Choose a destination, book your accommodation, plan your itinerary, pack your bag, prepare your documents, and set off on a life-changing adventure ... all done alone. In recent years, the number of solo female travellers in South America is on the rise – that uncertainty and fear of journeying to the distant corners of the earth is now a thing of the past.

In this article, which honours International Women’s Day, we will show you why travelling alone across the wonders of South America can transform your life. The exquisite variety of destinations on this continent is spellbinding, and it is the perfect place to plan your first solo trip.

Solo Female Travellers in South America / Photo source

To travel by oneself is to have complete power over your trip. The sites to see, the local delicacies to sample, the traditional drinks to try – the choices are yours: you set the pace of the trip and do the things that interest you. Surely you wonder: Is Argentina safe to travel? For example. Often what prevents women from travelling unaccompanied is a fear of violence and ancient attitudes in foreign lands. In many places, even today, women feel exposed, yet this should not be inhibiting – the more women travel, the more they will feel comfortable doing it alone. A very important tip is to research thoroughly in advance – learn about the region you want to visit and embrace the culture and customs. Follow the direction you want to take.

Aiming to inspire eager solo female travellers in South America, we present a series of mini-interviews with our favourite bloggers and partners who will testify that going it alone is a valuable and enriching experience.m

Meet the Solo Female Travellers in South America:

Anna Martinelli (Brazilian), Blog Finestrino

Bosque de Ombués in Uruguay / Photo source
  Countries visited in South America? Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru Favourite place? Argentina

1st destination and inspiration? The first was Buenos Aires, on a family trip. It was there that I encountered the tango and this inspired me to travel more often to Argentina. I go every year and I now work with tango here in Brazil.

To all women travellers: Do not be afraid to learn and try new things. Appreciating other cultures is important and nothing is impossible – simply follow your dreams, no matter what other people think.

Rosemary Kimani (American), Authentic Food Request

 
Machu Picchu landscape / Photo source
  Countries visited in South America? Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru Favourite place? Machu Picchu, Perú

1st destination and inspiration? The journey to South America was part of a new career as co-founder of a food and travel blog called Authentic Food Quest. Our first destination was Argentina. We chose to start in Argentina for a number of reasons. The gastronomy, the beautiful landscapes, and we had friends who highly recommended it to us.

To all women travellers: One of the best ways to discover South America is through food – a journey through food will surprise you. You will have a deeper connection with the locals, a better understanding of the culture and an appreciation for new flavours.

Rapha Aretakis (Brazilian), Rapha no Mundo

    Countries visited in South America? Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil Favourite place? My best time was in Uruguay

1st destination and inspiration? Buenos Aires for me. I have been a traveller since the day I was born – I inherited this passion from my parents who always took me on the road whenever they could.

To all women travellers: The best way to fall in love with travel is to start with a place where you will feel confident – go to the largest city in your own country or to a destination you have always wanted to know. Your motivation will overcome any insecurities.

Sarah Duncan (Australian), Sarepa

 

Countries visited in South America? It's funny because people often think that because I lived in Colombia for some time that I have travelled all over the South American continent. I definitely had the intention of visiting other countries like Peru, Brazil and Argentina, among others, but there is just so much to see and do in Colombia that I never got the chance to leave and explore beyond its borders.

Favourite place? I would love to explore more of South America, but right now I only have Colombia as my guide to this incredible continent.

1st destination and inspiration? Medellin, Colombia. The first time I was inspired to travel to South America was after I read Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel Love in the Time of Cholera. I was so enamoured with the setting of the book that I wondered where on Earth it was and how I could get there. I learnt that you can't judge a place until you've been there yourself.

To all women travellers: I would definitely recommend people add Colombia to their must-visit list while travelling in South America, even for women who are travelling alone.

Gisele Teixera (Brazilian), Aquí me Quedo

 
Train to the cloud, Salta / Photo source
  Countries visited in South America? Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay Favourite place? My favourite place is always next: the unknown 1st destination and inspiration? Santiago de Chile in 1997. My main lesson – and motto – is to travel with an open heart. One thing that does not work at this time may lead to something better if we get carried away by the flow. To all women travellers: I take trips to connect with myself. “Journeys are the midwives of thought” says Alain de Botton in the book The Art of Travel. “At the end of hours of train-dreaming, we may feel we have been returned to ourselves - that is, brought back into contact with emotions and ideas of importance to us.”

Verónica Boned Devesa (Argentina), Sin Mapa

    Countries visited in South America? I’ve visited Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. In Chile I’ve only been to Santiago. Favourite place? The truth is that South America has so many incredible destinations that it’s so hard to choose just one. But I’d like to share my TOP 3: El Calafate in Argentina, Cusco in Peru, La Reserva Eduardo Avaroa and Uyuni in Bolivia. 1st destination and inspiration? Although I was born and spent my childhood and youth in Buenos Aires (I have been living in Europe for 20 years), it was not until a few years ago that I decided to visit and explore this immense and beautiful continent. The first country I visited was Ecuador; not as a solo destination but rather as part of an itinerary that also took me through Peru and Bolivia and lasted over almost 4 months. What inspired me to travel to this continent was its rich culture and diverse landscape. What I learned, in relation to the trip, is that South America requires a lot of time dedication and it’s better to visit fewer countries but dedicate more time to each of them. Another thing I learned was regarding the culture and diversity that exists within the same continent. Many pre-Columbian communities maintain their language and traditions today and it’s a true delight to experience them in person. To all women travellers: Traveling is one of the most effective and fun empowerment tools that exist. It’s liberating, it’s intense and the best part of all is that after each trip you return with great experiences.

Carina Fossati (uruguayan), Hills to Heels

  Female Travel     Countries visited in South America? Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru. Favourite place? Colombia: Its people, its weather, the gastronomy, the beaches, the culture...it’s a super complete destination, that has something for everyone! 1st destination and inspiration? My first solo trip was a year in New Zealand, with the Working Holiday visa program in 2012. My travel and lifestyle blog was born there, and I also proved how easy it is to meet people when traveling alone. In addition, I had the pleasure of the freedom to plan my itineraries 100% according to my preferences, something that realistically doesn’t happen when travelling with family or friends because you have to reconcile with everyone else’s interests. Uruguay, my country, is also my inspiration. Despite being such a tiny country I always discover new things and reasons to recommend to those coming to Latin America for the first time not to skip Uruguay just because they believe that "there is nothing to see", and if they come they will be pleasantly surprised. To all women travellers: Traveling alone is much easier than it seems: you just have to go for it. They’ll learn that by not being accompanied, they’ll more open to meeting new people and one of the most wonderful things about travel is the people you meet along the way.

More female traveller blogs to follow:

  • The GoGirlsGuide (in English) is a website made by women travellers, for women travellers.
  • Toya Viudes is Spanish and writes about all her adventures in Colombia de Una (in Spanish).
  • The Travelettes (in English) are a group of solo women travellers, writers, and photographers sharing their travel stories.
  • Anna Laura and Betina Neves make up Carpe Mundi (in Portuguese), a beautiful website featuring wonderful pictures and alternative travel tips.
  • Brazil Más que Fútbol (in Spanish) is a delightful blog containing fun facts about Brazil, written and created by Virtues Sánchez.

Are you planning a solo exploration around South America too? Enrich your travel experiences in South America with Daytours4u and discover all our travel tips.

By Luiza Cavalcante,  professional in Visual Arts and Image Technologies. Portuguese travel writer, passionate photographer and traveller / Translated by Simon Hall.