Budget for a years travel around South America - Advice wanted!?

Just wondered if anyone who has actually traveled South America for year could give me some advice on budget. A friend and myself are heading to South America next month and are hoping to see the travels out for a year if we can!...We have a budget of around $9,000 -$9,500 (after tickets have been payed for) and we were just wondering how far that would get us around South America..and indeed if we could see out the year





We are going to travel Colombia, --%26gt; Venezuela,--%26gt; (back into Colombia)--%26gt; Ecuador,--%26gt; Peru,--%26gt; Bolivia,--%26gt; Chile, --%26gt; Argentina,--%26gt; Uruguay,--%26gt; Paraguay --%26gt; Brazil





Not really interested (well yes we are but we wouldn't loose any sleep if we didn't go if you know what i mean) about visiting French Guiana, Guyana or Suriname due to the fact that it seems expensive %26amp; we would be hassle to get visas etc (We are 2 British travelers by the way)





I know according to the LP the so called cheaper countries are Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia %26amp; Argentina so our plan is to spend more time in these cheaper countries...





I know it all depends on your spending habits so im not really looking for any responses that say 'depends if you like to got out drinking' or 'depends if you like going on tours' etc ...Just would be good if someone could give their opinion of a rough ball park figure from someone who has experience and has already been there and done it.





We are two 27 / 29 year old fella's so we will obviously be spending on going out and sampling the nightlife, however at the same time we will not be going crazy, and will hopefully keeping a good balance to hopefully prolong the finances for the trip





Thanks to all who reply in advance, as this really will be invaluable advice %26amp; info for us!





Thanks again!Budget for a years travel around South America - Advice wanted!?
If you are extremely frugal, you can do it for $20/day. If you spend more than $40/day (on average) you are doing something wrong.





I suggest saving the cheaper countries for the end of your trip so leaving won't seem so abrupt.





If you haven't purchased a guidebook yet, I suggest the South American Handbook.





http://www.amazon.com/South-American-Han鈥?/a>





I just noticed, on page 19 of the preview for this guidebook, there is a chart of the average cost per day for 2 people for each country. This might help decide your itinerary.





Have a great time!!!Budget for a years travel around South America - Advice wanted!?
I apologize as this isn't really an answer. But, good luck! That sounds like a really fun time. An adventure like that is something everyone wants but very few are actually willing to go through it all to achieve it. Have fun :)
Be careful in Columbia there is a strong likely hood you could be taken hostage by the rebels
I am currently living and working in Ecuador and I live on less than $1000 American dollars a month and I live quite comfortably and do not have to watch what I spend too much. With that being said, some of the other countries that you mentioned will be a bit more expensive, the best source for information on traveling in South America that I have found has been from Viva travel guides, here is a link to there website, hope this helps!





http://www.vivatravelguides.com/