South America Backpacking – Adventures through Colombia, Ecuador & Peru
South America Backpacking – the trip that changed everything. In 2019, I spent several months traveling through Colombia, Ecuador and Peru I traveled and discovered a continent so diverse and breathtaking that every European destination seems almost boring by comparison. Volcanoes, jungles, Andean deserts, Inca ruins, Caribbean beaches – South America has it all, and at prices that make European budgets feel like luxury budgets.
Colombia – The most underrated country in South America
Colombia That was the biggest surprise of the trip. The country has long since shed its bad reputation and is now one of the most exciting backpacker destinations in the world. Medellín (once the „most dangerous city in the world“) is today an innovative, green metropolis with a perfect climate (eternal spring at 1,500m). Cartagena The Caribbean coast enchants visitors with its colonial old town and warm sea. Cocora Valley With its 60m high wax palms, it looks like something out of a fantasy novel.
Cost: Colombia is incredibly cheap. Hostel: €5-10, set menu: €2-3, domestic flight: €30-60. You can travel comfortably here for €25-35 per day.
Ecuador – Volcanoes, Galapagos Feeling & the Center of the World
Ecuador It is the most compact country in South America – about the size of Italy, it combines the Amazon rainforest, Andean peaks, Pacific coast and the Galápagos Islands. Quito (UNESCO Old Town at 2,800m) and the nearby Cotopaxi volcano (5,897m) are impressive. Laguna Quilotoa – an emerald green crater lake at 3,900m – is one of the most impressive natural wonders of South America.
Peru – Machu Picchu, Cusco & the Andes
Peru is the highlight of any South American trip. Cusco, the former Inca capital, and of course Machu Picchu These are absolute must-sees. My tip: Don't take the regular tourist train, but the... Salkantay Trek – 5 days hiking through the Andes, with Machu Picchu as the grand finale. More about this in my Peru Travelogue.
Backpacking Costs & Tips for South America
Daily budget: Colombia €25-35, Ecuador €30-40, Peru €25-40. Domestic flights and tours (Machu Picchu, Galápagos) significantly increase the budget.
Security: Much better than its reputation suggests. Follow basic rules: Don't go out alone at night in unfamiliar areas, keep valuables in the hostel safe, and don't wear jewelry. The security situation is good in tourist areas.
Best time to travel: May to September (dry season in the Andes). For the Caribbean coast of Colombia: December to April.
FAQ – South America Backpacking
How long should one plan for a trip to South America?
A minimum of 4 weeks per country, 2-3 months for Colombia + Ecuador + Peru. Less than 4 weeks feels rushed.
Do you need Spanish?
Helpful, but not essential. You can get by with English in tourist areas. However, basic knowledge (numbers, ordering food, asking for directions) makes the trip significantly more pleasant.
Is South America dangerous?
Not a blanket statement. Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador are safe in tourist areas. Follow basic rules. Venezuela and parts of Brazil are currently more difficult to navigate.
My South America series: Peru | Salkantay Trek | Chile & Patagonia | Brazil | Request Collaboration
Since we snagged a super flight deal to Brazil, our next adventure starts in South America - I visit here regularly, but there's still so much to see! First up is São Paulo, where I got a shock right away. 😂
I have never seen so many homeless people in one place before, despite having been to many international cities, including poorer areas. São Paulo took it to another level because you can find people in tents, under tarps, and even without any form of shelter over their heads in every single street! In front of the cathedral, we saw the extent of the problem because instead of tourists, there were only hundreds of homeless people and many police officers trying to keep everything under control. According to a local, the situation has worsened significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more and more people are ending up on the streets. 😳 During our five days in Rio, we were approached countless times by locals (sometimes in the middle of the street) to watch our belongings, phones, etc. - I've never experienced this before, and it was a strange feeling! 🤨
Nevertheless, we still explored the city and did some activities. We were particularly impressed by the food in Brazil - in local restaurants, you usually pay per 100g, so you can get a plate of fresh ingredients and lots of vegetables for less than €3, and sometimes there are even all-you-can-eat buffets for less than €5 per person. 😍🔥
From São Paulo, we took a flight to Foz do Iguaçu - the border town with Paraguay. Besides an incredible number of restaurants and bars, the main tourist attraction here is the Iguazu Falls - the largest waterfalls in the world. I've been here twice before, but it's always fascinating, and it should definitely be on everyone's bucket list! There are 275 individual waterfalls spread over a huge area, no matter where you look! 😱 Additionally, with a bit of luck, you can see the small coatis searching for unsuspecting tourists to snatch their food. 😂
However, we didn't stay in Foz do Iguaçu for long because we went directly across the Friendship Bridge to Paraguay. Since there isn't much to do in Paraguay, we took a bus directly to Asunción, the social and economic center of Paraguay. We worked a lot here and did a few smaller activities. Additionally, we experienced Christmas vibes for the first time here, as everything was beautifully decorated - in 30-degree heat. 😂
Initially, we planned to take a bus from Paraguay to Argentina, but we found that many of the country borders in South America were closed due to COVID-19, and entry is usually only possible by airplane. So we changed our plans and booked a flight to Chile with plenty of time in between. However, due to COVID regulations, there are countless requirements for entry into Chile, including having to verify vaccinations with the Chilean health authority. When we arrived at the airport after more than a week, we were sent back home because this verification process can take up to 40 days! Spontaneous travel is no longer possible... 🥺
So we had to change our plans again and decided to take flights to Peru since we only need a negative PCR test result here... Let's see if it works this time! 😁👍
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