Cheapest Places to Visit in South and Central America

When looking for a place to visit, you may be uncertain about South and Central America. Fortunately, the currency exchange rates are cheaper than you would think, making these regions affordable spots to vacation on a budget.

While not all these countries in South and Central America are equally safe or economically stable (some suffer from ever-increasing inflation), we want to guide you to some of the best places to visit where you can find affordable sights and accommodations.

You can find some of the cheapest places to visit in Nicaragua, Bolivia, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Chile.

Granada, Nicaragua

Enjoy the colonial town of Granada. Chosen for its low prices and ease of travel, you can take in the sights of Granada for around $25 for one day of travel. This includes meals, accommodations, and attractions.

Visit the Parque Central, take a boat ride around the islets, and climb the bell tower at the Islesia de La Merced. You can also hike to the Mombacho Volcano, view the Catedral de Granada, and visit Guadalupe Church.

There are not very many hostels yet in Nicaragua, so we recommend booking a hotel stay if you plan on visiting.

La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz sits at a high altitude among the mountains in Bolivia. Prices in the city are reasonable and prices outside of the city are even lower. Expect to pay just over $25 for one day of accommodations and attractions in the city of La Paz.

Take a ride on Mi Teleferico to get a bird's eye view of the city and surroundings. You can also bike on death road (WMDR Yungas Road). On point Mirador Killi Killi, you can find a 270-degree view of the city.

Valley of the Moon provides a wondrous view of natural rock formations: take a short hike to explore the sights. You can also view the architectural Iglesia de San Francisco and learn about Bolivian culture at the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore.

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is the tourist hub of Colombia. Enjoy its walled colonial town and short trips to the beaches. Expect to spend around $30 for a day of attractions in Cartagena.

The walled city itself is a remnant of Spanish rule, offering a look into the past. Visit the historic Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas to learn more about Spanish war engineering.

La Popa Convent overlooks Cartagena, standing on the site of a demolished Indian temple. In the city, visit the historic district, the Plaza Santa Domingo, and the Sanctuary of Saint Peter Claver. You can also view the Barrio Getsemani to view homes in contrasting styles.

San Jose, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the safest and stablest places to visit in Central America. San Jose is a great first stop on a trip through Costa Rica, which has many beautiful natural areas to visit. You can explore and stay in San Jose for just over $31 for one day.

While in San Jose, visit the Teatro Nacional Costa Rica to learn more about its architectural and artistic history. You can also visit the historic Mercado Central for Costa Rican fruit and rich coffee.

There are many city museums to choose from, including the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, the Museo de Los Ninos, and the Museo de Arte Costarricense.

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Those interested in Costa Rica's wildlife can visit the Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo to encounter its unique ecosystem or visit the Parque La Sabana with its more casual hiking, fishing, and paddle boating.

Visitors will also enjoy the relaxed lifestyle that comes with the region. Other national sites include the rainforests, turquoise waters, waterfall gardens, volcano, and the relaxing Nicoya Peninsula.

Cusco, Peru

Cusco, Peru provides a scenic destination for a reasonable price close to cultural landmarks. Expect to spend around $31 each day in Cusco for attractions and accommodations. There are many hostels in Cusco and they are all surprisingly affordable.

Visit the remains of the Incan capital at Sacsayhuaman, a ceremonial ruin. The four-day Inca Trail is also an extraordinary hike to view sites of cultural importance. Visit the beautifully teal Humantay Lake, which is 4,350 meters above sea level.

Visit the Centro Historico De Cusco, with Spanish colonial architecture. Historic Plaza de Armas is also a must-see, with Peruvian Inca and Spanish architecture. Cusco Catedral was built on the site of an Inca temple. Museo Inka, in a historic mansion, houses Incan artifacts.

Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) is also a beautiful Incan landmark, and its walls used to be gold-plated. Up to 4,000 of the Inca elite priests and their attendants would gather for ceremonies at this location.

Many tourists flock to see Rainbow Mountain, also known as Montaña de Siete Colores. The hike to the summit takes you near fluffy alpacas and natural scenery.

Cusco provides visitors with a short trip to Machu Picchu, although the train ride and admission to the ruins can be awfully expensive.

Lima, Peru

Lima is a city with a combination of styles. You will find many of the hotels in the suburb of Miraflores. Expect to stay for around $31 each day.

Lima has the nightlife of a big city, the architecture of a Spanish colonial town, and a way of life that is most easily described as European.

Visit the Museo Larco to view preserved artifacts with over 4,000 years of history dating back to the pre-Columbian era. The Museo Convento San Francisco y Catacumbas is a historical center showcasing religious history.

Those looking for cultural history can visit ancient ruins. Huaca Pucllana, made by hand-made clay bricks, was formed 4,000 years before the Incas, making it a long time ago. There are houses, gardens, and a central pyramid that was used for sacrifices to the gods.

Pachacamac was built 1,000 years before the Inca empire and was a large religious center to the people of that time.

Other tourist attractions include the Plaza de Armas, the Centro Historico de Lima, the neighborhood of Barranco, the Miraflores boardwalk, and the Circuito Magico Del Agua.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago is one of the largest cities in South America and lies at the base of the Andes Mountains. You can explore and stay in Santiago for around $33 per day.

Visit the cultural neighborhood of Bellavista, which is known for its colored walls and eclectic shops known as Patio Bellavista. While you are there, visit the Cerro San Cristobal, a hill overlooking the region. You can take a funicular or hike up yourself.

Cerro Santa Lucia stands on the eastern edge of Santiago and offers more incredible views of the city. Visit the former home of famous poet Pablo Neruda, called Casa Museo de La Chascona. 

Historic Plaza de Armas borders the Metropolitan Cathedral, which you can't miss. You should also see the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, which houses pottery, sculptures, and textiles from the era before Columbus reached the region.

Also of note are the beautiful Santiago wineries, known for their cabernet sauvignon. The Museo de la Memoria y Los Derechos will teach you about General Pinochet's rule, which resulted in the torture and death of thousands of Chileans.

You should also visit Mercado Central, the Palacio de La Moneda, Sky Costanera, and the neighborhood of Lastarria.

Explore Central and South America

You can find many affordable options when planning a trip to Central or South America. In many cases, you can select one exciting city to fly into and then spend a few days or more exploring the surrounding region.

We recommend you try visiting Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia, or Nicaragua to find the cheapest places to visit.