Advice on backpacking in South America please?

Subject to taking the usual precautions of a backpacker does anyone have any useful advice on backpacking in South America? Safe / unsafe places? Places to see, places to avoid?


Thanks everyone!Advice on backpacking in South America please?
I have traveled extensively all over the world and THE BEST HIKING I HAVE EVER DONE was hiking the Inca trail to Machu Piccu. You go to Cuzco, Peru, hang out a few days visiting the ruins around the town, acclimating to the elevation, and then you get on a train and hop off in the middle of nowhere and take a 3-4 day hike depending on how slowly you want to go to enjoy the scenery. The hike ends up at Machu Piccu, one of the seven wonders of the world. I advise getting there (to the ruins) as early as possible. Most people wait around to take a picture of sunrise over the old man mountian, but if you go down to the ruins themselves you will have them to yourself for a good hour or so. It made me cry to see what man can accomplish. If you go to South America and don't do this hike, especially if you are a backpacker, you are gonna miss out on a great great experience.








Other than that, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina are all excellent places to visit with plenty of natural and cultural places of interest. I think that as long as you are aware and don't do stupid stuff like walk around with gold chains and cash hanging out of your pockets, you won't have a problem. I had heard stories of Peru being very dangerous but always felt safe and comfortable there. I lived in Oakland, CA for a long time where I rarely felt safe so that might have something to do with it.Advice on backpacking in South America please?
South America is a big continent, what do you prefer to visit?


Mountains, lakes, cold places, glaciers, hot places, beaches, cities, you have too many places and countries to go.
My advice is don't die, don't sleep with any dangerous women and don't eat yellow snow. :)