PLAN YOUR TRAVEL BUDGET
How much does a week in South America cost?
Calculate your stay, meals, transport and the costs that are easy to miss.
RICOMENDO TRAVEL GUIDE
Know what your trip will cost.
- A place to stay
- Food each day
- Getting around
- Activities & extras
Get prices for your destination and dates
A week based in one city and a week with several flights are different trips. The season, country, room type and major experiences all change the total. Start with what you want to do, then get prices for your actual dates.
The calculator uses editable example amounts in US dollars. They are planning assumptions, not researched average prices or offers from our listed places. It helps you see the trade-offs before you buy.
Count accommodation by night and spending by day
A seven-day trip might mean six nights. Write down the actual arrival and departure dates. Multiply your nightly accommodation cost per person by the number of nights. Then add food, local transport and activities for each day.
A room shared by two people should use half the room price per person. Check whether breakfast, taxes, towels or booking fees are already included so you do not count them twice.
Include flights, insurance and airport transfers
Add flights to and from South America, travel insurance, airport journeys, intercity transport, checked bags and any major ticketed experiences. Some are paid before departure; they still belong in the full trip cost. The extras field starts with an example amount and needs your own total.
Keep a buffer for changed plans. The planner lets you set the percentage rather than assuming everyone needs the same amount. The total for a group simply multiplies your per-person model; it does not automatically calculate shared-room savings.
Compare what you gain from each expense
Try changing one line at a time. Would a central room reduce your transport spending? Would a guest kitchen leave room for a special meal? Is that extra city worth a transport day and another fare?
Do not book from an old price screenshot. Confirm the final amount and what it includes directly with the provider. Then use our place pages to see the story, sources and contact options behind each possible stop.
How this guide was made
Prepared for Ricomendo with AI assistance using the linked sources and our listing research. This is planning guidance, not a first-hand trip report. Opening hours, prices and programmes need checking for your dates.
Individual place pages contain the supporting local reviews and operating evidence.
TURN THE STORY INTO A STOP
Meet the places.
El Patio Miraflores
A courtyard house filled with plants offers a quiet pause in Miraflores. Domestic guests praise its gardens, breakfast and welcoming staff.
Sucre / StayCasArte Takubamba B&B
An old family house became a stay with a courtyard, kitchen and Bolivian art. The owners describe it as a meeting place for the city's creative life.
El Calafate / StayLago Argentino Hostel
A family hostel with a garden and a kitchen for cooking your own meals.
A little more inspiration?
How to choose where to spend your travel budget