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Best solo travel destinations in South America

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Baños
Vibrant riverside town amid lush volcanoes
8.4
Pailón del Diablo, the Devil's Cauldron waterfall, roars into a rocky gorge about 18 kilometres from town. The town takes its name, Baths of Holy Water, from nearby hot springs. Rafting, canyoning and bridge jumping are easy to book with other travellers. The town is small and walkable at 1,820 metres.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Explore the lush cloud forest trails to see vibrant orchids
  • ♨️ Soak in the natural hot springs of Baños after a hike
  • 🚠 Ride the adrenaline‑filled cable car over the Tungurahua volcano
Máncora
Sun‑kissed beaches and vibrant nightlife
7.4
Peruvians traditionally eat ceviche at lunch when the morning catch is fresh. Beach cafes in Máncora serve it by midday. The sea stays warm and the sun shines for most of the year. Surf schools and hostels make it easy to meet other travellers. Humpback whales pass offshore from July to October.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience sunset cocktails at a beachside bar
  • 🍤 Savor fresh ceviche beside the Pacific shoreline
  • 🏄‍♂️ Ride waves on Playa Máncora's world‑class surf spots
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
May to September is the dry season and the main trekking window. Spend two or three days here first to adjust to the altitude of 3,400 metres. Inca Trail permits are capped at 500 people a day including guides and porters. Solo hikers join group treks and meet others on the trail.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
Montevideo
Chill vibes on the Río de la Plata
7.2
The Rambla, a waterfront path of more than 13 miles, is longer than Manhattan Island. Locals walk, jog, fish and sip mate, a herbal tea, along the river. Beaches such as Pocitos and Carrasco line the route. Mercado del Puerto serves grilled meat at shared counters near the old town.
Highlights:
  • 🏙️ Visit the iconic Palacio Salvo and nearby plazas
  • 🍽️ Taste local flavors at Mercado del Puerto market
  • 🌅 Stroll along the scenic Rambla by the waterfront
Sucre
White City, Rooftops and Colonial Calm
6.7
Spanish settlers founded the city in 1538 and its white colonial centre earned UNESCO status in 1991. More than 12,000 dinosaur tracks mark a cliff at Cal Orck'o near town. Spanish schools in town offer classes and homestays. At 2,810 metres the city is lower than La Paz, so the air feels easier.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Enjoy panoramic views from La Recoleta viewpoint
  • 🦖 Visit the dinosaur footprints at Parque Cretácico
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic Casa de la Libertad museum
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
Salsa music and the smell of fried arepas drift through the squares of the Old City at night. Hostels cluster in Getsemaní, a lively neighbourhood with colourful street art. Plaza Trinidad fills with locals and travellers for street food in the evening. Boats reach the Rosario Islands in about an hour.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
Bogotá
Vibrant Culture in the Andean Highlands
7.1
The Gold Museum opened in 1939 and now holds about 55,000 pieces of pre-Hispanic gold. The Muisca raft, found in 1969, shows a ruler's ceremony in tiny gold figures. Every Sunday the Ciclovía closes more than 120 kilometres of road to cars. Many travellers join the ride alone.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic La Candelaria neighborhood
  • 🏛️ Explore the Museo del Oro with pre-Hispanic gold
  • ⛰️ Take in panoramic city views from Mount Monserrate
Valparaíso
Colorful Hills, Art and Ocean Views
7.4
Salt air, street music and the creak of old funiculars fill the hillside lanes. The Concepción funicular opened in 1883 and still carries riders uphill. Painted murals cover walls and stairways on Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. UNESCO listed the historic quarter in 2003. Pablo Neruda's hillside house, La Sebastiana, is now a museum.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Ride the historic Ascensor Reina Victoria funicular
  • 🏠 Visit La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s colorful house museum
  • 🎨 Explore vibrant street art in Cerro Alegre and Concepción
Peru
Ancient wonders meet diverse landscapes
7.6
Machu Picchu is an Inca citadel above the Urubamba River and a major reason to come. The usual route runs from Lima to Arequipa, Cusco and Lake Titicaca with hostels at every stop. Arequipa has a white volcanic stone centre and the Colca Canyon nearby. Colca Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Discover the ancient ruins of Cusco’s Sacred Valley
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour on Lake Titicaca’s floating islands
  • ⛰️ Hike the Inca Trail to the majestic Machu Picchu
Colombia
Where diverse landscapes meet culture
6.6
The Andes split into three ranges here, with the Coffee Axis in the central range. Salento is a small town with hostels and shared jeeps to the Cocora Valley. Wax palms there, Colombia's national tree, grow up to 60 metres tall. Day hikes through the valley are easy to join with other travellers.
Highlights:
  • ☕ Enjoy Colombian coffee at plantations in Salento
  • 🥾 Hike to the Lost City deep in the Sierra Nevada
  • 🏰 Wander the colonial streets of Cartagena’s walled city
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