Learning Spanish abroad is an amazing experience, but it can also be very expensive! Here are some tips for how to make your money stretch as far as possible, so you can see and do more things during your time abroad.
Book early or book late. Depending on where you’re coming from, your flight into Chile, Argentina, or Peru will likely be your biggest expense while studying abroad. International flights can cost thousands of dollars, especially overseas flights. The best way to keep costs down is either to book well in advance, or else book late when airlines are desperately trying to fill unsold seats on major flights. If you can deal with the uncertainty of not having your flight plans in order until days or weeks before you leave for your trip, this can offer significant savings.
Go slow. When it comes to traveling in-country, give yourself permission to go slow. Try to enjoy long rides on public transit as opportunities for people-watching and language practice, rather than tedious ordeals to be merely survived and forgotten about. Take the city bus or metro instead of a cab, and consider a long bus ride between cities or even countries instead of a short plane trip.
Haggle! This is probably the number one money-saving tip that Americans traveling abroad never take advantage of. Haggling is natural and even expected in South America. By believing the first price offered, you’re either wasting money or depriving yourself of something fun, depending on whether or not you like that price. Instead of treating the world like a Wal-Mart where everything is priced as is, start interacting with vendors and haggle them down to a price you’re comfortable with. If you see something you like, but the price is too high, decide in your own mind how much you’re willing to pay. Then, name an even lower price! Do it with a smile, and be prepared to offer a reason for your price, like the fact that you saw the same product elsewhere for that price. If you can’t agree on a good price, just smile and walk away. Keep the encounter friendly and no one will be offended.