5 Best Solo Female Travel Destinations in Latin America

From venturing through the Mars-like landscapes of the Atacama Desert to overlooking a nearly 300-foot waterfall at Iguazu Falls, so many of my most cherished memories have happened in Latin America.

It was the region I visited during my very first international trip at 19, when I went to Costa Rica with a friend, and it’s a region I’ve returned to again and again, because, well, I just can’t get enough of it.

Apart from traveling the region with a friend, I’ve also visited with my husband in addition to traveling solo here — and while I’ve loved all of my trips here, there’s just something extra special about traveling solo in Latin America.

The freedom you feel, the sense of empowerment you gain, and the unforgettable memories you make on your own are like nothing else — and it’s something I think every person should experience at some point, if they want to.

Some other cities to consider in Argentina:

San Carlos de Bariloche was part of my initial itinerary when I visited Argentina. All it took was a quick Google to convince me I *had* to visit, so I’m still pretty sad that I had to end up canceling last minute.

(Side note: one of my favorite things about solo travel is that you can make any changes to your itinerary that you want, at any time, without worrying what anyone else wants to do! I decided to cancel my trip to Bariloche and spend the extra few days in Buenos Aires, and I was ultimately really happy with that decision.)

It’s in northern Patagonia, and has really jaw-dropping lake and mountain views. The actual town seems relatively small, but it looks super charming and there are tons of outdoor-related activities to do here, if that’s your thing. 

If you love wine, check out Mendoza. Apart from being part of Argentina’s wine region, it just looks all around stunning, with gorgeous landscapes and lots to do out in nature. 

Argentina is also home to 80% of the seriously out-of-this-world Iguazu Falls, which is a world wonder, and an absolute must at some point in your life. (We’ll talk more about that in a bit!)

2. Guatemala

Antigua (left) and Lake Atitlán

Guatemala is not only perfect for solo travel, but it would also be a great destination for someone just newer to travel in general. Its touristy areas feel very safe, and since it’s a small country, it’s really easy to navigate and travel between cities.

The top destinations you’ll want to visit are:

Antigua is a gorgeous, historic city, with tons to do. Here, hike volcanoes, explore historic sites, enjoy delicious food (I was honestly surprised by its food scene), visit little local galleries and shops . . . need I say more?

Although I visited with my now-husband, I can say with full confidence that this would be an amazing city to visit solo, and I would absolutely return solo in the future if I have the chance to.

Antigua has so many activities to do like free salsa classes, tours, and more, that make it easy to connect with other travelers. Like I said, it also feels really safe, which is an important plus. 

Lake Atitlán is known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And although I haven’t seen all of the lakes in the world (I’m far from it), I definitely understand why.

But, its real draw for me is the many lakeside towns you can visit.

They all have their unique character and charm, while being artsy and colorful. This entire region has also become a popular backpacker hub in recent years. So, you shouldn’t have any trouble connecting with others while here. You can easily take a boat around the various towns, and even try basing yourself in different areas to experience the various vibes.

For those two cities, spend at least a week, but you could easily spend longer here! 10 days would be perfect to spend some time in Antigua, Lake Atitlán, plus a day in Guatemala City, where you’ll most likely be flying in and out of. That’s the itinerary I followed!

If you have more time, some other popular places to visit in Guatemala are:

El Petén is the region where you can find Tikal, ancient Mayan temples. Most people choose to stay in the town, Flores, when visiting.

Semuc Champey is a national park with gorgeous natural pools. It can be a little difficult to get to, so I wasn’t able to squeeze it into a 10-day trip. But if you are able to, please do (and tell me how it is)! 

3. Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

I could really go on and on about Brazil. But I’ll try not to, for both of our sakes.

But if you’re looking for unreal nature — from out-of-this-world beaches to surreal waterfall hikes — to colorful cities, delicious food, a unique blend of cultures … you name it, Brazil has it.

I will give the caveat that it’s not the most beginner-friendly destination, at least if you don’t speak Portuguese. But I traveled solo here for three weeks (and I definitely did not know any Portuguese at the time) and although it was a bit challenging at certain points, I really felt like it was a life-changing experience. (I met my husband on that trip though, so I am a bit biased.)

I’ve returned a number of times since that first trip, and my love for Brazil has only continued to grow as I’ve gotten to see more and learn more about the culture.

When I first traveled solo there, I started off in Rio de Janeiro, which is a must for any Brazil itinerary, in my opinion.

It’s gorgeous, it’s fun, it’s music-filled, there’s lots of sightseeing. It just has a ton to offer tourists, and you won’t have a problem meeting other English-speaking travelers while here, especially if you stay in hostels and/or sign up for day tours. It also has great nightlife, and it’s really just the best place ever if you’re looking for a fun atmosphere.

I have a ton of Rio resources for you to help you plan too, from finding affordable places to stay, to packing help, to a restaurant and bar guide.

If you’re more into cities sans the nature, São Paulo is an awesome spot, with tons of street art, interesting museums, and some of the best restaurants in the country. There are also lots of cool neighborhoods with affordable places to stay, which is of course a plus!

While it doesn’t compare to some other areas in Brazil, in my opinion, I really enjoyed my time there and still think it’s one of the coolest cities in Brazil. Ultimately, I think it’s worth spending at least a couple days here.

On the opposite end of the nature vs. city spectrum, Iguazu Falls is one of my most memorable travel experiences ever.

There are two main sides, the Brazil side and the Argentina side, and from your base in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, you can easily visit both. I’d suggest giving yourself two full days here so you can spend enough time in each. It’s really unforgettable.

And for the culture-seekers, absolutely also visit Salvador.

It’s in Bahia, a state in the northeast of Brazil.

Along with Rio, Salvador is known for its strong Afro-Brazilian heritage, and is just an awesome place for food (seriously, I dream about the moqueca, a seafood stew, that I ate practically every day there), for music, and for learning about Brazilian culture.

Plus, it’s outrageously beautiful, from its ocean views to the colonial-style Pelourinho, the city’s historic center.

4. Mexico

Mexico is a super popular destination, particularly for U.S. travelers, since it’s such a convenient flight.

While this can have its downsides, the plus is that it will be super easy to meet other travelers here. Mexico also has a ton of culture, and so much diversity throughout the country, whether you’re looking for a big city, a relaxing beach vacation, a unique small town, or all of the above. Plus, the food is some of the best in the world!

Don’t miss:

Mexico City is a must for anyone visiting Mexico. I love it so much, I’ve got a few guides for you:

• Get all my best tips for visiting here
• This five-day itinerary lays out all the sightseeing you want to see + restaurants to not miss
• I also have a hotel and neighborhood guide to help you figure out where to stay,
• When you get closer to your trip, you’ll want to take a look at this packing list!

I literally think about Mexico City all the time and how much I want to go back — and so many people that have visited say the same. The vibe is really just amazing, its culture and food scene is insanely good, it has so many beautiful parks and green spaces which balance out its big-city atmosphere …. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Puerto Escondido is a gorgeous small beach town. It felt pretty touristy in my opinion, which is perfect for solo travelers looking to meet others. But, not too touristy that it felt over-crowded, which is important.

And I know I already said the beaches are gorgeous, but let me say it again — the beaches are gorgeous! I also released baby turtles here, and it was indeed magical. Plus, it’s a really quick plane ride from Mexico City. Go here, you won’t regret it.

Oaxaca is perfect for those really hoping to learn about and experience more Mexican culture. It’s a colorful town with an amazing food scene — like, top in the world, amazing.

It’s also super artsy, with so many great museums, and tons of local galleries and shops displaying traditional art and local work.

The historic downtown is also relatively small and felt pretty safe, making it easy to explore on your own.

Puebla and Cholula are unique cities that are just really beautiful. Cholula is actually one of Mexico’s magical cities —which I’m not just saying — it’s an actual designation given by the government to cities that are considered especially culturally and historically significant.

Both towns are right next to each other, so you can easily visit both together. There’s a giant ancient pyramid in Cholula, that’s right underneath a gorgeous yellow church, and tons of local shops selling art and other goods, and the food scene is also great in this area, with lots of regional dishes to try.

If you have three weeks, you could comfortably visit all these destinations. It’s what I did, and it was seriously the perfect trip.

I could never pick a favorite country, but if I did, Mexico would definitely be a top contender, and I personally can’t wait to go back and explore more.

5. Chile

Last but certainly not least of the best solo female travel destinations in Latin America is Chile, which is actually the first place I ever traveled solo.

Chile is just seriously on another level, and is criminally underrated. It has landscapes in the north and south that are *unreal* with colorful and artistic cities in between, lots of history, and not to mention the coastline if you’re looking for some time at the beach.

I suggest following my 10-day itinerary through the Atacama Desert, Santiago, and Valparaiso, which are all destinations full of other travelers and solo travelers alike. 

It’s easiest to explore the Atacama Desert through tours, which will ensure you get to meet other travelers throughout your time there. Its nature is like nothing else you’ve ever seen — and having those types of experiences is what travel, especially solo travel, is all about! I was super scared to visit since it was my first time traveling alone, but my fears pretty much washed away that first day.

As for Santiago, it’s the capital city, and as my first solo city experience, I was definitely a bit intimidated, but I ended up loving it! I went on free walking tours to learn about the history directly from a local, which gave me a lay of the land and also helped me meet other travelers.

But apart from that, there are lots of interesting museums, plus cool street art, which is pretty much what it takes to get me to like a place! And shockingly, despite being horrible with navigating, I somehow found it super easy to get around, which is really key as a solo traveler. 

Valparaiso also felt really unique and colorful, and is super easy to get to from Santiago, so it’s definitely worth going for a day or weekend trip. If you like art, you’ll love Valparaiso. It’s the most art-filled place I’ve ever been, with murals covering practically every building. While here, I definitely recommend going on a walking tour to learn more about the art and the city’s history.

It’s also a port city, so you get incredible views of the water here.

Full disclosure, especially over the past couple of years, its reputation for safety has gotten worse. Personally, I don’t think that means you can’t visit – but it’s something to consider especially if you’re new to travel. Basically, it’s a place where you’ll want to be cognizant of staying within the touristy areas, and following safety precautions like not carrying all your money with you and not flashing electronics around. But, those are good rules to follow regardless of where you are!

Another popular place in Chile to consider:

Patagonia is one of the top places in the world if you love hiking and the outdoors. It’s insanely beautiful, and is technically in both Chile and Argentina. I didn’t make it there during my trip, but it seriously looks like such a dream trip, and I hope to make it there one day!

In Chile, Torres del Paine National Park is the main area you’ll want to check out. It’s also considered a super safe region, making it very friendly to solo female travelers! There are plenty of places you can easily check out on your own (or with people you meet along the way), or, join a day trip.

Which of these five countries are you heading to first? Or if you’ve solo traveled before, let me know which destinations you think are the best for solo female travelers <3