Gringo Trail

~ marks an estimate. Budgets are per day in US dollars. Check services and fares before setting out.

1. 01

   

   Lima

   Peru · Daily budget ~$66

   Lima's Miraflores district offers plentiful visitor accommodation, restaurants and nightlife. Barranco adds colonial architecture and an artsy atmosphere.

   Lima →to Machu Picchu

   Transport details are not recorded.

2. 02

   

   Machu Picchu

   Peru · Daily budget ~$160

   Closely fitted Inca stonework links temples and astronomical structures high in the Andes. The mountain setting gives the archaeological remains a striking backdrop.

   Machu Picchu →to Ollantaytambo

   Train~3 h~$108

3. 03

   

   Ollantaytambo

   Peru · Daily budget ~$61

   Ollantaytambo is a living Inca town with an ancient cobblestone grid. Stone foundations built centuries ago still support inhabited homes.

   Ollantaytambo →to Pisac

   Transport details are not recorded.

4. 04

   

   Pisac

   Peru · Daily budget ~$45

   A traditional Sacred Valley town sits below Inca ruins on a steep mountain ridge. Its Sunday market and archaeological setting give visitors distinct reasons to linger.

   Pisac →to Arequipa

   Transport details are not recorded.

5. 05

   Arequipa

   Peru · Daily budget ~$46

   Arequipa's historic center is shaped by pale sillar stone and a blend of indigenous and colonial heritage. Its UNESCO-listed architecture gives travelers a rich setting for wandering on foot.

   Arequipa →to Colca Canyon

   Bus~4 h~$13

6. 06

   Colca Canyon

   Peru · Daily budget ~$44

   Canyon visitor destination served by the Chivay trekking base.

   Colca Canyon →to Puno

   Bus~6 h 30 min~$48

7. 07

   

   Puno

   Peru · Daily budget ~$44

   Puno is a high-altitude port on Lake Titicaca and a base for visits to its islands. Its central square and pedestrian Calle Lima offer restaurants and bars between lake excursions.

   Puno →to Huaraz

   Transport details are not recorded.

8. 08

   

   Huaraz

   Peru · Daily budget ~$26

   Huaraz is a high-altitude base for trekking in Peru's Cordillera Blanca. Mountain walks are the main reason to linger in this Andean city.

   Huaraz →to Trujillo

   Bus~8 h~$30

9. 09

   Trujillo

   Peru · Daily budget ~$42

   Trujillo combines a colonial center with visits to the adobe citadel of Chan Chan. It also offers coastal seafood, marinera dance traditions and easy access to Huanchaco's surf scene.

   Trujillo →to Huanchaco

   Drive~30 min~$9.22

10. 10

    Huanchaco

    Peru · Daily budget ~$32

    This relaxed northern coastal town pairs surfing with a working fishing tradition. Local fishermen still use caballitos de totora, boats made from reeds.

    Huanchaco →to La Paz

    Transport details are not recorded.

11. 11

    

    La Paz

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$38

    La Paz fills an Andean bowl with colonial streets and neighborhoods climbing the surrounding slopes. Its dramatic terrain shapes the experience of exploring the city.

    La Paz →to Copacabana

    Bus~4 h 30 min~$11

12. 12

    Copacabana

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$41

    Copacabana is a lakeside stop between La Paz and Peru. Walk the promenade for Lake Titicaca sunsets or explore the surrounding hills and Inca ruins.

    Copacabana →to Isla del Sol

    Ferry~$6.52

13. 13

    Isla del Sol

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$50

    Ancient Inca sacred sites shape a quiet, car-free island escape. Visit from Copacabana for a day or linger overnight.

    Isla del Sol →to Uyuni

    Transport details are not recorded.

14. 14

    

    Uyuni

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$44

    Uyuni is a practical base for trips onto the nearby salt flats. Visits can range from a short outing to a longer expedition through the surrounding desert.

    Uyuni →to Potosí

    Bus~4 h 30 min~$14

15. 15

    

    Potosí

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$39

    Potosí has a UNESCO-listed colonial center filled with baroque churches and mansions. Cooperative mines still operate on the slopes of Cerro Rico above the city.

    Potosí →to Sucre

    Bus~4 h~$8.50

16. 16

    

    Sucre

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$35

    Sucre's UNESCO-listed historic center gathers around Plaza 25 de Mayo. The cathedral and Casa de la Libertad give the central square a strong architectural and historical focus.

    Sucre →to Cochabamba

    Bus~9 h~$23

17. 17

    

    Cochabamba

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$34

    Cochabamba brings together museums and colonial architecture. A vibrant food scene adds another reason to explore the city.

    Cochabamba →to Santa Cruz

    Transport details are not recorded.

18. 18

    

    Santa Cruz

    Bolivia · Daily budget ~$46

    Santa Cruz is a lowland city with a cosmopolitan mix of restaurants and nightlife. It also serves as a base for eastern Bolivia's tropical parks, dunes and wildlife.

    Santa Cruz →to Quito

    Transport details are not recorded.

19. 19

    

    Quito

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$51

    Quito's Old Town invites exploration of colonial architecture, plazas and churches such as San Francisco and La Compañía de Jesus. The TelefériQo climbs above the city for wide views.

    Quito →to Cuenca

    Transport details are not recorded.

20. 20

    Cuenca

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$47

    Cuenca is a colonial city in Ecuador's southern highlands. Its UNESCO-listed historic center combines old architecture with flowers, trees and rushing waterways.

    Cuenca →to Baños

    Transport details are not recorded.

21. 21

    

    Baños

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$48

    Baños sits beneath Tungurahua and is known for its hydrothermal springs. Waterfalls and outdoor activities in the Pastaza valley make it a base for active trips.

    Baños →to Otavalo

    Transport details are not recorded.

22. 22

    Otavalo

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$43

    Otavalo draws visitors to the Saturday Mercado Artesanal at Plaza de Ponchos. Its stalls bring together woven textiles, jewelry, wood carvings and handicrafts from across the region.

    Otavalo →to Latacunga

    Transport details are not recorded.

23. 23

    Latacunga

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$44

    Latacunga is a compact highland base for exploring Cotopaxi. It also serves as a gateway to the Quilotoa Loop trekking circuit.

    Latacunga →to Mindo

    Transport details are not recorded.

24. 24

    Mindo

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$59

    Mindo is a walkable cloud-forest town with birdwatching at the center of a visit. Butterfly farms, chocolate tours and canopy ziplines provide other ways to spend time here.

    Mindo →to Montañita

    Transport details are not recorded.

25. 25

    Montañita

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$53

    Montañita grew from a fishing village into a beach town centered on surfing. Nightlife and a mix of international visitors shape its lively atmosphere.

    Montañita →to Puerto López

    Bus~1 h~$3

26. 26

    Puerto López

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$51

    Puerto López is a coastal base for Isla de la Plata trips and visits to Machalilla National Park. Its promenade and tour pier keep the waterfront at the center of a stay.

    Puerto López →to Guayaquil

    Bus~4 h 30 min~$11

27. 27

    

    Guayaquil

    Ecuador · Daily budget ~$46

    Guayaquil's riverfront pairs the Malecón Simón Bolívar with the colorful colonial streets of Las Peñas. Parks and museums add iguanas, archaeology and colonial art to a city visit.

    Guayaquil →to Bogotá

    Transport details are not recorded.

28. 28

    

    Bogotá

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$65

    La Candelaria is Bogotá's colonial center and a popular base for budget travelers. Its hostels make it easy to meet other visitors while exploring the historic neighborhood.

    Bogotá →to Medellín

    Transport details are not recorded.

29. 29

    

    Medellín

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$50

    El Poblado is Medellín's main visitor district. Hostels, restaurants and nightlife gather around Parque Lleras and Parque Poblado.

    Medellín →to Cartagena

    Transport details are not recorded.

30. 30

    Cartagena

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$59

    Cartagena is a Caribbean coastal city with a walled historic center and Spanish colonial fortresses. Its military and civil architecture are central to the city's appeal.

    Cartagena →to Santa Marta

    Bus~5 h 30 min~$24

31. 31

    

    Santa Marta

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$42

    Santa Marta pairs a working Caribbean port with beach time. Its old center has colonial architecture, with resort beaches at El Rodadero and diving at nearby Taganga.

    Santa Marta →to Minca

    Bus~$2.73

32. 32

    Minca

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$56

    Minca draws travelers for organic coffee, mountain views and birdlife. Hiking, mountain biking and waterfall outings fill days around the village.

    Minca →to Taganga

    Transport details are not recorded.

33. 33

    Taganga

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$42

    Taganga is a fishing village on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Dry mountains frame the settlement, which serves as a base for diving around Tayrona National Park.

    Taganga →to Palomino

    Transport details are not recorded.

34. 34

    Palomino

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$49

    Palomino is a Caribbean backpacker town below the Sierra Nevada. River tubing and surfing shape the outdoor appeal of its coast and river mouth.

    Palomino →to Tayrona National Park

    Bus~1 h 15 min~$5.50

35. 35

    

    Tayrona National Park

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$79

    Caribbean beaches and jungle trails define Tayrona National Park. Hammock camping offers a simple way to linger along the coast.

    Tayrona National Park →to Salento

    Transport details are not recorded.

36. 36

    Salento

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$47

    Salento pairs colorful colonial streets with the green hills of Colombia's coffee region. The town is a base for visiting the wax palms of Valle de Cocora.

    Salento →to Manizales

    Transport details are not recorded.

37. 37

    Manizales

    Colombia · Daily budget ~$42

    Manizales is a hill city in Colombia's coffee region. Cool, foggy districts give way to warmer valleys around its varied terrain.

    Manizales →to Santiago

    Transport details are not recorded.

38. 38

    

    Santiago

    Chile · Daily budget ~$83

    Santiago sits in Chile's central valley between the Andes and the Coastal Range. The mountain-framed setting gives this growing metropolis a distinctive backdrop.

    Santiago →to Valparaíso

    Bus~2 h~$11

39. 39

    

    Valparaíso

    Chile · Daily budget ~$67

    Valparaíso spreads colorful houses and historic ascensores over steep hills above a working Pacific port. Maritime history and a bohemian culture shape its streets and viewpoints.

    Valparaíso →to San Pedro de Atacama

    Transport details are not recorded.

40. 40

    San Pedro de Atacama

    Chile · Daily budget ~$77

    San Pedro de Atacama is compact enough to explore on foot. Nearby outings include Valle de la Luna, Valle de Marte and Pukará de Quitor.

    San Pedro de Atacama →to La Serena

    Transport details are not recorded.

41. 41

    La Serena

    Chile · Daily budget ~$61

    La Serena combines a neocolonial center, small plazas and stone churches with a long coastal beach strip. University life gives the city a different rhythm outside the summer holiday season.

    La Serena →to Pucon

    Transport details are not recorded.

42. 42

    Pucon

    Chile · Daily budget ~$61

    Pucón is a base for volcano outings, rafting and hot springs. Huerquehue National Park adds forest trekking to the surrounding adventures.

    Pucon →to Puerto Varas

    Transport details are not recorded.

43. 43

    Puerto Varas

    Chile · Daily budget ~$150

    Puerto Varas sits on Lake Llanquihue with views toward Osorno and Calbuco. German settler heritage appears in its church architecture and baking traditions.

    Puerto Varas →to Castro

    Transport details are not recorded.

44. 44

    Castro

    Chile · Daily budget ~$71

    Castro's colorful wooden palafitos stand on stilts along the waterfront. The town is a base for exploring Chiloé's churches, nature reserves and nearby islands.

    Castro →to Puerto Natales

    Transport details are not recorded.

45. 45

    

    Puerto Natales

    Chile · Daily budget ~$81

    Puerto Natales is a practical base for trips into Torres del Paine and Bernardo O'Higgins national parks. Gear shops and supermarkets make it a convenient place to prepare for trekking.

    Puerto Natales →to Punta Arenas

    Bus~3 h~$17

46. 46

    Punta Arenas

    Chile · Daily budget ~$81

    Punta Arenas is a Patagonian port with grand mansions from its maritime and sheep-ranching past. The city also serves as a departure point for journeys farther south.

    Punta Arenas →to Buenos Aires

    Transport details are not recorded.

47. 47

    

    Buenos Aires

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$80

    Buenos Aires combines parks, belle époque architecture and intimate cafés. Its cosmopolitan nightlife adds an after-dark side to a cultural city break.

    Buenos Aires →to Córdoba

    Transport details are not recorded.

48. 48

    Córdoba

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$64

    Córdoba's Jesuit block draws visitors interested in historic church architecture. Iglesia Compañía de Jesús is part of the complex.

    Córdoba →to Mendoza

    Bus~10 h~$53

49. 49

    Mendoza

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$70

    Mendoza sits at the foot of the Andes, with access to mountain outings and Cacheuta's hot springs. Irrigation keeps its streets green amid the dry Cuyo landscape.

    Mendoza →to Salta

    Transport details are not recorded.

50. 50

    Salta

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$64

    Salta sits in the mountains of northwestern Argentina. It makes a base for exploring the Valles Calchaquíes and Quebrada de Humahuaca.

    Salta →to Tilcara

    Bus~4 h 30 min~$22

51. 51

    Tilcara

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$66

    Tilcara combines colonial architecture, archaeology and Indigenous markets in a compact center. It makes a base for the colorful mountain valleys and nearby towns of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.

    Tilcara →to Cafayate

    Transport details are not recorded.

52. 52

    Cafayate

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$75

    Cafayate is a wine town known for Torrontés and the surrounding Quebrada's rock formations. It is a base for exploring the Calchaquí valleys along Ruta Nacional 40.

    Cafayate →to San Carlos de Bariloche

    Transport details are not recorded.

53. 53

    

    San Carlos de Bariloche

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$91

    San Carlos de Bariloche pairs an alpine atmosphere with outdoor adventures in Patagonia. Trek in Nahuel Huapi National Park or head to Catedral Alta Patagonia for skiing.

    San Carlos de Bariloche →to El Bolsón

    Bus~3 h~$18

54. 54

    El Bolsón

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$81

    El Bolsón is a relaxed base for hiking beneath Piltriquitron Mountain. An artisan market, microbreweries and live music reflect the town's counterculture heritage.

    El Bolsón →to El Chalten

    Transport details are not recorded.

55. 55

    

    El Chalten

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$112

    El Chaltén is a base for walks toward Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre offer mountain views, while the Condor and Eagle viewpoints make shorter outings.

    El Chalten →to Rio de Janeiro

    Transport details are not recorded.

56. 56

    

    Rio de Janeiro

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$78

    Rio de Janeiro pairs beaches with mountain landmarks such as Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer. Samba, capoeira and the Maracanã add cultural stops between coastal walks.

    Rio de Janeiro →to São Paulo

    Transport details are not recorded.

57. 57

    São Paulo

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$61

    São Paulo offers a dining scene that ranges from street snacks to fine restaurants. It suits travelers who enjoy building a city visit around food.

    São Paulo →to Paraty

    Transport details are not recorded.

58. 58

    Paraty

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$55

    Paraty's compact historic center rewards exploring on foot. Cobbled streets restrict ordinary car traffic, with exceptions for taxi pickups and drop-offs.

    Paraty →to Ilha Grande

    Ferry~2 h~$9.55

59. 59

    Ilha Grande

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$59

    Explore by foot and boat, with Vila do Abraão as a practical base. Day trips fan out from the village across the island.

    Ilha Grande →to Ubatuba

    Transport details are not recorded.

60. 60

    Ubatuba

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$57

    Ubatuba spreads beaches along a coast backed by Atlantic rainforest. Surf breaks, forest trails and offshore islands give it variety beyond the town itself.

    Ubatuba →to Florianopolis

    Transport details are not recorded.

61. 61

    Florianopolis

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$55

    Beaches range from lively resorts to quieter stretches reached along trails. Forested mountains and a large lagoon add variety to an island stay.

    Florianopolis →to Foz do Iguaçu

    Transport details are not recorded.

62. 62

    Foz do Iguaçu

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$58

    Iguaçu Falls draws travelers to this Brazilian gateway. The cascades provide a strong focus for a stay centered on nature.

    Foz do Iguaçu →to Curitiba

    Transport details are not recorded.

63. 63

    Curitiba

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$38

    The old center and its Sunday craft fair give this Paraná capital a historic focus. A distinctive rapid-transit bus network adds an urban-planning angle to a visit.

    Curitiba →to Salvador

    Transport details are not recorded.

64. 64

    Salvador

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$56

    Salvador's cultural life includes Candomblé and capoeira performances at Mercado Modelo. Dendê oil gives Bahian cooking a distinctive flavor.

    Salvador →to Morro de São Paulo

    Ferry~2 h 30 min~$33

65. 65

    Morro de São Paulo

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$59

    Morro de São Paulo invites exploration on foot through its village center and along the beaches. Steep slopes, especially above the port, make some walks more demanding than the seaside setting suggests.

    Morro de São Paulo →to Itacaré

    Transport details are not recorded.

66. 66

    Itacaré

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$62

    Itacaré draws surfers and hikers to a coastal town with an active capoeira tradition. Its historic riverfront retains warehouses from the cacao-export era.

    Itacaré →to Porto Seguro

    Transport details are not recorded.

67. 67

    Porto Seguro

    Brazil · Daily budget ~$53

    Porto Seguro combines a lively beach scene with the history of Portuguese arrival in southern Bahia. Atlantic Forest and coral reefs add natural interest around the coast.

    Porto Seguro →to Montevideo

    Transport details are not recorded.

68. 68

    

    Montevideo

    Uruguay · Daily budget ~$71

    Montevideo combines historic Ciudad Vieja with beaches, street food and lively nightlife. Uruguay's capital suits unhurried days of neighborhood wandering and local culture.

    Montevideo →to Colonia

    Bus~3 h~$17

69. 69

    Colonia

    Uruguay · Daily budget ~$75

    Colonia del Sacramento pairs cobblestone streets with Portuguese colonial heritage. Its UNESCO-listed historic district makes a convenient stop between Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

    Colonia →to Punta del Diablo

    Transport details are not recorded.

70. 70

    Punta del Diablo

    Uruguay

    Punta del Diablo is an Atlantic seaside village with eclectic buildings and an artisan fishing tradition. Its rustic coastal character draws summer holidaymakers from across the region.

    Punta del Diablo →to Asunción

    Transport details are not recorded.

71. 71

    

    Asunción

    Paraguay · Daily budget ~$38

    Asunción has a compact historic centre that lends itself to exploring on foot. Carmelitas offers a different atmosphere, with shopping centres and bars.

    Asunción →to El Calafate

    Transport details are not recorded.

72. 72

    El Calafate

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$108

    El Calafate sits beside Lago Argentino in southern Patagonia. It is a base for visiting Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno glacier.

    El Calafate →to Ushuaia

    Transport details are not recorded.

73. 73

    Ushuaia

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$110

    Ushuaia has grown from a penal colony into a lively tourist center. It draws visitors for dramatic mountains, Cerro Castor winter sports and Antarctic cruises.

    Ushuaia →to Puerto Iguazú

    Transport details are not recorded.

74. 74

    Puerto Iguazú

    Argentina · Daily budget ~$68

    Puerto Iguazú is a base for visiting the falls and crossing to nearby Brazil and Paraguay. Onward journeys can also take in the Jesuit ruins at San Ignacio Miní.

    Puerto Iguazú →to Torres del Paine National Park

    Transport details are not recorded.

75. 75

    Torres del Paine National Park

    Chile · Daily budget ~$210

    Granite towers rise above glacial lakes in Torres del Paine. The W Trek and O Circuit draw hikers into a landscape of glaciers and condors.