Luxury Travel Guide: South America
Travel in style with premium hotels, fine dining, private transfers, and exclusive experiences
Daily Budget: $330-920 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for luxury travel in South America
Accommodation
$150-400 per night
Upscale hotels, boutique properties, eco-lodges, resorts with premium amenities and services
Food & Dining
$60-150 per day
Fine dining restaurants, hotel dining, wine pairings, premium local cuisine experiences, room service
Transportation
$40-120 per day
Private transfers, rental cars with drivers, first-class flights, premium tourist transport
Activities
$80-250 per day
Private guided tours, exclusive experiences, premium adventure activities, luxury spa treatments
Currency: Prices vary by country - major currencies include Brazilian Real (R$), Argentine Peso (ARS$), Chilean Peso (CLP$), Colombian Peso (COP$), and Peruvian Sol (S/). USD is widely accepted in many tourist areas.
Luxury Activities in South America
Curated experiences perfect for your luxury travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local markets and neighborhood restaurants instead of tourist zones (typically 40-60% cheaper)
Use public buses and metro systems instead of taxis for 70-80% savings on transportation
Book accommodation directly with properties 2-3 months in advance for 15-30% discounts
Take advantage of free walking tours and self-guided activities instead of paid tours (save $20-50 per day)
Buy groceries and prepare some meals yourself when staying in hostels with kitchens (save 30-50% on food costs)
Travel during shoulder seasons for 20-40% lower accommodation and tour prices
Use overnight buses for long distances to save on both transport and accommodation costs
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Taking taxis and ride-shares for all transportation instead of learning public transit systems (typically 3-5x more expensive)
Eating exclusively in tourist areas and hotel restaurants (usually 100-200% markup over local establishments)
Booking tours and activities at the last minute or through hotel concierges (typically 20-50% more expensive than advance booking)
Not researching free activities and attractions, missing out on savings of $15-40 per day