19 Tips for Backpacking South America: A Complete Guide for First-Time Travelers

I spent two months traveling across Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, solo-female style. So I compiled this list of tips for backpacking South America for anyone considering their own solo adventure (solo or not).

After making myself a quinoa salad for the airport, I grabbed an Uber and headed off with one day pack strapped to my front and another to my back (my back still hurts thinking about it).

Preparation Before You Go

1. If you Don’t Know the Language(s), Keep Some Key Phrases on Hand

Let’s be honest, when people say to “learn a few phrases,” that memorization flies right out of the window as soon as a native speaker opens their mouth. Keeping a few key phrases – “hello,” “how are you,” “I need the/a,” “Where is the/a,” “thank you,” “please” – in a notes tab on your phone, accessible offline, will be a lifesaver for you (and your brain). 

2. Pack Light and Tight

This may feel obvious, but it’s very easy when you’re still at home to think you need that extra thing. You very very very (get the point?) likely do not.

Remember that you will most often be squishing onto a bus, into a hostel room, and, don’t forget, carrying your stuff everywhere. The more efficiently you pack, the easier, not to mention you’re likely going to re-wear the same thing multiple times, so… chill on massive variety here.

3. Check Packing Travel Restrictions

Depending on how you are getting from country to country, check travel restrictions and requirements going to and from. For example, many airlines don’t let you travel with hiking poles, with some exceptions.

If you pack travel utensils…  Check. Your. Restrictions. Don’t be like me and leave with a full set and come back with a spoon and straw. Pretty sure each country took a different utensil from me at security…

4. Check Carry-on vs Checked Bag Requirements

If you’ve ever flown on a budget airline, you know that they don’t play when it comes to baggage (and neither do we pro-therapy folks, okurr). This may mean that you have to check your backpack, based on your ticket, versus being allowed to carry it on.

Knowing this tip for backpacking South America in advance may save you from a night’s sleep on, say, the table of a closed restaurant in the Santiago airport, since your ticket might only allow you to check a bag 4 hours before your flight (regardless of getting into the airport the night before).

Yeah, I was tired too and kinda wished I sorted a better ticket (or found a proper place to sleep for the night).

Essential Gear for Backpacking South America

5. Carabiners are your Best Friends

I have many favorite travel “must-packs,” but I feel 99% confident saying that carabiners are likely in my top three. Shoes don’t fit in your pack? Carabiner them on the outside. Purchased some souvenirs that you don’t have space for? Carabiner them on the outside.

Keep in mind that if you are flying budget airlines – and to be honest, even if not (I’m looking at you, United) – they can be very particular about bag sizes and allowances. A lot of times, having something literally hooked onto your bag will fly (pun intended), whereas holding it in your hand won’t.

6. Pack for Multiple Climates

This was one of the trickiest parts of fitting all your belongings into a backpack. I went from walking around in a skirt in Buenos Aires and sunbathing on a beach in Rio to wearing every single layer I had brought with me in Torres Del Paine (Chile).

One of my best tips for backpacking South America is to figure out a baseline for what you’re planning to do on your trip and pack layerable clothing accordingly.

7. Prepare to Get Damp

If you’re like me and traveling to Ecuador during April, that’s the rainy season (in case you didn’t know). Packing clothes that are breathable and dry fast is key – especially when you are likely bouncing from one place to the next and won’t have a ton of drying time.

The two items I wore the most on my trip were breathable hiking pants and a packable rain jacket that I could easily roll up into my bag. 

8. Protect Your Belly

I seem to be someone who has stomach troubles on most trips. Be that as it may, I got the worst case of food poisoning I’ve ever had in Ecuador that lasted the majority of my trip.

This should honestly be number one for my tips for backpacking South America: avoid all raw foods. I think I got my food poisoning from some raw vegetables on these DELICIOUS arepas I had in Baños. Additionally, pack some probiotics, anti-diarrhea medicine, and Vaseline…

Notes About Money, From Country to Country

9. Cash is Queen

In most places, having coins and cash on hand is imperative. You’re not going to be as likely to find a cab with a card machine inside.

Make sure you get $25-$50 out in the respective currency for each country, ahead of leaving the airport/bus station/etc. The smaller the bills/coins, the better.

Be extremely cautious with both your belongings and your transactions. You never know who’s watching.

10. Tip on Tours, Even if No One Else Does

Make sure that you have a few bucks handy to give to your tour guide (which, keep in mind, is often split with the driver).

In my experience, the tours were very thorough, and the guides often translated on the spot into different languages. Plus, they have a very firm grasp not only of their own culture but also of relevant cultures in the tour group, to apply some relatability to the sites visited.

Sadly, it’s easy to get off the bus, thank them, and walk away – especially if that’s the majority – but making it a priority to keep cash on hand as an added thank you is an important way for great tour guides to stay in business and keep doing the job well.

11. Understand the Currency and Budget Accordingly

Simply put, at present, your “dollar” will go a lot farther in Ecuador than in Chile. Knowing what the local currency converts to and planning accordingly will save you a lot of money.

Staying Safe While Traveling

12. Keep Your Belongings on You at All Times on Public Transport

Unless you are taking a bus, and they require you to put your larger pack underneath. Keep all of your belongings on you as much as possible (literally touching you).

You will likely be taking buses, at least within a country if not from one to the next. Do not ever put your bags on the floor! I can’t tell you how many times I was warned, especially in Ecuador, about how clever other passengers are at stealing your stuff.

I met a woman in my hostel in Quito who was sitting next to her Dad on the bus, decided to put her backpack between her legs on the floor. She didn’t notice until she got back to her accommodations that night that her phone and wallet were stolen from her pack.

13. Hostel Location is Key

We all want a great location for wherever we’re staying, but it’s especially crucial when traveling (especially solo) in South America. You’ll often notice that main businesses are closed before nightfall, with full gates down on their doors.

This isn’t to scare you, but for example, if you’re out for dinner one night, make sure it’s easy and fairly quick for you to return to your accommodation post-meal. Or eat earlier.  

Make the Most of Your Experience

14. Know Your Level of Hiking Ability

This is honestly true of a lot of international locations outside of the United States. Everyone’s level of difficulty varies based on your body, how often you hike, fitness level, etc., but that plays a key role in the hikes you choose and who you are hiking with.

I did a waterfall hike in Ecuador that I labeled as hard, but others thought it was easy to moderate (depending on who you asked).

As an additional note, the safety protocols might also be different than what you’re used to. For instance, you may be scooting along on the edge of a watery, rocky wall with a thin rope that’s screwed into said wall to hold onto while you try to find your footing on jagged rocks.

15. Learn the Culture from Locals (and Support Them)

One of my favorite experiences on my trip was in Rio de Janeiro when I did a walking tour through the Vidigal favela. When you visit Rio, you can’t miss the different favelas located within the hills all across the city.

Favelas are working-class towns, often referred to as slums, located on the outskirts of the city. They are rich in culture and art, and though there are plenty of harsh realities within them, there is also so much beauty and a strong sense of community that is incredibly impactful to witness firsthand.

The tour I found was put on by two locals who lived within the favela and were actively giving back to it through the tour proceeds. Additionally, they worked within the community to set up events supporting the people and families within, like their annual children’s day. 

16. Know When Shops are Open

One thing I noticed as a recurring trend was that a lot of places would be closed around lunchtime, often for a few hours. Don’t be like me, wandering around Puerto Natales trying to find a tour agency, only to be walking through what felt like a ghost town (until later).

17. Keep your Plans Loose (as possible)

While I did have my flights booked from country to country and my first hostel stay confirmed, that was it. Highly unlike my Type A self.

Do your research – as some things and places will book up in advance – but for the most part, this paid off in waves for me. You not only learn things from place to place – like what to keep an eye out for, the best things to do, not to mention just needing a break from the bunkbed world for a few nights – but also open yourself up for amazing opportunities that you hadn’t even thought of.

I ended up at a beautifully remote, peaceful hostel in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, after my initial stay in Quito, because I said “yes” at the moment. It was one of the highlights of my trip, and I even met people whom I ended up re-meeting in Chile!

18. Put on your Extrovert Cap and Meet New People

Get uncomfy with being uncomfortable – it’ll pass. I, too, love to be alone and honestly thrive in that space. But this is your opportunity to meet people from all over the world, in the same boat as you, and GROW.

It’s the coolest thing to learn about other cultures from those people directly, but it’s also really nice to have a walk-around-town buddy. Believe me, you’ll have plenty of alone time – take advantage of the community when you have it.

19. Say YES

You hear it often, but it’s so true: this is your biggest opportunity to expand your horizons – especially if you are traveling solo. Say “yes” to adjusting your plans, grabbing food with someone you don’t know, tango class with your host, and even staying up when you feel tired (I know, I know).

I promise those are the moments that will make your trip and be the memories that live with you the longest.

I hope these tips for backpacking South America helped! Have the best time and tag @accentgolden during your travels if you utilize any of these tips!

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