Argentina | Backpacking | Bolivia | Brazil | Caribbean | Chile | Colombia | Ecuador | Galapagos | Itinerary | Panama | South America
6 Month Backpacking South America Itinerary
We spent over 6 months in South America as part of our 12+ month backpacking journey through South and Central America right up to North America, ending in the USA.
We started in Chile, headed east to Brazil and made our way north via Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia before heading into Central America via Jamaica and eventually Mexico, Cuba and the USA. This 6+ Month Itinerary is for those with time up their sleeves! It involves plenty of long bus trips and a couple of days per place.
We’ve made it simple by showcasing the entire 6 months through South America with photos and just a tiny bit of info! Click on the title of each place to visit the relevant blog posts if you want to read more.
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Disclaimer:
We’re nerds! And we love being active. So our trip was more about doing and seeing everything we possibly could, and learning as much as possible whilst we were there. There was also a wee bit of partying thrown in because, well.. why not? If this sounds like the kind of trip you’re after then by all means read on.
We’re nerds! And we love being active. So our trip was more about doing and seeing everything we possibly could, and learning as much as possible whilst we were there. There was also a wee bit of partying thrown in because, well.. why not? If this sounds like the kind of trip you’re after then by all means read on.
This blog may contain several affiliate links to products and services that I use and love. By clicking on these links, I might get a teeny tiny contribution towards my travel fund, at no extra cost to you!
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CHILE
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Valparaiso
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Santiago
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BRAZIL
Click HERE for a 5 Week Brazil Only Itinerary
Rio De Janeiro (Ipanema)
- Where we stayed:
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What to Do:
- Christ the Redeemer & Corcovado Mountain
- Sugarloaf Mountain (go in late afternoon to take in the view and then watch the beautiful sunset!)
- Ipanema Beach
- Copacabana Beach
- Sunset at Aproadar Rocks
- Football match at the Maracana
- Chinese Viewpoint (hike up and down!)
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What to Eat & Drink:
- Caprinha Cocktails!
- Kilogramas (pay per weight restaurants)
Arraial do Cabo / Buzios
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Where we stayed:
- Lagoon Backpackers in Buzios & an AirBnb in Arraial do Cabo
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What to Do:
- Beach!
- In Arraial hike to Praia do Atalaia, it’s beautiful
- In Buzios visit the Bridget Bardot Boardwalk
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What to Eat & Drink:
- Caipirinha Cocktails!
Rio De Janeiro (Lapa)
- Where we stayed:
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What to Do:
- Lapa Street Party (Friday night!) underneath the Arches
- Lapa Steps
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What to Eat & Drink:
- NOT the tequila being handed out at the street party!
Ilha Grande
- Where We Stayed:
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What to Do:
- Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach
- Day trip with Jeronimo’s Tours
- Circuit do Abraao
- Hike to waterfall (Cachoeira) from Circuit do Abraao
Trindade
- Where We Stayed:
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What To Do:
- Beach
- Cachadaço Natural Pools
- Pedra que Engole “The rock that swallows” (ask at your hostel!)
Paraty
- Where We Stayed:
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What To Do:
- Explore town, beautiful cobblestone streets with brightly coloured windows and doors
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JEEP TOUR (one day) includes 4 locations listed below:
- Paratiana Cachaca distillery
- Pedra Branca waterfalls
- Toboga – big slippery rock you can slide down!
- Poco do Tarzan (a 12 m jump rock, do it!)
Florianopolis
- Where We Stayed:
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What To Do:
- Beaches
- Visit the turtle sanctuary
- Sand-boarding
- Surfing
- & Much More
Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls)
- Where We Stayed:
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What to Do:
- Iguazu Falls (Brazilian side)
- Parque Das Aves (Bird Park) Note.. I didn’t really like it here, although it is a bird sanctuary (or at least started as one) it seemed to much like a zoo for me, lots of animals with not enough room to fly.
Iguaza Falls
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ARGENTINA
Puerto Iguaçu
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do:
- Visit the Falls (obviously)
- Fast Boat Trip under the falls!
Buenos Aires
- Where We Stayed:
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What To Do:
- Buenos Aires Free Walking Tour.
- Visit the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca
- Go to a football match (if in season)
- Visit Boca Jnr Stadium
- San Telmo Markets (Sunday)
- Explore Palermo neighburhood
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What to Eat & Drink:
- Visit La Cabrera (if you’re a meat eater)
- Visit Cafe Tortoni (BA’s oldest cafe)
Mendoza
- Where to Stay:
- What to Do:
Salta
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do:
- Go horse riding and BBQing with Sayta Cabalgatas
- Hike up to Cerro San Bernardo
- Go to the Museum to see remains of Incan children sacrifices
CHILE (again)
San Pedro de Atacama
- Where We Stayed:
- What to Do:
SALAR DE UYUNI 3D/2N 4WD TRIP
CHILE → BOLIVIA
Click HERE for my blog post on our time on the Salt Flats!
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BOLIVIA
La Paz
- Where we Stayed:
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What To Do:
- Witches Market
- Mountain bike “Death Road”
- Learn Spanish at Pico Verde
- Explore the streets and markets
Rurrenabaque (Amazon)
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Where we stayed:
- Mashaquipe Eco Resort
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What To Do:
- Play with monkeys
- Search for Anacondas
- Swim with Pink Dolphins
- Catch (& release) Pirahnas
- Spot Caiman (Crocs!)
Copacabana (Lake Titicaca)
- Where to Stay:
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What to Do:
- Hike to Horca del Inca
- Hike to Cerro Calvario
Isla Del Sol (Lake Titicaca)
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Where to Stay:
- Hostal Del Sol
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What to Do:
- Hike from one end of the Island to the other (and back)
- Swim in the lake!
- Enjoy one of the most beautiful places in all of SA!
PERU
Click HERE for a 6 Week Peru Only Itinerary!
Puno
- Where We Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Visit Uros Floating Islands
- Visit Taquile Island
Arequipa
- Where We Stayed:
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What to Do?
- City Walking Tour
- Hike the Colca Canyon
Cusco
- Where We Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Sacred Valley (visit ruins in a day trip or go and stay in villages)
- Hike to Saqsaywaman Ruins
- Free walking tours!
- Chocolate Museum
- The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (or another trek similar, i.e. The Salkantay) Check out our post on The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
Huacachina
- Where We Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Hike the sand dunes
- Sandbar the dunes
- Dune buggy
Lima
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Walk (or run) the cliffs!
- Visit the cat park
- Free walking tours
- Swim at the rocky and cold beach. Still a swim!
- Not sure, cities aren’t our thing and we really only had one day here.
Huanchaco
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Surf
- Hike up to the Church
- Eat ceviche!
Mancora
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Surf
- Sunbake
- Party
ECUADOR
Guayaquil
Note: This was a necessary stop for our Galapagos trip, definitely not a must see destination for us.
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Visit Malecón 2000
- Visit Cerro Santa Ana
Galapagos Islands
NB: We wrote a HUGE post on how to do the Galapagos Islands extremely cheaply. For more info on that check it out HERE
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Where we Stayed:
- 3 different Islands
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What to Do?
- Swim
- Snorkel
- See Wildlife
- Everything.. READ OUR POST!
Montañita
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Spanish Lessons with Miguel!
- Surf
- Swim
- Party
- Hike towards Olan
Cuenca
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Explore the town, nice colonial buildings
- VisitCajas National Park
Riobamba
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Ride a bike down Chimborazo Volcano!
Baños
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Casa del Arbol
- Visit Virgen Cascada (waterfalls)
- Hire bikes and ride to Rio Verde
- See Diablo Waterfall
Latacunga
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Hike the Quilotoa Loop!
- Hike up Cotopaxi Volcano
- Ride a bike down Cotopaxi Volcano
Quilotoa Loop
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Where we Stayed:
- Quilotoa
- Chugchilan
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What to Do?
- Hike
- Enjoy
- Swim if you dare!
Quito
- Where we Stayed:
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What to Do?
- Walk around Old Town
- Mitad del Mundo
Otavalo
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Where we Stayed:
- Hostel G…. (can’t read Sean’s writing!)
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What to Do?
- Visit the markets
- Hike to lookout Point
COLOMBIA
Bogota
- Where to Stay:
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What to Do:
- Graffiti Tour
- Mikes Bogota Bike Tours!
- Hike up Monserrate
- Visit Gold Museum
- Drink Chicha
Medellin
- Where to Stay:
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What to Do:
- Guatape
- Real City Tours
- Pablo Escobar Tour
Salento
- Where to Stay:
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What to Do:
- Coffee tour @ Finca El Ocaso
- Valle Del Cocora!
- Hike to Santa Rita Waterfalls
- Coffee Info tour at Casa La Eliana
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What to Eat & Drink:
- Coffee at Jesus Martin
Santa Marta
We wouldn’t really recommend Santa Marta to spend time other than as a gateway to Minca & Tayrona!
- Where to Stay:
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What to Do:
- Go to Minca
- Go to Tayrona
- Go To Costeño Beach
- Go To Palomino
Minca
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Where to Stay:
- ?
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What to Do:
- Coffee Farm tour
- Waterfalls
- See hummingbirds
Palomino
- Where to Stay:
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What to Do:
- Get tubes & float down the river
- Not much else
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Tayrona National Park
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Cartagena
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Capurgana
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San Blas Islands (Panama)
Although technically not in South America you’ve got to head to the San Blas Islands! |
