We spent over 6 months in South America as part of our 12+ month backpacking journey through South and Central America right up to North America, ending in the USA.

We started in Chile, headed east to Brazil and made our way north via Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia before heading into Central America via Jamaica and eventually Mexico, Cuba and the USA. This 6+ Month Itinerary is for those with time up their sleeves! It involves plenty of long bus trips and a couple of days per place.

We've made it simple by showcasing the entire 6 months through South America with photos and just a tiny bit of info! Click on the title of each place to visit the relevant blog posts if you want to read more.

Disclaimer: 
We're nerds! And we love begin active. So our trip was more about doing and seeing everything we possibly could, and learning as much as possible whilst we were there. There was also a wee bit of partying thrown in because, well.. why not? If this sounds like the kind of trip you're after then by all means read on.

This blog may contain several affiliate links to products and services that I use and love. By clicking on these links, I might get a teeny tiny contribution towards my travel fund, at no extra cost to you!
Read more about it here

Click HERE for a 5 Week Brazil Only Itinerary

Rio De Janeiro (Ipanema)

• Where we stayed:​
  • ​Che Lagarto Ipanema
• What to Do:
  • Christ the Redeemer & Corcovado Mountain
  • Sugarloaf Mountain (go in late afternoon to take in the view and then watch the beautiful sunset!)
  • Ipanema Beach
  • Copacabana Beach
  • Sunset at Aproadar Rocks
  • Football match at the Maracana
  • Chinese Viewpoint (hike up and down!)
• What to Eat & Drink:
  • Caprinha Cocktails!
  • Kilogramas (pay per weight restaurants)

Arraial do Cabo / Buzios

• Where we stayed:​
  • ​Lagoon Backpackers in Buzios & an AirBnb in Arraial do Cabo
• What to Do:
  • Beach!
  • In Arraial hike to Praia do Atalaia, it's beautiful
  • In Buzios visit the Bridget Bardot Boardwalk
• What to Eat & Drink:
  • Caipirinha Cocktails!

Rio De Janeiro (Lapa)

• Where we stayed:​
  • ​​Books Hostel
• What to Do:
  • Lapa Street Party (Friday night!) underneath the Arches
  • Lapa Steps
• What to Eat & Drink:
  • NOT the tequila being handed out at the street party!

Ilha Grande
​

• Where We Stayed:
  • Che Lagarto 
• What to Do:
  • Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach 
  • Day trip with Jeronimo's Tours
  • Circuit do Abraao
  • Hike to waterfall (Cachoeira) from Circuit do Abraao

Trindade

• Where We Stayed:
  • Che Lagarto

• What To Do:
  • Beach
  • Cachadaço Natural Pools
  • Pedra que Engole "The rock that swallows" (ask at your hostel!)

Paraty

• Where We Stayed:
  • Che Lagarto
• What To Do:
  • Explore town, beautiful cobblestone streets with brightly coloured windows and doors
  • JEEP TOUR (one day) includes 4 locations listed below:
    • ​Paratiana Cachaca distillery
    • Pedra Branca waterfalls
    • Toboga - big slippery rock you can slide down!
    • Poco do Tarzan (a 12 m jump rock, do it!)

Florianopolis

• Where We Stayed:
  • Barra Surf Hostel

• What To Do:
  • Beaches
  • Visit the turtle sanctuary
  • Sand-boarding
  • Surfing
  • & Much More

​Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls)

• Where We Stayed:
  • Che Lagarto
• What to Do:
  • Iguazu Falls (Brazilian side)
  • Parque Das Aves (Bird Park) Note.. I didn't really like it here, although it is a bird sanctuary (or at least started as one) it seemed to much like a zoo for me, lots of animals with not enough room to fly.

Puerto Iguaçu

• Where we Stayed:
  • ​Garden Stone Hostel
• What to Do:
  • ​Visit the Falls (obviously)
  • Fast Boat Trip under the falls!

Buenos Aires

• Where We Stayed:
  • Milhouse Avenue Hostel
• What To Do:
  • Buenos Aires Free Walking Tour.
  • Visit the colourful neighbourhood of La Boca
  • Go to a football match (if in season) 
  • Visit Boca Jnr Stadium
  • San Telmo Markets (Sunday)
  • Explore Palermo neighburhood
• What to Eat & Drink:
  • Visit ​La Cabrera (if you're a meat eater)
  • Visit Cafe Tortoni (BA’s oldest cafe)

Mendoza

• Where to Stay:
  • ​Lagares Hostel
• What to Do:
  • ​Bus wine tour
  • Rafting Tour
  • Hire Bikes from Mr Hugo and ride around visiting vineyards!

Salta

• Where we Stayed:
  • ​7 Duendes
• What to Do:
  • Go horse riding and BBQing with Sayta Cabalgatas
  • Hike up to Cerro San Bernardo
  • Go to the Museum to see remains of Incan children sacrifices 

​

San Pedro de Atacama

• Where We Stayed:
  • ​​Hostel Talar
• What to Do:
  • Tours:
    • Tatio Geysers, Machuga & Thermal Pools
    • Moon Valley & Death Valley

Click HERE for my blog post on our time on the Salt Flats!

La Paz

• Where we Stayed:
  • Loki Hostel
• What To Do:
  • Witches Market
  • Mountain bike "Death Road"
  • Learn Spanish at Pico Verde
  • Explore the streets and markets

Rurrenabaque (Amazon)

• Where we stayed:
  • Mashaquipe Eco Resort
• What To Do:
  • Play with monkeys
  • Search for Anacondas
  • Swim with Pink Dolphins
  • Catch (& release) Pirahnas
  • Spot Caiman (Crocs!)

Copacabana (Lake Titicaca)

• Where to Stay:
  • ​Hostal Las Brisas​
• What to Do:
  • Hike to Horca del Inca 
  • Hike to Cerro Calvario

Isla Del Sol (Lake Titicaca)

• Where to Stay:
  • ​Hostal Del Sol
• What to Do:
  • Hike from one end of the Island to the other (and back)
  • Swim in the lake!
  • Enjoy one of the most beautiful places in all of SA!

Click HERE for a 6 Week Peru Only Itinerary!

Puno
​

• Where We Stayed:
  • San Antonio Suites
• What to Do?
  • Visit Uros Floating Islands
  • Visit Taquile Island

Arequipa
​

• Where We Stayed:
  • Mercarderes Backpackers
• What to Do?
  • City Walking Tour
  • Hike the Colca Canyon

Cusco
​

• Where We Stayed:
  • Milhouse Hostel
• What to Do?
  • Sacred Valley (visit ruins in a day trip or go and stay in villages)
  • Hike to Saqsaywaman Ruins
  • Free walking tours!
  • Chocolate Museum
  • The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (or another trek similar, i.e. The Salkantay) Check out our post on The Inca Trail & Machu Picchu

Huacachina

• Where We Stayed:​
  • Carola del Sur
• What to Do?
  • Hike the sand dunes
  • Sandbar the dunes
  • Dune buggy

Lima

• Where we Stayed:
  • Loki Hostel
• What to Do?
  • Walk (or run) the cliffs!
  • Visit the cat park 
  • Free walking tours
  • Swim at the rocky and cold beach. Still a swim!
  • Not sure, cities aren't our thing and we really only had one day here.

Huanchaco

• Where we Stayed:
  • Casa Fresh
• What to Do?
  • Surf
  • Hike up to the Church
  • Eat ceviche!

​Mancora

• Where we Stayed:
  • Kontiki Bungalows
• What to Do?
  • Surf
  • Sunbake
  • Party

Guayaquil

​Note: This was a necessary stop for our Galapagos trip, definitely not a must see destination for us.

• Where we Stayed:
  • ​DreamKapture Hostel
• What to Do?
  • Visit Malecón 2000
  • Visit Cerro Santa Ana

Galapagos Islands

NB: We wrote a HUGE post on how to do the Galapagos Islands extremely cheaply. For more info on that check it out HERE

• Where we Stayed:
  • 3 different Islands
• What to Do?
  • Swim
  • Snorkel
  • See Wildlife
  • Everything..  READ OUR POST! 

Montañita

• Where we Stayed:
  • Hostal Sole Mare
• What to Do?
  • Spanish Lessons with Miguel!
  • Surf
  • Swim
  • Party
  • Hike towards Olan

Cuenca

• Where we Stayed:
  • Alternative Hostel
• What to Do?
  • Explore the town, nice colonial buildings
  • VisitCajas National Park

Riobamba

• Where we Stayed:
  • Hostel Oasis
• What to Do?
  • Ride a bike down Chimborazo Volcano!

Baños

• Where we Stayed:
  • Hostel Princesa Maria
• What to Do?
  • Casa del Arbol
  • Visit Virgen Cascada (waterfalls)
  • Hire bikes and ride to Rio Verde
    • See Diablo Waterfall

Latacunga

• Where we Stayed:​
  • Hostel Tiana
• What to Do?
  • Hike the Quilotoa Loop!
  • Hike up Cotopaxi Volcano 
  • Ride a bike down Cotopaxi Volcano

Quilotoa Loop

• Where we Stayed:
  • Quilotoa 
  • Chugchilan
• What to Do?
  • Hike
  • Enjoy
  • Swim if you dare!

Quito

• Where we Stayed:
  • Secret Garden Hostel
  • Discovery Hostel
• What to Do?
  • Walk around Old Town
  • Mitad del Mundo

Otavalo 

• Where we Stayed:​
  • Hostel G.... (can't read Sean's writing!)
• What to Do?
  • Visit the markets
  • Hike to lookout Point

Bogota

• Where to Stay:​
  • ​Bakano Hostal
• What to Do:
  • ​Graffiti Tour
  • Mikes Bogota Bike Tours!
  • Hike up Monserrate
  • Visit Gold Museum
  • Drink Chicha

Medellin
​

• Where to Stay:​
  • ​Black Sheep Hostal
• What to Do:
  • ​Guatape
  • Real City Tours
  • Pablo Escobar Tour

Salento

• Where to Stay:​
  • ​La Florestra
• What to Do:
  • ​Coffee tour @ Finca El Ocaso
  • Valle Del Cocora!
  • Hike to Santa Rita Waterfalls
  • Coffee Info tour at Casa La Eliana
• What to Eat & Drink:
  • Coffee at Jesus Martin

Santa Marta

We wouldn't really recommend Santa Marta to spend time other than as a gateway to Minca & Tayrona!

• Where to Stay:​
  • ​Masaya
• What to Do:
  • ​Go to Minca
  • Go to Tayrona
  • Go To Costeño Beach
  • Go To Palomino

Minca

• Where to Stay:​
  • ​? 
• What to Do:
  • ​Coffee Farm tour
  • Waterfalls
  • See hummingbirds

Palomino

• Where to Stay:​
  • ​Dreamer Hostel
• What to Do:
  • ​Get tubes & float down the river
  • Not much else

Friday morning we woke up and jumped on the super slow 1.5 hour ferry from Copacabana to Isla Del Sol. First impressions on approaching the island were something along the lines of "Am I in a postcard?" Seriously though, steep, green, terraced cliffs with stone paths winding around crops and flowers, all surrounded by the blue waters of Lake Titicaca. What's not to like?

After disembarking and a confusing 15 minutes of spanglish with some locals about where we had to go and who would show us, we eventually found Diego the owner of our hostel and one of his 4 legged friends. 

Now I have to say here that for the last 3 months we have both carried every ounce of our increasingly heavy backpacks at all times without asking for or needing help. However after hearing that the walk to Hostel Del Sol from the dock was around 40 minutes of steep uphill slog, added to the fact we had only spent 4 continuous days at altitude and Lake Titicaca is about 3800m above sea level, we though it would be smart to accept some help when it was offered.

Help in this case was in the form of one of Diego's llamas - pictured below. After Diego got our our 2 bags strapped to the back of the little fella, we started off on the climb to the hostel. And about 5 minutes into the climb our new llama acquaintance decided that maybe we had bought a few too many heavy souvenirs and called it quits. He seriously couldn't be budged despite Diego's best efforts. Ah well, worth trying. We unloaded our junk from the now happy llama and ended up finishing the remainder of the trek carrying our own junk. In the end it wasn't nearly as bad as we feared, and you could quickly forget how much your lungs were burning from the climb by turning around and taking in the view.

After we reached the hostel and checked in, we took about 10 minutes to recover before making the most of the weather and setting off on a south to north island trek. We were staying on the south of the island, and the roughly 10km walk to the north of the island took about 2.5 hours and had some of the most amazing scenery we have seen in not just Bolivia, but the whole continent thus far. Everything was super green due to the nightly rains in the current Bolivian wet season, and plenty of shepherds were out all over the island leading their flocks around the fresh grass. It was beautiful.

We eventually reached the little town in the north extremely hungry and pretty tired, but managed to find some delicious sandwiches down by the water that we refuelled on before setting off on the return journey. We returned to the hostel with about 25km in total under our belts for the day, and had a tasty pizza dinner before crashing satisfied into bed.

The next day we were still pretty sore from the day before, and just cruised around the town of Yumani (in the south of the island). Oh and Sammy and I went for an extremely short swim in the lake in the afternoon. We got a bottle of wine and some pringles and climbed up the hill above our hostel to watch the sunset. 

Next stop... Peru! 

After spending enough time in the concrete jungle of La Paz we headed north west for Lake Titicaca, and the small town of Copacabana perched on it's shores. 

Here we would spend 2 nights before visiting Isla del Sol for 2 nights and then heading onwards to Peru.

We arrived to Copacabana on Wednesday around lunch time. We found our hostel, Hostel Las Brisas and dropped our things before setting off for lunch.

We got the standard (and cheap) almuerzo. Almuerzo in Bolivia consists of a starter soup (often vegetables and quinoa), a main dish with meat of your choosing accompanied by rice, potato fries and salad or vegetables, followed by the postre (dessert) generally a pudding or yoghurt with fruit. Yum.

As well as eating delicious, cheap lunches in Copacabana we explored the town and climbed/walked/crawled to two amazing lookouts, boasting views over the entire town and far out over the lake.

The 2 different viewpoints are Horca del Inca and Cerro Calvario. Whilst we have been acclimatising to altitude again (after Rurrenabaque) for nearly a week now, these hills still made us all feel like 90somethings with chronic emphysema. However, all the huffing and puffing was certainly worth it for the jaw dropping view of the lake.
 Both are definitely worth a look at when in Copa. 

Tomorrow we're off to Isla del Sol, it's meant to be beautiful... and cold at night. Very cold.