When backpacking South America what is the best way to get from country to country?
May 23rd, 2008
jeff g asked:
Backpacking from city to city, country to country in South America is inevitable and I need to get from place to place in the safest, cheapest, and most efficient way possible. I know that each country and each city is different but if you could give me specifics concerning transportation for any country you know, or any general transportation for South America, please share your valued knowledge
Backpacking from city to city, country to country in South America is inevitable and I need to get from place to place in the safest, cheapest, and most efficient way possible. I know that each country and each city is different but if you could give me specifics concerning transportation for any country you know, or any general transportation for South America, please share your valued knowledge
I backpacked in Peru and Ecuador for over a month and let me tell you how great the buses are! (Most) are much nicer than the buses in the US I’ve been on! For the best over night buses make sure to get a bus-cama (bed-bus.) Also, for a little bit more money but a lot more convenience, you can cross the borders between some countries without changing buses (you get off the bus to get your visa and stamp and whatever but then get back on the same bus.) In Ecuador it was about $1 per hour and in Peru it was about $2 per hour.
I started in Ecuador, then went to Peru and I wanted to get back up quick so I took a 30 hour bus ride from Lima to Guayaquil. Just make sure if you’re taking such a long trip that you take the opportunities during stops to stretch out your legs and bring plenty of snacks and stuff to drink. Try to get a seat away from the bathroom because sometimes they smell.
Cruz del Sur is a very reliable company, but totally overpriced! Ormeno usually had good prices and the buses were comparable to Cruz del Sur’s.
Also! Get the travel guide called the Lonely Planet. You can get one for each country or one for all of South America (I got the whole South America one then realized afterward I should have just gotten the Peru and Ecuador one since those two would have been smaller than the whole one, lol.) I highly recommend it. It really helps you figure out how to get from city to city and some cheap options for hostels, bars, and restaurants. It also has basic things like how much a taxi should cost and great things to see in a lot of cities. Also tells you stuff like how long a bus trip takes from city to city within the same country or between major cities in different countries.
Anyways, if you want more advice on backpacking specifically through Peru or Ecuador, you can email me at bkovars at gmail dot com
I am an American expat currently living and working South America and have found Viva Travel Guides to be a great resource for traveling through South America. Here is a link to their website: