hosteltrail.com.The range of accommodation available in South America – and the variety of price and quality that goes with it – is enormous and, should you be embarking on a multi-country tour, you’ll find that the US$10 that buys you a night’s rest in Bolivia may not even stretch to breakfast in the Southern Cone or French Guiana.
Most local tourist offices provide a list of available accommodation, but bear in mind that establishments often pay to be included and that they may include little outside the main tourist hotspots. Generally, tourist boards will not recommend specific accommodation, nor book it.
Usually there is no shortage of places to stay, but use common sense if you plan to be somewhere at the time of a local festival, such as in Rio for Carnaval. Obviously, accommodation fills up quickly at these times, prices skyrocket and it’s best to book well in advance. While the types of lodging described below offer an overview of your options in South America, names, classifications and prices vary from country to country. Unless alternatives such as dorms or camping are specified, prices quoted for accommodation throughout the guide are for the cheapest double room in high season and include all taxes (where relevant). A handy resource for budget accommodation in South America is hosteltrail.com.
If you don’t take care, altitude sickness, known locally as soroche, can seriously affect your trip. The most common symptoms are headache, nausea and dizziness, but when climbing at high altitude (above 2400m), symptoms can lead to more serious conditions such as HAPE (high altitude pulmonary oedema) or HACE (high altitude cerebral oedema), when medical attention should be sought immediately.
Soroche can affect anyone regardless of physical fitness. The key is to allow a few days to acclimatize when you arrive in a high-altitude region. When hiking, ascend slowly and follow the rule “sleep low and hike high” (sleep at a lower altitude than you ascended to that day), which allows your body time to recover. Drink plenty of water and eat light food, including carbs. Avoid alcohol and caffeine and, most importantly, pace yourself. Don’t attempt to climb a mountain like Cotopaxi or Chimborazo after just a few days at 2800m in Quito – you need a couple of days above 2500m, then a couple more above 3500m before climbing over 4000m. If you are hiking as part of a tour and not dealing well with the altitude, alert your guide. Better to turn back than risk your health. In the Andes many locals swear by “mate de coca” – coca leaf tea – as a cure.
Hospedajes, residenciales, albergues and pensiones
These categories of accommodation are all used throughout South America and are largely interchangeable, although pensiones (known as pensões or pousadas in Portuguese) and residenciales are typically the most basic forms of accommodation. Generally, the Andean countries are the least expensive, and you should be able to find a decent room in a residencial or pensión for under US$15–20 (US$10 for dorms). For this price, you should expect a bed, shared bathroom and (generally) hot water. In Brazil, room costs usually include breakfast but most other places are room only. In southern Argentina and Chile, you can expect to spend around US$45–55 a night – check out the quality of the local casas familiares (“family houses”, in which you stay with a local family in a room in their house), which are often good value for money in these areas.
Hostales, hosterías and haciendas
Hostales tend to fill the gap between the totally basic pensión and hotels, and come in many shapes, sizes and forms. Usually they include private bathrooms and hot water, clean towels and maybe a television, and cost US$15 to US$25 per night. In the southern countries, though, hostale sometimes means youth hostel.
Hosterías and haciendas are often old, sprawling estates or ranches converted into hotels, and are perhaps the grandest places to stay on the continent. They can be furnished in period style and offer excellent home cooking, log fires, maybe a swimming pool, and often horseriding and other country-style activities. Be aware that hostería can also refer to a family-style hotel complex out of town.
Camping is most popular in the southern region of Latin America, particularly in Argentina and Chile. It is wise to stick to official sites, which are usually well equipped, with hot water, toilets, fire pits and maybe even a self-service laundry. Camping is not really a popular or viable option in the northern countries unless as part of an organized tour, and is practically non-existent in Colombia, French Guiana and Paraguay, though French Guiana does offer carbets, shelters where you can hang a hammock.
Youth hostels are not always the most viable option in South America, but in the more expensive countries like Argentina, Brazil and Chile, they are a more attractive choice: competition means that many have great facilities and offer extras, from free bike rental to barbecue nights. Prices average US$10–20 per night and most are open all year, although some only open in January and February for the South American summer. If you are planning on using hostels extensively, consider getting an official HI card, which will quickly pay for itself in discounted rates.
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay Che Lagarto chelagarto.com. Regional chain of hostels.
Brazil Federação Brasileira dos Albergues de Juventude 
21 2531 1085, hostel.org.br.
Chile Asociación Chilena de Albergues Turísticos Juveniles 02 577 1200, hostelling.cl.
South America Hostelling International hihostels.com. Membership cards and worldwide hostel booking.