BACKPACKING SOUTH AMERICA IN 40 STOPS: AN UNUSUAL 6-MONTH TRIP ITINERARY

Are you dreaming of solo backpacking in South America but feeling overwhelmed by the myriad of options? To help you out, here's my full 6-month Central & South America backpacking route from Costa Rica to Brazil, including travel tips and highlights of my trip.

Surfers and hikers will find their joy in this itinerary, as these activities were the main focus of my journey. You'll also find fascinating cities, hidden gems and quirky backpacker hostels.

This budget-friendly 40-stop itinerary is also perfect for solo travellers (even introverts) as it has the ideal mix of off-the-beaten-track experiences and backpacker hotspots.

Ready? Let’s go back to the beginning, from France to Costa Rica.

South America 6-month Itinerary: Adventurous Backpacking Route

With this 6-month South America backpacking trip itinerary, from Costa Rica to Brazil, you’ll surf and relax in chill surf towns, test your limits in the Andes mountains and discover fascinating cultural traditions in historical cities and landmarks. Spot the ⭐ for the highlights of my trip and add them to your itinerary bucket list.

Starting your trip in Costa Rica in January and going down South over six months will allow you to avoid the peak tourist seasons, get affordable accommodation, and experience mostly great weather during your entire trip! You’ll find a handy weather table at the end of this article.

South America Destinations
Month 1: Costa Rica
Month 2: Colombia
Month 3: Ecuador
Month 4: Peru
Month 5: Bolivia & Argentina
Month 6: Brazil

DEPARTURE DATE: JANUARY 7
RETURN DATE: JULY 10

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South America 6-month itinerary: month 1, Costa Rica

1) Land in San José, Costa Rica

This is one of the best airports to start your trip in Central America, as it has the most connections with airports in North America and Europe. It's well-connected to other cities in Central America, so you can easily take a bus right when you arrive, or stay a night in San José and start your adventure fresh the next day.

2) San José to Monteverde Cloud Forest

I took a bus from San José to the refreshing Monteverde Cloud Forest, a green sanctuary home to hundreds of tree and bird species.

💡 You can visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest without a guide: it's cheaper, and the trails are well-marked so you won't get lost.

3) Monteverde to Montezuma ⭐

My next stop was the quiet town of Montezuma, with its wild beaches and waterfalls. If you last surfed a while ago, or want to try surfing for the first time, it's the perfect place to gain confidence in the water. It's also great for solo travellers, as there's town gatherings at night in the centre with locals playing music on the streets.

If you don't surf, you'll find plenty of empty paradise beaches and swim in calm, transparent water amongst colourful fish.

Montezuma travel guide ︎︎︎



© Maylis Moubarak

4) Montezuma to Santa Teresa

Head to Santa Teresa if you're looking for world-class waves, fun parties and the "pura vida" lifestyle. I stayed at Lost Boyz (and volunteered for one month there), and I recommend it if you're looking for a fun and welcoming vibe. The hostel is minutes away from the beach and has a skate park close to it.

I also recommend Zeneidas Surf Garden if you want to be right on the beach. The people there were lovely, and the hostel has a prime location as it faces one of the best A-frames of Santa Teresa Beach.

💡 Santa Teresa is safe during the day but can get dangerous at night. Don't walk alone and never walk on the beach at night.

South America 6-month itinerary: month 2, Colombia

5) Border Crossing ✈️ Costa Rica to Colombia, Bogotá

Sadly, I couldn't explore Central America further - my dream was to explore Nicaragua, but there were political issues at the time so I had to go straight to Colombia instead.

There's multiple ways to go to Colombia from Costa Rica, but the safest and most practical is to take the plane from San José, with a layover in Panama City. You'll land in Bogota in a few hours.

6) Bogotá to Salento

Salento is the place with the famous giant palm trees. I stayed at a hostel a bit further out the town and, incredibly, bumped into my former Madrid roommate! I hadn't seen her for three years. Coincidences on the road never cease to surprise me.

7) Salento to Jardín

Oh, Jardín. A picturesque town that takes you back in time. Men with cowboy hats stroll through the rustic streets on their horses and warmly greet their neighbours. True to its name, Jardín has abundant, vibrant flowers on every corner. It's a charming town that invites you to slow down, relax, and immerse yourself in its enchanting ambience.

There's a beautiful 6-hour (roundtrip) waterfall hike to La Cueva del Esplandor - head there for a refreshing swim! And try to spot the transparent butterflies: the Greta Oto, or glasswing butterfly (yes, they’re see-through).

8) Jardín to Medellín

I got myself into some tricky situations in Medellín. It's a fascinating city, but keep your eyes and ears open, and don't venture into the "no-go" zones. It might seem like a no-brainer, but some dangerous neighbourhoods are right next to popular tourist attractions. Take the wrong turn, and you can find yourself in hazardous areas. So plan your journey well, and don't walk around flashing your valuables.

9) Medellín to Santa Marta/Palomino

Palomnia is a popular beach town in the north of Colombia. But I got bit over a hundred times on both of my legs by sand flies while I was there. And they itch like crazy. People looked like meth addicts on the beach because of scratching their stings.

💡Bring bug repellent. Lots of it.

10) Palomino to Costeño Beach

Locals told me that Costeño Beach is what Palomino used to be 10 years ago. It’s a beautiful, wild beach that streches for miles on end. There’s a surf spot next to the river mouth, in front of local beach huts, but the waves can get pretty gnarly in January. To get there from Palomino, take a bus on the main highway in the direction of Santa Marta, and tell the driver you want to get off at Costeño Beach.

💡 You can sleep in a hammock in one of the beach huts right in front of the surf spot. But you need a booking to enter the Costeño Beach park, which security officers guard. So unless you're lucky, it might be safer to book a night in one of the backpacker hostels, then walk to the beach huts and ask the locals if they have a free hammock to extend your stay.

© Maylis Moubarak

11) Costeño Beach to Minca

Minca was great. I slept in a hammock in Mundo Nuevo Hostel - a hostel on the top of a hill with a fantastic view. The hike to get there is steep but well worth the effort. It also faces a protected indigenous town, making the experience more thrilling. 

💡To avoid a painful hike up the hill, you can store your backpack in a hostel in the town down the valley for a few pesos.

12) Minca to Isla Mucura

If you're looking for Caribbean island vibes, take a two-hour boat ride to Isla Mucura. Stay in one of the hostels or ask locals in the town if they can host you. Most people don't venture out of their hotels and don't even know about the Afro-Colombian village on the other side of the island. Drift off to where most people don't make the effort to go :) 

💡Book a night boat tour to see the plankton in the mangroves. You’ll pass by Santa Cruz Del Islote, the most crowded island on Earth! 


© Maylis Moubarak

13) Isla Mucura to Cali

I had to return to Cartagena and then cross the country by bus to Cali. It's a very long ride. I probably could've planned my itinerary better, but things change quickly on the road. You'll meet someone who tells you, "You must check this out." And you'll trust them. So even if it will make the journey more tiring, planning your next stop on the spot makes everything more exciting.

14) Cali to Popayán

Apart from a sunset viewpoint on a small hill a bit outside of town, there's not much to do here. I went to the hill alone, and when I came back, two guys in my hostel had just been robbed by a man with a machete at the exact same spot.

I got lucky, but don’t let that discourage you from travelling solo! Shit can happen wherever you are in the world. 

South America 6 month-itinerary: month 3, Ecuador

15) Border crossing 🚌 Popayán to Mompiche, Ecuador ⭐

To go to Ecuador from Colombia, You can either take a plane to Esmeraldas or Quito, or cross the border by bus. The journey from Popayan to Esmeraldas by bus takes about 16 hours.

I stayed over a month in Mompiche, one of my favourite towns in South America. I volunteered as a receptionist for a beautiful surf house right next to world-class waves. Mompiche is unique, but I’ll let you see for yourself :)

Mompiche travel guide ︎︎︎

Shot by @judithodm


© Maylis Moubarak

16) Mompiche to Cuenca

Nestled amid the scenic Andes, Cuenca is an unexpected fusion of Andean charm and European elegance. From its enchanting cobblestone streets to its ornate architecture and vibrant plazas, I loved exploring the city's many wonders. The food there was also delicious; I ate the best hummus of my life in a little local restaurant (I'm Lebanese, so I know what I'm talking about ;)

Las Cajas National Park, sitting at 4000m above sea level, is worth a visit, especially if you want to try out high-altitude hikes before heading to Peru. That's also where I saw wild llamas for the first time.



© Maylis Moubarak

17) Cuenca to Vilcabamba

Vilcabamba is a curious town full of retired Americans sniffing essential oils. If you want to cross the border to Peru, you’ll find lovely eco-hostels to rest for a day or two before making the harrowing journey by bus to Peru.


© Maylis Moubarak

South America 6 month-itinerary: month 4, Peru

18) Border crossing 🚌 Loja to Huanchaco, Peru ⭐

This border crossing took over 35 hours. It was very tiring as the bus was highly uncomfortable. And giant mosquitos in a malaria-infested region attacked us while crossing the bridge from Ecuador to Peru in the middle of the night. So bring lots of water, slather yourself with bug repellant, download a few movies on your phone and prepare a good music playlist to make the trip easier.

Fortunately, I was immediately rewarded when stepping off the bus in Huanchaco, a beautiful, unassuming surf town in Northern Peru. It’s less popular than Mancora but has excellent waves. The vibe is great - easy-to-meet people, friendly locals and chill beach bars.

Huanchaco travel guide ︎︎︎

 Shot by @judithodm

19) Huanchaco to Huaraz ⭐

Huaraz is the perfect starting point for embarking on some of Peru's most breathtaking hikes and treks. Beyond its natural wonders, the city is a captivating blend of cultures, with vibrant Quechua traditions coming to life in the bustling street markets. I stayed two weeks there. I did one four-day trek and five hikes at over 4500m, with 4800m peaks. Take your time in Huaraz to get used to the altitude, and you’ll enjoy your treks even more.

Travel guide: Huayhuash 4-day trek, from 4500m to 4880m︎︎︎

20) Huaraz to Lima ⭐

My favourite capital in South America. I loved surfing in Lima and discovering the many aspects of this contrasting city. It’s also the perfect place to refill on good quality sunscreen, bug repellant and backpacking gear.

21) Lima to Cusco ⭐

Cusco is very popular amongst backpackers, but it lives up to its reputation. I stayed almost three weeks there, and did the one-week Salkantay Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu.

© Maylis Moubarak

22) Cusco to Arequipa

Arequipa is a beautiful city for its monastery (The Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena), where you can spend hours admiring the serenity and beauty of the site.


© Maylis Moubarak

South America 6-month itinerary: months 5, Bolivia & Argentina

23) Border crossing 🚌 Arequipa to La Paz, Bolivia

I embarked yet again on a neverending bus ride to cross the border. But La Paz is a must-see if you want a culture shock. From its bustling fruit markets on the streets and witches selling dead baby alpacas on the roads to the women's boxing tournaments, La Paz was an enchanting fusion of curious, quirky experiences.

© Maylis Moubarak

24) La Paz to Sucre

I spent two nights in Sucre in a private hotel room - yes, a private room. I was hitting the three-month mark in my backpacking trip, and I desperately needed some personal space to recharge.

It was one of the best nights of my life. I had forgotten entirely about the luxury of privacy. When travelling solo long-term, it’s important to take breaks sometime. If you need some tips on how to take care of your mental health on the road, read my guide.

25) Sucre to Tupiza

Head to Tupiza to uncover the hidden gems of the Sur Lipez region, rivalling if not surpassing the beauty of its more frequented counterpart departing from Uyuni. Starting from the circuit's end rather than Uyuni, you'll cross lesser-known routes, granting you access to enchanting spots absent from the typical tourist itinerary. Tupiza also offers more affordable tours, making it an ideal choice for the intrepid explorer.

26) Tupiza to Salar d’Uyuni / Sur Lipez

I was amazed by the surreal beauty of the Sur Lipez. La Ciudad del Encanto—a city of eroded canyons, the Laguna Colorada—a stunning red lake hovering over a Martian landscape, the Salar de Chaipiri, and so many more breathtaking sights. The trip in the Jeep was tiring, but 100% worth it.

© Maylis Moubarak

27) Border crossing 🚌 Tupiza to Humahuaca, Argentina

This was the worst border crossing of my trip. When I arrived, there was a public transport strike in Argentina. So I had to wait four hours for a bus at the border town, then got dropped off in the middle of the road, and had to hitchhike for another two hours, walking with my heavy backpack under the blazing sun, before a car finally passed by and picked me up.

Humahuaca though, was lovely. It's got that genuine bohemian vibe I love, good music and a nice artsy scene. You can visit the Rainbow Mountains (Serranía de Hornocal) and nearby towns like Purmamarca and relax in chill hostels.

28) Humahuaca to Iruya

Iruya is a traditional north Argentinian town on a cliff surrounded by vertical summits. It's got more of a Bolivian vibe, probably because it's so close to the border.

💡If you're down to make the trip through the narrow mountain roads, you can visit Iruya and return to Humahuaca on the same day.

29) Iruya to Tilcara

Tilcara is full of hippie backpackers. It's fun to spend a few days there, hike to La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat), and explore the central market.

30) Tilcara to Salta

The city of Salta was a hard pass for me, but I was travelling during the low season. I stayed too long there (5 days), as I was waiting for a friend to join me before going to Cafayate. So if you're not into cities, stay a day to rent a car, then quickly head off to explore the Salta region - not the city itself.

31) Salta to Cafayate/Angastaco

Yes, the Cafayate region is a must-see. Rent a car and go drive around the Quebrada de las Flechas. It's a fantastic bumpy ride.

32) Cafayate to Salinas Grandes

Although less impressive than the Salar de Uyuni, the Salinas Grandes got their fair amount of punch. But I wouldn't recommend it if you're pressed for time and have already seen the salt lakes of Bolivia. You could skip Salinas Grandes and explore the Atacames desert instead.

33) Cafayate to Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, what a fun city. When I went there, there was a massive electricity cut in the entire city - the power was out for two days. But still, it didn't prevent me from exploring the lively streets of the Argentinian capital, with hints of Europe and smells of asado warming up the graffiti-filled neighbourhood.

South America 6 month itinerary: month 6, Brazil

34) Border crossing 🚌 Buenos Aires to São Paolo

If you can, take a plane from Buenos Aires to Brazil rather than the bus. The bus journey is complicated, horrifyingly long and it costs almost as much as the flight.

35) São Paolo to Ihla Grande

Ihla Grande is a little island near Rio de Janeiro. It's got that afro-Brazilian vibe you want to taste when you think about Brazil. No cars are allowed on the island, so...you get what I mean.

36) Ihla Grande to Paraty & Paraty Mirim ⭐

If you go to Paraty, spend one day there to visit the city then head to Paraty Mirim and check out ReMo Hostel: a tree house in the jungle. Really, it's a trip. Spot the Einstein-looking monkeys and cute sloths hanging around in the trees!

ReMo Hostel: jungle tree house feature ︎︎︎

37) Paraty to Ubatuba ⭐

I volunteered for one month in Ubatuba for a Brazilian couple's eco-Airbnb. Ubatuba is a relatively unknown surf town with plenty of surf spots for all levels. Locals are fierce here, so respect the lineup and learn a few words of Portuguese.

I could bike to the surf spot from my house (accommodation was free, with four other wonderful volunteers). I was surfing every day and having the best time of my life, again.

 Ubatuba travel guide ︎︎︎

38) Ubatuba to Rio de Janeiro

My days in Rio were a mix of surprise, joy and tears. I realised I wasn't ready to head back. Brazil had caught my heart, and I wanted to see more. But sadly, I was out of money and needed to handle admin’ issues back home.

39) Rio de Janeiro to São Paolo

Time to head back to Europe. I take a bus to São Paolo with a hole in my heart. I pray that the bus is late so I miss my plane. But the bus was on time for the first time in six months. I accept this fact as a sign I should trust it's the right moment to leave.

40) São Paolo to Paris

I hop off the bus, board the plane, and contemplate the sky, thinking, “Wow. I did it.” This trip was the best six months of my entire life.

And to this day, four years later, thinking about this trip still brings me tears of joy :)

Surf & Trek 6-month South America Itinerary Map

Save this map so you can access if while travelling in case you want to remember destinations you’d like to visit :