Hi!

Well, it’s been 11 years since I’ve been there, so I don’t know how much has changed. I’ve only been to a couple of small cities, primarily a little city called Constitución, but it was a wonderful experience! I couldn’t really tell you where to go, though, because it all depends on what you want to do. I personally would visit the beautiful Lake Region, maybe Viña del Mar, and I’d also probably try to find a way to get to Easter Island. :)

Compared to America, Chile seemed pretty cheap to me. The main thing is just to ALWAYS make sure that you know how much you’re spending; sometimes you spend more just because you have the money, and you aren’t aware of how much it is REALLY costing you. Many restaurants know this (like Dave & Busters), and make you purchase credits to play their video games so you’re not thinking, “It costs $2 to play this game?? What a rip off!!” Yet, you wouldn’t even think twice about paying 3 credits if you have them. Also, research hostels if you don’t have a place to stay. They are usually pretty cheap, as many backpacking students stay in hostels. Anyway, I hope this helps!

In Christ,
Eric

ok xD

If I was a tourist, the would go in Chile to Santiago first of course, cause from there you can go wherever you want inside the country. Santiago is not that cheap, but you can buy cheap stuff in plenty artisan markets, specially downtown. If you wanna eat cheap in Santiago, and in CHile in general, go to a typical chilean food restorant, but be careful to go to a fancy-looking one or to a very..folk one; I guess that’s common-sense. Santiago is beautiful (though most people that live here don’t get that); if you get time go tour around downtown; Lastarria, Cerro Santa Lucia and the goverment’s buildings are gorgeous.
Anyways, the best thing about Chile, for me, is the south. You can start in Chillan, which is like 5 hours from Santiago (bus tickets can be really cheap, just look around in the terminals), and later to Pucon. Pucon is a tourist town, and can be expensive f you’re not careful, but it totally worth it! The city is in shores of a big lake and in the bottom of a volcano (if it’s season yet you can go skiing) and almost all houses are made of wood…I love it. Pucon is also the center of adventure and eco sports, and there are plenty of guides there; I have done some stuff there (canopy, paintball) and you can get cheap prices, but is also cool to go by yourself to explore the woods if you get the chance (I’ve done that too).
The north of Chile is great too. You can easily go to Peru first (Macchu Picchu, Arequipa are incredible!) and then hitch-hike to Chile. The Atacama desert is crazy! San Pedro de Atacama is AWESOME too, though is kind of expensive (at least for chileans, cause prices are made for tourists).
Uhm..I don’t know what else to say. Oh yeah, Buenos Aires is amazing too, and Argentina is cheaper than Chile =P
South America rocks, you’ll love it. I love to live here, btw. People are so kind, everywhere you go, and you can find help anywhere…is not really dangerous either, you have to be careful nevertheless, just as anywhere in the world :P. Food is awesome and cheap too.
I hope this helps you, have a great trip =D

Get Lonely Planets’ South America on a Shoestring

Chile is hella expensive compared to Peru & Bolivia, so if you are really cheap dont go or at least limit your time. Argentina is a good deal right now because they have excellent service with rock bottom please-bring-us-tourism prices.

I really thought the hike to Machu Picchu (Peru) was fantastic & the town below of Cusco a really fun place to hang out. If you want to get the trip for cheap, gang up with some other travelers (we had 6) and go to each of the booking desks around the square of Cuzco and bargain. We paid half of what the other 4 people in our group did for the exact same trip.

Tasmin, anodien, & superchink have great responses. I have not been back in three years now, so I won’t have a lot of current information to offer, but there are things that don’t change that fast: The Lonely Planet guide is quite good. You’re going in spring/summer – the beaches are great there – exactly like here on the west coast of the US. Santiago is expensive, and the best food is usually in the poorer establishments, esp. in the center of downtown. Don’t miss the seafood at the “mercado central”. Get out of Santiago if you can & plan to travel either north or south as far as you can get in your allotted time – both the north and south are wonderful and quite different. Basically, it compares with the west coast of north america – the far south being a lot like Alaska and the north being much like Baja California.