That's the dream, right? An exotic South American sojourn for which you won't need to give up all your savings. Well, I've found the perfect list of hotels and other hacks that can turn this dream of yours into a sweet reality.
Although this South American itinerary will have inexpensive recommendations, it really does not mean that I'm going to suggest some godforsaken places just for the sake of recommendations. I'm only including the three most important South American cities – Lima, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro! After reading this itinerary, you'll realise how these are three of the cheapest South American destinations to visit from India.
PS: Flights are obviously not included in the INR 50,000 budget.
There are three strong reasons why I suggest Lima as the first stop on your trip. One, direct flights from India are cheaper in comparison to the other two cities. Two, it is a colonial delight, hence Indians can relate to it. Three, Machu Picchu. High-rise apartments, dilapidated facades, and a serpentine coastline make it a city with ample character. Although the traffic will remind you of Mumbai, but the heavy American Latina flavour will bring you back to South America. With the city civilisation dating back to a different millennium altogether, it's easy to think of the Peruvian capital as being ancient, but once you let Lima's visible sophistication engulf, you will never look back. Don't even think of missing it.
Free or inexpensive things to do while here: First and foremost, you must visit Machu Picchu, because there's no way you can completely justify going to Peru without visiting it. Take a three-hour train journey from Lima to the small town of Aguas Calientes; the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu are a 20-minute bus ride away from there. In Lima, you can stroll around in the gorgeous parks of Larcomar area. There are also plenty of free museums and art galleries to spend time in.
Where to eat: For a wide range of sandwich options made of fresh bread, grab a bite at La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla in Pasaje Marcelino Champagnat. Burrito Bar in Av Miguel Grau is great for reasonable Mexican cuisine. Head over to El Enano in Calle Chiclayo for crunchy tacos and burgers.
Where to stay: This stay option will ensure that this South American trip remains under 50k:
How much for 2: INR 1,254
Approximate expenditure for 2: INR 14,000 (INR 6,000 on stay + INR 4,500 on food + INR 3,500 on travelling & miscellaneous)
On the fifth morning or fourth night, take a flight to Buenos Aires. The average ticket costs Rs 25,000 for a non-stop flight. You can book a ticket online here. You'll reach Buenos Aires within six and a half hours.
The city of arguably the greatest footballer in the world – Lionel Messi – Buenos Aires is a bustling metropolitan where people sometimes attend their business meetings in their favourite football club's jerseys and yet this is not frowned upon. In fact, you will feel welcome as soon as you set foot here. The midnight neighbourhood cafes is where you can spend most of your time at munching on asados (indigenous barbecue) and discussing your political allegiance whatever it may be. The city never sleeps, nor does it let you. Go and have a blast in the Argentine capital.
Free or inexpensive things to do while here: Check out La Boca, a peculiar neighbourhood that retains a strong European flavour since the colonial era. If you are there on a Sunday, don't forget to visit the antique handicraft fair in Plaza Dorrego; you could find some cheap authentic souvenirs here. If you practise or are fascinated by Buddhism, you can visit Tzong Kuan, a popular Buddhist temple amongst the other few in the city. If nothing interests you, just head to the Plaza de Mayo, the main square in central Buenos Aires. There's always plenty of activity here.
Where to eat: Santos Manjares in Calle Paraguay is the best Argentinian steakhouse in the city, so it's kind of a must-visit. If you're in the mood for pizza and beer, La Mezzetta in Avenida Alvarez Thomas is your place. The Burger Joint in Calle Jorge Luis Borges is, as the name suggests, a burger joint.
Where to stay: What makes Buenos Aires one of the cheapest South American destinations from India is its budget stays. Here is a lovely option:
How much for 2: INR 2,258
Approximate expenditure for 2: INR 14,000 (INR 7,000 on stay + INR 4,000 on food + INR 3,000 on travelling & miscellaneous)
On the fourth afternoon, take a flight to Rio de Janeiro. The ticket will cost around INR 31,000. You can book a ticket online here. You'll reach Rio de Janeiro within two and a half hours
3 Days in Rio de Janeiro
The city of football and arts & culture. You'll be lying if you say Rio de Janeiro is not on your bucket list of dream destinations. With iconic architectures, captivating beaches, trend-setting boutiques and tropical landscapes everywhere, Rio is one of the most instantly recognisable cities in the world. The endless beat of the Samba is the city's lifeblood; however that doesn't mean that Rio has any dearth of old-school rock, hip-hop and funk in its veins. If at all you plan your South American trip, you should revolve it around the world-famous Rio Carnaval; it's quite a sight to behold. Rio is one of the few truly universal capitals in the world, hence a must-visit in every respect.
Free or inexpensive things to do while here: Whatever you do, you just can't miss the celestial statue of Christ the Redeemer. It is visible from anywhere in the city, so it'll continue to remind you of an impending visit irrespective of your whereabouts. Jardim Botanico is a botanical paradise spread over 340 acres of land; you can give it a shot if you love nature. If you truly want to smell the native spirit, visit the festive red-light district of Lapa.
Where to eat: If you're looking to have a good time at a Latina bar and not burn a hole in your pocket, Estrelas Da Babilonia at Ladeira Ari Barroso is your best bet. Rotisseria Sirio Libanesa in Largo do Machado is your Lebanese fix. BB Lanches in Rua Aristides Espinola serves delicious authentic cuisine at dirt-cheap prices.
Where to stay: Following is a beautiful option within your tight budget:
How much for 2: INR 1,311
Approximate expenditure for 2: INR 13,500 (INR 4,000 on stay + INR 7,000 on food + INR 2,500 on travelling & miscellaneous)
Read more about Rio de Janeiro.
Total approximate expenditure for 2: INR 42,500 (INR 14,000 (Lima) + INR 14,000 (Buenos Aires) + INR 13,500 (Rio de Janeiro)). You are still left with INR 7,500 extra that you can spend on souvenirs or gifts for your friends and folks back home.
There you have it then, an actual itinerary for you and your friend to experience the best of South America in 10 days, under INR 50,000. If you still believe it to be unbelievable, ping me and let's talk in detail!
If you've already been to any of these cities, do share your wonderful experience on Tripoto and inspire the community's 25 million travellers.
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