10 Top Destinations in South America for Solo Female Travelers

It is the golden age of travel. It has never been this easy to wander, especially for solo female travelers. It is also becoming an increasingly inspiring pursuit with a lot of female social media influencers sharing their own adventures online.

Planning to go traveling yourself? There are two ways to do it. You can take your backpack and go backpacking, planning a tailor-made trip on your own, or you can seek professional help like the online travel agency MustGo. Each way has its own pros and cons, but we believe we can all agree on one thing: both are equally fulfilling because the experience of travel itself, and experiencing other cultures is already life-changing on its own.

There are a lot of places you can go to, but for us, nothing beats the charm of South America. It has a rich culture. The continent has a lot of history. And the adventures that it offers are off the charts. South America has a dream experience for everyone. The exciting question is, where should you go? Here are our favorite spots:

1. Cali, Colombia

Colombia has quite a reputation that can fill even the toughest female traveler with dread: prostitution, violence, trafficking. However, these cannot be further away from the truth. Cali, for instance, is a place so safe and quiet that most people are within their homes by seven in the evening. But within these homes are locals who live and breathe salsa. It’s a perfect destination for those who enjoy music and dance.

2. São Paulo, Brazil

One of the reasons why we love traveling solo is the fact that we get to meet more people that way. Even the shyest and most socially-awkward person will definitely find a friend in Brazil and that’s absolutely what we love about this place! Everyone is simply so outgoing and friendly, especially in São Paulo. It’s a perfect destination for those who love beach parties till dawn.

3. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Let’s face it, though. No matter what we say about Colombia and Brazil, their reputation will still lie hanging in the air, like an uncomfortable “what if” that you don’t want to be answered. Hence, why not visit a place with a reputation of having zero violence? It’s a perfect destination for those who enjoy the warmth and breathtaking scenery of a rolling desert.

4. Santiago, Chile

And since Chile is really a safe place, there’s really no reason to go just yet. From its rolling deserts, why don’t we go to the other side of this country and witness its spectacular snowy scenery? We also love this city’s bustling nightlife. It’s a perfect destination for those who enjoy the chill of lively nights out.

5. Montevideo, Uruguay

Do you have the budget to spare? Then why not visit the beautiful and historic estates and vineyards of Uruguay. It is the perfect setting for a historical novel and a feast for both the eyes and your palate. What’s more, is just like Chile, Uruguay is also known as one of the countries in South America with the lowest crime rates. It’s a perfect destination for any hopeless romantic. Just make sure not to fall in love with a local.

6. Punta del Este, Uruguay

Punta del Este is another romantic town straight out of the pages of a book. Seriously, who knew that there’s the perfect reflection of a Grecian port somewhere in South America? You can relive the moments in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in Punta del Este. This is the perfect destination for those who seek the relaxing sounds of the waves. It’s almost therapeutic.

7. Copacabana, Bolivia

No, we’re not talking about the same place referenced in the famous song by Barry Manilow. We’re actually referring to a quiet beach in Bolivia where you can go for a deeper, more spiritual journey. We advise you to go out of your shell and talk with the inspiring women that live there. They have a lot of lessons to teach you. This is the perfect destination for those who want to go on a more soulful journey.

8. El Chalten, Argentina

One of the most stressful factors that drive solo female travelers away from South America is the place’s reputation for being overly passionate, for lack of a better term. What else can we say? This continent is very sexy and they know it. But, if you’re looking for a refuge that can keep you away from catcalling and other problematic forms of abuse, then might we recommend El Chalten? It is a go-to place for artists and it has a chill and hippie vibe going on. It is a perfect destination for creative San Josee women looking for inspiration.

9. San Jose, Costa Rica

Continuing with the countries with a stellar reputation for being clean and safe is Costa Rica. But aside from that, we love it for its more adventurous offerings. We’re referring to its exotic fruits, volcano trekking activities, and more! And offers them all. This is the perfect destination for those who enjoy extreme activities to try.

10. Cusco, Peru

Finally, any travel list on South America will never be complete without the mention of Cusco where you will find the legendary Machu Picchu. What we absolutely love about Cusco is that it is a city that revolves around tourism all-year-round, and because of that, they already have a lot of established security protocols for tourists. Some buses, for instance, even require an ID to board. It is the perfect destination for those who love exploring the secrets of the past.

The Bottomline is: Stay Vigilant!

And there you have it! We have listed the safest locations for female solo travelers in South America that we have visited and experienced ourselves. However, always remember that no matter how safe a place can be, there will always be people who will be up to no good, unfortunately. Don’t give them the chance. Always stay vigilant and don’t put yourself in situations that will make you vulnerable. Safe travels!

About the author

Richard Cole

Richard Cole is a Marketing and Content Manager at MustGo.com and has been working in the Digital Marketing industry since 2002. He writes about marketing, lifestyle, travel and everything else in between. As a conversion-driven marketer, he is passionate about helping businesses expand their online visibility and reach their goals.

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