The range of accommodation available in South America

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 leaving on a multi-country tour, you’ll find that the US$8 that buys you a night’s rest in Ecuador won’t even stretch to breakfast in the Southern cone or French Guiana.

Most local tourist offices will happily provide a list of available accommodation but bear in mind that establishments often have to pay to be included on these lists and that they may include little outside the main tourist hotspots. Generally, tourist boards will not recommend specific accommodation, nor will they book it for you. The Internet is a great place to look for accommodation choices in advance, as you can often check out rates, photographs of properties and rooms, and special offers and amenities before you decide on a place

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 really quickly at these times, prices skyrocket and it’s best to book accommodation well in advance.

While the types of lodging described below offer an overview of your options in Latin America, names, classifications and prices vary from country to country. For information regarding the nomenclature in a specific country, check the “Accommodation” section of the relevant chapter.