…. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thank!
Hi,
I am planning a 2-3month trip of South and Central America over the December2011-Jan/Feb 2012. I was hoping to cover the following:
Mexico – chitzu itza – cancun
Belize – the blue hole thing – maybe an island
some of costa rica – honduras – nicuragua – panama (not sure what attractions i should check out here)
Peru – machu pichu
Chile – easter island
Argentina – Buenos Airies – the waterfalls between there and paraguay and brazil
Brazil – Rio (hopefully here for new years eve celebrations or get here for the carnival in Jan-Feb??) – christ the redeemer
Any other sights I should check out?
Any idea what route I take? and best way to utilise my small amount of time??
well i am leaving from winnipeg manitoba on september first driving to vancouver down that coast all the way down to panama in a shit box of a car that is my one way ticket to get to south america, giving it to some family that needs it and will be hitch hiking all of south america. I am not planning nothing because when you plan things they never go as planned. the amont of time may just not be enough for south america is huge and travel at times is slow going.
Hi!
Thanks!
My friend and I are planning to go to South America for 3 months between June-August next summer (2012). Do you have any suggestions of where we should hit up and check out? We have a few places planned but I figured I would get as much insight as possible from people who’ve actually been
Hi,
me and a friend want to spend 3 weeks travelling through Peru and Brazil- with some beaches in Brazil. Do you have any travel route ideas between these 2 countries?
Thanks Nic
Hey Ben,
I am planning a trip to South America right now. I cannot wait! I am planning to go right after new years, Jan 2012 and come back mid to late March. I am planning to visit family in Bolivia and friends in Argentina and Brazil.
Do you think 2 months for those 3 countries is not enough time? Did you use an air pass or round the world ticket for cheap flights, or did you plan it all yourself? How were the buses? I’m a little nervous because it is just me and another girl. I’m planning to be in Rio for carnaval in February, can’t wait!!!
Hi, I think the time should be a good amount of time, just bare in mind the distances you might have to travel. Over night buses are much cheaper than flights and you can get some pretty nice ones so it might be good to try and minimise you flights with a few of those.
We rented an apartment in Buenos Aires. I recommend. There are scores of Buenos Aires apartments to choose. We chose this one, in the Recoleta neighborhood, for its location, style, reasonable price and full services and amenities. Are a good deal, fully furnished, free wifi internet, gym, swimming pool, etc more cheaper than a 3 star hotel. You can Take a look!
http://www.bairesapartments.com/apartments-buenos-aires-arenales-and-azcuenaga-vii-2161.html
hi Ben
Just wondering how much the whole thing cost you if you dont mind me asking/
im planning on going for 6 months and including chile on a similar route, maybe colombia but depends on time dont want to rush every thing.
Cheers
Ben
It looks like you may have stopped along your route in Aracajú, just north of Salvador along the northeaster Brazilian coast. When I lived in Brazil 1967-69, this was a moderately-sized sleepy town of little interest except for being the capital of Sergipe, where I lived in the interior. But in the past 40 years it has grown immensely, so most of the city is new and modern and has been designated as the most livable city in Brazil. It is very clean and one of the safest resort towns in the country now. The state of Sergipe has over 100 miles of unspoiled, almost-deserted beaches if you go beyond the city limits. I stayed there with friends and former students in August (2011) —and found the people just as warm and welcoming as when I lived there. It may not be an extremely exciting city, but offers an aquarium, trips to small historical cities, and a lovely place to relax on the beaches.
Salvador used to be my favorite city in Brazil, but after Aracajú, it seemed filthy (both streets and beaches), full of graffiti & horrible traffic jams, and was a little frightening. Everyone warned me about being careful, especially in crowds or on buses. But it does offer much to do. I especially enjoyed the Afro-Brazilian museum and the main art museum (Rua Sete de Setembro.) The Mercado Modelo is the place to shop. You can find anything there that you find in small shops, but for less, and by checking everything before buying, can find a range of prices on the same items within (or outside of) the market.
Manaus reminded me a lot of Salvador, although the sidewalks are more crowded (with vendors) and in August temperatures reached 108F. (I ended up spending an entire day in A/C hotel room drinking water and Gatorade to replenish fluids.) A trip to the meeting of the waters (wide price range depending on length of the trip and the type of boat) which included a wonderful buffet lunch on a floating restaurant, was well-worth the cost (about $65 on a small boat.) The opera house is also interesting with tours offered in Portuguese or English. A friend in Manaus drove me to the grounds of a luxury hotel where we observed sunset on the Rio Negro —stunning.
I already wrote in detail about Iguaçu on another comment. I would highly recommend visiting both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of the falls and don’t miss the bird park, about a 2-minute walk from the entrance on the Brazil side.
From Iguaçu, I went on to Rio where I visited another friend. I arrived at the wrong time because the tram to Santa Teresa had derailed (injuring many and killing several), museum workers had gone on strike closing most museums, and the one thing I really wanted to do, hang-glide from one of the mountains to the beach, was impossible because winds were blowing in the wrong direction or too strong or not strong enough during the 4 days I was in Rio. But I did catch the new contemporary art museum in Niteroi (the building by Oscar Niemeyer is more impressive than the art.) The best place I visited was the Botanical Garden. It is a lovely spot to stroll, take photos, & relax on a bench. It would probably take a few days to see it all, but several hours will present you with hundreds of exotic plants and flowers. For first-time visitor, Corcovado and Pão de Açucar are must-sees, but I had visited them numerous times 1967-69, so skipped them this time.
Let me add just comments about food. Most cities in Brazil now offer “per quilo” restaurants where one is presented with a buffet and one pays by the kilo (1 kilo=about 2.2 lb.) The prices range from about $10/kilo to $30 —depending on the number of dishes offered, the city and neighborhood, etc. Beverages are usually additional. Since I never eat even close to a kilo of food, I paid as little as $4 for a meal. In most cases, this is the most economical way to eat on a budget —and most places offer local dishes, so one can try a variety of foods. Most of the “per-quilo” places seemed to cater to working people so many of them closed at 3pm.
In Brazil, most hotels include breakfast in the cost. The Iguaçu hotel offered the best food and many choices. The worst was a hostel in Salvador —fruit, bread, cous-cous, and coffee —sufficient, but I really need some protein in the morning, so I purchased yogurt or cheese which I stored in a communal refrigerator. Every hostel or hotel I stayed at had a grocery store close-by, so I usually ate a big meal for lunch and bought something to eat in my room in the evening. (Besides communal refrigerators at hostels, other hotels had small refrigerators in the rooms.) I also purchased large bottles of water to refill the one I carried with me, and snacks (tangerines & peanuts, for example) to take with me each day. Occasionally, I ate my snacks instead of lunch and then ate dinner at a restaurant. My hotel in Foz do Iguaçu offered a lovely dinner buffet (all you can eat) for $10.50.
And, definitely you want to sample the wonderful variety of exotic flavors of Brazilian ice cream (sorvete): mango, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, tapioca, açaí, rum-raisin, lime, plum, avocado, pecan crunch, doce de leite (flan) —hundreds of flavors, but not all offered in the same location. My favorites were coconut and coffee-chocolate-rum. I made a point os trying one scoop each day for an afternoon snack and only wish I could have stayed in Brazil long enough to try them all.
hey guys, and everybody who is just getting a bagpack and go in the future:))
I am gonna do a 17 week-long trip in south america, from 17 of january till 15 of may with kinda the same route as Adam did. I will start in brasil, stay there till the carneval (mid of February), then paraguay, uruguay, argentina, chile, bolivia, peru, and then back to brasil…:))
Anybody who is gonna spend some time over there and looking for company?:)) I am gonna go alone with my bagpack meeting some friends, spending some time with friends of friends, crashing on couches wit couchsurfing.org, but I would share some beer and traveltime with fellow travellers:) My email is p.judit89@gmail.com I am a 22year-old hungarian girl, currently taking a gap year, travelling in europe, currently living in barcelona, and planning the trip of her life:))