Patagonia is somewhere that’s synonymous with adventure. It’s about rugged landscapes, snowy mountains, and a great untamed wilderness. It’s why we love it. But one question we often get asked at Swoop is how safe is Patagonia for a solo female traveller? Well, as just that – a solo female who has spent over 18 months exploring both Chile and Argentina – I wanted to answer that question for you.
Female and solo in Patagonia
I first travelled to South America back in 2015 when I was in my early twenties and spent six months living in Chile as part of my university course. Of course, I would notice a few small annoyances that you find the world over – things like the occasional crude comment that’s somehow meant to be flirtatious (in Spanish, these are known as piropos), or just being looked at a bit for slightly too long.
But that was almost a decade ago now, and I’ve found that in that time the culture seems to have shifted. Argentina still carries some of that ‘machismo’ vibe, perhaps because the cowboy culture of the gaucho still represents part of the national psyche, but it’s something that I experience less and less. Chatting with female Swoop colleagues who grew up or live in Patagonia today, there’s a definite sense that things have improved for solo women travellers.
If you’ve travelled somewhere like Central America, it’s quite a contrast, where comments from ‘admiring’ men happen a lot more frequently. For a time I wondered if it was to do with the weather: Patagonia tends to be more of a place where you dress in hiking boots, a fleece and a coat – less flattering look perhaps than when you’re on a tropical beach. But the rule even seems to hold in somewhere hot like Buenos Aires.
Of course there are still moments where people might ask about your relationship status (often when you’re with a guide), but honestly, it tends to be more out of curiosity than anything else. For the most part, whether I’m male or female doesn’t seem to matter when I’m travelling here.
Patagonia in particular, is a place where travellers as a whole can feel incredibly safe. I’m on my second stint spending six months here working for Swoop as a digital nomad. Recently I’ve been based in Puerto Natales, the gateway town for Torres del Paine. It’s a traveller’s hub but the locals here are friendly and laid-back, and crime just isn’t a big concern. In fact, it’s the kind of place where people often leave their doors unlocked at night, where you can place your phone on a table in a cafe and not worry about it being grabbed. It’s such a contrast to bigger cities like Santiago or Buenos Aires, where you’re more conscious of your belongings.
Big cities and public transport
Speaking of the capital cities, I definitely noticed the difference between these urban centres and the more tranquil atmosphere of Patagonia. Of course, in larger cities, you have to be more vigilant, just as you would be if you were in New York, London or Bangkok. But again, this doesn’t feel particularly gender-specific. As a solo traveller, you’re advised to be aware of your surroundings no matter your gender, and not be flashing your phone or other valuables when you’re out on the street.
Travelling around, ride-hailing apps like Uber are fully established in Chile and Argentina, which tends to add an extra layer of security since the taxi is tracked and you always know where you’re going. I tend to recommend this over hailing a taxi in the street where possible.
For longer distance travelling, one of the things I absolutely love about Patagonia in general is that it’s really easy and hassle-free to get around. The long-distance buses are really comfortable, clean and well-organised, and can often be booked online. Whether you’re travelling solo or with others, the experience is pretty smooth. I’ve done both sleeper and non-sleeper buses here, and I’ve never felt unsafe. Theft or harassment has never been an issue for me.
A changing landscape for female travellers
One unexpected thing I’ve noticed in Patagonia is a level of chivalry that’s still alive and well. Men commonly hold doors open and give up their seats on the bus for women, and I’m regularly addressed as ‘senorita’ in a polite, almost formal, way. At home in the UK it would be a genuine surprise to have someone say ‘Good morning, miss,’ but here it’s a norm. I’ve come to appreciate it!
The idea of being a solo female traveller can still carry some stereotypes in certain places, but Patagonia is showing that there’s no reason for women to wait for a companion to explore incredible destinations. In fact, in the past few years, I’ve noticed a surge of women embarking on solo adventures—whether it’s trekking the W Trek in Torres del Paine or taking part in an Antarctic expedition.
The industry is catching up too. At places like EcoCamp, women travelling alone can even share a cabin with another solo female traveller, which makes it more affordable and comfortable. This is a huge shift from other places, where solo travellers often end up paying double for the privilege of having a private room. Most Patagonia hostels have single sex dorms, with the biggest exception being the refugios on the W Trek. They still offer mixed dorms however (albeit with single sex bathrooms), though their extremely social nature makes them a great place to meet up with other solo travellers.
That social aspect has always been one of the great thrills for me. I love travelling by myself because there you always meet other travellers: you’re only a solo traveller as much as you want to be. Lots of travellers to Patagonia follow similar routes, so impromptu conversations in a refugio or hostel lead quickly to sharing a transfer because you’re both heading in the same direction, or unexpectedly bumping into someone later in your journey. Friendships made on the road are one of the best things about travelling.
Being prepared
Of course, all these experiences are mine – and how safe and relaxed you are as a traveller depends a lot on your own travel experience and knowledge. When planning a trip to Patagonia, it’s important to do as much trip preparation and reading as you can before you travel, so you have a clear mind of what to expect and can plan accordingly. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra for ease and comfort: I’ve always found a pre-booked transfer or official airport taxi a really good investment in taking the sting out of arriving somewhere new, when everything is new and you’re often a little tired and anxious.
Travelling as a woman in Patagonia has been an incredibly positive experience for me. Whether you’re trekking the trails, taking long bus journeys, or staying in mountain refuges, the region offers a sense of safety and community that’s rare in the world of solo travel. If you’re thinking about exploring Patagonia on your own, I wholeheartedly recommend it. The landscape is wild, the people are warm, and the freedom you feel is unmatched.
As a solo female traveller, I’ve always felt empowered by the experience. And as the number of women exploring the world solo continues to grow, I genuinely believe Patagonia is one of the safest and most welcoming places for women to adventure.
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