How to see South America on a budget

YOU don't have to spend a small fortune to have an excellent time in South America, writes Christina Pfeiffer

Peru

FROM the evergreen Amazon rainforest to the snow-capped Andes, South America has an inspiring gallery of landscapes.

The continent's impressive arsenal of natural and cultural wonders includes more than 200 national parks, hundreds of colonial cities crammed with heritage architecture and two of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Machu Picchu in Peru and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil might have the "wow" factor but there are plenty of other off-the-beaten-track experiences to delight travellers. The good news is, you don't need a second mortgage to experience them. Argentina Why go? Football, fashion and tango are three good reasons to visit Argentina's flamboyant capital. Buenos Aires is also a popular point of entry to South America for Aussies (Argentina's national carrier Aerolineas Argentinas flies from Sydney). Beyond the glamorous capital, Argentina's natural attractions range from Patagonia's glaciers in the south to Salta's desert landscape in the north. But the country's shining star is Iguassu Falls, which is a gushing goliath among the world's pantheon of great waterfalls. Price check Even though Argentina has been hit by inflation in recent years, it's still possible to stay in a decent boutique hotel in a hip area for less than $100. In Buenos Aires, try Pop Hotel (pophotelsbuenosaires.com), Livian Guesthouse (livianguesthouse.com.ar) and San Telmo Loft (santelmoloft.com). Bolivia Why go? Bolivia is a country of superlatives. It has the world's highest capital (La Paz), the highest navigable body of water in the world (Lake Titicaca) and the world's largest salt flats (Salar de Uyuni). It's South America's poorest country and one of the continent's culturally richest. More than 60 per cent of the population has indigenous heritage. Markets and festivals are vibrant and colourful. Price check Bolivia is one of the cheapest countries in South America to visit and there are plenty of operators offering low-cost tours. An example is Intrepid Travel's (intrepidtravel.com) 12-day Bolivia Highlights, from $1285 a person. Travellers stay in hotels and dormitory-style accommodation, and there's one night in a train seat. Brazil Why go? With the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics on the horizon, Brazil is the pick of South America's hot spots. Rio de Janeiro is a magnet for travellers, with its mountainous backdrop and natural harbour. Away from the party capital, Brazil's sun-soaked coastline, Amazon rainforest and panoramic views of Iguassu Falls are also hard to beat. Price check The most expensive time to visit Brazil is around Carnival (February 8-13 next year), when room rates can quadruple. Save money by eating at no-frills "per kilo" restaurants and pay for your meal by weight. Chile Why go? Qantas's new direct route from Sydney to Santiago makes Chile an easy destination for Aussies to get to. Santiago is South America for beginners. It's not the most vibrant city in South America but it's clean and relatively safe for independent travellers to explore. There are ski slopes to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and wineries in every direction. Patagonia in the south has jaw-dropping scenery of forests, lakes, glaciers and spectacular granite pillars. Another region to consider visiting is the Atacama Desert in the north. Price check The Chilean capital has a cheap and efficient metro system (metrosantiago.cl) and reasonably priced boutique hotels in trendy Providencia, where a double room will set you back about $120. See Vilafranca Petit Hotel (vilafranca.cl) and Mediano Sur Petit Hotel (meridianosur.cl). Colombia Why go? Colonial architecture, the coffee triangle and the Caribbean coast are the top three things that support Colombia's reputation as South America's best-kept secret. Colombia is steadily shedding its reputation as an unsafe destination and the Government is winning the fight against the drug cartels. These days, Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena's cobblestone streets and Spanish-colonial plazas pulse with a party atmosphere. New boutique hotels are transforming Cartagena into a hip hot spot. Price check A good way to save money is to camp or share rooms with other travellers, especially if you're planning to visit several countries. Gecko's Adventures (geckosadventures.com) has a 19-day itinerary travelling through Colombia and Ecuador from $1673, sleeping in campsites, hostels, hammocks and shared hotel rooms. Ecuador Why go? When it comes to historical and natural assets, tiny Ecuador punches way above its weight. South America's second smallest country attracts thousands of visitors to the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador has more than 70 volcanoes, including Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanos in the world. And the Amazon rainforest is a day's drive from colonial Quito, which is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed haul of museums, churches and historic mansions. In Quito, La Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) marks the equator, separating the northern and southern hemispheres. Price check Contiki (contiki.com.au) has a new, 11-day tour to Ecuador from $2685 a person. It includes touring the Galapagos Islands and activities such as learning how to salsa with the locals. Peru Why go? Peru's Inca civilisation is one of the highlights of a South American trip and Machu Picchu is a spectacle to cross off your list. However, the Incas are a relatively new Peruvian civilisation and there are loads of other fascinating archeological attractions, such as the Nazca Lines, impressively etched into the desert floor, the Chimu kingdom's Chan Chan Chavin de Huantar and the city of Caral. Price check One way to see Peru on a budget is travelling overland in a truck. It's a good way to make friends and meet the locals. Intrepid Travel's 17-day Cuzco to Lima tour costs from $1055 a person and includes staying in hotels, camping and a homestay with a local family. Go2- SOUTH AMERICA Getting there Several airlines fly to South America. Qantas has direct flights from Sydney to Santiago. LAN Airlines flies to Santiago (via Auckland). Aerolineas Argentinas flies from Sydney to Buenos Aires (via Auckland). Flight Centre (1300 939 414, flightcentre.com.au) is offering double-dip flights that combine two South American destinations for the price of one. Visas Australia passport holders need a visa for Brazil (about $77) and must pay reciprocity fees to enter Argentina ($100) and Chile ($95). Staying there For decent accommodation at cheap prices, stay in local hotels or apartments. Roomorama (roomorama.com) has properties in South America. A one-bedroom apartment in downtown Buenos Aires starts at $44 a night. When to go Avoid July and August, Easter and Christmas-New Year holidays. 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