Budget Backpacking Through South America
During the cold winter months in North America, it is high summer in South America. This means that it is a hot vacation spot for Americanos seeking escape from the frigid north. Many of these tourists choose to stay in one of the many resort areas that litter the coastline. They are well taken care of for the duration of their stay. Their drinks always have the proper amount of ice. Their meals are perfectly cooked. Their rooms are cleaned daily. Everyone is very attentive to the guest’s needs, but all this attention is expensive. Tourists leave a trail of dollars floating in their wake as they make the journey from the pool to the bar to the beach and back again. For those of a more adventurous spirit and a lighter wallet, there are ways to save money and still have a wonderful vacation.
Rather than stay in one place for a week or two, backpackers traverse a continent over the course of several months. They utilize careful budgeting to extend their travels as long as possible. They take the bus, stay in hostels or local guesthouses, and eat local food. It is not a better travel experience, but it is a different one. You do not have to go full backpacker to incorporate some of their money-saving techniques into your next vacation south of the equator.
Avoid the Resorts
Sure, resorts are nice, but they are expensive. Resorts charge a premium for their amenities, and honestly, how often did you use that five-star gym? You can save an incredible amount of money by choosing to stay at a local guesthouse rather than a resort. They might not have as many channels on the television, but you did not go on vacation to watch Sportscenter and the Disney Channel. Many of these guesthouses provide local cooked meals for their guests. These meals can be just as good as those found at a resort and come at significant discount.
Eat Local Cuisine
You should wake up in the morning and explore the city. While you are exploring, go to some of the local markets and buy fruits, bread and meat for meals throughout the day. The availability of fresh baked goods and fruit is amazing in South and Central America. The ripest, just picked that morning fruit can be found for pennies at a local market. This will not only save your wallet, but it will also allow you a chance to take in the local sights and culture.
Enjoy Sightseeing
Sightseeing is free. You are in a foreign country. There is no need to pay a premium at a resort to take an air-conditioned bus tour around a city. You have legs. Grab the guidebook and take a walk. Enjoying the beauty of the architecture and street musicians is remarkably cheap. It is even cheaper to grab an umbrella, a bottle of rum, some fresh squeezed fruit juice and spend the day on the beach. Enjoying the ambiance and natural beauty of a country does not require that you break the bank or have your own personal cabana boy. It is there. You just have to get out and see it.
Backpackers are a peculiar breed. It takes a special type of person to live out of a backpack for months at a time and wake up in a different country or city every day, but ordinary travelers and vacationers can learn something from these vagabonds. Great vacations do not have to be expensive. The joy is in the being there and seeing something you have never seen before.
Article written by Holly Adams, who writes for Coupon Croc. Prepare for your trip and use Direct Travel Insurance discount codes to save on your vacation insurance coverage.
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