You all know my love for travel. A new place, a new culture, a new country, a new people. And this kind of adventures drags me away again and again, in search of the unknown.

This time the story is a little different. A solo trip to South America. A lot of people think:

Solo travel? So far away? In a strange place? Aren’t you afraid?.

Honestly, it was a bit scary at first. But it was a wonderful experience for me. Solo travel is fun. You can spend time on your own, explore the place at your own will.

Today I’m going to share with you my experiences, some advice, and inspiration from this solo South American trip. I hope this article will help you realize your dream of traveling to South America.

Table of Contents

Attractions in South America

South America is a wonderful combination of natural beauty, mysterious history, and diverse culture. Here are some of my experiences that I hope will inspire you.

Nature’s appeal

See fjords in Patagonia: Patagonia, at the southern tip of South America, extends into Chile and Argentina. The waterfalls here will amaze you. A beautiful combination of blue water, mountains and greenery.
Explore Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: This is a true tourist spot for nature lovers. Huge mountain ranges, glaciers and blue lakes – this park will amaze you.
Get Inspired at Iguazú Falls – Argentina / Brazil: This is one of the biggest waterfalls in the world and is located on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Its beauty will make you speechless.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: The biggest salt flat in Bolivia is this one. This viewpoint is amazing. This location is extremely beautiful in the morning and evening.
Watch sea turtles in Guyana: On the beaches of Guyana, you can see the life cycle of sea turtles. This will be an unforgettable experience of your life.
Stay overnight in Tayrona National Park, Colombia: Tayrona National Park in Colombia is a wonderful collection of beaches, forests and remains of ancient civilizations. Here you can spend the night and enjoy being close to nature.
Marvel at Angel Falls in Venezuela: This is the highest waterfall in the world. Its beauty will amaze you.

The cultural experience

Sample Argentina’s wines in a winery, in Argentina: Argentina is famous for its wines. You may sample several wines and get information about the wine-making process by visiting the winery.
Visit the witches’ market in La Paz, Bolivia: Here you will find a variety of traditional medicines, magical items and much more.
Dance the tango in Argentina: Argentina is the birthplace of tango. Here you can learn tango and witness the amazing skills of local dancers.
See the Moai figures on Easter Island: The Moai figures on Easter Island are a mysterious sight. How these statues were built is still a mystery.
Go Cattle herding in Uruguay: Uruguay is famous for cattle herding. Here you can spend time with local cow herders and learn more about the profession.

More attractions

San Andrés Island is a stunning island located in the Caribbean Sea. You can chill on the beach, go scuba diving and various activity

Accommodation: some budget advice

Accommodation is important when traveling alone. I always try to stay in a place where I can mix with other travelers and meet new people. Here are some budget-friendly suggestions:

Hostel

Hostels are best option for solo travelers. Here you can stay at low cost and mingle with other travellers.
Che Lagarto Hostel, Argentina: This hostel in Argentina is famous for its social atmosphere and delicious breakfast.
Milhouse Hostel, Peru: Located in Peru, this hostel is an ideal place to visit in Machu Picchu.
Loki Cusco, Peru: Located in Peru is famous for its rooftop bar and party.

Guest House

Guesthouses offer a little more privacy than hostels. Here you can meet the local people.
Casa Verde, Colombia: This guesthouse in Colombia is famous for its beautiful gardens and beautiful surroundings.
Hostal Familiar La casa de Angel Arim, Ecuador: Located in Ecuador, this guesthouse is famous for its family-friendly atmosphere and delicious local cuisine.

Budget-friendly hotel

Budget-friendly hotels can be a good option if you want a little more comfort.
Hotel Plaza San Francisco, Chile: Located in Chile, this hotel is famous for its central location and budget-friendly prices.
Hotel Colonial San Agustín, Colombia: This hotel in Colombia is famous for its historic architecture and delicious breakfasts.

More experiences and suggestions

Patagonia: a wonderful gift of nature

Patagonia is a vast area of South America with beautiful mountain ranges, glaciers, jungles, and beaches. This place is a paradise for nature lovers.

Fitz Roy Trek: From El Chaltén, you can trek to the top of Mount Fitz Roy. Although the trek is difficult, the view from the top of the mountain is wonderful.
Perito Moreno Glacier: The blue ice blocks from this huge glacier are a beautiful sight in Lago Argentino.
Ushuaia City: The city of Ushuaia is known as the “southernmost city” of the world, from which you can travel to the Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Beagle Channel.

Iguazu Falls: a wonder of nature

One of the biggest waterfalls in the world is Iguazu Falls, which is located near the Brazilian and Argentinean borders.

Devil’s Throat: From this place you can see the most impressive view of Iguazu Falls.
Boat tour: You may see the waterfalls and enjoy a special experience by taking a boat trip.
Helicopter ride: Through the helicopter ride, you can see the entire area of Iguazu Falls and the surrounding forests.

Amazon Rainforest: The world’s largest rainforest

The world’s biggest rainforest, the Amazon, is home to a huge number of animals.

Jungle tour: Through the jungle tour, you can go deep into the Amazon forest and see a variety of plants, animals and birds.
Canopy walk: Canopy walk allows you to get a great view of the Amazon rainforest.
Visit native communities: There are many native tribes living in the Amazon forest. You are welcome to visit their villages and experience their way of life.

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas

Built by the Incas in the middle of the fifteenth century, Machu Picchu is a historic city in Peru. The “lost city of the Incas” is the name given to this city.

Inca Trail: You can take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Although this trek is difficult, it is the most exciting way to reach Machu Picchu.
Sun Gate: From the Sun Gate you can see a wonderful view of Machu Picchu.
Huayna Picchu: Located near Machu Picchu, you can trek to the top of Huayna Picchu and enjoy a panoramic view of Machu Picchu.

Galápagos Islands: a living nature science museum

The Galápagos Islands are located in Ecuador that is famous for its biodiversity. Charles Darwin visited these islands and established his theory of evolution by studying the living world here.

Wildlife watching: In the Galápagos Islands, you can see a variety of strange animals such as Giant Tortoise, Marine Iguana, Blue-footed Booby, etc.
Snorkeling and diving: You can go snorkeling and diving in the waters of the Galápagos Islands and enjoy the beauty of the marine life world.
Island hopping: There are many islands in the Galápagos Islands that you can visit and see a variety of natural beauty.

Rio de Janeiro, the cultural capital of Brazil

Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city known for its Christ the Redeemer, samba dance, and beautiful beaches.

Copacabana and Ipanema beaches: These two famous beaches of Rio are ideal places for sea bathing, sunbathing, and beach volleyball games.
Christ the Redeemer: Rio’s symbol is the Christ the Redeemer statue, which is located on Corcovado Mountain. You may get an overall view of Rio from this monument.
Sugarloaf Mountain: You may take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain to get an amazing view of Rio.
Samba show: In many places of Rio, you can see the Samba dance and enjoy the Brazilian culture.

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina

This is a beautiful city in Argentina famous for its tango dance, historic architecture, and vibrant culture.

Tango show: There are many places in Buenos Aires where you can see tango dance and enjoy their culture.
Plaza de Mayo: This historic square in Buenos Aires is located near Casa Rosada (the residence of the Argentine President) and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Recoleta Cemetery: Recoleta Cemetery is a unique place where there are many beautiful shrines and monuments.
La Boca: La Boca is a colorful and lively neighbourhood where you can visit the Caminito (a colorful alley) and see the locals.

Atacama Desert, Chile : The world’s driest desert

This is the driest desert in the world. This desert is famous for its natural beauty.

Valley of the Moon: Valley of the Moon is a unique place where you can see different types of desert geomorphology.
El Tatio Geysers: El Tatio is a geyser field where you can see hot water and steam coming out of the geysers at sunrise.
Stargazing: The Atacama Desert is famous for its clear sky and from here you can see many stars.

Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat

This place is famous for its unique beauty.

Sunrise and Sunset: Salar de Uyuni offers a unique view at sunrise and sunset. Reflecting sunlight on the salt plains creates a wonderful play of colors.
Salt Hotel: In Salar de Uyuni you can stay in a hotel made of salt and have a unique experience.
Isla Incahuasi Island: Located in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni, this island has many giant cactus trees.

Tayrona National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Colombia.

Tayrona National Park is a natural park in Colombia with beautiful beaches, forests, and the remains of an ancient civilization.

Beaches: There are many beautiful beaches in Tayrona National Park such as Cabo San Juan, Playa Cristal, Playa Brava, etc.
Hiking: In Tayrona National Park, you can go hiking and see forests, waterfalls, and the remains of ancient civilizations.
Camping: You can go camping in Tayrona National Park and enjoy being close to nature.

Angel Falls:

Angel Falls is the world’s highest waterfall located in Venezuela. This waterfall is famous for its beauty.

Canaima National Park: This is located in Canaima National Park. It is famous for its natural beauty.
Flight over Angel Falls: You can fly over Angel Falls with a small plane and see an amazing view.
Boat trip to the base of Angel Falls: You can go to the base of Angel Falls by boat trip and have a unique experience.

San Andrés Island: A paradise in the Caribbean

San Andrés Island is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea. This island is famous for its beautiful scenery, snorkeling, and diving.

Spratt Bight: This main beach in San Andrés is the ideal place for sea bathing, sunbathing, and beach volleyball games.
Johnny Cay: This small island near San Andrés has a beautiful beach and you can do snorkeling and diving from here.
The Pond: The Pond is a natural swimming pool surrounded by rocks from the sea.

About the local language and culture

Spanish is spoken in most of South America. So learning a few basic Spanish sentences will make your trip much easier. Try to mingle with the local people, learn about their culture and share your experiences with them. This will make your trip more enjoyable.

Be aware of the safety

Safety is an important aspect of any trip. There are also some safety issues to keep in mind when traveling to South America:

Don’t use too much cash.
Don’t walk alone at night.
Don’t trust strangers.
Keep your passport and other important documents in a safe place.
Be aware of local laws and regulations.

Be aware of the environment

South America is a land of natural beauty. Therefore, it is our responsibility to be aware of the environment while traveling.

Reduce the use of plastic and use eco-friendly materials.
Put the trash in the right place.
Conserve water and electricity.
Do not harm the local flora and fauna.

Above all

South America is a great place for solo travel. This journey will give you new experiences, boost your confidence, and make you a better person. So pack your bags today and go on a journey to discover the beauty of South America.

Taste of South America: a dive into the world of local cuisine

To know the culture of a place, it is important to taste the food there. South America is famous for its delicious and varied cuisine. You have to try the local food.

Explore local food: Every country has some local dishes that are very tasty and unique. Such as Asado in Argentina, Ceviche in Peru, Feijoada in Brazil.
Traditional Dishes: Traditional dishes are a reflection of the culture and history of a place. Such as Chile’s Pastel de Choclo and Colombia’s Ajiaco.
Indulge in street food: Street food is an ideal way to taste local food at a low cost. For example, the empanadas of Argentina, the salteñas of Bolivia.
Enjoy delicious food: There are many restaurants that serve an extraordinary combination of local and international food.

A few ways to travel

Some tricks can make your trip easier and more enjoyable when traveling solo for a long time:

Packing: Lightly pack and take only what is needed.
Contact: Buy a local SIM card so that there is no problem in keeping in touch.
Transportation: Be familiar with the local transportation system.
Budget: Create a budget before you travel and spend accordingly.
Relax: Relax and recharge yourself from time to time.
Flexible planning: Keep travel plans flexible so that they can be changed if necessary.
Talk to the local people: Talk to the local people, learn about their culture and get advice from them.

Solo Travel: an unforgettable experience

Don’t be afraid to travel alone. This journey will give you new experiences, boost your confidence, and make you a better person.

Bonus: some important tips.

Before you go on a trip, do your research and make a plan.
Learn Spanish or some basic sentences.
Interact with the local people and learn about their culture.
Take travel insurance.
Keep in mind the safety issues.
Don’t carry too much cash.
Be aware of the environment when you travel.

Other important tips

Know the local weather and dress appropriately.
Observe local traditions and show respect for the local people.
When you return from a trip, share your experiences and inspire others.

Conclusion

My trip to South America was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. This journey has introduced me to new cultures, new people and made me an independent and confident person.

Don’t be afraid to travel solo. This journey will give you new experiences and make you a better person. So pack your bags today and go on a journey to discover the beauty of South America.

I hope this article will help you realize your dream of traveling to South America. Happy journey.

Top Attractions tourist spots in South America