The Prices of Budget Tours to South America
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If you're wondering about the possibilities and prices of budget tours in South America, you've come to the right place. Combining our thorough travel experience with our industry knowledge, we've independently analyzed all of the tour options, visited dozens of destinations in South America, and reviewed all of the tour operators. With the information below, you can see the overall costs and top tours to help you get on the best possible guided tour for your next vacation.
South America offers a wide range of budget tours, from budget-friendly group excursions to luxurious, all-inclusive packages, making it accessible to various types of travelers. The cost of budget tours in South America can vary significantly based on factors like the length of the trip, the activities included, and the level of accommodation.
Why does South America appeal to budget travelers?
South America's affordability and range of options make it ideal for budget travelers. The region's natural and cultural beauty, along with its wallet-friendly options provide exceptional value for budget-conscious adventurers. Rio de Janeiro is known for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. Budget travelers love Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguacu, and Salvador because of the affordable activities and social vibe. The affordable tour options here allow easy and affordable access to amazing experiences without breaking the bank.
How much do budget tours cost in South America?
The average price per day for budget tours in South America is $120, based on our analysis of 90 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $56 to $150 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $93 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $142 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in South America
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable budget tours in South America average $93 per day, with daily prices from $56 to $111. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Inca Adventure: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Best Views Ever here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical budget tours in South America that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $123 per day. Daily prices range from $112 to $132. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is 5 Day Cusco Travel Package: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Maras Moray..
Luxury Tours
Luxury budget tours in South America average around $123 per day, with daily costs ranging from $133 to $150. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Ecuador Trekking The Avenue of Volcanoes.
Which tour companies offer budget tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer budget tours in South America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
See All Tours from G Adventures
Receptivo Aborigen Tours
Receptivo Aborigen Tours is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Argentina, Chile, Turkey, and Egypt. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Receptivo Aborigen Tours
Signature DMC
Signature Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 6 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay. There are opportunities to customize some tours to specifically meet your needs. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Signature DMC
Adventure Journeys
Focusing on Ecuador, Adventure Journeys is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Despite being priced a bit higher, the small group sizes create a more personal and unique experience for travelers. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. With a focus on wildlife viewing tours, they ensure you'll have a fantastic experience.
See All Tours from Adventure Journeys
Budget Destinations in South America
Wondering where budget tours visit in South America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a world famous megacity that is filled with colorful neighborhoods and a population that knows how to have fun. The city has iconic beaches such as Copacabana and countless urban hikes that take you to dramatic mountain peaks. At night, people come out to party, and you're sure to have a good time, particularly during the Carnival season.
Foz Do Iguacu
Foz do Iguaçu is the main hub for visitors going to the waterfall on the Brazilian side. Iguaçu Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and it sits on the border between Brazil and Argentina. The are many separate cascades as well as walkways and trails around the falls. Devil's Throat is the tallest of the cascades.
Salvador
Salvador is the capital city of the state of Bahia. It has a historic area that is filled with colonial architecture that dates back to the Portuguese colonial period. Today the city's culture still reflects its Afro-Brazilian roots. The city also runs along the coastline and is home to several beautiful, sandy beaches.
Sao Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in South America. It's also the economic and financial capital of Brazil and a cultural and international megacity. There's a range of architecture styles around town and many unique neighborhoods. It's not the most popular destination in Brazil, but it does offer a unique experience with a glimpse at real life in a large and diverse setting.
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Other popular destinations for budget tours through South America include Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Buenos Aires, and Lima.
Budget Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're unsure whether to go with an organized tour or plan everything independently, think about the factors that set each experience apart.
Organized Tours
Pros- Pre-planned itineraries reduce stress.
- Group discounts keep costs low.
- Affordable accommodations and meals included.
- Transportation is handled, saving time and money.
- Access to experienced guides for insights and tips.
- Opportunity to meet like-minded travelers.
- No need to research every expense in advance.
- Often covers popular destinations efficiently.
- Limited flexibility in itinerary or activities.
- Groups can be large, affecting experience quality.
- Less focus on unique or personalized interests.
- Unexpected extra charges for optional activities.
Independent Travel
Pros- Total control over your itinerary and expenses.
- Choice of accommodations that match your preferences.
- Flexibility to travel slower.
- Personalize transportation options to suit your needs.
- Explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Time-consuming to find and compare low-cost options.
- Risk of overspending without careful budgeting.
- May miss out on group discounts for activities.
- Requires managing all transportation and logistics.
- Limited access to insider tips or local guides.
- Uncertainty about hidden costs or scams.
- Harder to predict overall trip expenses.
- Requires extra effort to ensure safety on a budget.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided budget tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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