South America Itinerary [2 Week Backpacking Guide]

This incredible and diverse continent offers travelers pretty much everything.

Here we can explore ancient ruins, hike giant Andean mountains, relax on Caribbean beaches and explore lost cultures.

Planning your own itinerary around South America is fun, but can also be a challenge due to the large distances as well as time restrictions if you are in a rush.

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South America Itinerary (2 Weeks)

In this guide we’ll explore our very own short South American itinerary for those who only have 2 weeks in South America and want to explore parts of the Southern Cone.

As well as cover in detail what to do during each stop, we’ll also look at how to get around, as well as answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.

Getting around South America

As with any backpacking trip, buses remain the very best option for getting around South America. They are cheap, and also connect very well between both popular and lesser-known destinations.

Using flights (both domestic and between countries) is also a good option, and is ideal for those who don’t have much time or want a more comfortable experience.

Using flights is also ideal in certain scenarios where the topography would otherwise result in a very long bus ride (such as around Andean mountains in Peru). In the itinerary below we’ll be using planes at times given the large distances between destinations.

Things to know before traveling to South America

Setting Your Budget – Once you know how long you have, you will need to work out how much money you will need. Countries can vary in terms of cost, however in general you’ll need between $20-35 a day in South America. Countries like Bolivia and Peru are cheapest, whilst Brazil and Chile are the most expensive.
Packing For Your Trip – Even on this shorter itinerary below you’ll need a range of clothes, which just goes to show how diverse the continent is throughout the year. Some areas can be really hot which means you’ll want light garments and beach-wear, whilst you’ll also want to pack a hoodie like this one (Dan’s favorite) and a thick coat like this one that’s windproof for the cold Andean mountains.
Keeping Yourself Safe – Safety in South America is a big topic, and we’ve covered it well here. But just to summarize, you’ll want to be careful where you go and how you act. Many areas can be poor here, so it’s a good idea to dress down and avoid carrying expensive items with you when exploring a new destination.

We also recommend that you spend time looking at our guide that cover the best time to visit South America so you can avoid disappointment when it comes to the weather.

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2 Weeks in South America Itinerary

Here we’ll now explore our very own custom 2 week itinerary for travelers who have little time in South America.

Rio de Janeiro (Days 1-3)

There’s no better place to start our journey than in Rio de Janeiro. This festive Brazilian city has it all, and our first day we’ll soak up this legendary atmosphere. We can start by heading to Copacabana, enjoying the beach before also walking over to Ipanema. It’s also worth staying close, given the amount of great nightlife options here.

On our second day you can head on this awesome multi-stop tour, where you’ll visit Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Maracanã Stadium and more. On your third day you can also explore the infamous Rocinha Favela, although you must go with a tour here.

🏁 Rio de Janeiro Itinerary Stops:

Stop #1: Copacabana
Stop #2: Ipanema
Stop #3: Multi-Activity Tour (Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain etc)
Stop #4: Rocinha Favela

🚌 Getting from Rio de Janeiro to Florianopolis:

To get between Rio and Florianopolis, we’ll need to take a 19 hour bus. If you feel you are too strapped for time (or want to spend more time in Rio), then alternatively you can skip the next destination and fly directly to Uruguay.

Florianopolis (Days 4-5)

Now we arrive into the paradise of Florianopolis, which lies on the Atlantic coast of Southern Brazil. This city is famed for its nightlife and festive atmosphere, and is another great place to live it up whilst enjoying postcard-perfect beaches.

There are many great hostels here, and we recommend staying in the World Hostel Canasvieiras. Some of the must-visit beaches during your time here include Matadeiro, Lagoinha do Leste and the Costa da Lagoa. Snorkeling here is also ideal given the high levels of transparency, where you can spot many colorful, exotic fishes. It’s also a great idea to visit the colonial neighborhood of Santo Antônio de Lisboa for some awesome photos.

🏁 Florianopolis Itinerary Stops:

Stop #1: Lagoinha do Leste
Stop #2: Matadeiro
Stop #3: Santo Antônio de Lisboa

🚌 Getting from Florianopolis to Montevideo:

This is another long-haul journey, so it’s best to leave around 5:00pm to make the 18 hour bus journey to Uruguay and arrive in good time.

Uruguay (Days 6-7)

We now move onto our second country on this itinerary, and straight into the capital of Montevideo. Here we can marvel at some of Uruguay’s most important historical feats, as well as visiting cultural areas such as the Ciudad Vieja, Constitution Plaza as well as the Teatro Solis.

We recommend spending a day or two here exploring these sites, and then taking the short bus over to Colonia de Sacramento. This town is where the ferry departs for Buenos Aires, however before we can walk around and enjoy some of the best colonial architecture found in the entire region. If you prefer having everything organized for you, then consider joining this day tour of Colonia from Montevideo.

🏁 Uruguay Itinerary Stops:

Stop #1: Ciudad Vieja (Montevideo)
Stop #2: Constitution Plaza (Montevideo)
Stop #3: Colonia de Sacramento

🛥 Getting from Colonia de Sacramento to Buenos Aires:

Flying is actually more expensive between the two, so here we will take the 1.5 hour boat to get from Uruguay to Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires (Days 8-9)

Now we arrive in the Argentinian capital, and will have two days to enjoy everything that Buenos Aires has to offer. You’ll first want to head to the chic area of Palermo, where you can wander the scenic streets and eat some tasty local Argentinian dishes (it’s also one of the best places to base yourself in) and try some of the best coffee shops in the city.

We then head to the nearby Recoleta Cemetery which is famous for its grandiose shrines and unorthodox design, before seeing the famous city highlights of the Obelisco and Teatro Colón. On our second day we can explore the area and market of San Telmo, whilst also wandering the colorful streets of La Boca.

🏁 Buenos Aires Itinerary Stops:

Stop #1: Palermo
Stop #2: Recoleta Ceremony
Stop #3: The Obelisco & Teatro Colón
Stop #4: San Telmo
Stop #5: La Boca

✈️ Getting from Buenos Aires to Lima:

To get from Buenos Aires to Lima we’ll find that various airlines such as LATAM and JetSmart cover the four hour trip.

Lima (Day 10)

Now we enter the incredible country of Peru, which is famous for its ancient civilisations and diverse landscapes. Whilst one day is short for Lima, it’s more than possible to see the highlights with the right altitude and good planning beforehand. Firstly you’ll want to head to Barranco in the morning, where you can visit the bohemian heart of Lima.

From here we can rent a bike to ride along the green cliffs of the Costa Verde, and if you want to surf then you rent a board down at Playa Makaha (or pre-book your lesson here). From here we can visit Parque Kennedy, followed by a trip to the Larco Museum to get an introduction into Peru’s ancient cultures.

🏁 Lima Itinerary Stops:

Stop #1: Barranco
Stop #2: Costa Verde (optional Surfing)
Stop #3: Parque Kennedy
Stop #4: Larco Museum

✈️ Getting from Lima to Cusco:

To get from Lima to Cusco we can take a domestic flight from Lima’s main airport. It will take around 2 hours to arrive by plane.

Cusco (Days 11-15)

Finally for our last leg on our trip we will head to Cusco. Known for its incredible Andean sceneries and ancient ruins, we will use our first 2 days visiting sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Pisac whilst we are still adjusting to the higher altitudes.

On Day 3 we can then head to Machu Picchu on this incredible overnight tour, which includes all transport, accommodation and your entrance ticket. On our final day in Cusco we will now be better acclimatized, so you can visit Rainbow Mountain to finish up your incredible 2 weeks traveling the highlights of South America.

🏁 Cusco Itinerary Stops:

Stop #1: Sacsayhuamán Ruins
Stop #2: The Historic Center
Stop #3: Pisac
Stop #4: Machu Picchu
Stop #5: Rainbow Mountain

South America Itinerary FAQs

Below we’ll now answer some of your most burning questions that we get asked about backpacking South America.

What is the best month to go to South America?

Of course it can vary depending which country you visit, given the south can get really cold in June whilst the Caribbean is very rainy in certain months. Overall October is a great month to visit the majority of South America.

Is 2 weeks in South America enough?

Although it’s a short time, 2 weeks is certainly better than nothing when wanting to explore South America. Of course we’ll have to be highly selective and also smart with our time here. With 2 weeks is best to stick to 1 or 2 countries to get the best feel for both whilst seeing the highlights.

Is it expensive in Rio de Janeiro?

Brazil in general is one of the more expensive countries to visit in the continent, and Rio itself has higher costs than most. Expect to spend roughly $30-35 a day here, and potentially more if looking for a nicer accommodation option in the more popular areas of Copacabana and Ipanema.

What is the safest country in South America?

Uruguay remains the safest country for travelers to explore in South America. This small nation has avoided many political and economic issues that have affected other countries, and even in the capital of Montevideo you’ll feel safe (capitals can otherwise be hit or miss in areas around the continent).

South America Itinerary

And that’s all for our guide to planning your own itinerary around South America.

We’ve found that travelers will need anywhere between 2-6 months to see the very best highlights across the continent. However those who have less time available can also enjoy their time here provided they have planned well and consider using flights to get around quicker.

In this guide we’ve explored everything you need to know about planning your own itinerary in South America, as well as provided our own custom 2 week itinerary for those who are short on time.

Be sure to read this guide again during and after your trip, and also to take a quick look at our South America packing list for more ideas on what to carry with you on this trip.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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South America Itinerary (2 Weeks)