Backpacking central and south america

I want to backpack throughout central or south america next year and would like to know if any of you avid backpacker can shoot some advice my way. Considering I've never backpacked in my life, any advice will be greatly appreciated. thank you!

There are many blogs on the internet giving accounts of their backpacking trips by hikers. To read those is my very first advise.

Hey defffinitly check out Central America, I lived and backpacked through there for the last 10 years.Guatemala to panama are where you must see! Bomb waves , sick beaches, great music,food and party like it 1993!!I suggest staying out of Honduras reaaaallly unsafe right now, but you must check out Nicaragua ( san juan del sur) and Costa Rica( the hole country)the two best places in Central America.It is sooo cheap if you know where to go! for a month on the beach in Nicaragua , food , party, transport, its like $15 - $20 a day(u.s) (depending on you) and in costa rica its a bit more $20 -$30 a day... If you need any more info on the spots feel free to hit me up!Safe Travels!