The Prices of River Cruises to South America

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There's something enchanting about discovering a place from the water. River cruises offer the perfect blend of leisurely sailing and exciting stops at iconic cities, towns, and natural wonders. Picture this: stunning landscapes, quaint villages, and rich cultural landmarks, all from the comfort of your cruise, gliding through South America.

In this article, we'll dive into the costs of river cruises in South America, highlight some of the best options out there, and share some of the most scenic routes that make these tours a magical way to travel. We've done the research for you, comparing prices, quality, and destinations to find the best value river cruises for your adventure. So, whether you're a river cruise rookie or a seasoned pro, it's time to set sail on your next unforgettable journey in South America!


Why does South America appeal to river cruise passengers?

River cruises in South America appeal to travelers for their relaxed pace, scenic views, and access to culturally rich, often less-touristed destinations. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Rio de Janeiro is known for its samba dancing, sandy beaches, and Carnival. Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. With easy, all-inclusive travel arrangements and immersive stops in culturally rich areas, river cruises provide a convenient and enriching way to explore multiple regions in comfort and style.

South America


How much do River Cruises in South America cost?

The average price per day for river cruises in South America is $206, based on our analysis of 2 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $118 to $294 per day.

Budget-friendly tours average around $118 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $294 per day.

Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.

Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.

Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.


Average Daily Tour Prices

The average price per day, per person, for river cruises in South America

Lowest
$118
Budget
$118
Average
$206
Luxury
$294
Highest
$294

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$206
Average Price Per Day
2
Tours Analyzed
4.8
Average Rating
2
Tour Companies
39
Average Group Size

$206

The Best Cruises in South America

Budget-Friendly Cruises

Budget-friendly and affordable river cruises in South America average $118 per day, with daily prices from $118 to $118. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Boat From Manaus to Belem here.


by Tangol Tours
5 days, 2 destinations
Manaus to Belem
$592
Overall Rating 4.7

Luxury Cruises

Luxury river cruises in South America average around $ per day, with daily costs ranging from $294 to $294. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Amazon Riverboat Adventure In Depth.


33% OFF
by G Adventures
9 days, 4 destinations
Start/End in Lima
$3,949 $2,646
Overall Rating 4.8

Which tour companies offer these trips?

A number of fantastic tour companies offer river cruises in South America. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.

Tangol Tours

Tangol Tours is a smaller international tour company with tours to 6 countries, including Argentina, Peru, Brazil, and Chile. There are options to personalize select tours to suit your requirement. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.

See All Tours from Tangol Tours

G Adventures

G Adventures logo G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.

See All Tours from G Adventures


Departure Destinations in South America

Wondering where tours launch from in South America? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.

A few of the most popular places visited by tours in South America include Belem, Manaus, Iquitos, and Lima.


Which is cheaper?

Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided river cruises? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.

Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.

More Tour Options

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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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