South America, and Chile in particular, can be surprisingly pricey for travellers but, with a little thought, it is possible to shave quite a lot off your costs.
This is particularly true if you’re going at a busy time, such as the total solar eclipse in Chile and Argentina on 2nd July 2019.
Not only will these tips save you cash they may also add to your adventure…
Know your buses
Bus travel in South America is the way to go.
Trains are seldom an option, and air travel is costly, especially in the southern half, although bargain flights to Santiago can be had.
Luxury bus travel (champagne and a butler, anyone?) is available but if you want to do it on the cheap and aren’t on a deadline, try booking your bus tickets on the day of travel, or even just before you travel.
Bus companies don’t always advertise the fact that prices can drop as departure gets nearer, and the savings can be more than 50%.
If you have to be somewhere at a set time, and still want the cheap option, it’s sensible to build a buffer into your plans in case seats have sold out.
Don’t take risks at busy times though. For example, if your heart is set on seeing that total eclipse from Chile’s famous Elqui Valley (it’s got some of the clearest skies in the world) then get travel arranged in advance. And the same applies to accommodation.
Love local markets
If you are cooking for yourself – and if money is tight, you probably will be – then local markets are not just cheaper than supermarkets, they’re also more fun. And the food is at least as fresh.
Just like markets anywhere, keep your wits about you and don’t make it easy for pickpockets.
But enjoy the atmosphere, as well as the fact you will be eating well for much less.
If you do decide to use a supermarket, the Lider chain has more than 80 outlets throughout Chile.
It’s reliably cheap – it was taken over by Walmart in 2009 and one of their tricks to get customers in is to run daily specials, which can save you at least half the price you’d pay elsewhere.
Share a taxi
This is a real saver. In cities, you’ll see taxis marked ‘Colectivo’, displaying a list of the destinations they serve and the prices.
A Colectivo will pick up other passengers on its journey, which is why the fare will be less than one-fifth of what you’ll pay in a regular taxi.
Think of the Colectivo as a cross between a bus and a taxi, or the acceptable face of taxi travel on a tight budget.
To save even more money, of course, jump on a local bus (they’re known as ‘micros’).
Lunchtime specials
Eating out doesn’t have to be expensive in Chile, but you’d never call it cheap.
Even if you decide to dodge restaurants, you do have to pay attention or you’ll find yourself paying £4 or £5 for a hotdog on a street corner.
For the same money, look out for the Menu of the Day – Menu del Dia – in restaurants at lunchtime.
You’ll be able to feast on soup, plus a meat/seafood/veggie main course with salad and some rice.
Not only will you be saving money, your food will taste so much better than that mayo-covered hotdog ever could.
And, of course, you’re going to be dining with locals. What better way is there to get a feel for a country?
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