u/AccomplishedWriter74

Hi! I recently posted how I’m planning on taking a trip to South America this coming November with my sister.

Some background: we’re both college students 20 and 19, I’ll be 21 when we go. Our classes are going to be online for the semester so this allows us flexibility. We are on a budget, not a specific one but we want to get the most out of our money. We love hiking and nature and just fun spontaneous activities in general.

This is very tentative, nothing has been booked so I am flexible and any recommendations are appreciated:

First destination: Colombia

Medellin (2 nights)

Day trip to Guatape directly to
Jardin (2 nights)

Salento (2 nights)

Bus back to Medellin and fly to Lima

Second destination: Peru

Lima (2 nights)

Huacachina (1 night) - skipping Paracas because I don’t feel like it’ll be my vibe

From here, conflicted on whether to take a bus straight to Cusco or stop by Arequipa and stay for a night or two.

Cusco (2 nights)

Salkantay Trek (4 nights)
Possibly go to Sacred Valley on the way back from MP to Cusco?

Cusco (2 nights)

Rainbow valley day trip

Bus from Cusco to La Paz

Third destination: Bolivia

La Paz (3 nights)

Gonna be totally honest, don’t really have this part figured out. I know I definitely want to do Death Valley which would be a day trip from La Paz, I’d love to do Huayana Potosi which I’m pretty sure is also close to La Paz.

I am also considering the salt flats in Uyuni. I wouldn’t do the 3 day tour, I’m most interested in seeing the salt flats. Just a time thing since this would be near end of December and I’d want to be in Brazil for new years.

From Bolivia, I’d fly to São Paulo or Rio, whichever is cheapest and I haven’t gotten around to planning for Brazil yet. I know for a fact I want to be on Copacabana for New Years. But there’s also so much to see in Brazil so I’m spending the most time here. Any suggestions are welcome!

Questions I have:

1. Do I get the best rate on busses booking in person or in advance? I am on a budget so busses are my main transport between towns/cities rather than flying.

2. Anyone have any recs for an affordable MP guide? Should I just wait to book in person to possibly get a better rate/negotiate? Or is that risky. I’ve heard mixed things.

3. Are there any day trips from Saõ Paulo/activities in São Paulo or would it be best to just fly straight to Rio?

Hi I’m planning a 2 month long trip to South America this year and other trips as well while on a budget as a student. I’ve been able to find some good deals on flights, but most of them only allow a personal item, carry on is allowed for extra ~$50 which I might consider depending on feedback whether only a personal item would be possible.

Does anyone have any experience only traveling with a personal item and any recommendations for spacious backpacks. I’m looking at getting the Osprey 26+6.

Hi I’m planning a 2 month long trip to South America this year and other trips as well while on a budget as a student. I’ve been able to find some good deals on flights, but most of them only allow a personal item, carry on is allowed for extra ~$50 which I might consider depending on feedback whether only a personal item would be possible.

Does anyone have any experience only traveling with a personal item and any recommendations for spacious backpacks. I’m looking at getting the Osprey 26+6.

Hi everyone, recently I took a trip to Guatemala, a little under 2 weeks with my sister and had so much fun I decided to begin planning an extended trip exploring South America this winter.

We will taking all our classes online for the semester so that will allow us to be flexible with dates & duration. My sister and I want to go to Medellin, Colombia / Cusco, Peru (Machu Picchu) / Santiago, Chile / Rio, Brazil / Buenos Aires, Argentina and possiblyyy but probably not Mexico City, Mexico (take that very lightly just a thought).

We will be flying from DC, want to maximize my money as much as possible since we’ll be paying tuition so thinking of strictly booking flights that don’t charge for carry on or only allow personal item. I plan to buy an Osprey 26+6 for this reason, if anyone has any other recs for bags lmk please!

Anywaysss, here are the flights I have found + costs breakdown.

Nov 13
Baltimore (BWI) to Panama (COPA allows a up to 3 day stopover for $50 more so figured why not)

Nov 17
Panama to Medellin, Colombia

$198 (personal item + carry on)

Nov 26
Medellin to Cusco, Peru

$207 (personal item only)

Dec 7
Cusco to Santiago, Chile

$133 (personal item only)

Dec 17
Santiago to Rio, Brazil

$109 (personal item only)

Jan 5
Rio to Buenos Aires, Argentina

$106 (personal item only)

Flight back to DC has not been decided on yet as I’m not sure if I should book it’s for $488 on Jan 15th 🫠 or gamble and hope for it to drop? Or possibly go to Mexico City on the 13th for $389 and fly to DC on the 18th for $189.

Let me know any critiques/recs you may have please! Literally anything that may be helpful in planning this trip would be appreciated (flights, accommodations, transport, food, etc whatever!)

Hi everyone, recently I took a trip to Guatemala, a little under 2 weeks with my sister and had so much fun I decided to begin planning an extended trip exploring South America this winter.

We will taking all our classes online for the semester so that will allow us to be flexible with dates & duration. My sister and I want to go to Medellin, Colombia / Cusco, Peru (Machu Picchu) / Santiago, Chile / Rio, Brazil / Buenos Aires, Argentina and possiblyyy but probably not Mexico City, Mexico (take that very lightly just a thought).

We will be flying from DC, want to maximize my money as much as possible since we’ll be paying tuition so thinking of strictly booking flights that don’t charge for carry on or only allow personal item. I plan to buy an Osprey 26+6 for this reason, if anyone has any other recs for bags lmk please!

Anywaysss, here are the flights I have found + costs breakdown.

Nov 13
Baltimore (BWI) to Panama (COPA allows a up to 3 day stopover for $50 more so figured why not)

Nov 17
Panama to Medellin, Colombia

$198 (personal item + carry on)

Nov 26
Medellin to Cusco, Peru

$207 (personal item only)

Dec 7
Cusco to Santiago, Chile

$133 (personal item only)

Dec 17
Santiago to Rio, Brazil

$109 (personal item only)

Jan 5
Rio to Buenos Aires, Argentina

$106 (personal item only)

Flight back to DC has not been decided on yet as I’m not sure if I should book it’s for $488 on Jan 15th 🫠 or gamble and hope for it to drop? Or possibly go to Mexico City on the 13th for $389 and fly to DC on the 18th for $189.

Let me know any critiques/recs you may have please! Literally anything that may be helpful in planning this trip would be appreciated (flights, accommodations, transport, food, etc whatever!)