Argentina is one of my favourite countries in the world. Rich in culture, history and natural beauty, this diverse country is a popular destination for solo travellers.
Travelling solo to a new country can always be a scary prospect, even for the most experienced solo travellers. Despite travelling solo to over 30 countries around the world, I still get those pre-trip jitters before a new destination and Argentina was no exception. However, it turned out to be one of my favourite solo trips I’ve ever done.
Being one of the safer countries in Latin America, solo travel in Argentina is a common sight. Even in Patagonia, I came across lots of other solo female hikers on the trails.
In the post below, I share some helpful tips for your solo trip to Argentina. These tips are based on my one month of solo travel in Argentina.
Is Argentina safe for solo female travellers?
Argentina is generally a safe place for solo female travellers. In fact, some claim it’s one of the safest countries in Latin America for solo travel. I spent a whole month there without any issues and always felt safe. Granted, no country in the world is completely trouble-free, and Argentina has its issues, especially in the major cities.
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, and I’d be lying if I said it was trouble-free. Petty crimes, such as bag snatching, phone snatching, and pick-pocketing, tend to be the most common crimes against tourists in Buenos Aires. Serious crimes against tourists are rare, but it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid taking risks.
Overall, Argentina is a great destination for solo female travellers. But as with any country in the world, it’s a good idea to do some research into the destination and know what risks and crimes you may encounter.
Is Argentina good for a first solo trip?
Argentina is a great place to take your first solo trip. It’s not always as easy to navigate as the likes of Southeast Asia, but it’s a good option for those who want to visit Latin America. In my opinion, it’s a great place to start your South American backpacking trip.
Argentina is known to be one of the safer countries when it comes to travelling in South America. It’s also unlikely that you’ll attract any unwanted attention for being alone.
The biggest challenge in Argentina is the language barrier. Not many of the locals speak English, and even if you happen to know some Spanish, the Argentinian accent is very strong, which can take some getting used to.
I also personally found the culture in Buenos Aires to be very social. It wasn’t often I saw people eating by themselves in the evening. This might make eating out a bit daunting, especially if you’ve not done this before. But that’s not a reason not to do it; it’s just something to be prepared for.
As I mentioned above, Argentina is generally a safe place to travel, especially away from Argentina’s capital and other major cities. It’s also relatively easy to get around, making it a good option for a first-time solo trip.
Tips for solo travellers in Argentina and Patagonia
Follow some basic safety guidelines
Argentina is generally a safe country, but some areas do have their issues, especially in the big cities.
Wherever you travel in the world, there are risks, and travelling solo can sometimes increase these. However, that’s not a reason not to travel. It just means taking some extra steps to help keep yourself safe.
Here are a few things I do when travelling solo to keep myself as safe as possible:
Don’t walk alone at night
I’m starting with an obvious one here: Don’t walk alone at night, especially in the bigger cities. Of course, there may be busy areas where this is safe, but use your judgment and don’t take any risks.
Stick to the tourist areas
As tempting as it is to go off the beaten path, I would not recommend it in Buenos Aires. There are some dangerous areas of the city, so do your best to stick to the popular areas.
Be conscious of petty crimes
The most common issue you will run into in Argentina is petty crime, especially in Buenos Aires. Crimes such as phone snatching and pick-pocketing are common in the city, even in the tourist areas. Be wary of your surroundings and keep your valuables safe.
Research in advance
When travelling solo, it’s important to do some research in advance. This doesn’t have to be anything overly extensive, but take some time to research the areas to avoid, what the common scams are and basic things such as the best way to get around a city.
Don’t flaunt your belongings
Keep any valuables out of sight and locked away at your accommodation, especially in Buenos Aires.
Tell someone where you are
When travelling solo, always tell someone where you are. I share my live location with a couple of friends through Google Maps. This means someone always knows where my last location was should something happen.
Prioritise your safety
Never sacrifice your safety to save a bit of money. The public bus or random taxi drivers might be cheaper, but consider if it’s safe. I was never faced with this decision in Argentina as I always felt safe, but if I were ever in a situation where I was unsure, I’d always pay more to feel safe.
Trust your gut
Always trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, go with your gut feeling.
Be careful on public transportation
Public transportation is an efficient and cheap way to get around Buenos Aires but unfortunately, petty crimes are common on the buses and trains. Be wary of who is around you and keep your valuables out of sight.
Learn some basic Spanish
Spanish is the main language spoken in Argentina. Most of the locals I encountered spoke little to no English, and in some areas, even menus were entirely in Spanish.
It’s a good idea to learn a few basic Spanish phrases to help you navigate your way around Argentina. As a solo traveller, you’ll have no one else to rely on, and knowing some basic Spanish phrases can really help you get out of difficult situations.
One thing to note is that the accent in Argentina is very strong. I’ve been to several Spanish-speaking countries, and this was by far the hardest to understand. Argentinians speak quickly with a heavy accent and have many colloquialisms.
I found communicating with the locals a bit overwhelming to begin with.
Pick the right time of year
Argentina can be visited all year round, but there are certain times to avoid if you’re keen to go hiking in Patagonia.
I would argue that the best time of year to visit Argentina is either November or March and April. These are the shoulder season months meaning there will be fewer crowds, but hiking trails should be accessible.
The summer months between December and February are officially the high season. It’s a great time to visit, but be prepared for busy hiking trails in Patagonia and huge crowds at Iguazu Falls.
The winter months of May through October are a great time to visit Mendoza and Buenos Aires, but hiking trails in Patagonia will likely be covered in snow.
Try to plan ahead
Travelling solo comes with added challenges, but one way to minimise these in Argentina is to plan ahead.
I’m all for going with the flow and not having a plan, but you may struggle with this in Argentina, especially if you travel during the peak season (December to March).
One of the best places to visit in Argentina is El Chalten. However, during the peak season, it’s really important to book ahead. Many of the hostels and hotels book out well in advance. You could also find that tours such as the Glacier Mini Trekking and La Leona Petrified Forest sell out. I struggled to get on to the mini trekking but somehow managed to grab the last spot.
If you’re travelling solo, do a bit of research beforehand and work out what you need to plan.
Stay in hostels
Staying in hostels is a great way to meet people when travelling solo (if not THE BEST way). Hostels are also often much more affordable than other accommodation options.
Many hostels in Argentina also have the option to book a private room if you’re not keen on dorm rooms.
One thing to note about hostels in Argentina is that they are a little bit ‘old-school’. They certainly weren’t the flashiest of hostels and if you’re used to the glamorous hostels of Southeast Asia, you may need to lower your expectations.
Away from Buenos Aires, I struggled to find hostels that had curtains on the dorm beds as well as a locker.
The prices of hostels in Argentina are also very high compared to some countries.
Buy a local SIM card
I highly recommend buying a local SIM card while in Argentina. eSIMs tend to be the preference these days as it means not having to remove your current SIM card, but I didn’t find the options great for Argentina.
The prices of eSIMs are much higher than those of a local SIM card, and you get much less for your money. Compared to local SIMs, eSIMs also have poor reception in places like Patagonia.
I’d suggest looking at Claro Argentina. They offer the best deals for tourists and have better reception in Patagonia (although be prepared, it still isn’t the best).
You can go to a Claro store to get set up with your SIM card. Remember to bring your passport as you’ll need it to activate your SIM.
Always carry cash
I’ve spoken about this in several of my guides for backpacking Argentina, but always carry cash!
I was surprised at how many restaurants, cafes and hostels refused to accept credit cards without adding a fee, even in Buenos Aires.
Withdrawing cash in Argentina isn’t as simple as in most countries. I suggest using Western Union to get the best exchange rate. As of 2024, the exchange rate in Western Union is still better than most credit cards, which is another reason to always carry cash.
If you’re really anti-cash, you might get by but be prepared for higher costs and fees.
Budget for higher prices
Argentina isn’t the cheapest destination, and solo travel in Argentina is especially expensive. Since you have no one to split the costs with, you will need to pay for everything yourself.
I found the accommodation in Argentina particularly expensive. In fact, El Chalten was one of the most expensive destinations I’ve ever visited. My hostel was extortionate, the food prices were similar to those in Europe, and even the coach from El Calafate made my eyes water a little.
There are ways to travel to Argentina on a budget, but be prepared to spend a lot of cash.
Plan to pay for activities
Following on from the above tip, it’s important to budget for any activities you want to do and be prepared for the high prices.
The good news is that hiking in Patagonia and El Chalten is free, but other than that, most activities are going to cost you money. Popular activities such as watching a Tango show, going horseback riding or visiting the iconic Perito Moreno glacier will take a big chunk out of your budget.
Of course, there’s no pressure to do these activities if you’re trying to save the cash. But it’s important to plan any activities you want to do to ensure you have the budget.
In my guide to spending one day in Buenos Aires, I’ve listed various options, including some budget-friendly ideas.
Be prepared to go off-grid
Argentina is a HUGE country, and when visiting rural areas such as Patagonia, you may struggle to get reception and WiFi.
Los Glaciares National Park is one of South America’s most famous national parks. It’s the perfect place to visit on your solo trip to Argentina if you want to go hiking, see the iconic Mount Fitz Roy or admire a glacier. However, many of the towns, such as El Chalten and El Calafate, do not have much connection to the outside world. I found the WiFi to be poor and phone reception unreliable.
Before visiting these small towns, be prepared to go off-grid for a bit. Let your friends and family know and do anything you need to do online beforehand. This will help minimise any stress if you find yourself without a signal or WiFi.
Plan for your solo hikes
Argentina is one of Latin America’s top hiking destinations. There are several beautiful places in Argentina where you can go hiking. This includes Argentina’s hiking capital, El Chalten, which is home to the incredible Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre.
Further north, you’ll find the Lake District of Argentina, Bariloche, which is also home to some great hikes.
If you’re visiting Argentina solo and heading to Patagonia, you might find yourself attempting some solo hikes. The good news is that solo hiking is a common sight in Argentina. I did all my hikes alone and came across lots of other solo female hikers. Crime rates in these areas tend to be very low and the trails are often quite busy.
Despite this, it’s still important to be prepared. Hiking in Patagonia is no joke. The weather can be extreme and unpredictable, and many of the hikes are long with rough terrain.
It’s a good idea to download an offline version of a map in case you get lost on the trail. AllTrails is a great option for this. Here are a few other tips for hiking solo:
- Be prepared for the weather
- Pack enough food and water
- Let someone know where you’re going and consider sharing your location with a trusted family member or friend
- Carry a first-aid kit
- Research the trail ahead of time
- Know your limits
Most hikes in Argentina can be completed without a guide. However, if you’re a bit apprehensive about hiking alone, you could consider hiring a local guide. Local guides know the trails like the back of their hands. They’ll be able to take you to the best views, help you with the hike and share information along the way.
Consider local tours
Joining day tours with local tour guides is a great way to visit a country when you’re travelling solo. It can relieve some of your anxiety about being alone and help you to meet new people. Day tours can also be an efficient way of seeing a destination in a short amount of time and learning about its history.
Most destinations in Argentina offer day tour options. In Buenos Aires, there are a couple of free walking tours available around the city centre and historic area. There are also paid tours available around areas such as San Telmo and La Boca. The tours come with English speaking guides.
In Patagonia, it’s possible to visit places like the Perito Moreno Glacier and Tierra del Fuego without joining a tour, but the tours themselves take the stress out of all the planning.
Solo travel in Argentina is a great way to explore the country, but if you are nervous, joining local tours is a great option.
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