Budget Tours to South America
4.5 stars on(8,179 reviews)- Choose from 450+ South America tours
- 1,200+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Budget South America tour packages
Compiled by
NinaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar
- Bolivia to Brazil: Highlands & Coastlines
- From the Pacific to the Atlantic from Santiago to Rio - 13 days
- From La Paz to Buenos Aires via Uyuni (19 Days/ 18 Nights)
- La Paz, Uyuni, San Pedro and Salta (15 Days)
- La Paz to Santiago via Uyuni (21 Days/ 20 Nights)
- Cartagena To Rio (19 Weeks) Kingdoms & Carnivals
- Cartagena To Ushuaia (100 Days) Tip To Tail
- 15 Days Exploring Ecuador's Wonders
- 11 Days around Ecuador: A Journey Through Nature and Culture
- Andes & Rainforest
Bolivia to Brazil: Highlands & Coastlines
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An amazing trip that I will never forget. There have been so many highlights that I cannot even sum up the trip in a single paragraph.”
Jamie, traveled in May
Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate this tour at approx. $190 per day, with simple hotels and hostels. The price includes 23 breakfasts, internal flights, and guided experiences. Transportation between 15 cities and optional free activities like hiking in Ilha Grande are included.
Duration 31 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $229 Operator G Adventures From $8,339
15% Off- NZ$7,088You save $1,250
South American circuit runs approx. $150 daily covering hotels, guides, and transfers across three countries. Major attractions from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro await with expert multilingual guides.
Duration 13 days Destinations Chile, Argentina, Brazil Age Range 2 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Price Per Day $323 Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From
15% Off- NZ$4,198
For approx. $100 per day, this South American journey includes accommodations and transport. Guests stay at salt hotels in Uyuni, visit Atacama Desert's geysers, and enjoy included breakfasts. Walking opportunities abound in La Paz's historic center and Buenos Aires' colorful La Boca district.
Duration 19 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $173 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- NZ$3,287
South America's natural treasures await at approx. $90 per day, including accommodations and transport. Guests stay in authentic salt hostels near Uyuni and community lodges in the Altiplano. The tour includes excursions to Tiwanaku ruins, Isla del Sol temples, and Cafayate wine region.
Duration 15 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $153 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- NZ$2,294
Comprehensive South American tour at approx. $100 per day includes accommodations and guided tours. The itinerary features Tiwanaku ruins, Uyuni Salt Flats, and Atacama Desert with included breakfasts. Visitors enjoy wine tastings in Mendoza's Maipu valley and Santiago's bike tours while maintaining budget-friendly travel.
Duration 21 days Destinations Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $164 Operator Hi Travel Argentina From
15% Off- NZ$3,440
Value package at approx. $60 per day covers transport, guides, and 40% of meals. Mixed camping and simple hotels included. Optional Nazca Lines flights and W-Trek available. Local payment of $3,000 required. Playa Blanca boat trip and jungle excursions included.
Duration 135 days Destinations Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range 18 to 69 year olds Price Per Day $106 Operator Oasis Overland From
15% Off- NZ$14,266+$7,390 local payments
For around $70 per day, this tour provides transport, guide services, and mixed accommodations. Travelers can join free walking tours in Bogota, camp in Tayrona National Park, and take local buses to Santa Fe de Antioquia.
Duration 100 days Destinations Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile Age Range up to 99 year olds Price Per Day $116 Operator Oasis Overland From
15% Off- NZ$11,589+$5,878 local payments
15 Days Exploring Ecuador's Wonders
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The vacation was wonderful and our contacts Joseph and Alvero in Ecuador were fantastic.”
Bohdan, traveled in October
This comprehensive tour at approx. $160 per day includes standard hotels, breakfast daily, and guided exploration of 12 cities. UNESCO sites, indigenous markets, and natural wonders await with included transportation and expert guides. The Devil's Nose train ride is available as an optional experience.
Duration 15 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Guamote, Cuenca, El Cajas National Park, Guayaquil, Puerto LopezSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $268 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- NZ$4,014
11 Days around Ecuador: A Journey Through Nature and Culture
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“There's so much beauty in Ecuador. I was able to see Banos, Quamote, Cuenca and Quito.”
Natasha, traveled in July
Complete package at approx. $140 per day includes breakfast, standard hotels, and guided tours. Ten major destinations feature Quito's historic center and Banos' adventure activities, with optional Amazon tours available.
Duration 11 days Destinations Quito, Quilotoa, Cotopaxi National Park, Banos, Chimborazo Volcano, Guamote, Ingapirca, El Cajas National Park, Cuenca, Otavalo Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $240 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- NZ$2,646
Valued at approx. $150 per day, this comprehensive tour includes lodging, most meals, and private transportation. Accommodations include standard hotels and jungle huts, with activities like Jatun Yaku River rafting and Cotopaxi treks. Optional adventures in Baños and Mindo offer flexible spending choices.
Duration 14 days Destinations Quito, Banos, Tena, Papallacta, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Cuenca Age Range 12 to 90 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Price Per Day $247 Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- NZ$3,452
What people love about Budget Tours in South America
- La Paz to Buenos Aires: Andes & the Atacama Desert
Some of the hotels/hostels were not up to expected standard with cleanliness and amenities. We also had a 10 hour bus journey and didn't even see Salta before getting up early to fly to Buenos Aires. Apart from that very good itinerary and especially enjoyed the Salt Flats.
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to South America
When is the most affordable time to visit South America?
The best deals in South America can be found during April-June and September-November. These shoulder seasons bring mild weather and fewer tourists which means better rates on flights and hotels. Travelers can save up to 20% compared to peak seasons by visiting major sites like Machu Picchu in April or the Uyuni Salt Flats in September. The busiest and most expensive periods are December-February (summer high season) and July-August (winter high season) when prices can spike significantly.
What are some good budget-friendly areas to visit in South America?
Bolivia stands out as one of South America's best values with affordable food lodging and activities in cities like La Paz and Sucre. The famous Salar de Uyuni tours remain reasonably priced despite their popularity. Northern Argentina particularly around Salta delivers authentic experiences without the premium prices of more touristy regions. In Peru smaller Sacred Valley towns such as Ollantaytambo and Pisac offer similar cultural richness to Cusco but at lower prices that stretch travel budgets further.
What type of accommodation can I expect on budget tours in South America?
Budget accommodations range from basic hostels to distinctive local stays. Near Bolivia's Uyuni Salt Flats guests sleep in hotels built from salt blocks while Lake Titicaca offers homestays with local families. The Oasis Overland tour features camping in the Atacama Desert and stays at mid-range hotels like Casa Andina Standard in Cusco. While amenities are simple the lodgings are clean comfortable and provide genuine local experiences at reasonable rates.
What is the average daily budget needed for expenses not included in South American budget tours?
Budget 30-45 USD daily for meals activities and personal expenses not covered by tours. Local meals cost 5-10 USD in Peru and 10-15 USD in Argentina. Additional activities remain affordable with sandboarding in Huacachina at 15 USD and Baños hot springs for 4 USD. Recent G Adventures tour participants reported spending about 35 USD per day on extra expenses when choosing local eateries and markets over tourist restaurants.
What essential tips help save money while traveling through South America on a budget?
For a 2-3 week tour plan 300-500 USD for optional activities. Popular choices include sandboarding in Huacachina for 15 USD wine tasting tours in Mendoza at 50 USD and Bolivia's Death Road bike adventure for 125 USD. This budget allows flexibility to join most offered activities while maintaining reasonable spending limits.
How much should I budget for entrance fees to attractions in South America?
Reserve 300-500 USD for activity fees and entrance costs. Common expenses include Huacachina sandboarding at 30 USD Rainbow Mountain treks for 40 USD and Lake Titicaca boat excursions at 35 USD. This amount typically covers most desired activities during a standard multi-week tour without requiring strict budgeting.
More about South America
Peru toursArgentina toursBrazil toursColombia tours10 Best South America Backpacking Tours & Trips 2025/202610 Best Adventure Trips for Couples 2025/202610 Best South America Honeymoon Packages & Tours 2025/202610 Best South America Travel Specialists (with Reviews)Weather in South America in 2025/2026What is the best time to visit South America in 2025/2026?Solo TravelersCouples