By Talbot Wienholt | The Leap
You asked for the breakdown — here it is. No fluff, no sponsorships, just real numbers from 10 months across Latin America.
Whether you’re a corporate burnout (like myself), or simply yearning for a life of adventure abroad, you're curious whether long-term travel in Latin America is actually affordable — or just something people say on the internet. This doc is for the person who wants to see real numbers before making any decisions.
| Country | Days | Daily Avg | Monthly Equiv. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇪 Peru | 59 | ~$29 | ~$870 | ~$1,475 |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | 6 | ~$40 | ~$1,200 | ~$240 |
| 🇬🇹 Guatemala | 50 | ~$27 | ~$810 | ~$1,350 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico (CDMX) | 61 | ~$38 | ~$1,140 | ~$2,318 |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia (Medellín) | 121 | ~$46 | ~$1,380 | ~$5,582 |
| Total | 297 days | ~$37/day | ~$1,110/mo | ~$10,965 |
Shared/Private rooms and apartments across all five countries averaged $5–$14/night. In Cajamarca, Peru I paid $5/night. In Medellín I have a private 1bed/1bath apartment for $14/night — that's $420/month for your own place in one of the best cities in the world.
Eating local is the unlock. Markets, neighborhood restaurants, and cooking at home kept food costs at $10–$15/day across most countries. Mexico City was the ceiling at around $22/day. Chile was the outlier — expect Western European prices there.
Uber Moto in Medellín runs $30–50/month for daily use. A 20 minute ride can be as cheap as a $2 fare. That said, motos by nature are more dangerous. Ride at your own risk. Buses and local transit across Peru and Guatemala are nearly free. Mexico City's metro is world-class and costs almost nothing.
Gym memberships ranged from included in accommodation costs to $20/month in Medellín. Entertainment — going out, experiences, day trips — averaged around $100/month in Colombia. Obviously, this number will vary based on how often you frequent the nightlife/dating scene.