Considering a trip to Patagonia as a female solo traveller? I recently travelled solo in this incredible region and have created this ultimate guide equipped with everything you need to know about female solo travel in Patagonia.
Patagonia in Argentina and Chile is a magical place where untamed nature meets the true spirit of adventure.
Having recently embarked on a solo journey to Patagonia in November 2023, I experienced firsthand the thrill of travelling alone in this incredible region. Now, armed with insights gleaned from my own exploration, I am excited to share with you a comprehensive guide to female solo travel in Patagonia.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know for your own solo journey, from safety, navigation, and solo hiking, to the best solo destinations, and much more!
You May Also Like: The Ultimate 3 Week Itinerary in Patagonia
Everything You Need To Know for Female Solo Travel in Patagonia
Is it Safe For Females to Solo Travel in Patagonia?
Patagonia is considered a safe destination for solo females. In fact, safety levels are pretty comparable to popular solo destinations in Europe. Both Argentina and Chile, the countries that encompass this breathtaking region, are widely regarded as safe places to visit, far removed from the crime rates that can be found in other parts of South America. While larger cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago may experience slightly higher rates of theft and pickpocketing, exercising common sense and normal levels of precaution is typically sufficient to ensure personal safety. It’s essential to remember that while Patagonia is considered a safe destination, it’s not immune to unforeseen incidents. However, adhering to the same precautions you would in any destination around the world significantly mitigates risks, allowing solo female travelers to explore Patagonia with confidence.
Recommended Level of Solo Travelling Experience
You may have heard people referencing some destinations as beginner-friendly or for more experienced solo travellers. For Patagonia, I would say that your experience should be from beginner to medium, depending on your comfort levels. The reason for recommending being somewhat more experienced with solo travelling (having been on a trip or two), is because it is a little harder to meet people, has some areas that don’t speak English, and requires a little more planning than some popular solo backpacking destinations around the world. As long as you are not a nervous person and are a little more resilient in being able to pivot and figure things out for yourself, then I’d say Patagonia is still an excellent choice for your first solo trip.
Planning Your Solo Trip to Patagonia
As you probably know, solo travelling as a female requires just a little bit of extra planning to make sure you are comfortable, safe, and have a great time. Here are some planning tips specific to what you need to know before travelling to Patagonia as a solo female traveller.
Understanding the Region: Patagonia Overview
Patagonia is an incredibly large region encompassing over 1 million square kilometers of the southernmost tip of South America. This incredibly scenic region is shared by Argentina and Chile with the Andes Mountains dividing it in the middle. With that being said, key destinations in Patagonia are very accessible to travellers with the right knowledge through a combination of flying, busses, tours, and car rentals.
With the region being so large, I recommend choosing some key destinations you’d like to visit that are relatively close together. Unless you have a ton of time on your hands, the best places to travel to in Patagonia for your solo trip are:
- El Calafate
- El Chalten
- Puerto Natales/Torres Del Paine National Park
- Punta Arenas
These are some of Patagonia’s most popular and incredible destinations and are all within reasonably close proximity to each other. They are also easy to get to and get around, which is why I highly recommend exploring those areas for your solo trip to Patagonia. Some other popular Patagonia destinations include:
- Ushuaia (the end of the world) / Tierra Del Fuego on the southernmost tip of Argentina
- Bariloche towards the far northern border of the Patagonian region
- Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Chile
These destinations are also incredible to witness, however, are far removed from each other and would require a lot of time and lengthy transportation to get to.
Breakdown of the Popular Destinations for Female Solo Travellers in Patagonia
El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina is the best hub to fly into from Buenos Aires and a great starting point for your Patagonia adventure. This town is incredibly scenic and is home to the Perito Moreno glacier – an 18,000 year old glacier that also happens to be the third largest freshwater reserve in the world next to Antarctica and Greenland. El Calafate is a well-established town with lots of shops, Airbnbs, hotels, hostels, and a bus terminal.
El Chalten
El Chalten, Argentina is home to some of the most famous hikes in Patagonia such as Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre. It is a small backpacker hiking destination and offers a lot of great hostels and accommodations for solo travellers. There are plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants in this adorable town. Due to El Chalten’s popularity, hiking solo is also considered safe. Even in the shoulder season, there are plenty of other people on the trail.
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is located about 3 hours across the Chilean border from El Calafate. It is a quaint oceanside town and the gateway to the incredible Torres del Paine. While most travellers visit this town solely as a starting point for their treks in the national park, the town itself does offer some great activities, such as horseback riding and cruises to hidden glaciers.
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine is one of Patagonia’s most visited destinations because of its sheer natural beauty and accessible multi-day trekking. Two popular treks run through this park: the 4 – 6 day W Trek and the 9 – 12 day O circuit. You can trek either as a solo individual or easily join a guided group. If you are not coming in from El Calafate you can access the park by flying into Puerto Natales or the nearby Punta Arenas and taking a bus to Puerto Natales.
Read Related: The Ultimate 4 Day W Trek Itinerary
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas in Southern Chile is famous for its penguins! It is the best thing to do in this quaint town and there are plenty of tours that get you right up close to these adorable creatures. There is a beautiful waterfront promenade to walk along. The town also offers lots of exciting adventure tours, such as whale and dolphin watching cruises, mountain biking in nearby mountains, and some nearby hiking.
Best Time to Visit Patagonia for Female Solo Travellers
The best time to visit Patagonia is generally considered to be the southern summer which ranges from December – to February. This is the high season and will offer more consistently good weather (although that can never be counted on in Patagonia). It is also when the most tourists will be there, so you’ll truly never be alone.
However, there are some benefits to visiting Patagonia in the shoulder seasons of October/November and March/April. With fewer crowds and still decent weather, I chose to visit in late October/early November. Before embarking, I was nervous that the shoulder season would mean fewer people and therefore less safety on the trails. However, everywhere I went still had plenty of people, whether it be in the towns or on the trails. I truly felt comfortable enough to hike alone as a solo traveller. Even if you feel like there is no one around, if you stop for just a few minutes, someone is sure to pass you by. I even left for my hikes at 7 and 6:30 in the morning and came across other people on the trail.
Budgeting as a Solo Female Traveller in Patagonia
Patagonia is definitely on the more expensive side of travel destinations in general, however, in most cases, this didn’t increase due to being a solo traveller. Bus tickets, food, entrance fees to tours and parks will remain the same. There are still plenty of hostels offering beds for about $30-45 USD per night in the towns I’ve mentioned. If you are someone who prefers your own room, this does raise the cost, however that would be the case anywhere.
The only increased costs that come with being a solo traveller in Patagonia are in the Torres del Paine trekking accommodations. If you book your accommodation and trek independently, there are single traveller supplements that make it barely cheaper than if you were paying for 2 people to share the tents. If you book with a guided tour, I recommend G Adventures because they don’t charge a single supplement and are absolutely incredible all around.
How Far in Advance to Book Your Trip to Patagonia
Most accommodation and transportation in Patagonia can be booked with relatively short notice (within a month). However, if you want the best and most affordable accommodation options, I recommend booking a few months in advance. Transportation, such as buses between cities, can be booked as late as the day of, though if you’re sticking to a proper itinerary, I’d recommend booking about a week or two in advance to ensure you save a spot.
The biggest exception here is the trekking in Torres del Paine. If you plan to stay overnight or do one of the multi-day treks through the park, you will NEED to book your accommodation about 6 months in advance. If you are travelling in the high season, the camping and space in the refugios should be booked as soon as the park websites open bookings in June. If you are booking a group trek, like with G Adventures, I recommend booking as soon as possible (ideally 6 months in advance) to ensure you get a spot.
Navigating Patagonia as a Female Solo Traveller
Do You Need to Speak Spanish to Navigate Patagonia?
The short answer is no. In both Argentina and Chile, there is a good mix of people who speak English and those who don’t. For the most part, the staff at the airports, accommodations, restaurants, and bus terminals will speak English which I found to be enough to feel confident moving around. Otherwise, when talking with taxi drivers or other locals you might run into a language barrier. However, I found it quite easy to communicate with them using the Google Translate app on my phone. The app even has a text-to-speech and vice versa feature that can make it quicker to communicate. While knowing Spanish might make some interactions a lot easier, not knowing the language shouldn’t be a deterrent from travelling to Patagonia as a female solo traveller.
When travelling outside of Patagonia in transit or to some more remote Patagonia destinations, then I’d say having Google Translate ready and some key phrases to deal specifically with taxi drivers is helpful. I had an overnight layover in Santiago on my way home, where I needed to take a taxi to my accommodation for the night. I had planned to take an Uber, but was unsure where to find them, and as soon as I exited the airport there were several taxi drivers surrounding me and yelling to me in Spanish. I didn’t feel unsafe by any means, but not understanding what they were saying was a bit overwhelming and not having prepared what to say myself, I ended up just paying extra money to go with one of the taxi drivers in front of me. This could be alleviated if you prepare a few phrases to communicate, because with how fast it all happened it didn’t feel like an easy option to use Google Translate in the moment.
How to Get Around Patagonia
Transportation options remain pretty much the same for female solo travellers in Patagonia. The best way to get around is by airplane, coach buses, taxis, and tours. When you are within most of the cities and towns, they are small enough that they are easily walkable. To get to destinations like trailheads or meeting points for certain tours, then taxis are a great option. To get between cities, coach buses are the way to go. And finally, if there is a specific activity you want to do that is a bit far outside of town, then a group tour is likely your best bet.
El Calafate – If you fly into El Calafate as your starting point, there is a shared shuttle that can take you from the airport directly to your accommodation. Taxis are an option as well if you’d like a more direct route, although I found the shuttle to be enjoyable because it gave me the chance to enjoy the first sight of the views as I was shuttled around.
El Chalten – El Chalten is the most walkable of all the towns because of how small it is and most of the trailheads start directly in town. If you want to take the alternative trailhead for Laguna de Los Tres or hike one of the trails outside of town, then a taxi or shuttle is the way to go.
Puerto Natales – If you fly into Puerto Natales, the best way to get to town from the airport is by taxi. You can easily arrange one in the moment when you step outside. If you ever need transportation to a destination slightly outside of town, there is a great taxi company called Radio Taxi. You can send them a Whatsapp message at +569 4255 2517. I was able to do this without having service on my phone by arranging the taxi driver to come back at a certain time or asking a local person to message for me.
Torres del Paine – The best way to get to Torres del Paine from Puerto Natales is by taking the bus. Multiple companies run buses frequently throughout the day from the main bus terminal and take you to the different starting points in the park.
Accommodation Choices for Female Solo Travellers in Patagonia:
There are plenty of hostels available to make travelling in Patagonia more affordable as a solo female traveller. Hostels are also a great way to make friends while travelling alone. Here are all my accommodation recommendations:
El Calafate:
Hostel Option – America del Sur Hostel
- Located central between the bus terminal and town centre, America del Sur is one of the most beautifully crafted hostels I’ve ever seen with large windows and incredible views over the lake. They offer dorm beds and private rooms and great hostel amenities.
Private room – Airbnb in El Calafate
If you prefer to stay in your own private room in El Calafate, I actually recommend Airbnb rather than hotels. You can find very affordable Airbnbs with a full kitchen to save money on food for not too much more than dorm beds in a hostel. This is one Airbnb I stayed at in El Calafate that I found to be a good distance from the city centre, clean, comfortable, and basic.
El Chalten
Hostel Option – Aylen Aike Hostel
This cozy hostel is completely central in town, clean, and offers tons of great amenities. For one, they have a laundry service (which is definitely necessary after the hiking you’ll be doing in El Chalten), made beds every morning, and luggage storage if you plan to hike on your last day!
Private Room – Hosteria El Paraiso
This hotel is centrally located, cozy with an old wooden chalet-style vibe, very close to the hiking trails and highly rated. It also has some of the best views of Mount Fitz Roy in town. Plus, it includes free breakfast!
If you are looking for a full kitchen for your time in El Chalten, this is a great Airbnb option. I loved this Airbnb for so many reasons. It was central to the trailheads, comfortable, had a full kitchen so we could cook and refrigerate our sandwich supplies, and the host was incredible. She offered us her own personal recommendations and even made her own mountain wall art that we bought as souvenirs!
Puerto Natales:
Hostel and Private Room Option – Yagan House
I stayed in this hostel in a private dorm and was very happy with my choice. It is in a decent location related to the city centre and bus station, the hostel itself is incredibly cozy and beautiful, the rooms are really comfortable, they include free breakfast, and they offer tours if you want to book through your accommodation. Overall, I had a great stay there. They also offer dorm beds for a cheaper rate and very affordable private rooms.
Punta Arenas
Hostel – Hospedaje Magallanes
This hostel offers free breakfast, comfortable beds, super friendly and accommodating staff, a good location, and they help you arrange taxis and tours!
Private room – Hotel Boutique Restaurant Kran Kreen
A great boutique and affordable hotel for a single traveller that is centrally located and well-known for its incredibly friendly and helpful staff. It is clean and basic, but for a great price point and with breakfast included.
Things to Do in Patagonia as a Solo Female Traveller
The best thing about female solo travel in Patagonia is that you can still partake in all the best things to do without worrying about it not being safe or comfortable to do alone as a woman. Hiking trails are always busy, so you can enjoy all the best hikes and never be truly alone. Some of the outdoor adventures and things to do in Patagonia are:
1. Take a glacier trek on Perito Moreno Glacier – a little costly but trust me, it’s soooo worth it!
2. Go horseback riding at Nibepo Aike Estancia
3. Hike to see the famous Mount Fitz Roy on the Laguna de los Tres hike
4. Hike to a glacier lagoon on the Laguna Torre (aka Cerro Torre) trail
5. Hike the W Trek through Torres del Paine National Park
6. Walk the waterside promenade in Puerto Natales
7. Take a glacier cruise in Puerto Natales
8. Take a day trip to see penguins from Punta Arenas
Local Guides and Tour Operators:
If you are travelling solo in Patagonia, most of the things you’ll want to do can easily be done alone or by joining a day trip somewhere. However, there is one exception that many will feel more comfortable with joining a group of people: The W Trek or O Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park.
Before visiting, I had a really hard time gauging how solo-friendly this multi-day trek was. I was unsure about the safety of hiking alone and combined with the fact that I’d have to carry all of my own camping equipment and food with me, I ultimately decided it was easier and safer to join a group tour for the 4-day W Trek I completed while there.
If you want help deciding whether to do this hike independently or with a guided tour, check out my guide here: A Guide to the W Trek with a Group Tour Vs. Independent
I ended up absolutely adoring my decision and felt that the group tour that I joined thoroughly enhanced my experience and my overall trip! Not only did I feel safe and secure hiking with mountain guides and not having to carry my own stuff, I also made some incredible friends in the small group I was travelling with. Plus, while handling all the logistics of the rest of my solo journey in Patagonia, it was really nice to not have to deal with the complicated planning and booking process for treks in Torres del Paine.
I hiked the W Trek with G Adventures and highly recommend them. Here is my full review of what I thought it was like to hike with them: An Honest G Adventures W Trek Review (Patagonia). They also offer an 11 day Full Circuit O Trek if you’d prefer a longer hike.
Safety and Well-Being for Solo Female Travellers in Patagonia
Personal Safety Tips for Female Solo Travel in Patagonia
As I mentioned above, travelling as a solo female in Patagonia is considered quite safe. Of course, like anywhere, it’s good to practice common sense and take precautions to protect yourself. Here are some tips:
- Petty crimes can happen anywhere – protect your belongings from pickpockets by always being aware of your stuff. In cities like Buenos Aires and Santiago, be extra aware of this and carry your backpack in front of your body. Don’t walk alone late at night. And always trust your gut.
- Take coach buses with lots of other people when travelling between Patagonia’s towns – there is no service out in Patagonia, so if your car breaks down or you run into other troubles this could be an issue
- Take registered taxis
- Regularly check in with loved ones and think about sharing your location with them if your phone supports it
- Do your research before travelling to anywhere you go
- Consider travelling with a satellite phone – if you are going to be driving in remote areas of Patagonia or hiking on any off-the-beaten-path hiking trails, a satellite phone really comes in handy. They don’t require any service at all, send out SOS signals and some will even offer the ability to pinpoint as you go in case you get lost. They can also send texts and check-in messages to let your loved ones know you’re ok.
- Book your accommodation in advance – While I’m a huge fan of spontaneous travel and going with the flow, when travelling solo in Patagonia I especially recommend booking your stays in advance. Accommodation can fill up months in advance and when travelling alone you definitely don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you don’t have a place to stay.
- Buy a local sim card or eSim – When travelling alone, I always recommend getting a sim card so that you can stay connected. I find this helpful for feeling more confident and comfortable to be able to look things up or use Google Maps when you’re out and about. Relying on wifi in your hotels can work for some people, but when you’re alone and not sure what to do about something it can feel extra uncomfortable.
Mental Well-Being When Solo Travelling
- Try to make friends on your trip – While I mentioned that Patagonia is slightly harder than some popular solo travel destinations to make friends, there are still plenty of people around to connect with. The best ways to meet people and make friends while travelling in Patagonia are to stay in hostels or join a group trip. I embarked on a small group trip for the W Trek in Torres del Paine and made some incredible friends! It is so easy to bond with other people when you’re like-minded travellers embarking on the same adventures.
- Embrace the loneliness – Go into your trip expecting there to be lots of moments where you are alone. On my first ever solo trip, I had a hard time with this but once I embraced the loneliness I started to enjoy my own company. Something I do to help this, is plan some reliable video call times with family or friends back home to see some familiar faces now and then.
- Think of it as an opportunity to grow – Solo travel, especially for women, in my opinion, is an incredible opportunity for personal growth. It can be truly empowering to do something that scares or challenges you and come out better for it on the other side. In addition, trusting only yourself and relying on your wits to navigate a new country and adventure can make you feel on top of the world. You’ll really learn more about yourself when travelling alone and can use the time as one for reflection. I recommend bringing a journal along!
Essential Preparations Before Your Solo Trip to Patagonia
Solo Female Travel in Patagonia Packing List
My biggest recommendation when travelling solo is to pack light! Travelling in Patagonia, you’ll be moving between destinations, taking buses and likely walking to get to your accommodation. This is so much more comfortable when you pack light. You can easily rent certain equipment when you arrive in Patagonia, such as trekking poles.
Some key packing items to remember:
- Layers of outdoor hiking clothing – the weather in Patagonia varies greatly. I recommend packing layerable clothing items, such as base and mid layers to take on and off.
- A fleece sweater – no matter the season, sometimes it can feel quite cold with the high winds
- Wind and rainproof outer layer
- Rain pants – I’m so glad I brought these. While your pants could just dry while you hike after some rain, why not wear a thin layer of rain pants to stay dry? They’re super light and make for a great layering item if you want to stay warm from the wind and cold in the morning.
- Hiking boots
- Comfy shoes to walk in
- Sandals for after a long day of trekking – I loved my Teva’s for this because I could wear my socks in them at the campsites
- Hats (one for warmth and one for the sun) and gloves – again those winds can be frigid
- Re-usable water bottle
- Passport and documents
- Travel Insurance
- Sunscreen
- Laundry sheets – a hiking trip calls for laundry
- Undergarments and toiletries
- Essential medications
- Micro fibre towel
- Large dry bag – when heading out on long day hikes and with Patagonia’s unpredictable weather, this is essential for ensuring your things stay dry in your day pack
- Camera
- First aid kit
- Headlamp – for those early morning pre-sunset hike starts
- Power bank – I find this adds extra comfort when I’m solo travelling that I won’t end up with a dead phone and feel stranded
- A lock if you’re staying in hostels
Read Travel Guides Before You Depart:
Something I find helpful for increasing my comfort levels before heading somewhere brand new on my own, is to read a lot about the destination so I know what to expect. Often the pre-trip nervousness comes from the uncertainty of what it’s going to be like when you’re there. Here are some travel guides about Patagonia to read beforehand:
- The Best 4 Day W Trek Itinerary in Patagonia
- 36 Things to Know Before Hiking the W Trek Patagonia
- A Guide to the W Trek with a Group Tour Vs. Independent
Why I Think Patagonia is the Perfect Solo Travel Destination for Females:
Overall, Patagonia is a perfect female solo travel destination because of its unique blend of outdoor adventures, safety.
Experiencing the great outdoors and taking on challenges in nature is an incredibly empowering experience for female solo travelers. I can attest to this, as my first solo hiking adventures in Norway back in 2022 left me feeling so proud of myself and confident in my abilities moving forward. Patagonia’s well-travelled areas and popular hiking trails provide a sense of security, with ample opportunities to encounter fellow adventurers along the way. The region’s reputation for safety, coupled with its relative ease of accessibility also makes it an ideal destination for solo female travellers seeking to explore the outdoors without the barriers of language or large logistical challenges.
Final Thoughts on Female Solo Travel in Patagonia
Solo female travel in Patagonia proves to be an exceptionally rewarding experience. From the safety of the destination to the multitude of accessible outdoor activities, Patagonia offers unparalleled opportunities to immerse yourself in nature’s splendor while feeling empowered in your independence. With guidance on proper preparation, navigation, and safety precautions, solo women travelers can confidently embark on the thrills of hiking legendary trails, enjoying legendary mountain views, and embracing the profound sense of personal growth that comes with traveling alone. Armed with the knowledge gleaned from experiences shared here, you can feel excited to set out on your own life-changing solo journey to this magical region.
Happy adventuring!
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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