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Cartagena, Colombia
Start your adventure in Colombia's colorful walled city. The Getsemaní neighborhood has cheap hostels, great street food like arepas and ceviche, and legendary rooftop parties. Don't miss the sunset from the fortress of Castillo San Felipe.
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Medellín, Colombia
Medellín is a buzzing city with a thriving nightlife scene in El Poblado and Laureles. Eat bandeja paisa for under $3 at local fondas and ride the famous Metrocable for panoramic views. The hostel scene here is one of the best in South America.
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Quito, Ecuador
Ecuador's capital sits at 2,850m and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning colonial old town. Grab cheap almuerzo lunches for $2-3 and explore the La Mariscal party district at night. Use Quito as a base to visit the Middle of the World monument.
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Baños, Ecuador
A small adventure town nestled between volcanoes and the Amazon, perfect for budget trekkers. Try the famous taffy candy being made on the streets and rent a bike to ride the spectacular Route of the Waterfalls. Hostels here are very affordable and social.
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Lima, Peru
Peru's capital is a world-class food destination even on a budget — try ceviche and lomo saltado at local mercados. The Miraflores and Barranco neighborhoods offer great nightlife and cheap hostel dorms with ocean views. Don't skip the Larco Museum to dive into Incan history.
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Cusco, Peru
The gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco is a backpacker hub with incredible energy. The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by cheap menú restaurants serving hearty Andean meals for $2-4. Hostel pub crawls are a nightly institution here.
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Machu Picchu, Peru
One of the world's greatest trekking destinations — hike the Inca Trail or take the train from Ollantaytambo for a budget option. Aguas Calientes at the base has affordable hostels and hot spring pools to soak tired legs. Book entry tickets well in advance as they sell out fast.
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La Paz, Bolivia
Bolivia is the cheapest country in South America and La Paz is its wild, chaotic heart. Ride the teleférico (cable car) for stunning views and eat salteñas from street stalls for pennies. The Witches' Market and nearby Valle de la Luna are unmissable on a zero-budget day.
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Uyuni, Bolivia
Home to the world's largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni is an otherworldly trekking and photography paradise. Budget jeep tours of 3 days cover the salt flat, flamingo lagoons, and geysers for around $100-120 all-inclusive. Nights here under the Milky Way are absolutely breathtaking.
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San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
A desert oasis village that's a top stop for stargazing, geysers, and otherworldly landscapes. Hike the Valle de la Luna at sunset for free and rent a bike to explore the surroundings cheaply. The hostel scene is very social and the night sky tours are unforgettable.
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Santiago, Chile
Chile's modern capital has a fantastic food market scene — visit Mercado Central for fresh seafood and La Vega for cheap local lunches. The Bellavista neighborhood is packed with bars, live music, and affordable hostels. Cerro San Cristóbal offers a free hike with panoramic city views.
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Puerto Natales, Chile
The jumping-off point for trekking the legendary Torres del Paine circuit in Patagonia. Stock up on cheap supermarket food before heading into the park to save money on meals. Hostels here are warm, welcoming, and full of fellow trekkers comparing trail stories.
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Torres del Paine, Chile
One of the world's premier trekking destinations with the famous W Trek and Circuit routes. Camp cheaply at CONAF campgrounds and cook your own meals to keep costs low. The granite towers, glaciers, and turquoise lakes make every blister completely worth it.
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El Calafate, Argentina
Base town for the jaw-dropping Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world. Entry to the glacier viewpoints is affordable and the free walkways get you incredibly close to the ice. Try local lamb asado at a parrilla for an authentic Patagonian meal.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Paris of South America is a must for food, tango, and legendary nightlife that starts at midnight. Eat world-class steak at a parrilla, explore the colorful La Boca neighborhood, and party till dawn in Palermo. Hostel dorms are cheap and the city's vast free cultural scene means you can do a lot for very little.
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Montevideo, Uruguay
Uruguay's laid-back capital is underrated and very walkable along its beautiful rambla waterfront. Visit the Sunday Mercado del Puerto for an epic grilled meat feast and explore the bohemian Ciudad Vieja for cheap eats. A great spot to decompress before pushing north into Brazil.
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Florianópolis, Brazil
Brazil's island party city with over 40 beaches and a buzzing backpacker scene. Praia da Joaquina is perfect for surfing while the Lagoa da Conceição neighborhood has cheap bars and live forró music. Hostels on the island are affordable and incredibly social.
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
End your epic journey in the Cidade Maravilhosa with its iconic beaches, samba parties, and street food. Hike up to Christ the Redeemer at sunrise for free with a student discount and eat cheap açaí bowls on Copacabana beach. The Santa Teresa neighborhood has the best budget hostels and live music bars.