South America is often described in two opposing ways:
“It’s cheap!”
“It’s expensive!”
Both are misleading. Costs vary enormously depending on country, region, travel style, and season.
To help travelers, bloggers, and planners, we’ve broken down real expenses for 2026 using data from Numbeo, World Bank, UNWTO, and national tourism boards.
This is not an opinion post. It’s a practical guide with numbers, examples, and context.
How we measured costs
We looked at average daily expenses per traveler, including:
Budget: dorms / hostels, street food, local transport
Mid-range: hotels, restaurants, some excursions
Luxury: boutique hotels, guided tours, flights, fine dining
All costs are in USD, based on February 2026 exchange rates.
Country Daily Cost Comparison
1. Budget
2. Mid-Range
3. Luxury
Country-by-Country Cost Guide
1. Argentina
Budget: $32–50/day
Mid-range: $70–130/day
Luxury: $215–430/day
Argentina is heavily affected by inflation. Buenos Aires is more expensive than northern Patagonia.
Domestic flights can cost $85–160 for 2-hour trips, especially in peak season.
2. Brazil
Budget: $38–55/day
Mid-range: $75–140/day
Luxury: $270–485/day
Brazil is massive — Rio and Florianópolis are expensive; interior towns like Chapada Diamantina are cheaper. Domestic flights often exceed $100 per 1–2 hour flight.
3. Chile
Budget: $43–65/day
Mid-range: $85–160/day
Luxury: $270–540/day
Patagonia, Torres del Paine, and Atacama Desert are expensive due to remote logistics and limited lodging.
4. Peru
Budget: $27–43/day
Mid-range: $65–120/day
Luxury: $215–430/day
Cusco and Machu Picchu dominate costs; northern Peru is significantly cheaper.
5. Bolivia
Budget: $22–38/day
Mid-range: $55–95/day
Luxury: $160–325/day
Salar de Uyuni and La Paz are pricier for tourists; Sucre and Potosí remain very affordable.
6. Colombia
Budget: $27–43/day
Mid-range: $55–105/day
Luxury: $215–375/day
Cartagena and Bogotá are the priciest; Medellín and coffee regions are cheaper.
7. Ecuador
Budget: $22–38/day
Mid-range: $55–95/day
Luxury: $160–325/day
Galápagos Islands are a major exception — daily costs can easily double due to park fees and flights.
8. Uruguay
Budget: $38–60/day
Mid-range: $85–150/day
Luxury: $215–430/day
Montevideo and Punta del Este are expensive; rural areas are cheaper.
9. Paraguay
Budget: $22–33/day
Mid-range: $43–85/day
Luxury: $130–270/day
Paraguay is one of the most affordable South American countries, with minimal overtourism.
10. Suriname & Guyana
Budget: $27–43/day
Mid-range: $55–95/day
Luxury: $160–325/day
Tourism infrastructure is limited, which can make certain services more expensive than expected.
Key insights for travelers
South America is not uniformly cheap: Chile, Uruguay, and Patagonia regions can be as expensive as Southern Europe. Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Peru remain very affordable.
Domestic flights are surprisingly costly: Brazil, Chile, and Peru often have flights more expensive than intercontinental tickets.
Tourist hotspots can double your budget: Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Torres del Paine, Galápagos, and Cartagena old town are pricey.
Inflation and currency fluctuations matter: Argentina and Brazil are volatile; budgeting in USD is safer than assuming local currency.
Tips to reduce costs
Travel off-peak
Use buses instead of flights for shorter distances
Stay outside major tourist hubs
Eat local food rather than tourist restaurants
Book tours and accommodation early