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Torres del Paine, Chile

South America is one of the most visited continents in the world with countries Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia as the most visited countries. Aside from its attractions like the Machu Pichu, Amazonia, Angel Falls, and Torres del Paine, the South American music, food and culture is wonderfully diverse.

Before you plan to go backpacking in the Latin American continent, take note of these five things you must not do:

1. Do not speed through any of the countries.

South America is composed of 12 countries. While it doesn't sound like much, the continent is actually vast at 17.84 million square kilometers. Brazil alone is larger than the entire United States of America. Whenever we hear about South American tour, so many backpackers insist on a whirlwind and must visit all countries without considering the distance. Each South American country is unique on its own, so why rush? Instead of visiting and de-stressing, you might find yourself going on an Amazing Race-like experience against time.

2. Do not be intimidated by a country's reputation.

Venezuela may not seem too promising as a tourist destination at the moment, being South America's most corrupt country, but the vast majority of South American countries have already achieved and are maintaining stable democracies with much lower crime statistics than you might expect. However, you must bear in mind to prioritize your personal safety above all else.

One of the best ways of avoiding unfortunate experiences is to be extra vigilant and listen to locals' warnings about places to be wary of. Do all the necessary precautions such as carrying a durable padlock for storing your gear in hostels and being aware of well-known scams.

3. Do not avoid the street food.

If you think food in South America is all about salsa and tomatoes, you really need to immerse yourself with their cuisines. The best and most affordable way to do it is to try their street foods. When backpacking in South America, you would surely stumble upon the meat and gravy queen, the Bolivian salteña; the god of all cheesy, deep-fried pasties, the Chilean empanada; the Peruvian lord of pretend potatoes, the deep-fried yucca. If you're quite skeptical about the safety of their food, just follow your nose and the hungry stomachs of locals (particularly older people and children) to fill your empty stomach from touring around famous attractions.

4. Do not accept the prices of goods you're being sold.

Remember, you're a backpacker for many reasons but the most obvious is you want to enjoy as much as you can while spending less. Be a responsible traveler and learn the art of haggling. Before setting off, check with your hostel receptionist what prices you should be paying for a certain product.

And if you're already a bargain expert, bargain reasonably. You might be happy knocking 10,000 Colombian pesos off your purchase, but the quid or two you'll save will mean significantly more to the seller.

And take note, when haggling, haggle respectfully.

5. Do not make a bee-line for the "must-sees."

It pays to be selective when choosing a destination. Choose the places that will give you the unique experience of truly South American. And when making a list, stick to it to avoid unnecessary side-trips and expenses.

When visiting South America, also take note that English is not widely spoken on the continent so it pays to learn a little Spanish and Portuguese (if you're visiting Brazil). Also, since it's a hot continent, use sunscreen all the time, whether there is sun during the day or not. Lastly, be wary of weather changes. Bring a cap or and umbrella to protect yourself from South American weather.