Female,27, Travelling alone for first time.....any suggestions (other than the obvious) :)
Hey,
I'm a 27 yr old, Irish female who is just about to book a flight into Argentina and then leaving South America 4 months later via Lima.
I'm going to ask the obvious question: will I be safe?
I know that even with only a small amount of common sense being applied I should be fine but I guess I would really appreciate some feedback from some people who have lived the dream!
Bit nervous....I've never travelled alone before and its really something that I want to do for myself. I'm not planning on setting down some definite itinerary,have a loose idea of where I want to head but generally speaking, want to get there and see how it flows.
The other thing I'd love to know about is where to head hostel wise once I land in Buenos Aires?
Any help or suggestions on the above (or anything) is so welcome!! 😊
Thanks for your time
Reply to this You will be safe
IF you follow all the usual precautions. I traveled with my girlfriend but we many many solo female travelers. I have never heard any first hand problems encountered by anyone we met and we spent 3 and a half months in South America. I think the threat of a physical attack is very very low and the worst that can happen is something being stolen from you and thats no big deal as long as its not all your money. Remember everything can be replaced.
Read the reviews on hostel world or hostelbookers for advice on what hostels to stay in. They are generally up to date and a good way of getting a feel for a place. I wouldn't book through them though as the 10%!y(MISSING)ou pay goes to the internet company and not the hostel. 10%!t(MISSING)o some of these hostels is a lot. Most wont be full so there is a good chance of getting a bed if you just turn up. The address is on the sites as well.
I'm Irish as well and the aul paddies are well represented in South America. People from other countries wonder who the hell is left back at home! Travelers in South America are a little bit more maturer than other places I have traveled and you wont meet many 18-22 year olds there, not that there is anything wrong with them!
Check out my blogs for South America if you want and feel free to ask any more questions.
South American Adventure
Hostels I'd advise:
Pudu - Bariloche, Argentina - Irish/Argentinean owned. Fresh scones for breakfast every morning. A break from the usual boring breakfasts that you will become accustomed too!
I Keu Ken - El Calafate, Argentina - Old house on a hill. Very cool place
El Pueblito - El Bolson, Argentina - Such a cool hostel. Big wooden house and probably as good a reason to visit El Bolson as the town itself. The have garden sheds as their double rooms, all under apple tree's. A real hippy place.
They're my three favourite and all in the same area of Argentina. (even if it takes a two day bus between some!!)
Do book it and ENJOY! You couldn't pick a better place to travel in my opinion!
Reply to this I went to Rio and Argentina in November 2008 for 20 days alone, my first time ever doing such a thing. It was great, I met tons of people at my hostels to hang out with and in Buenos Aires, I went everywhere by myself during the daytime and felt very safe and at night I usually was with someone so I felt safe then too. The people are very friendly. I would reccomend that you read up on the places you are going, be aware of ways people try to scam you and try not to flash money or valuables in public or less touristy areas where you could make yourself a target for theft. Watch your bags at the airport, on buses, metros etc........ use common sense and be aware of your surroundings and your belongings and you will be fine and be careful at night....have someone call you a cab if you are alone.....those seem to be the main safety precautions I can think of at the moment. You can always ask locals if you are really concerned about a particular place you want to go. I recently completed another 20 day trip to Europe on my own and I am planning a month in Peru and a few other places for this year. Solo travel opens you up to a lot of opportunities you wouldn't likely get traveling in a group. I have become a big fan.
Reply to this Hello Pamela 😊
I think it is reasonably safe. I have travelled in C and South America a number of times alone and never came to any harm.
For hostels in Buenas Aires, just Google Hostels, Buenas Aires and a list will come up with their prices, what they offer, and ratings by by travellers who stayed in them.
Here is a thread which may interest you.
Women Travellers
Mel
Reply to this hej Pam im from Patagonia but im living in Buenos Aires ,whatever you need just send a mail ...
....i can recoment to you a good places around Argentina and hostel in baires..
regards
Mauro Reply to this Hi Pamela!
I just spent a few months down there myself - planning to travel alone but my boyfriend ended up coming too. With normal precaution I take anywhere including at home, I had no troubles whatsoever and met lots of other travelers along the way with no problems to report. I don't know how your Spanish is, but even if it's almost nonexistent you should be able to make it just fine and meet lots of great new people once you're there.
As for hostel advice, during summer in South America it doesn't hurt to call a hostel or hospedaje ahead (I did this a lot via skype in hostels and bus stations). I ran into a few problems finding a room in some popular towns on a whim, but most of the time I was fine just showing up. I started my trip alone staying in a hostel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires and met lots of first time travelers like you there, and in fact spent my first full day with three young women from Ireland, England, and Australia. There are lots of great places to stay in Buenos Aires so look around, just be aware that some are going to be quieter while others are filled with party people - depends on your preference.
I admit, traveling alone makes me nervous at first too, but once I arrive everything always turns out well and I'm happy to be on an adventure. That said, I'm leaving tomorrow for a year in Italy and am anxious myself!
Best luck and enjoy!!!
~Anna
Reply to this Hi Pam, Im from Argentina im 26yrs old... feel free to make me any question about my country, spots, places to stay, were to go were not to.. etc.. just PM me or send me a mail-
Cheers, have a great trip!
Reply to this Argentina is a fantastic place and you'll have such a great time! I would love to return to Buenos Aires permanently.
One piece of advice I'd give, is in relation to Buenos Aires. We met a single female traveller whilst we were away and travelled with her for a while. We met up with her again in BA and decided to go to Iguacu together. We were in different hostels and so arranged to meet at the bus station. We took a taxi there, whereas our friend took the Metro and then walked from the Metro station to the bus station - the area around Retiro is not the safest and she was mugged by a group of 4 people who threw dog faeces at her. It's a well known trick but it's much harder to avoid the consequences when you are on your own and you have all your belongings on you. One of them held her back using her backpack whilst the other three pulled off her day pack and wallet etc.
You are at your most vulnerable when you have your backpack on and the criminals know that you'll have all your belongings with you, as well, i.e. camera, passport, wallet, iPod etc. She really should have taken a taxi - the extra few pesos are nothing compared to your safety.
Whilst we were away we met lots of people that had been robbed but, in almost every case, it would have been avoidable by taking the precautions that you read in guide books and on forums like this.
Reply to this Hey, Im 28 and a lone female travelling a similar journey. Im leaving the UK on wednesday to go to argentina, chile, bolivia and peru for 6 months and ive never travelled by myself before. I plan to learn spanish for a couple of months and then head up through chile and see the salt flats, and also to go to the Iguazu falls etc. I think the key is to read up as much as you can before you go and to always rely on your instincts. Be aware of tactics used by potential muggers i.e. things being split on you while another steals a bag. Always look like you know where you're going - even if you don't.
If you find yourself in Buenos Aires between feb and april then feel free to message me and we can exchange tips.
sam
Reply to this I've been to Argentina 3x now on my own and had such an amazing time! So much so that I'm returning there in December for my sabbatical. I never had any problems and met friendly travellers along the way. I felt very safe (although I had to be more vigilant in Buenos Aires) and if you take the normal precautions, there won't be any problems. Happy travels. Dawn
Reply to this Buenos Aires is an amazing city. I want to go back!!
Reply to this I spent six months in South America, and the worst that happened to me was that my camera was stolen while I was sleeping, in a ski resort town, of all places. I never felt unsafe during my travels, however, I would suggest taking precautions - i.e. don't walk alone at night, watch your drinks, and please please please, take taxis when its warranted. I had several trips in and out of the Retiro bus station, and always took a taxi, the area around that terminal is notorious in Buenos Aires. Don't be paranoid the whole time you travel, but when you are warned about specific places/scams, do take note and try to avoid the situation. In addition, I would suggest trying to book your hostels before you arrive in a town, particularily if you're arriving alone, that way you can avoid walking around looking lost with your bag. Also, this way you can also tell taxi drivers where you're going, and avoid getting into the situation of them trying to take you to hotels that will pay them a commision to get guests in.
All in all though, 99%!o(MISSING)f the people you'll meet in South America are absolutely lovely people that are proud to have tourists in their country and are eager to share their culture, please don't let a few bad apples scare you out of travelling through such a great region. Have fun!
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