This method didn\u2019t only save me a lot of money, it also exposed me to a richer cultural and local experience. So, if you\u2019re trying to create unforgettable memories (and eat superb cuisine!) in South America while spending as little as possible, it\u2019s definitely doable.<\/p>\n
The Cheapest Places To Have A Fantastic Time In South America <\/h3>\n
Many people immediately think of Southeast Asian countries when looking for budget-friendly trips, but even these aren\u2019t always on the cheap side, with a trek in Nepal, for instance, costing up to $1500 per person. <\/p>\n
It took me a while to catch up with South America’s poorly kept secret. It wasn\u2019t until I received a few international travel updates that I decided to make my first trip. I\u2019ve made several since then, and I\u2019ve barely regretted any! <\/p>\n
Based on my several visits, lots of research, and some information from my travel expert buddies, these are the cheapest places to have an unforgettable trip in South America: <\/p>\n
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- Cusco <\/li>\n
- Machu Picchu <\/li>\n
- Uyuni Salt Flats <\/li>\n
- Quito <\/li>\n
- Lake Titicaca <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Cusco<\/h3>\n
![\"Street](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cusco-Peru-Street.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPhoto: Rod Waddington<\/a><\/p>\n
Home to Spanish colonial architecture and Incan ruins, Cusco is one of the most visually fascinating places to visit in Peru. From narrow streets to baroque cathedrals and colorful indigenous clothing, walking around the city alone offers an immersive experience. <\/p>\n
One of the best things about Cusco is the local Andean cuisine, which is delicious and cheap. I had a superb dining experience in the city, spending as little as $7 a day. The nightlife is incredibly active, and you\u2019re bound to make new friends if you\u2019re the type to party all night long. <\/p>\n
Accommodation and transport are hardly expensive, and you\u2019d probably not need to spend more than $30 a day if you stick to hostels and public transport. While museums, galleries, and a few historic ruins abound in the city, for most tourists in Cusco, all roads lead to Peru\u2019s grand attraction: Machu Picchu.\n<\/li>\n
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Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n
![\"Machu](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Machu-Pichhu-Peru.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPhoto: Fabien Molin\u00e9<\/a><\/p>\n
Machu Picchu can be a surprisingly affordable place to visit. Being one of the most famous tourist attractions in South America, it\u2019s typically expensive for many tourists, but that\u2019s only for those who aren\u2019t willing to find cheaper means of transport and accommodation. <\/p>\n
While you can\u2019t avoid the excessive crowds that visit the iconic site all year round, you can definitely avoid the expensive tourist fares. If you are already in Cusco (where you can already find budget housing), simply take a series of local buses or book one of the cheapest trains. The whole trip hardly costs more than $100. <\/p>\n
Oh, and what\u2019s there to see in Machu Picchu? It\u2019s the famous “Lost City of the Incas” which was untouched by colonizers and has been preserved for hundreds of years. Located over 2000 meters above sea level, it certainly earns its place as one of the Seven New Wonders of the World<\/a>. <\/li>\n
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Uyuni Salt Flats<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.hellokiley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Uyuni-Salt-Flats.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPhoto: Leonardo Rossatti<\/a><\/p>\n
The Salar de Uyuni is the sole reason many tourists visit Bolivia. The largest salt flat in the world, its scenery is almost otherworldly. Depending on what season of the year you visit, you will either see Uyuni as a vast expanse of rock-hard salt or as a large, natural mirror. <\/p>\n
There are several fascinating things to witness, including volcanic sites, hotels made entirely out of salt, and the famous Laguna Colorada, the red-colored lake with flamingos. <\/p>\n
A tour around Uyuni typically consists of driving around in a Jeep filled with no more than four passengers. A three-day jeep tour costs about $150, and that covers feeding plus most of the sights on the trip.<\/li>\n
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Quito<\/h3>\n
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/www.hellokiley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ecuador-Green-Mountains.jpg\")
<\/p>\n - \n
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![\"Lake](\"https:\/\/www.hellokiley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lake-Titicaca-Peru.jpg\")
<\/p>\n