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Old 03-03-2013, 01:32 AM   #1
kiwichick
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Default Budget advice for central / south america

Hey team,

Any advice for what I should be budgeting for a 6 month trip taken in good chunks of both central and south america? Will be backpacking, staying in hostels, using cheap transport etc but not wanting to do it too skint either (still awaiting to do some token tourist activities, eat well etc where possible).

Sorry I know that is quite a general question but the info I'm finding seems a little dated and I'm keen to get some ideas on costs before i set my mind of doing specific things.

Any help is much appreciated

Cheers,

Dee
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Old 03-08-2013, 05:15 PM   #2
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As Argentina may be your most expensive country (or one of them) in Central and South America, I priced out some hostels in Buenos Aires for August and they were coming in at $10/ shared and $20/private. Accommodations are usually your biggest cost. With daily food budget and cheap transportation (buses, metro, etc...), I would double that price to $40.

Most of the other countries on your trip should be a little cheaper.

Then, to be safe, I would pad that with another $10-$20 a day. So, if it were me, I would budget $50-$60 a day. Personally, I always over budget so I don't have any surprises (and or suffer from a lack of funds) when I am traveling.

Plus, it's alway s nice to come home with some left over funds.

You can price out other hostels on your itinerary here.
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Old 03-13-2013, 05:40 PM   #3
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One thing to keep in mind about Central/South America is how massive it is. I remember checking the bus schedules to see which city to visit next and seeing trips that were a week or more. For example, a quick check of the Footprint SA Handbook lists the Buenos Aires-Rio bus route as 42 hours. That is 5 eight hour days on the bus just to get around one corner of the continent. So even with six months you may need to budget a plane ticket or two to see everything you want to. Especially since it is likely that at least once you will take a short day trip to check out a little beach town someone tells you about, and end up spending a week there sitting on the beach!
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Old 03-14-2013, 03:00 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jabad17 View Post
One thing to keep in mind about Central/South America is how massive it is. I remember checking the bus schedules to see which city to visit next and seeing trips that were a week or more. For example, a quick check of the Footprint SA Handbook lists the Buenos Aires-Rio bus route as 42 hours. That is 5 eight hour days on the bus just to get around one corner of the continent. So even with six months you may need to budget a plane ticket or two to see everything you want to. Especially since it is likely that at least once you will take a short day trip to check out a little beach town someone tells you about, and end up spending a week there sitting on the beach!


42 hours riding the bus?! Ouch!

I'd be all about the discount air fares, if they exists down there like they do in the US and in Europe.
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Old 03-16-2013, 02:03 AM   #5
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Hey guys thanks for your replies! I'm thinking of budgeting round $60 US a day so I can have a bit of leeway - can not wait! Bound to have plenty of questions over the next few months as we plot together a bit of a plan so any advice is most welcome
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Old 03-18-2013, 08:13 PM   #6
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From what I've seen, that looks like a very safe daily budget for Central and South America.

Keep us up to date and hope more tips come your way!
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Old 03-26-2013, 09:20 AM   #7
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Ok, heres my take on Central America after traveling/living here for almost 4 years...

Guatemala:
Hostels $6-12 depending on location, Antigua being most expensive. Outside of Antigua and Guat City, $6-$10 per day for food and about $1.25 for beers.

El Salvador:
Hostels a bit more expensive, $8-$15 per night. Food and beer CHEAP, $5-$10 per day for food, $1 beers.

Honduras:
Hostels $5-$9, food $5-$10 per day, $1.25 beers.

Nicaragua:
By far my favorite, especially for adventures!!!
Hostels $4-$8, $5-$9 per day for food, and $1 beers.

Costa Rica:
Shitty and expensive, gringo filled, but beautiful...
Hostels $12-$20 per night, $8-$15 per day for food, $2 beers.

No Panama or Belize for me...

The chicken busses are a must, fun, CHEAP and part of the experience... If you are making long runs, then Ticabus is good, but expensive...

If you have any more specific questions, ask away, I have more knowledge about C.A. than most people, and theres literally not many places in the above countries that I havent been too...

Cheers
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Old 03-28-2013, 08:00 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marc873 View Post
Ok, heres my take on Central America after traveling/living here for almost 4 years...

Guatemala:
Hostels $6-12 depending on location, Antigua being most expensive. Outside of Antigua and Guat City, $6-$10 per day for food and about $1.25 for beers.

El Salvador:
Hostels a bit more expensive, $8-$15 per night. Food and beer CHEAP, $5-$10 per day for food, $1 beers.

Honduras:
Hostels $5-$9, food $5-$10 per day, $1.25 beers.

Nicaragua:
By far my favorite, especially for adventures!!!
Hostels $4-$8, $5-$9 per day for food, and $1 beers.

Costa Rica:
Shitty and expensive, gringo filled, but beautiful...
Hostels $12-$20 per night, $8-$15 per day for food, $2 beers.

No Panama or Belize for me...

The chicken busses are a must, fun, CHEAP and part of the experience... If you are making long runs, then Ticabus is good, but expensive...

If you have any more specific questions, ask away, I have more knowledge about C.A. than most people, and theres literally not many places in the above countries that I havent been too...

Cheers

Thanks for the detailed break down, Marc!

Kiwichick, with a budget of $60 US a day, looks like you're going to like you're going to live like a queen down there. Nothing like a stress free budget while traveling.
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Old 04-11-2013, 03:33 AM   #9
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Sorry guys hadnt checked in for a few days - thanks for you thoughts Mark, I'm hoping to have a bit of excess, my last trip I kept breaking things (bones mostly, but cameras, snowboard gear etc.. all ultimately expensive!) and have got accustomed to a comfortable non-student like lifestyle at home, so not being on the bones of my arse if and when I come back kind of appeals

Side question: Looking into Carnival in Rio and also language schools/volunteering for a month in Bolivia so if anyone has tips on these I'd be very appreciative

Ah i love travel punk! So much more effective than google :-p
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