After traveling overland throughout Latin America, I started keeping notes from my own border crossings and comparing my experiences with those of other travelers.

I’ve crossed between Mendoza, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, and this is actually one of the most straightforward border crossings I’ve experienced in Latin America. The process is essentially the same in either direction, although how long it takes can vary considerably depending on traffic, weather and the time of year.

Traveling between Mendoza and Santiago by bus

There are several bus companies operating between Mendoza and Santiago, with departures from the main bus terminals in both cities.

Unlike some international bus routes I’ve taken elsewhere in Latin America, there’s usually no big advantage to waiting and buying your ticket at the terminal. Prices tend to be consistent, so I prefer buying online in advance. You generally don’t need to book very far ahead, but buying beforehand gives you more choice of departure times and seats.

There are several platforms where you can compare tickets. I use Busbud to check the available companies, schedules and service categories.

You’ll usually see different fares depending on the type of seat and service, particularly semi-cama, cama or ejecutivo. The difference between companies is often smaller than the difference between service categories.

If you’re not familiar with these terms, I explain the different seat and bus categories in my guide to long-distance buses in Latin America.

This is one of the most scenic bus journeys in the Andes

The journey between Mendoza and Santiago crosses the Andes through Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, through an incredibly dramatic section of the mountain range.

Even if it’s hot when you leave Mendoza or Santiago, bring something warm with you on the bus. Temperatures around the border can be considerably cooler than in either city.

Altitude is worth keeping in mind too. The road climbs considerably as it crosses the Andes. I find this route more likely to cause motion sickness from the mountain road than the kind of altitude sickness you might associate with places like Puno or La Paz, but it’s still not a journey I’d underestimate.

On the Chilean side, you’ll also travel through the famous Los Caracoles, a steep series of switchbacks zigzagging down the mountain. I personally love this part of the journey, but if you’re uncomfortable with heights or prone to vertigo, it’s worth knowing about beforehand.

When you cross matters

The time of year can make a big difference on this route, for two main reasons: weather and traffic.

In winter, the crossing can occasionally close because of snow and ice in the Andes. If you’re traveling during the colder months, it’s worth checking the border and road conditions before leaving.

But weather isn’t the only seasonal factor. This is a very busy border, particularly in June and July, and especially in December, January and February.

Mendoza and central Chile are very closely connected, not only geographically but culturally. Even though they’re in different countries, people on both sides share many similarities, and crossing the border to shop, travel or simply visit friends is extremely common. The people I know from Mendoza cross into Chile regularly.

On top of that local and tourist movement, this is also a major commercial route, with a lot of trucks traveling between Argentina and Chile.

All of that means that even though the border facilities themselves work very well, crossing isn’t necessarily quick. During busy periods, the amount of cars, buses and trucks can add considerable time to the journey.

What actually happens at the Argentina–Chile border?

One of the things that makes this crossing easier than many others I’ve done in Latin America is that the Argentine and Chilean border procedures are handled in the same border complex.

You don’t need to complete one country’s immigration process, travel farther down the road and then find the other country’s immigration office. Having both procedures in the same place makes the whole process much less tedious.

When you board the bus, you’ll also receive a QR code for a form that you need to complete for the border crossing. Fill it out before reaching customs so you have it ready when requested.

Once at the border, you’ll complete immigration and customs procedures and your luggage will need to go through a scanner.

Entering Chile? Take the SAG controls seriously

Both Argentina and Chile are major agricultural and livestock-producing countries, and both take phytosanitary controls and food-production standards very seriously. Restrictions on what you can carry across the border are designed to protect local agriculture and livestock from pests and diseases.

That said, Chile is particularly strict about bringing animal and plant products into the country.

When entering Chile, the SAG (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero) controls what food, plants and animal products can cross the border. Luggage is screened, including both hand luggage and bags stored in the bus.

Don’t assume that something is fine just because it’s for personal consumption. Fresh fruit, nuts, honey, homemade or artisanal foods, raw meat and cured meats can all be an issue — even something as simple as a ham and cheese sandwich you prepared for the journey.

The most important thing is: if you’re carrying food and you’re unsure, declare it. Failing to declare restricted products can result in significant fines.

Controls entering Argentina tend to be less strict, but there are still restrictions on certain animal and plant products, so check the current rules for whichever country you’re entering before traveling.

How long does Mendoza to Santiago take by bus?

The driving distance between Mendoza and Santiago is around 360 km, and the journey can take about 7 to 8 hours under ideal conditions.

In practice, total trip times often reach 9 to 12 hours or more, depending on border wait times and seasonal traffic.

Keep that buffer in mind when planning the rest of your journey, especially if you’re considering an onward connection after arriving in Mendoza or Santiago.

After traveling overland throughout Latin America, I started keeping notes from my own border crossings and comparing my experiences with those of other travelers.

I crossed this border from Puno, Peru, to Copacabana, Bolivia, but most of the information about the border itself is useful if you’re traveling in either direction. Where something applies specifically to the Peru-to-Bolivia journey I took, I’ll point that out.

Is Puno–Copacabana the right border crossing for your route?

The Puno–Copacabana border crossing is part of one of the most common overland routes between Peru and Bolivia, connecting Cusco / Arequipa → Puno → Copacabana → La Paz → Uyuni, or the same route in reverse.

Traveling from Puno to Copacabana by bus

I crossed the border in this direction, so the bus information and prices below are based on my own trip from Peru to Bolivia.

Two companies operate the route from Puno: Transzela and Titicaca. Both leave from Puno’s main bus terminal and offer fairly similar services, so I wouldn’t particularly recommend one over the other.

There is a morning departure at around 6:45 a.m. and another service at around 2 p.m. I recommend taking the morning bus and arriving at the terminal with some time to spare to buy your ticket there.

Bus terminal tip in Peru
Many bus terminals in Peru charge a small boarding fee (tasa de embarque), usually around S/2–4, which is separate from your bus ticket.

Keep some small change with you and pay it before heading to your platform. There can be a line at the counter, and you don’t want to discover you still need to buy it when your bus is about to leave.

Transzela’s stop before the border

If you’re traveling from Puno with Transzela, after about two hours on the road, the bus makes a fairly long stop at one of the company’s own roadside facilities before reaching the border.

This is a good opportunity to use the bathroom, but not to exchange money.

They’ll offer to exchange your Peruvian soles for Bolivianos here. Don’t do it. The exchange rate I was offered was extremely poor, and there’s no need to have Bolivianos before crossing. Once you arrive in Copacabana, you’ll find plenty of places to exchange money at much better rates.

Prices at this stop were generally quite high too — S/7 for a very basic coffee, for example. So I’d treat it as a bathroom stop rather than a place to stock up.

What actually happens at the Peru–Bolivia border?

Whether you’re traveling from Peru to Bolivia or in the opposite direction, one important thing to know beforehand is that you’ll cross the actual border on foot, carrying all your luggage.

The buses can’t take you all the way to the immigration buildings. There are lots of market stalls and local activity around the border area, so at some point you’ll get off the bus and continue walking.

Coming from Puno, my bus left us at least 1 km before Peruvian immigration. From there, I walked with all my luggage to complete the exit process from Peru and then continued across the border to Bolivian immigration.

The immigration process itself was quick and relatively straightforward when I crossed in September 2026.

Check your entry requirements!

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and passport and can change. Make sure you check the current requirements for the country you’re entering with the relevant official authorities before traveling.

I don’t include country-specific visa and entry requirements here because this guide is about the crossing itself, and those requirements may be different for you.

After immigration, you’ll continue walking on the other side. In my case, that meant at least another 1 km through the Bolivian side before reaching the second bus that was waiting to continue the journey to Copacabana.

So, traveling from Puno to Copacabana, the process looks roughly like this:

Bus from Puno → get off with all your luggage → walk to Peruvian immigration → exit Peru → cross the border on foot → enter Bolivia → keep walking → board the second bus → Copacabana.

Don’t underestimate the altitude

A couple of kilometers of walking may not sound like much, but this border crossing takes place at high altitude. Add all your luggage and a bit of uphill walking, and it can feel considerably harder than the distance suggests.

If you’re already acclimatized from spending time in places like Puno, Cusco or La Paz, this may not be a big deal. If you’re not, give yourself time and don’t rush the walk just because the rest of your bus is moving ahead.

Coca is widely used in this part of the Andes to help with the effects of altitude and is easy to find as leaves, tea or candy. If you know you’re sensitive to altitude, it’s worth preparing for it before the trip.

How long does Puno to Copacabana take?

The actual driving time between Puno and Copacabana is around 3 hours. But that’s only the time spent on the road: you also need to account for the stop before the border, getting off with your luggage, walking across the border and completing immigration.

In my case, the entire trip took approximately 4 hours.

There’s also one slightly confusing detail: Bolivia is one hour ahead of Peru. Most phones adjust automatically once they connect to a Bolivian network, so you may cross the border, check the time and wonder how the trip suddenly took an hour longer than expected.

It didn’t. You just changed time zones.

Arriving in Copacabana

Once you’ve completed Bolivian immigration and reached the second bus, the remaining journey to Copacabana takes around 30 minutes.

The bus drops you at Copacabana’s “terminal,” which is right in the center of town. It’s more of a central drop-off point than the kind of large bus terminal you might be expecting, and from there you can easily continue to your accommodation.

You’ll also find plenty of places to exchange money around the center. The rates I found there were much better than the one offered at Transzela’s stop before the border, so there’s no need to rush into exchanging your soles earlier.

Because Copacabana is so close to Peru, many businesses or taxis also accept Peruvian soles. Still, it’s worth getting some Bolivianos once you arrive: Copacabana is very cash-based, and card payments aren’t available, even at hotels.

Table of Contents

Choosing to travel alone to another continent, especially for months at a time, is a big decision. Of course there’s uncertainty around it. There’s simply no way to know exactly what will happen once you get there, who you’ll meet, or what the experience will feel like until you actually do it.

But if you really want to experience it, I think that already tells you something important.

I was in that position when I started traveling solo. At the time, I didn’t personally know anyone else who traveled this way. Once I was on the road, I met plenty of people doing exactly the same thing.

Still, seeing how many people travel this way doesn’t make solo travel the right choice for everyone.

Is solo travel for you?

I don’t think this is really about making a pros and cons list. It’s more about the kind of experience you want to have.

Traveling solo gives you complete control over your time. You can go at your own pace, change your plans, stay longer when you love a place, leave earlier when you don’t, or have a day when you do absolutely nothing without having to negotiate any of it with someone else.

For me, that freedom is a huge part of the appeal. I don’t travel to move through a checklist of places I’m supposed to see. I like having enough time to enjoy the journey, see how I feel about a place once I’m actually there, and give myself the chance to connect with it.

That’s the perspective I’m writing this article from. I’m a slow traveler, and if what you want is a perfectly planned itinerary that gets you through as many places as possible in the time you have, my approach probably won’t make much sense to you.

But if the idea of having that freedom sounds exciting rather than stressful, that’s a pretty good sign that solo travel might suit you.

Will I feel lonely traveling solo?

You might. Traveling solo doesn’t somehow make loneliness disappear.

But personally, loneliness hasn’t been a constant part of my experience at all. If anything, I tend to socialize and meet more people when I travel alone than when I travel with someone. When you’re traveling with another person, it’s very easy to stay within that relationship. When you’re on your own, you naturally end up being more open to the people around you.

That doesn’t mean meeting people requires constantly putting yourself in highly social situations, hanging out in big groups, or going out every night. Most conversations start through small, everyday interactions, and you don’t need to be an extrovert — or at least, you don’t need to act like one every night — to connect with people while you travel.

Slow travel also gives you room to choose the kind of environment that fits your energy. This is something I’m still learning to manage myself. There are periods when I’m more focused on work or simply don’t feel like socializing as much, and I can choose quieter places. Then, when I start craving more movement and people again, I can move somewhere more touristy or to a bigger city where I know I’ll have more opportunities to find that.

Sometimes I choose smaller destinations where I know my interactions are likely to be quieter and more relaxed. Other times I want a bigger city or somewhere with more of a social scene. I like being able to move between those experiences depending on what I feel like at the time.

Solo travelers don’t necessarily love being alone all the time, and being able to enjoy your own company doesn’t mean you’ll never feel lonely. Sometimes you’ll wish you had someone to have dinner with, or to make plans with, and there simply won’t be anyone around. That’s different from needing company to enjoy your trip. You can be open to meeting people without depending on meeting people constantly.  

Something happens to relationships when you travel

When you do meet people while traveling, relationships can feel different from the ones you build in everyday life.

Something I’ve noticed is that people who struggle to socialize, make friends, or find people they really connect with back home can sometimes find those connections much more easily while traveling. It’s not necessarily because travelers are more social. There’s a stereotype of the solo traveler, and sure, you’ll meet the classic backpacker with hippy vibes. But there really isn’t one type of slow traveler.

Maybe part of it is simply that the people you meet on the road have already made at least one choice similar to yours. You don’t necessarily have the same personality, age, background, or interests, but there can be something familiar in the way you look for joy, experience new things, or approach relationships with other people. That shared ground can make it easier to connect with people you might never have crossed paths with in your everyday life.

Relationships on the road can work differently, and I think that’s one of the things that’s difficult to imagine before you actually start traveling this way.

How much should I plan before I leave?

There’s a balance between having enough planned to feel comfortable and leaving enough open to actually take advantage of the flexibility solo travel gives you.

Planning ahead can save you money, make logistics easier, and reduce some of the uncertainty that comes with traveling somewhere for the first time. But planning doesn’t necessarily mean booking. You can research possible routes, understand how much things cost, know your transportation options, and have a general idea of where you want to go without committing to every stop before you leave.

That distinction matters because some decisions are simply easier to make once you’re there. You might hear about a place you hadn’t considered, discover a better way to get somewhere, or realize that a destination you expected to love isn’t somewhere you want to spend much time after all. Leaving some space in your itinerary means you can make those decisions with information you didn’t have when you were planning from home.

This is particularly useful in Latin America, where not everything you’ll need to know is always well documented online. I’ll get into that more when we talk about transportation and logistics, but sometimes the best information only becomes available once you’re on the ground.

How much uncertainty you’re comfortable with also changes with experience. When I first started traveling, having more things figured out in advance made me feel more secure. But plans don’t always match what happens once you’re there. After dealing with enough changes, unexpected situations, and things that simply worked differently from what I had imagined, I became much more confident that I could figure things out as I went.

The same happens as you spend more time in a region. Every country in Latin America is different, but you’re not starting from zero every time you cross a border. You gradually learn what to ask, where to look for information, what is worth confirming in person, and which decisions can safely wait until later.

That doesn’t mean traveling without a plan. It means not using planning only as a way to eliminate uncertainty. The goal is to know which decisions are better made before you leave and which ones you’ll be better equipped to make once you’re there.

What should I research before I leave?

Planning a trip can be stressful, but it can also be part of the fun. I love looking at the places I might visit, checking out accommodation, seeing what there is to do, and even thinking about where I might want to eat. Imagining what your days could look like is part of planning a trip — and none of it means you have to commit to those plans.

But there are some less exciting things you really do need to look into before you leave:

• Entry requirements: Check whether you need a visa or any other permits, how long you’re allowed to stay as a tourist, and what the conditions for entering and leaving the country are. What you find online and what happens at the border won’t always match perfectly, so don’t build your entire itinerary around assuming you’ll automatically be granted the maximum possible stay. But you should absolutely know the rules before you arrive.
• Weather and what to pack: Look at the conditions you can expect in the places you’re visiting at that particular time of year, not just the country’s climate in general. Latin America covers an enormous range of climates and altitudes, and what you need can change significantly as you move around.
• Things you personally rely on: Think about the things that are easy to find at home but might be less common where you’re going. I’m Argentine, and mate is part of my everyday life. The farther north I travel in Latin America, the harder it can be to find the yerba I drink. It’s usually not impossible, but I tend to carry a small reserve with me. Your version of that might be something completely different — the point is to think about your own routines rather than following a generic packing list.
• Money, connectivity, and health basics: Know how you’ll access money, how you’ll get connected when you arrive, and what you need in terms of travel insurance or any health-related entry requirements. We’ll get into all of these in more detail in the logistics section.

So, what do I book beforehand?

This is roughly how I handle it:

• Long-distance flights: If I know I’ll need a particular flight, I usually book it in advance because prices are sensitive to timing. If I’m booking far ahead, I generally choose a flexible fare so I’m not completely locked into that date.
• The first few nights: I usually book two or three nights of accommodation before I arrive. I personally stay in hostels, which tend to have enough availability that I can extend if I like the place. That gives me somewhere to go when I arrive without committing to how long I’ll stay before I’ve even seen it.
• Buses, transfers, and tours: I research the options and prices beforehand, but I generally don’t book them. Prices usually don’t change much depending on how far ahead you buy, and in my experience, booking in person can often be cheaper. These are the kinds of decisions where keeping some flexibility makes sense.

Is Latin America a good place for a first solo trip?

Definitely. Latin America is a huge and incredibly diverse region, with its beautiful sides, its contradictions, and things that will make traveling easier or more challenging. Depending on the kind of trip you want to have, it can also be relatively affordable, particularly if you’re coming from the Global North.

But more importantly, there’s no such thing as a beginner level of solo travel that you need to complete before coming to Latin America.

If this is your first time traveling alone, you might feel more comfortable starting somewhere with well-established international tourism. Those destinations tend to have more tourist infrastructure, more information available, people who speak English, and generally fewer things you’ll have to figure out from scratch while you’re still learning what traveling solo looks like for you.

Cultures vary enormously from one country to another, and adapting to a new place can still take some time. But in my experience, Latin America is generally very welcoming to foreign travelers. I’ve rarely felt that being a foreigner itself created friction with the people around me. Quite the opposite: when I’ve been confused, needed directions, or simply didn’t understand how something worked, I’ve generally found people willing to help.

You don’t need to choose the country that someone has decided is the “easiest” for first-time travelers. A quick search will give you a good idea of which destinations have a more established tourist circuit in any country you’re interested in.

So I wouldn’t start by asking which country in Latin America is best for beginners. Start by asking where you actually want to go. Latin America has something for almost every kind of traveler. The next step is figuring out what kind of experience you want to have and which part of this enormous region can give you that.

How should I build my Latin America itinerary?

Most people come to Latin America with a few highlights already in mind — places they’ve always wanted to see or experiences they don’t want to miss. Those are a great starting point for building an itinerary, but don’t assume they’re all there is to experience along the way.

One of the advantages of giving yourself more time in each place is that you start discovering things you didn’t know about when you planned the trip. A city you initially thought of as a stop on the way somewhere else might have enough to keep you interested for days. And sometimes the places that end up being the most memorable aren’t the ones that originally brought you there.

Ecuador is a good example. You might travel there specifically to visit the Galápagos and initially think of Quito as little more than a necessary stop along the way. But give yourself some time and suddenly there’s much more: exploring Quito’s historic center, trying local food, visiting coffee or chocolate producers, going birdwatching in Mindo, soaking in hot springs, or climbing a volcano. Very few places in Latin America need to be just a technical stop.

Think in regions, not just destinations

Instead of connecting a list of isolated highlights, look at what you can discover around the places that already interest you. You don’t necessarily need to see an entire country, and you don’t need to limit yourself to one country either. Think about regions you want to explore rather than destinations you need to check off.

That gives you more room to discover places along the way, while also making the distances you travel more manageable. Latin America is enormous, and moving constantly between far-apart destinations can take a surprising amount of both time and money.

Build a trip you can actually sustain

If you’re planning a long trip, your itinerary also needs to be sustainable for you. Traveling for months isn’t the same as taking a two-week vacation with a list of things you want to fit in before you go home.

You probably won’t want to spend every day moving, taking tours, visiting attractions, or waking up early for the next activity. That pace gets expensive, but it also gets exhausting. A long trip needs room for slower days.

That might mean walking around a neighborhood with no particular plan, spending an afternoon in a plaza, going to a market, having a coffee, or simply doing some of the ordinary things you do when you’re not traveling. And yes, sometimes it might mean staying in and watching Netflix.

A slower day isn’t a wasted travel day. Giving yourself enough time and space to enjoy the trip without exhausting your energy or your budget is part of what makes long-term travel sustainable in the first place.

What is traveling around Latin America actually like?

Latin America is a huge and diverse region, so there’s no single answer to what traveling around it looks like. Things work differently from country to country, and sometimes even from one part of the same country to another. But there are a few things that are useful to understand when you start planning a longer trip around the region.

Distances don’t always work the way they look on a map

Distances in Latin America are enormous, but kilometers alone don’t always tell you how easy it will be to get from one place to another.

Some long distances are surprisingly easy to cover because there’s a good direct connection. Other places might look like an obvious next stop on a map and turn out to require a much longer journey than you expected. The geography, the condition of the roads, border crossings, and the connections that actually exist can all change what a logical route looks like in practice.

That can be frustrating when you’re planning from home, but it doesn’t mean getting around is impossible. Millions of people move around this region every day, and there’s also a well-established tourist circuit. Sometimes you just need to adjust the route you originally imagined once you understand how people move between those places.

Get comfortable with long-distance buses

If you’re not used to spending long hours on buses, there’s a good chance Latin America will change that.

Long-distance buses are one of the main ways people move around the region. They’re not simply the budget alternative to flying. In many places, they’re the transportation system that makes the most sense for the geography and the way cities and towns are connected.

The experience can also be very different from what you associate with bus travel at home. Depending on the country, route, and company, long-distance buses can be remarkably comfortable, with reclining seats designed for overnight journeys and different service classes.

I have a whole guide on long-distance buses in Latin America where I explain how they work, what the different classes mean, where to buy tickets, what to expect from schedules, and how border crossings work.

Not everything you need will be easy to find online

This is one of the things that can make planning a trip around Latin America frustrating from abroad. Sometimes you know a connection must exist but can’t find a clear schedule online. You might struggle to figure out how people pay for something, find conflicting information about prices, or discover that the website you found doesn’t accept your foreign card.

Not finding something online doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t exist.

Some practical information is simply easier to get once you’re there. You might need to ask at a terminal, confirm something locally, or find out that there’s a much easier option than the one you were trying to organize from home.

That’s also why I wouldn’t try to solve every logistical question months in advance. Do enough research to understand your options and know what you need to pay attention to, but expect some things to become clearer once you’re there.

I’ve covered several of these practical questions separately, including the apps and resources I use around Latin America, how money, cards, and ATMs work for travelers and a guide on health care and travel insurance. If you’re trying to understand the logistics before you leave, those guides are a good place to start.

Is traveling in Latin America dangerous?

I know what you’re probably thinking. Start researching a trip to Latin America and it doesn’t take long before you come across news about violence, political unrest, economic crises, protests, or another situation that makes you wonder whether coming here is a terrible idea.

I’m not going to tell you those risks don’t exist. They do. But I do think it’s important to put them into perspective.

Being a tourist in a country is not the same as experiencing the realities of living there. Unfortunately, social and economic crises are a recurring part of life in many parts of Latin America, and they can absolutely affect your trip. But they don’t always affect it in the way you might imagine when you’re reading the news from another country.

Start with the usual precautions

The basic precautions you would take anywhere still apply. Pay attention to where you’re going, especially at night. Don’t leave your phone or belongings unnecessarily exposed. Ask locally if there are areas you should avoid.

It’s also worth being careful with tourist services. Check prices before agreeing to something and, whenever possible, use established agencies or official providers rather than accepting the first offer you get on the street. Scams and inflated tourist prices happen, and a little research goes a long way.

But those everyday risks are different from another question travelers often have: what happens when the country itself seems to be going through a crisis?

A crisis can disrupt your trip without necessarily putting you in danger

I’m writing this from Puno, Peru, while getting ready to cross into Bolivia. And if you look at the current situation there, it’s easy to understand why someone planning a trip from abroad might reconsider going altogether.

Bolivia is dealing with serious economic and political instability, including fuel shortages, rising costs, protests, and roadblocks. Those are real problems, and I’m certainly not suggesting travelers should ignore them.

But growing up in Latin America probably gives me a slightly different perspective on what those headlines mean. Political or economic instability doesn’t automatically translate into personal danger everywhere in the country.

What it can mean for a traveler is disruption.

A road might be blocked and the bus you planned to take can’t leave. Fuel shortages can affect transportation. Prices can change unexpectedly. An airport can close or a journey that should have taken one day might suddenly take two. You may have to change your route entirely.

Those things can be frustrating and they can cost you money. But logistical risk, financial risk, and personal safety risk aren’t necessarily the same thing.

That distinction also changes how I make decisions about traveling. If I had a two-week vacation in Bolivia with flights, hotels, and activities already booked for specific dates, I would seriously consider changing that trip right now. There would simply be too many opportunities for disruption.

But traveling slowly gives me a flexibility that not everyone has. If I can’t get to one place, I can change my route. If I need to stay somewhere an extra day, I can. I can ask people on the ground what the situation is like and make decisions as I go.

What you see on the news and what you experience can be very different

I experienced another version of this while I was in Quito, Ecuador. There were strong protests related to political unrest, and a 15-day curfew was introduced from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Of course, that affected my trip. I couldn’t be out during those hours, and sometimes a situation like that simply means changing your plans and spending the night at the hostel. It’s inconvenient.

At the same time, people back home who knew I was in Ecuador were worried about me because what they were seeing in the news looked extremely dangerous. And those situations can be dangerous if you’re caught in the middle of a violent protest.

But that wasn’t what my everyday experience in Quito looked like. I was staying in the historic center, just a couple of blocks from the seat of government, and I never personally encountered one of those demonstrations or experienced violence in the streets.

I wasn’t following the political situation closely enough to pretend I fully understood the complex social issues behind those protests, either. And that distinction matters. My relatively uneventful experience as a tourist doesn’t mean the crisis wasn’t serious or that local people weren’t being affected by it.

Being a traveler can sometimes keep you in a kind of bubble. What makes international news and what you personally experience while staying in a tourist area can be dramatically different things.

So when you see worrying news about a country you’re planning to visit, don’t ignore it — but don’t reduce the entire country to the headline either. Find out where the problem is happening, what kind of risk it creates, and how it could realistically affect your trip.

Sometimes the answer will be that you shouldn’t go. Other times, it may simply mean changing your route, allowing more time, spending a little more than expected, or being patient when things don’t work according to plan.

What about solo travel as a woman?

If you’re a woman planning your first solo trip to Latin America, I know safety probably comes with an extra layer of concern. But I also think the way we talk about solo female travel tends to exaggerate that difference.

Women already navigate certain risks differently in everyday life. We tell friends where we’re going, meet strangers in public places, pay attention when walking alone at night, and deal with unwanted attention. Traveling doesn’t suddenly create all of those risks — it changes the context in which we manage them.

That said, Latin America does have its own cultural context. Machismo is very present in many parts of the region, and traveling alone as a woman can sometimes make you stand out in ways you might not be used to.

In my experience, there are still plenty of assumptions around the idea of a woman traveling by herself. I’m constantly asked who I’m traveling with, whether I’m really alone, or if I’m not afraid. I’ve also dealt with catcalling, sexist comments, and men who simply wouldn’t take the hint and leave me alone.

I don’t automatically interpret those experiences as signs that I’m in danger. Most of the time, I experience them as part of navigating a cultural context where ideas about women, independence, and how men interact with women can be different from what you’re used to. That doesn’t mean ignoring a situation that feels unsafe or pretending harassment is harmless. It means distinguishing between something being uncomfortable, sexist, or culturally unfamiliar and something actually presenting a threat.

As for the practical side of staying safe, most of what I do is remarkably ordinary: I pay attention to where I stay and how I’ll get there, make sure I have connectivity and backup payment methods, share my plans when it makes sense, and try not to make important decisions when I’m exhausted. I go much deeper into those practical decisions in Is it safe to travel alone as a woman in Latin America?.

But there’s another side of this conversation that I think gets ignored. Women traveling alone aren’t an unusual exception in Latin America. I meet them constantly. Most aren’t here to prove how brave they are or overcome some enormous fear. They wanted to travel, so they came.

And that matters, because if every conversation about solo female travel begins and ends with danger, we miss most of what the experience is actually about: freedom, independence, meeting people, discovering places, and having complete control over your own time.

That’s something I explore more in What solo female travel is really about (and what gets ignored).

So yes, being a woman can add some considerations to traveling alone. Take them seriously. But don’t let safety become the entire story of your trip before you’ve even started it.

How much money do I need to travel around Latin America?

Latin America can absolutely be an affordable place to travel, particularly if you’re coming from countries with higher salaries and costs of living. But “Latin America is cheap” is only useful up to a point.

There are enormous differences in cost between countries, and you’ll find plenty of rankings telling you which ones are the cheapest for travelers. Those comparisons can give you a useful general idea, but they don’t mean that everything you buy or do will follow the same pattern.

When I travel north from countries like Argentina or Chile into places like Colombia, for example, I definitely notice the difference in my overall spending. Many everyday things become considerably cheaper. But every country has a different economy, produces different things locally, imports others, and has its own patterns of consumption. What’s cheap for locals to eat, buy, or do isn’t necessarily what you were planning to spend your money on.

Food makes this particularly obvious. In Peru, I can eat incredible local dishes — ceviche, potatoes prepared in more ways than I knew existed, or a full menú del día — for very little money. But order something that doesn’t fit the local eating habits as closely and the equation can change surprisingly quickly. A basic tomato and lettuce salad can cost more than I’d expect in Argentina. And if you want a decent bottle of wine with your lomo saltado, suddenly Peru doesn’t feel quite so cheap anymore.

The same applies to travel experiences. Latin America has plenty of inexpensive activities, but it also has experiences priced for international tourism and luxury travel. A ski trip in Argentina, for example, can cost surprisingly close to what you might spend skiing in the Alps. Tours, outdoor activities, clothing, handicrafts, electronics, and imported goods all follow their own price logic.

So instead of asking “How cheap is this country?”, I think the more useful question is “How much will the kind of trip I want to have cost me there?”

That number is harder to calculate, especially when you’re planning a long trip with a lot of flexibility. You don’t know exactly where you’ll go, how long you’ll stay, which experiences you’ll discover along the way, or how your spending habits might change once you’re there.

I have a method I use to build a realistic monthly estimate before traveling somewhere I haven’t been yet. It’s not about predicting every expense perfectly, but about creating a working number based on accommodation, transportation, food, activities, and enough margin for everything you can’t predict. I explain the whole process in Estimating a realistic budget for long-term travel in Latin America.

Your budget doesn’t need to predict the trip. It needs to make the trip sustainable.

Do I need to speak Spanish to travel around Latin America?

No. You don’t need to speak Spanish to travel around Latin America.

Especially in destinations with established international tourism, you can usually figure out the logistics without much trouble. You’ll find people who speak English, tours offered in English, accommodation used to receiving foreign travelers, and translation apps for everything else. Even with very little Spanish, you’ll quickly pick up enough words to order food, buy a bus ticket, ask how much something costs, and get through most everyday interactions.

And if you’re traveling solo, not speaking Spanish doesn’t mean you’ll be isolated either. You’ll meet plenty of other travelers you can communicate with.

But connecting with other travelers isn’t the same as connecting with the place.

That difference becomes much more noticeable when you travel slowly. If you spend a few days somewhere, functional Spanish might be all you need. Stay for a few weeks or months and eventually you start wanting to understand more than the menu and the bus schedule.

You want to know what the people at the table next to you are talking about. You want to understand the joke someone just made. You want to ask a question and actually follow where the answer leads. You start recognizing the same people in your neighborhood, going back to the same café or market, and having interactions that could become conversations if you shared enough of a language.

You can travel through Latin America without Spanish. But Spanish gives you access to a part of Latin America that is very difficult to experience without it.

I wrote much more about this distinction in Do you need to learn Spanish before traveling to Latin America?. And the good news is that you don’t need to postpone your trip until you’ve learned the language. If you’re going to spend weeks or months in the region anyway, traveling can become part of how you learn it.

That’s also why I created my Spanish for digital nomads and slow travelers program. It’s one-on-one Spanish built around the situations that actually become part of life when you stay somewhere longer — from ordering food and getting around at the beginning to dealing with accommodation, money, healthcare, paperwork, and eventually having the conversations that let you go beyond simply navigating the place.

You don’t need Spanish to start the trip. But if connection is one of the reasons you’re traveling slowly in the first place, learning it can completely change how much of the place becomes available to you.

Ready to start planning your trip?

If you came to this article excited about traveling solo in Latin America but unsure where to start, I hope I’ve answered at least some of the questions that tend to make a first trip here feel more complicated than it actually is.

And if you’re already planning one but still wondering whether what you have in mind makes sense: it probably isn’t as crazy as it feels.

You can spend hours researching destinations, reading forums, comparing other people’s itineraries, and asking AI increasingly specific questions. All of those things are useful. But sometimes there’s a point where another search isn’t what you need. You just need to talk through your trip with someone who knows the region and has traveled this way before.

That’s part of what I do through my Plan your trip to Latin America service.

That can be something very concrete: checking whether your itinerary makes sense, understanding how realistic a particular route is, talking through safety concerns traveling alone, figuring out transportation, or getting some context around a cultural difference or local situation you’re unsure about.

Or we can start much earlier in the process and work out what kind of trip you actually want to have, which places fit your interests, how long it makes sense to stay, and how to build a route around your time, budget, and priorities.

You don’t need someone else to plan your trip for you. Sometimes you just need enough context to feel confident making your own decisions.

If that’s where you are right now, you can take a look at the different ways I can help you plan your trip to Latin America.

You need both grammar and production — not just an app

A lot of people assume that repeating phrases in an app, day after day, will eventually add up to speaking the language. It doesn’t work that way. You need to learn grammar — the rules of how Spanish works — and you also need to practice production: building your own sentences from scratch, in real time, instead of recognizing the right one out of a few options on a screen.

Apps like Duolingo are built almost entirely around that second, easier skill: recognition. You get fast at picking the correct answer, and it feels like progress. But picking the right sentence and producing one yourself, mid-conversation, with no options in front of you, are two different skills — and only one of them is what a real conversation actually asks of you. That’s why people who’ve done months of an app still freeze the first time someone asks them something unscripted. I wrote more about that gap here.

There’s a reason people study to become teachers. Not everyone learns the same way or at the same pace, and that’s exactly what an app or a self-guided method can’t give you: feedback, and someone adapting to what you specifically need. That’s what a teacher gives you, whether it’s one-on-one tutoring or a small group class.

You don’t need a year of prep, but you can’t start from zero either

You don’t need to arrive speaking well. Waiting until you feel “ready” is usually just a way of postponing.

But arriving with zero base doesn’t work either. Immersion on its own — just being surrounded by the language — doesn’t teach you nearly as much as people expect, because without something to attach what you’re hearing to, most of it is just noise. Worse, being thrown into native-speed Spanish with no base can be genuinely frustrating, to the point where people give up on it instead of getting closer. A small base changes that completely: the same conversation on the street goes from background sound to something you’re actually picking apart and learning from.

In practice, that’s what tends to work best: build a foundation before you go, then let immersion accelerate everything once you arrive. Not because immersion doesn’t matter, but because it works so much better once you’ve given it something to build on. I go deeper into that here.

Once you’re there, a teacher can also help you make sense of what immersion actually throws at you — a confusing lease clause, a strange exchange at the panadería — instead of you having to puzzle through it alone.

A course for a long stay should prioritize differently — not teach different grammar

A typical Spanish-for-travel course doesn’t quite fit either. Those courses are usually built around short trips: checking into a hotel, ordering at a restaurant, asking for directions, booking a tour. You’ll need some of that too, but if you’re staying for a few months, you’re not just visiting — you’re building a temporary everyday life. You’ll be figuring out where to buy groceries, joining a gym, doing laundry, dealing with a landlord, finding places to work, and solving all the small practical things that never make it into a vacation phrasebook.

It’s still a Spanish course. Same grammar, same core language you’d find anywhere. What should change is the vocabulary and the situations it’s built around.

Most courses are designed for a classroom or a short vacation, so they teach you your family members, your hobbies, the weather, long before they teach you anything close to what you’re actually going to need. If you’re settling into a city in Latin America for a few months, none of that comes first for you. What comes first is handling payments and withdrawals, sorting out a gym membership, understanding what a rental actually includes, going to a farmacia and describing a symptom, getting through migraciones without freezing when they ask how long you’re staying — the situations that are actually going to show up during your stay, not chapter twelve of a textbook that was never written with you in mind.

So, where do you start?

Learn the grammar. Practice producing it, not just recognizing it. Build a base before you leave, even a small one, and keep learning once you’re there so immersion has something to work with. And learn it through the situations you’re actually going to live, not the ones a generic course assumes come first.

If you’re planning a long stay in Latin America and want to learn Spanish this way, I’ve built a one-on-one program specifically for digital nomads and slow travelers. Explore the program and how the classes work

Here’s something odd, though. Most people I talk to already know Duolingo alone won’t get them speaking Spanish. They’ve heard it, they’ve read it, some have even lived it — finished a streak, still froze the first time someone actually spoke to them in Spanish. And yet Duolingo is still where most people put the bulk of their time. Not because they think it’s the most effective method. Because it’s the cheapest one — and it’s even kind of fun.

That’s the part nobody says out loud: the “best” way to learn Spanish isn’t a mystery. What’s actually being decided, every time someone picks a method, is what they’re willing to pay for it — and money is the smallest part of that bill.

Three currencies, not one

Every method for learning Spanish charges you in three currencies:

• Money. The direct cost — free app, paid classes, a private tutor.

• Exposure. The discomfort of being watched while you get it wrong. Some call it embarrassment, some call it performance anxiety, language teachers call it the affective filter. Whatever the name, it’s real, and it’s the reason a lot of adults would rather repeat a grammar drill alone than say one sentence out loud to a stranger.

• Commitment. Not the total hours, but the shape of them. Do you need to show up at a fixed time? Does someone notice if you skip a week? Can you do it in five minutes on a bus, or does it need a scheduled hour with no way to fake it?

Nobody sits down and calculates this consciously. But the pattern of what people actually choose — and abandon — makes a lot more sense once you see it as a cost, not a preference.

Duolingo: the cheapest option, and everyone knows it

Money: close to zero. Exposure: close to zero — you fail in private, the owl doesn’t judge you. Commitment: minimal, a few minutes whenever you feel like it, no one expecting you anywhere.

That’s an unbeatable price. It’s also why, as I wrote in more detail here, it doesn’t get you to real conversations. Duolingo is built on drills — recognizing and reproducing patterns — not on producing language of your own. You get very good at picking the right answer out of four options. That’s a different skill from opening your mouth and building a sentence nobody handed you.

The interesting part isn’t that Duolingo has this limitation. It’s that most users already suspect it does, and use it anyway. That’s not a failure of information. It’s what happens when a method costs almost nothing: the low price buys loyalty even when the product doesn’t deliver the thing you actually wanted.

Group classes: cheaper than a tutor, and you’re not alone in it

Money: moderate. Exposure: moderate — you’re getting it wrong in front of others, but everyone in the room is getting it wrong too, so the discomfort spreads thin instead of landing all on you. Commitment: high and fixed. A set schedule, a pace set by the group, not by you.

What group classes buy you that apps structurally can’t is human contact. You’re not practicing “Spanish” in the abstract — you’re stumbling through it with other people who are stuck at roughly your level, which tends to turn into something closer to a shared project than a solitary chore. People who take group classes together often end up talking outside of class too, comparing notes, laughing about the same mistakes. That’s not a side effect. It’s part of what makes the method sustainable — it’s a lot easier to keep showing up to something that also feels like a bit of a social life than to something that’s just you and an app. It’s how my beginner group course is built, for exactly that reason: small enough that everyone still gets seen, social enough that people actually show up week after week.

The cost is that the pace isn’t yours. If you’re ahead, you wait. If you’re behind, you’re either lost or holding the group back. And a fixed weekly slot is a real commitment in a way five minutes on a bus never is.

A private tutor: the highest price upfront, the fastest drop after that

Money: the highest of the group. Exposure: high in the first session — there’s no group to disappear into, it’s just you and your mistakes — but it tends to fall fast, because a tutor who’s paying attention builds trust quickly, and trust is what actually lowers the exposure cost over time. Commitment: flexible in scheduling, but it demands something apps and passive immersion don’t: you have to show up and produce language, live, every single session. There’s no autopilot setting.

This is also the method that comes closest to solving the actual problem — the gap between recognizing Spanish and producing it. A tutor doesn’t just correct you; a tutor makes you talk about your own life, your own opinions, your own day, from the first class, and adjusts the correction to what you specifically need instead of what a fixed curriculum assumes everyone needs. That’s a form of personalization no app or classroom of eight people can fully replicate. And like group classes, there’s a human being on the other end of it — which for a lot of people traveling alone, learning Spanish with someone who actually knows them ends up being worth something beyond the grammar. It’s the kind of tutoring I offer for people who want their classes built around the actual trip they’re on, not a generic syllabus.

The price is real, though — it’s the most expensive option in money, and the one that offers the least room to hide.

Immersion alone: expensive in exposure, deceptively cheap in structure

I’ve met people who’ve lived in Latin American countries for years and still make the same mistakes they made in month one. Not because they didn’t get enough exposure — they got plenty — but because nobody was correcting them along the way, so the errors never got fixed, they just got comfortable.

That’s what immersion alone charges you for. Money: variable — moving to or traveling through a Spanish-speaking country isn’t free, but plenty of people are already doing it anyway for other reasons. Exposure: constant and high — you’re surrounded by the language all day, mistakes happen in public, repeatedly, with real strangers. Commitment: paradoxical. There’s no homework, no schedule, no one checking in — which feels like freedom, but is also exactly why it doesn’t reliably work.

Immersion without instruction gives you fluency of a kind: fast, functional, and full of fossilized mistakes that will never fix themselves, because at that point they’ve stopped feeling like mistakes.

This is also where immersion plays a trick on you. Your vocabulary grows fast and progress feels obvious — you understand more every week, and that feels like real advancement. But vocabulary isn’t the same as structure. You start to recognize that a certain kind of sentence exists and roughly how it’s built, without actually understanding how it’s used or when it applies. You’ve absorbed the shape of the language without the rules underneath it, which is a specific, common gap — I go into it in more detail here.

Language exchanges: free, but you don’t control the other half

Money: zero. Exposure: medium to high — you’re not paying, but you’re depending on another learner’s goals as much as your own, and half the time is spent watching someone else struggle through your language while you wait your turn. Commitment: unpredictable, because it depends entirely on someone else’s consistency, not just yours.

Tandem partners can be a genuinely useful complement — free conversation practice is free conversation practice. But as a primary method, the cost you’re not accounting for is reliability: your progress is now tied to another person’s schedule, mood, and follow-through, none of which you control.

Self-study with free content: the one that looks the most serious

Money: zero. Exposure: zero — no one’s watching you get it wrong, because there’s no one there at all. Commitment: looks minimal, no fixed schedule, no one expecting you anywhere — which is exactly where the trap is.

This is the most deceptive method on the list, because it doesn’t look like a shortcut the way Duolingo does. Books, grammar sites, hours of YouTube — it looks like real material, serious material, the kind a good student would use. And some of it genuinely is good. The problem isn’t the quality of what’s out there for free. The problem is what the method quietly demands from you before you’ve learned anything: you have to become your own teacher first.

Someone learning this way has to constantly decide what to study next, whether a given video or channel is actually reliable or just confident-sounding, whether they’ve truly understood a rule or only recognize it, and how all the pieces fit together in order. That’s curriculum design — a completely different skill from learning the language itself — and it’s being handed to the one person in the room who, by definition, doesn’t yet know enough to do it well. It’s like asking someone who’s never cooked to build their own culinary training program out of random YouTube videos: there’s excellent content in there somewhere, but they have no way of knowing if what they’re watching right now is what they actually need, or whether they understood it correctly once they’ve watched it.

That’s the cognitive cost hiding under the “zero cost” label. It’s not just choosing content — it’s a constant stream of extra decisions layered on top of learning the language itself. Reverse-engineering a coherent curriculum from scattered free material isn’t a matter of discipline. It’s a genuinely difficult job, because you’re trying to become both the student and the teacher at the same time.

So, what’s the best way to learn Spanish?

Take the price tags out of it for a second, and what’s left is this: learning a language isn’t a light hobby you dabble in on the side. It’s a skill — closer to learning an instrument than to picking up a fact — and skills only start paying off once you’ve put in enough real hours and enough correction to cross some threshold. Below that threshold, it doesn’t matter much which method you picked. None of them get you there.

Which leaves an odd question standing, one most people never actually ask themselves before choosing: if less than that threshold gets you nowhere either way, why go in planning to do it halfway?

That’s the real decision hiding under all the method comparisons. Not which app, which class, which tutor — but whether you’re willing to actually pay whatever a method costs, in whichever currency it charges, for long enough to cross the line into being able to use the language at all. Anything short of that isn’t really learning Spanish. It’s just postponing the decision to.

If you want my honest answer, not just the framework: if I were starting from zero, I’d look for formal classes — group or one-on-one, whichever fits my routine and my budget — and combine that with real exposure and practice on the side: talking to people, reading, listening, watching content, both native material and stuff made for learners. Not one instead of the other. The classes give you structure and correction. Exposure is what turns that knowledge into something you can actually use outside the classroom.

I work with people who want to get to that point — not to survive a supermarket checkout in Spanish, but to actually talk with the people around them, understand what’s being said, and connect with a place instead of just passing through it.

My goal isn’t to make Spanish feel effortless — it won’t. My goal is to make sure the effort you’re investing is actually moving you toward real conversations instead of paying the same cost twice. If that’s what you’re looking for, you can read more about how I teach here.

Not “it doesn’t matter much.” It doesn’t matter — at least not for the question most people are actually asking when they type this into Google.

Every year, thousands of people planning a trip to Latin America spend hours comparing countries based on which one has the “clearest” or “easiest” Spanish to learn. Colombia gets crowned the neutral-accent champion. Peru shows up as the safe middle ground. Argentina and Chile get quietly ruled out for sounding “too different.” People build entire itineraries around this idea before they’ve said a single word of Spanish out loud.

Here’s the thing: they’re solving the wrong problem.

Spanish Is Spanish

Whether you learn with someone from Mexico City, Bogotá, Buenos Aires or Santiago, you’re learning the same language. The grammar doesn’t change. The foundations don’t change. The way you build the language doesn’t change.

The numbers are the same. Verb conjugations, basic sentence structure, the core grammar you’re going to spend your first months building — all of it is shared across the region.

At the beginner stage — which is where most people are when they’re asking this question — none of the regional differences are big enough to change how fast you learn or how well you’re understood. You’re not choosing between two different languages. You’re choosing between two accents of the same one.

But We Sound So Different From Each Other… Don’t We?

Yes, we do. Ask someone from Buenos Aires to say pollo and someone from Bogotá to say the same word, and you’ll hear two different countries in two syllables. Add in vos versus tú, the speed of Caribbean Spanish, Chilean slang that drops half the letters in a sentence — and it’s easy to assume some versions must be “harder” to learn than others.

But sounding different isn’t the same as being harder to understand. Some regionalisms genuinely won’t land outside their country of origin — a word from Bogotá can draw a blank in Buenos Aires. That happens to native speakers too, and they don’t treat it as a problem: they rephrase, or fall back on the more neutral Spanish that works everywhere. Whichever country you learn in, as you become more comfortable with Spanish, you’ll naturally do the same. Sounding different doesn’t mean one accent makes you more understandable than another.

Where the “Best Country” Idea Actually Comes From

Most of the content ranking countries by “easiest accent” is answering a question people genuinely ask a lot — but treating it like there’s one clear-cut answer that applies to everyone. There isn’t.

That doesn’t make it useless — it makes it oversimplified. It takes something that’s genuinely a matter of taste (do you like how Mexican Spanish sounds? Do you prefer the rhythm of Rioplatense?) and frames it as a technical decision with a right answer. It isn’t. There’s no country that will teach your brain conditional tense faster because of its accent.

When the Variation You Choose Actually Starts to Matter

This doesn’t mean accents are irrelevant forever. They’re just irrelevant for the question of getting started.

Once you reach an intermediate-to-advanced level, something usually happens on its own: a specific culture starts pulling at you. Maybe you fall for the tone of a particular accent. Maybe you make close friends from one country. Maybe you get hooked on a YouTube channel or a musician from somewhere specific. At that point, an accent tends to stick to you — you don’t really choose it, it chooses you.

I’ve met plenty of foreigners who ended up “adopting” a variation of Spanish this way — not because they planned it, but because it rubbed off on them during their travels, or because they simply felt more connected to that culture. There’s no wrong choice at that stage. It’s not about performance anymore. It’s about which culture you ended up falling for.

The Real Variable Isn’t the Country — It’s How You Use the Language

Here’s what actually determines how well you learn Spanish: not the country, but what you do while you’re there.

I’ve seen people spend a year in a Spanish-speaking country and plateau after month three, because they settled into a routine that never pushed them past “functional.” I’ve also seen people learn fast in places that supposedly have “harder” accents, simply because they engaged, made mistakes out loud, and asked to be corrected.

If you want to understand why progress stalls regardless of where you are, I wrote about that exact pattern in Why is my Spanish stuck? — it has a lot more to do with structure and feedback than geography.

Bottom Line

Don’t pick your country based on an accent you haven’t even heard yet. Wherever you land, you’re learning the same Spanish — the same grammar, the same structure, the same starting point.

What actually changes your progress isn’t the flag on your passport stamp. It’s whether you use the language to connect with people, not just to get by. That’s the real fork in the road — not Colombia versus Argentina, but survival Spanish versus Spanish that actually lets you build a relationship with a place and the people in it.

If you want help turning immersion into real connection — no matter which country you end up in — you can read more about how I work with travelers here, or send me a message if you want to talk through your specific plan.

After staying in hostels across Latin America, I’ve learned that choosing where to stay has very little to do with finding the cheapest bed. It’s about understanding what matters for the way you travel.

In this article, I’ll share what I look for before booking, the mistakes I try to avoid, and the small details that often make a much bigger difference than the hostel’s rating.

Why I choose hostels

Although the obvious advantage is the price, a hostel is much more than a cheap bed for me.

I work from my laptop, and if I stayed in apartments or hotels, I could easily spend entire days without talking to anyone. In a hostel, on the other hand, it’s almost impossible not to meet people: locals, other travelers, people to explore the city with, join a day trip or simply grab a beer. If you’re interested in why hostels have become my preferred way to travel through Latin America, I wrote about it in more detail in Are hostels good for slow travel and nomad life?

Traveling solo doesn’t mean being isolated. Hostels create a sense of community effortlessly, and that adds a lot to the experience.

And if you want privacy without giving up the social side of traveling, there’s a great option: private rooms in hostels. You get your own space, a good night’s sleep, and you’re still part of the hostel environment.

How many nights should you book?

Even though I usually travel slowly and stay in places for weeks or even months, I never book more than two or three nights at first.

Why?

• If I don’t like the hostel, I can move somewhere else without losing money or dealing with cancellations.
• If I love it, I simply extend my stay. Hostels rarely book out completely, so that’s usually not a problem. 
• For longer stays, many hostels offer better rates when you book directly.
• It keeps your trip flexible, which is essential if you travel slowly like I do. 

A hostel’s vibe depends heavily on the people staying there at that particular moment. You can end up in a beautiful place, but if you don’t connect with the atmosphere, your stay can feel disappointing. And that’s something you can only discover once you’re there.

Booking through a platform (and why I recommend it)

Whenever I’m visiting a new city, I always start with Booking.

This isn’t an ad. It’s about security, flexibility and peace of mind.

Some real advantages: 

• It helps you avoid scams and properties that don’t exist or don’t match their listing.
• Reviews come from verified guests.
• In most cases, you don’t pay until you arrive.
• You can often find better deals than booking directly with the hostel.
• As you move up through the Genius program, you unlock additional discounts.

Then, if you decide to stay longer, talk to the hostel in person. Many hostels offer better direct rates for weekly or monthly stays.

What to look for before booking a hostel

Location: the most important factor

If I don’t know the city, I open the map on Booking and look at where most of the hostels and hotels are concentrated. That usually gives me a good idea of:

• which neighborhoods are safer,
• which areas are better connected,
• where most travelers stay. 

If you’re traveling solo, choosing the right neighborhood can make a huge difference. I wrote more about how I approach that—and why I think it’s one of the most important safety decisions you can make—in Is it safe to travel alone as a woman in Latin America?

Those neighborhoods are often a little more expensive, but for the extra safety and convenience, they’re worth every penny.

Prioritizing location isn’t about being picky. It’s about safety and practicality.

Price (and why it doesn’t always reflect quality)

Don’t assume that a more expensive hostel is automatically a better one.

Some hostels are worth every penny. Others aren’t. And sometimes the cheapest places end up being surprisingly good.

Price is a clue, not a guarantee.

Look beyond the pretty photos 

Open the room options and check things like:

• how spacious the rooms are,
• whether the beds look sturdy and comfortable,
• what the lockers are like,
• whether there’s proper ventilation,
• whether you’ll need air conditioning (Brazil, I’m looking at you),
• whether each bed has its own light and power outlet.

A good night’s sleep matters far more than an Instagram-worthy reception area.

Honestly, at least half of my booking decisions are made with the sole purpose of avoiding waking up with a stiff neck.

Spaces to work

Since I travel while working, this is essential for me.

I look for:

• good lighting,
• comfortable tables,
• power outlets,
• a quiet environment.

Not every hostel is designed for remote work or works well as an improvised office. And that can completely change your experience if you’re staying for more than a couple of days.

Being a good guest matters too

A hostel is a shared space, not a budget hotel.

If you arrive with the wrong expectations, you’ll end up frustrating yourself—and everyone else.

A few basic rules:

• don’t turn the lights on at 3 a.m.,
• don’t take calls in the dorm,
• don’t take over the whole bathroom,
• keep your belongings reasonably organized,
• close doors quietly,
• don’t force your music or your mood on everyone else.

And just as importantly: remember that you’re sharing the space.

Sometimes someone needs to repack their backpack, and things get a little messy for a few minutes. Other times, someone arrives late or leaves early and inevitably makes a bit of noise. As long as it isn’t constant or inconsiderate, it’s just part of sharing a hostel with other people.

If you’re considerate and easy to be around, the whole experience flows much more naturally.

If you expect everything to revolve around you, a hostel probably isn’t for you.

Room types: how to avoid paying the “pink tax”

Something many women don’t realize is that you don’t always have to pay extra for a female dorm.

In my experience—especially in Brazil—I’ve often booked a standard dorm and still ended up sharing the room only with other women, even when mixed dorms had availability.

It depends on the country and the hostel, but it’s very common in Latin America.

So my advice is simple:

• book the standard dorm without worrying too much,
• if you’re assigned to a mixed dorm when you arrive and you don’t feel comfortable, ask if it’s possible to switch. Sometimes there’s an extra charge, sometimes there isn’t.

Being flexible can save you, too

I stay in hostels most of the time, but I always leave a little room in my budget to spend a few days in a hotel or an apartment if I need to rest.

Most of the time I don’t use it, but knowing I have that option helps me avoid frustration.

There isn’t a perfect hostel—only the right one for you

Everyone looks for something different:

• a party atmosphere,
• peace and quiet,
• coworking spaces,
• activities,
• a central location or a quieter neighborhood.

The important thing is to choose based on good information and your own travel style, not someone else’s.

Final thoughts

Choosing a hostel isn’t just about price. It’s about understanding the way you travel, your need for safety and rest, and the kind of experience you’re looking for. 

When you get it right, a hostel becomes one of the best parts of the trip. You meet people, learn from other travelers, save money, and never really feel alone, especially when you’re traveling solo.

If you’re thinking about doing a hostel work exchange, I also put together a practical guide explaining how they work, where to find them, and what to expect before you apply.  

The result is that conversations about solo female travel often become conversations about fear. Instead of talking about the places you’ll discover, the people you’ll meet or the freedom that comes with traveling on your own, we’re met with endless lists of precautions. And, ironically, many of them have very little to do with travel itself.

Share your location with someone. Let a friend know when you get back. Meet strangers in public places. Trust your instincts. None of those are bad ideas. The problem is that they’re not really travel advice. They’re things many women already do in their everyday lives, whether they’re at home or on the other side of the world.

In another article, I wrote about why I think the conversation around solo female travel often misses the point, and what the available data actually says about safety. If you’re wondering whether women are inherently at greater risk simply because they’re traveling alone, I’d recommend starting here.

This article is about something different.

Rather than discussing fear, I want to focus on the practical decisions that actually make me feel safer while traveling alone through Latin America. Interestingly, most of them have very little to do with being a woman. They’re the kind of habits that make travel easier for anyone, whether you’re backpacking for six months or taking your first solo trip abroad.

I don’t travel expecting something bad to happen, but I don’t believe in leaving everything to chance either. Nothing is enjoyable if you’re constantly anticipating the worst, but that doesn’t mean throwing caution out the window. For me, traveling safely isn’t about being afraid. It’s about reducing uncertainty.

The more information I have before I arrive somewhere, the fewer decisions I have to make when I’m tired, overwhelmed or completely unfamiliar with my surroundings. That doesn’t eliminate risk—nothing does—but it gives me more confidence, more flexibility and, ultimately, more mental space to enjoy the trip itself.

Safety starts before you arrive

Many of the decisions that have the biggest impact on how safe I feel while traveling are made before the trip even begins. Where I stay, how I’ll get there from the airport, and how much I’ve figured out before I arrive all shape the way I experience those first few days. None of these decisions guarantee that nothing will go wrong, but they make it much easier to navigate a place I don’t know yet.

Choosing where to stay

Accommodation is usually the first thing I plan. Choosing the right neighborhood isn’t just about finding a nice hotel or hostel—it shapes the entire trip. It affects how easy it is to get around, how much time you’ll spend commuting, and whether you’ll feel comfortable walking back after dinner or heading out early in the morning.

When I’m traveling somewhere I’ve never been before, choosing where to stay isn’t always straightforward. Hotel photos can tell you what the room looks like, but they won’t tell you what the neighborhood feels like. You can’t tell whether it’s busy or quiet, whether people are still out in the evening, or whether it’s an area where you’d feel comfortable walking around on your own.

When I don’t have a clear picture of the city, I usually start with a map rather than browsing accommodation one by one. I open Booking (or any accommodation platform), switch to the map view, and look for areas with a high concentration of hotels and hostels. Those neighborhoods are often a good starting point because they’re popular with travelers. Once I’ve identified them, I spend some time researching what they’re actually like before deciding where to book.

There’s one thing I’ve learned while traveling through Latin America, though. In many cities, the historic center isn’t necessarily the best place to stay. It’s often where you’ll find the biggest concentration of tourist attractions, but also some of the busiest streets during the day and, in many cases, the quietest ones at night. These neighborhoods are usually worth exploring, but not always where I want to sleep. Personally, I’d rather stay in a residential area with cafés, supermarkets and people going about their daily lives throughout the day, even if accommodation costs a little more.

Planning your arrival

The other thing I always figure out before leaving home is how I’m going to get from the airport or bus terminal to my accommodation.

This is often one of the most demanding moments of a trip. You’ve probably been traveling for hours, you’re tired, carrying your luggage, and trying to make sense of a place you’ve never been to before. Leaving this part to chance usually means making unnecessary decisions when you’re least prepared to make them.

Before every trip, I look into the available transport options, how long they take, how they’re paid for and roughly how much they cost. If public transport is a good option, great. If ride-hailing apps are more practical, I want to know that before I land. I don’t need every detail planned in advance, but I like arriving with a clear idea of my options instead of trying to figure everything out on the spot.

Google Maps is one of the tools I use most for this. Besides checking routes, I can estimate travel times, see public transport schedules and download offline maps before I arrive. I also make sure I know how transport works in that destination. Do I need cash? Can I pay with a contactless card? Is there a transport card I should buy? These are small details, but sorting them out beforehand makes arriving somewhere new much less stressful.

Connectivity as a backup: one less thing to worry about

One of the things that makes arriving somewhere new much easier is knowing you’ll have internet access as soon as you land. Whether you need to check directions, message your accommodation, book a ride or simply let someone know you’ve arrived safely, having a connection removes a lot of unnecessary uncertainty during the first hours of a trip.

Over the past few months I’ve noticed more and more solo travelers solving this by using eSIMs. Not long ago I was chatting with a woman from Switzerland who’d been traveling alone through Latin America for several months, and she told me she’d activated an eSIM before leaving home. It meant she didn’t have to look for a local SIM card in every new country or worry about whether her phone plan included roaming. She simply landed with data already working.

An eSIM is a digital SIM you activate by scanning a QR code. If your regular plan doesn’t include affordable international roaming, it’s an easy way to stay connected from the moment you arrive. In some countries, including Peru, buying a local SIM as a tourist isn’t always as straightforward as you might expect, so having your connectivity sorted out in advance can make those first few hours considerably less stressful.

➜ Check out Saily’s eSIM plans This is an affiliate link. If you sign up through it, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Digital dependence while traveling

Away from home, your phone becomes a lot more than a way to communicate. It’s your bridge to almost everything — and a key part of making the trip actually work.

It sounds obvious, but it’s easy not to think about it until something goes wrong. Lose your phone, and you suddenly realize how much you were relying on it. No way to reach family or work, no access to your bank accounts or digital wallets, no social media, and in some cases, no way back to your accommodation because you don’t remember the address and have no GPS to guide you.

Losing your phone can genuinely put you at risk, or at least leave you far more exposed and slower to react. And a lot of that risk is avoidable with a bit of basic planning.

Something as simple as writing down important phone numbers, addresses, and basic information on paper can save your day — literally. It costs nothing and takes very little time: just save that information somewhere before you leave, ideally in more than one place.

The same logic applies to payment methods. Paying through an app or digitally is usually the fastest, most practical option, and it often means skipping currency exchange counters or banks altogether. That’s genuinely useful.

But it’s not smart to rely on a single option. Whenever I travel, I make sure to carry some cash for the unexpected. I also try to keep more than one digital wallet on my phone, not all of them visible on the home screen. I keep access to my bank accounts and wallets from my laptop too, in case one of those fails, and I carry physical cards as a backup for whenever digital payment doesn’t go through.

The reality is that every digital payment method — wallets or cards alike — is vulnerable to outages. It’s happened to me more than once, across different platforms. Having a backup isn’t overly cautious or paranoid; it’s just basic logistics that can save you a lot of trouble.

Sharing your plans

This is something many women already do automatically in everyday life. But while traveling, it matters even more.

Whether you’re heading out for a hike, going to a neighborhood farther from where you’re staying, or planning to come back late, it’s worth having at least one person know your plans for the day — and, if possible, roughly when you expect to be back. That could be someone from your family or friend group, but it’s also worth letting your accommodation know if there’s staff or a receptionist on site.

It’s also worth flagging if you don’t plan on returning that same night. Having worked in tourism myself, I know that a guest’s unexplained absence can cause real concern, and can even trigger emergency protocols without you knowing. A simple heads-up is enough — you don’t owe anyone an explanation, just a notice. And if plans change on the fly, it’s worth keeping an eye on your phone in case the accommodation tries to check in on you.

It’s not all precaution, either. Something I’ve noticed is that hotels and hostels tend to pay a bit more attention when a woman traveling alone checks in. In many cases, staff end up looking out for you a little more, often for the same reasons — real or assumed — that make people worry about solo travel in the first place.

For situations where you feel like you want an extra layer of security, you can also share your real-time location through apps like WhatsApp or whatever you normally use. There are even apps built specifically for this, offering continuous location sharing or panic buttons. It’s not about living on high alert — it’s about knowing simple tools exist for specific moments.

Rest and boundaries are safety too

As I mentioned earlier, traveling alone means staying more alert to your surroundings, and that takes energy. You’re out of your usual routine, walking more, moving through unfamiliar places, and taking in constant new stimuli. All of that adds up to fatigue — physical and mental.

In those moments, I try not to put myself in situations that demand a lot of attention. That doesn’t mean staying in or skipping things — it means adjusting what I do. I can still go out, explore, live a normal travel day, but I’ll avoid crowds, walking alone at night, or taking public transport during rush hour or in areas I don’t know well yet. Being tired doesn’t make you incapable, but it does slow down your reaction time, and that’s worth keeping in mind.

It’s also worth being clear about something: managing risk isn’t the same as traveling in fear. And traveling alone doesn’t mean traveling isolated. In fact, solo trips often lead to meeting people and building connections that last for years. It’s not about avoiding interactions — it’s about moving through them with judgment.

Two things matter here. The first is understanding that you don’t owe anyone friendliness. Many women — especially in Latin America — are raised to please, to soften, to connect through kindness even when what we actually mean is no. It’s rarely a conscious choice; it’s just deeply ingrained. And the problem is that, in trying not to seem rude, we sometimes stay in interactions that don’t feel comfortable.

The second is learning to recognize signals. Sometimes, in a place or with someone, a feeling shows up that’s hard to explain — something just doesn’t sit right. That’s not superstition or paranoia. It’s your brain and body processing information — gestures, tone, context — before you can consciously put it into words. Listening to that signal and stepping away from a situation is a valid decision, not an overreaction or a personal failure.

The bottom line

So, is solo travel actually dangerous?

The short answer is that traveling alone isn’t inherently more dangerous than traveling any other way — but it does mean operating under different conditions than your everyday life. The environment changes, your immediate support network changes, and so does how you respond when something unexpected happens.

The unease we often associate with solo travel doesn’t come from the destination itself. It comes from a combination of unfamiliarity, fatigue, and a reduced ability to respond. And that means most of the risk can be managed — through planning, logistics, and conscious decisions — without needing to travel from a place of fear or constant suspicion.

Traveling alone isn’t about isolating yourself or staying on guard all the time. It’s about learning to move with judgment, protecting your energy, relying on simple tools, and giving yourself permission to set boundaries when something feels off. It’s not about being brave or reckless — it’s about traveling informed, aware, and resourced.

And, above all, understanding that traveling doesn’t make you vulnerable by definition. It challenges you, sure. But it also trains you, strengthens you, and shows you — again and again — that you’re perfectly capable of moving through the world on your own terms.

I’ve thought more than once about settling in for a few months to work remotely and explore the Quebrada de Humahuaca properly. But something always holds me back: the towns and villages up there are very small. Transport isn’t as steady as it is in cities, accommodation is limited and tends to be pricier, and from what I’ve heard, wifi isn’t always reliable. With that picture, keeping up a work routine gets complicated.

Accepting that the Quebrada isn’t exactly nomad-friendly — and leaving that trip for another time — I think Salta is a strong option to consider for slow travel.

With that as a starting point, this guide covers what to do in Salta city and which day trips are worth it from a fixed base — built for traveling with more time, without packing up every day or rushing from place to place. It’s geared toward slow travel, but it also works if you’re planning a shorter trip and want a clear sense of what to see in the city and how to use Salta as a hub for exploring the Northwest.

Why Salta?

Because it’s a beautiful city, full of things to see, with an active cultural scene. There’s a reason locals call it La Linda. It’s well connected and easy to reach (including with low-cost flights), and its strategic location in the middle of the region makes it an ideal base for exploring the Northwest. From here you can visit other provinces and ecoregions on full-day trips, so it works perfectly as a home base for slow travel.

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Where to stay

If it’s your first time in Salta, I’d recommend staying within the historic center, close to Plaza 9 de Julio. Staying near the plaza puts the main historic sites, cultural centers, places to eat, and everything you need within easy reach — no need to depend on transport to get around.

And something practical: if you’re booking day tours, agencies usually only pick you up if you’re staying in this area. Otherwise, they’ll give you a meeting point. At 6 a.m., that becomes a real hassle.

Around the plaza there are hotels in every category (from luxury down to 2- and 3-star), apartments for longer stays, and well-located hostels.

I stayed at a hostel one block from the plaza and loved it. I went in low season, so it was quiet, and there were still travelers from all over the world. Salta gets international tourism year-round.

What to do in Salta

Salta has something for everyone: sites central to Argentine history, pre-Columbian art and culture, colonial architecture, folk music and dance, nature a short trip from the city… and wine and empanadas. What more do you need?

Historic center

Plaza 9 de Julio is the heart of the city and the logical starting point for getting your bearings. As in many colonial cities, the cathedral, the cabildo, some public buildings, and traditional cafés are all clustered around the plaza. Today you’ll also find several museums, confiterías, and classic restaurants here.

The free walking tour leaves from this point (I’d recommend searching “Free Walking Tour Salta” when you’re about to travel and checking the schedule). For me, it’s one of the best ways to get a first read on the city: someone tells you what you’re looking at, why it matters, and how it connects to local history. Afterward, with more time, you can go back on your own to whatever caught your interest.

High Mountain Archaeology Museum (MAAM)

For me, the number one must-see in Salta.

It’s right in the center, facing Plaza 9 de Julio, and it’s a short but intense museum. It holds archaeological pieces of enormous value and is a model when it comes to heritage preservation.

The museum’s best-known holdings are the Llullaillaco mummies — children who were part of Andean ritual practices, found at over 6,000 meters of altitude, in uniquely preserved conditions. The museum displays one mummy at a time, on rotation, and a lot of people come back three days in a row to see all of them.

I’d studied this topic in university and watched documentaries about it, but seeing it in person was striking.

Bring a light jacket. The room where they’re preserved is kept around 12°C (54°F) to protect them. Last time I went it was very hot outside, and I regretted not bringing something warm.

San Francisco Basilica and Convent

The San Francisco church is one of the most photographed buildings in Salta, and it’s easy to see why: its dark red neocolonial façade, white columns, and bell tower lit up at night make it instantly recognizable.

Beyond its architectural value, it holds a historic piece: the Independence Bell, cast from metal taken from weapons used by the Army of the North, tied to Manuel Belgrano’s campaigns through the region.

The last time I went, I was eating empanadas at a traditional spot right across the street when a bride showed up to take photos with the church as a backdrop. Between the lighting, the dress, and the colonial architecture, the scene was impossible to ignore. That’s where one of my favorite photos of Salta came from.

Cable car and Cerro San Bernardo

A classic, easy activity. The cable car departs from Parque San Martín and climbs to the top of the hill, where you’ll find:

• viewpoints over the Lerma Valley
• walking trails
• a small botanical garden with local flora
• bars and terraces

You can go up by cable car, on foot (short but steep trail), or by car. To come back down, you can also rent a bike.

In recent years a new cable car section was added connecting the summit to another part of the hill, Teleférico Ala Delta, which links the top with another section of the hill and offers more panoramic views. That area also offers paragliding flights, which are easy to book.

Parque San Martín

The cable car departs from this park, which is also nice for walking. There’s a lake, paddle boats, and a fair selling crafts and local sweets. Among those sweets, I’d recommend trying honey and coca leaf candies, very common in the region, which help quite a bit if you’re heading somewhere at altitude.

One tip on crafts: you’ll often find similar — and sometimes nicer — pieces in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, usually cheaper too. If you’re planning to visit Humahuaca or another small town, you might want to buy there instead.

Food

Salteñas (Salta-style empanadas) are famous across Argentina: thin dough, smaller size, knife-cut beef, and a distinctive touch of seasoning. Spice is usually optional — they bring it on the side.

Within the local variety, at La Salteñería you can also try potosinas, a larger Bolivian-style version filled with chicken, potato, onion, and olives, with a slightly sweet dough that sets them apart.

It’s also worth trying tamales and humitas, two Northwest classics that are done very well in Salta.

And about empanadas, I’ll say it plainly: the best ones I had were at an old spot right across from the entrance to the San Francisco church. It doesn’t show up on Google Maps, but if you walk by the church, you’ll recognize it right away.

Viracocha is an interesting place for its concept and for its craft beer made with coca leaves. I tried it and liked it, and ended up drinking IPAs afterward with some Viennese friends I’d met on the walking tour. Good atmosphere, good service, and flavors you don’t run into elsewhere.

Folk music venues (peñas)

Peñas are a living part of Salta’s culture: live music, zambas, dancing, traditional food, and a very local atmosphere.

The three most popular:

• La Vieja Estación (classic and touristy, but always delivers)
• La Casona del Molino (more local, shared tables, spontaneous musicians)
• Peña Balderrama (historic, part of Argentine folk tradition)

If you’re not Argentine, keep in mind that dinner happens late: many peñas start around 10 p.m.

Day trips from Salta: landscapes, culture, and different ways to see the north

Toward Jujuy

Several full-day trips leave Salta for the province of Jujuy. The two most common routes share the first stop — Purmamarca — and then split:

• one continues to Salinas Grandes
• the other goes deeper into the Quebrada de Humahuaca: Tilcara and Humahuaca

Both are worth doing, but they offer very different experiences.

Purmamarca

The entire Quebrada de Humahuaca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Purmamarca is one of its most iconic towns: a market on the plaza, adobe streets, multicolored hills, and the classic postcard view of the Cerro de los Siete Colores (a natural monument).

You’ll most likely arrive early and have somewhere between 40 minutes and an hour. That’s not much time, but it’s enough if you use it well.

The first thing I’d recommend doing on arrival is, right inside the bus terminal, going up a small staircase that leads to a terrace with an excellent view of the town. It’s worth doing as soon as you get off the bus, because if several tours arrive at once, it fills up fast and there can be a line for photos.

From there you’ll see the giant letters spelling out Purmamarca, the Cerro de los Siete Colores, and part of the town behind it. It’s the best photo spot, and faster than the more famous viewpoint guides usually point you to.

After that, you can walk to the plaza, browse the crafts market, step into the town church, and grab a tortilla al rescoldo — a local flatbread, perfect for breakfast. It’s also worth just sitting for a bit and taking in the atmosphere, which is genuinely special.

There are hikes to the base of the hill and to a lookout point, but with the excursion’s limited time, you’ll have to pick. I prioritize the plaza, the market, some food, and the church.

Salinas Grandes

After Purmamarca, the route continues north, crossing the Cuesta de Lipán until you reach Salinas Grandes, a massive salt flat in the middle of the altiplano.

Along the way you pass through very different landscapes: you leave the valley in Salta, cross transitional jungle, enter a more arid canyon environment, and suddenly arrive at a white plain that seems endless.

The salt flat is extremely photogenic. You can get striking photos playing with perspective and with the reflections in the water pools when there are any. It’s a trip that tends to appeal to people who enjoy wide-open landscapes and scenery that looks like another planet.

That said, if you’re more drawn to the cultural side and the history of the north, you’ll probably connect more with the other option: the route into the Quebrada de Humahuaca.

Both Salinas Grandes and the Train to the Clouds reach significant altitude. It’s common for agencies to recommend altitude pills, or the more local option, chewing coca leaves — easy to find at markets and kiosks.

The full Quebrada de Humahuaca (Tilcara + Humahuaca)

The other option after Purmamarca is to continue through the Quebrada de Humahuaca. For me, this is the more interesting choice if you want to understand the region, its towns, and its identity a bit better.

The whole quebrada is a cultural corridor with a strong presence of Indigenous communities, Quechua influence, and stretches that were once part of the old Inca Road. Even outside Carnival season, you’ll likely hear about the festival, the comparsas, and local traditions — enough that a lot of people want to come back just for that.

Tilcara

The tour passes through, but there isn’t real time to visit the museum (very thorough) or the Pucará de Tilcara archaeological site. These are places that deserve hours, which is why they don’t fit into a one-day tour.

One alternative is the new tourist train that connects towns along the quebrada — I personally found it expensive, but it’s an option. Another is going on your own by local bus: it’s not very visible online, but it exists. At the bus terminal, or by asking locals, you’ll find schedules.

Humahuaca

The first stop is at a local eatery serving traditional dishes, including llama or goat stew. Few options, but tasty and very affordable.

The tour usually adds a really nice touch: a local guide gets on the bus as soon as you arrive, telling you about the town’s history, traditions, Carnival, and Andean identity in the region. I loved that part. They’re trained professionals from the city’s public institute, and their participation — with voluntary financial contributions from passengers — is part of local development, since it’s a direct source of income for the community.

Beyond explaining the history and traditions of the place, they usually walk the group from the eatery, past the church, to the plaza and the Monument to the Heroes of Independence.

At the plaza, you’ll find the typical market, where crafts are cheaper than in Salta: clothing and textiles, ceramics, instruments, and more.

On the way back, arriving in Maimará, you’ll see the Paleta del Pintor (Painter’s Palette), a multicolored formation framing the town. There’s usually a photo stop from the road — one of the prettiest views of the trip.

Cachi, via the Cuesta del Obispo and Los Cardones National Park

The road to Cachi is one of the most varied in the region. In just a few hours, you pass through completely different environments.

The day I went, the morning started in fog and mountain jungle. Climbing the Cuesta del Obispo, the landscape opened up completely: a sea of clouds below, green mountains above.

Something that always strikes me about the yungas is how clearly the vegetation and color shift as the altitude increases — like watching, in real time, those layers we used to talk about in heritage studies class.

Further on, the surroundings change again, and a dry, bright valley appears, full of giant cardón cacti: Los Cardones National Park.

Along the way, there’s usually a stop at a stand selling nuts, sweets, cheese, and local spices. The area is well known for its paprika — if you like cooking, it’s worth bringing a small bag home.

Tip: bring cash. Signal tends to be weak, and most of these spots don’t take cards.

Arriving in Cachi, the tour leaves time for:

• a relaxed lunch
• walking around the plaza
• visiting the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum (I managed to see it all without rushing)
• walking through the crafts fair

I had a stuffed pepper paired with a local wine, and it was one of the best lunches of the trip. I’d also recommend the artisanal ice cream in regional flavors: algarrobo (carob), tuna (prickly pear), and vino patero (a local wine-based flavor).

It’s a full-day trip: we left around 6:30 a.m. and got back to Salta around 8 p.m., with the same bus dropping us off at our accommodation.

Tafí del Valle

Tafí del Valle has a different microclimate: greener, more humid, and cooler than other parts of the north. It’s a good option if you’re drawn to valley landscapes, archaeology, and high-altitude wines.

One of the highlights is visiting the park where the menhires are gathered — stone pieces carved by pre-Hispanic cultures. You can walk among them and take in the different shapes and motifs.

The area has small wineries and producers. Some tours include a high-altitude wine tasting, or a stop at places that also make cheese and other regional products.

Along the way, there’s usually a stop at the bridge where one of the short films from “Relatos Salvajes” (Wild Tales) was shot (El más fuerte). For anyone who’s seen the movie, it’s a nice nod and a good photo moment.

Train to the Clouds

The Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) is one of the most iconic experiences in northern Argentina. Today it runs as a combined bus-and-train route, with the best-known rail section at the impressive La Polvorilla Viaduct, where the landscape opens up and the scale of the structure really hits you.

The main appeal is the engineering of the route: the train gains altitude gradually, including zigzag maneuvers and reverse sections to handle steep grades. The puna landscape is immense, and the sense of altitude is real.

As with Salinas, altitude is felt here. It’s common to recommend chewing coca leaves or using other strategies to ease altitude discomfort, especially if you’re not used to it.

In recent years, there have also been themed trips for special dates: decorated departures for St. Patrick’s Day with beer on board, or Valentine’s Day trips where couples get married during the ride.

Beyond the trip itself, the train has an impact on several local communities, which partly sustain themselves by selling food and crafts to passengers arriving at the stations. It’s another example of how tourism, when managed well, can help keep these towns alive.

How to combine the day trips

There’s no single way to see the Argentine north. Each excursion shows a different side of the region.

My suggestion is to combine at least one trip toward Jujuy and one toward the Calchaquí Valleys. From there, depending on budget, energy, time, and how you’re feeling, the Train to the Clouds can be a third experience to round out the picture.

It’s not about fitting in every possible activity, but about choosing the ones that genuinely add to your trip and doing them at your own pace.

Conclusion

Salta works especially well when you think of it as a base, not just another stop along the way. It’s a city that lets you stay, get around comfortably, get to know its history and everyday life, and at the same time head out to explore some of the most iconic landscapes of northern Argentina — without changing accommodation every day.

Using it as a base doesn’t mean doing every possible excursion or sticking to a fixed itinerary. On the contrary: it lets you choose, mix longer trips with quiet days in the city, and adapt the route to the time and energy you have on a given trip. Whether you’re staying for several weeks or just a few days, Salta offers that balance between a livable city and a gateway into the Northwest.

There’s no single way to see the Argentine north. But if you’re looking to get to know the region with more breathing room, without rushing from place to place, and with the chance to go deeper into what genuinely interests you, Salta is one of the best decisions you can make to start — and to always come back to.

Where I stayed in Salta

During my stay in Salta, I stayed at Ferienhaus Hostel Salta, a pleasant, well-located hostel just one block from Plaza 9 de Julio. They offer both shared dorm beds and private rooms, and the staff were always very friendly. It felt like a solid base for staying several days in the city — [here’s the Booking link] so you can check availability and prices.

That framing undersells it significantly.

Ecuador ranked 15th globally in tourism growth in 2025, with international arrivals to Quito up over 10% year-on-year — and climbing. The city is actively repositioning itself, showing up at major travel trade fairs and launching its first serious international campaigns. Something is shifting.

Spending over a month here, talking to hundreds of international travelers, the pattern is consistent: almost nobody came to Quito first. The people here are experienced — slow travelers, digital nomads, people already months into a Latin America trip. Many stay longer than they planned.

I came from the Colombian border on a surprisingly cheap bus, without much of a plan and without high expectations. I’m still here — and leaving is proving harder than expected.

Why Quito works for slow travel

Quito is a big Latin American city — markets, traffic, noise, the kind of organized disorder that’s just part of moving through this part of the world. That’s worth saying clearly, because it shapes everything else.

What’s less expected is how functional it feels for its size. Walkable in the right neighborhoods, easy enough to navigate, with a pace that doesn’t demand to be consumed quickly. It’s not as loud as Colombia. The traffic is nowhere near Lima. For a city of two million people, it’s reasonably orderly — and that balance matters when you’re staying somewhere for weeks, not days.

The altitude takes care of the first couple of days anyway. You slow down whether you plan to or not.

What sustains a longer stay is that the city has enough layers to keep revealing itself gradually. Different neighborhoods with different registers — the colonial center for walking and looking up, La Floresta for cafés and creative energy, La Carolina for parks and practicality. Enough cultural depth to fill weeks without a checklist. And a cost of living low enough that the financial pressure of staying longer simply doesn’t exist the way it does in other cities.

Quito also works as a base. The geography of Ecuador means that cloud forests, volcanoes, indigenous markets and hot springs are all within a few hours. You can spend a weekday working, a weekend somewhere completely different, and return without the logistics eating your week.

That combination — functional city, real cultural depth, low cost, easy access to nature — is what slow travel actually needs. Not a single spectacular attraction, but a place that sustains a rhythm over time.

Quito does that quietly, without making a lot of noise about it.

Planning a long stay: Quito as a base

Ecuador is a small country, and Quito works well as a slow travel base precisely because of it. From the city, a range of smaller nature destinations are within a few hours — some manageable as a day trip, others worth dedicating a few nights.

Mindo

Two hours from Quito, the contrast is immediate. The dry air of the city gives way to a humid, warm cloud forest environment — dense, green, and surprisingly close. It rains often in Mindo, mostly at night, while mornings and afternoons tend to be clear. The town is small and safe to move around alone.

The area is best known for wildlife and adventure activities, and it earns that reputation. Birdwatching is the standout — the region has four species of toucan, and the dawn tour to the cock-of-the-rock viewing deck is something else: a bird endemic to the area, doing its mating display at first light. On the same tour, a quetzal. There are also dedicated birding spots where you can hand-feed hummingbirds, with observation towers and feeding stations. The butterfly houses are worth a visit, and the night walk covers a different side of the ecosystem — glass frogs, arachnids, reptiles, species that don’t show up during the day.

For the more active, there are trails, waterfalls, and adventure options: tubing, fishing, four-tracks (though Ecuatorians call them cuatrimotos), cycling.

On the same route sits one of Ecuador’s most visited landmarks: La Mitad del Mundo, the monument marking the equatorial line, about an hour from Quito. The exact location is somewhat debated, but the site has a tourist complex, on-site museums, and the experience of standing on the line that divides the planet in two.

Otavalo

About two hours north of Quito, Otavalo is home to the largest indigenous market in Latin America. The Plaza de los Ponchos runs every day, but Saturdays are when it takes over the surrounding streets entirely — textiles, crafts, and produce from the Otavaleño communities, a people with a weaving tradition that predates the Inca. The town sits in a valley surrounded by volcanoes and crater lakes worth exploring if you stay more than a day.

Cotopaxi

Less than two hours south of Quito, Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world, sitting at 5,897 meters with a permanently snow-capped summit. The national park around it is the main draw — open highland landscape, Andean wildlife, and the kind of cold, clear air that feels different from the city. Hiking and mountain biking are the most popular activities; those with experience and proper preparation can attempt the summit with a guide.

Quilotoa

About two and a half hours from Quito, Quilotoa is a volcanic crater lake at 3,900 meters, with water that shifts between green and turquoise depending on the light. The descent into the crater is doable but the climb back up is genuinely demanding at that altitude — worth knowing before you go. From the rim there are views over the surrounding Andean highlands. The Quilotoa Loop is a multi-day trek connecting the villages around the crater for those who want more than a day visit.

Baños

Three and a half to four hours from Quito, Baños sits at the foot of the active Tungurahua volcano and marks the gateway to the Amazon. The town is known for adventure sports — rafting, bungee jumping, canyoning, zip-lining — and for its thermal baths fed by the volcano. A road out of town follows a route of waterfalls, the most visited being El Pailón del Diablo.

What things actually cost in Quito

Quito is one of the more affordable cities in the region — and the quality holds up.

Accommodation is one of the better deals around. A bed in a good hostel runs under $10 a night. A private room in the same category stays under $30. For anyone thinking longer term, furnished apartments are available from around $600 a month in most neighborhoods — in Bellavista, one of the most upscale areas of the city, expect to pay around $800.

Food follows the same logic. The menú del día — a set lunch with soup, main, and sometimes juice — costs around $3 at most local places, and it’s genuinely good. That’s not a compromise option — it’s how a lot of people eat every day. A coffee and a slice of cake at a nice café runs around $5. On the other end, a dinner for two at a proper restaurant with dessert and drinks lands around $80 at the higher end. That’s the ceiling, not the average. 

Getting around is straightforward and inexpensive. Uber and DiDi both operate here — a 30-minute ride averages around $6. The metro is worth mentioning separately: it’s only two years old, clean, and costs $0.45 per trip. You buy a ticket at any station — no card needed.

Long-distance buses from Quito are remarkably cheap. The ride from the Colombian border at Tulcán -about 7 hours- costs $6. Mindo, the cloud forest town about two hours away, is $3.60. Day tours to nearby destinations run around $50 with everything included — specific activities like birdwatching or rafting independently come out closer to $20.

One exception: clothing. Electronics, souvenirs, and most imported goods are reasonably priced. But fast fashion brands — H&M and the like — are a different story. Prices match what you’d pay in Europe, and in some cases more than in the US. Noticeably more expensive than Peru, for example. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you’re staying long enough to need anything from a high street store. 

Ecuadorian Food: What to eat in Quito 

Ecuadorian food doesn’t have the international reputation of Peruvian cuisine. It shares ingredients and influences with its neighbors. But it has its own identity — and it’s genuinely good.

Soups are a good place to start. Locro, encebollado, a whole range of hearty, cheap, well-seasoned options that show up everywhere. Ecuador also has its own version of ceviche — different from the Peruvian one, but it holds its own.

Being the capital, Quito also concentrates what the whole country has to offer — typical dishes, influences and ingredients from the coast, the sierra, and the Amazon all find their way here.

Breakfast deserves its own mention. Tigrillo — mashed green plantain, usually served with meat or egg and cheese — is one of those dishes that’s easy to become a regular. Bolón de plátano is in the same family. Then there are quimbolitos, sweet tamale-like parcels wrapped in corn husks, and muchín, a fried yuca cake. Bread and cheese are notably good here, which anyone coming from Colombia will appreciate immediately.

Markets are where the food gets most interesting. The centro is full of small spots selling almuerzo and breakfast from early morning. Street food is worth paying attention to — the pernil sandwich, slow-roasted pork, is a classic. So is the higo and cheese sandwich — a typical combination that works surprisingly well outside of its usual context.

For drinks: canelazo is the one to know. Not the Colombian version — this is a hot spiced drink made with naranjilla, heavily spiked, and exactly what the cool Quito evenings call for. On the other end of the night, a pincho from a street cart costs $2 and is hard to beat.

Ecuador is also the world’s leading exporter of fine-flavor cacao — the most sought-after variety. The coffee is good too. The chocolate industry hasn’t fully developed around that raw material yet, so you won’t find many artisan chocolatiers — but the chocolate bars here stand out in variety, flavor, and price.

Cash, cards, and the $100 bill problem

Ecuador dollarized over 25 years ago as a way to stabilize its economy — and from a pricing standpoint, it worked. Costs are stable in a way that’s rare in the region. But using USD here doesn’t work exactly like it does in the US.

One curious detail: for obvious reasons, Ecuador doesn’t issue bills. But it does mint its own coins, which circulate alongside standard US coins. The $1 bill is rarely seen here — it’s almost always a coin.

For store purchases, cash and card both work fine. Markets and street vendors run on cash. There’s also a local transfer payment system widely used among residents, but it requires an Ecuadorian bank account — inaccessible for most travelers and not worth pursuing.

Then there’s the $100 bill situation.

I arrived with my USD cash already feeling smug about skipping the exchange rate math. What I didn’t realize until much later is that nobody wanted my hundreds. Hand one over and people react like the bill is coated in mercury.

Turns out counterfeit $100s circulate heavily here, and depositing one at a bank requires a sworn declaration of its origin. Virtually nobody accepts them.

The solution, after some tension and a lot of fruitless attempts: the Banco Central. They’ll exchange them fast — just don’t forget your passport.

Geography, altitude, and what to actually expect from the weather

The logical assumption about a city 25 kilometers from the equator is that it’s warm. It isn’t.

Altitude changes everything. Quito sits at 2,850 meters above sea level — which makes it, technically, the highest capital city in Latin America. La Paz is higher, but Bolivia considers Sucre its official capital. We’ll let them have that one.

At that altitude, the air is thinner, the temperature drops, and the weather does something locals describe as having four seasons in a single day. After enough time here, the pattern becomes readable: mornings tend to be sunny, then sometime after midday clouds move in, and rain is likely — sometimes a proper storm, sometimes nothing. Even on a beautiful clear morning, a light layer is never a bad idea. The sun won’t last.

For anyone coming from a place with actual seasons, the strange part is the consistency. The weather doesn’t change much month to month — only hour to hour. As someone from Patagonia, that still doesn’t quite compute. What does feel familiar is the street scene: people in shorts and people in winter jackets, both perfectly correct, both walking the same block.

The altitude also affects the body in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. Heart rate runs higher here — a smartwatch will confirm it quickly. Stairs become a project. Exercise feels harder than it should. It’s just the plain old lack of oxygen, but it’s one of those facts that sounds implausible until you’re out of breath climbing to the second floor.

Long-term residents who weren’t born here end up with a higher red blood cell count — the body’s quiet, hyper-efficient adaptation to the conditions. A reminder that the city is changing your biology whether you notice or not.

One more thing worth mentioning, and easy to overlook: the sky. On a clear night — rare, but it happens — and from the right spot, Quito sits at a latitude where both the Southern Cross and the Big Dipper are visible. For anyone who grew up in the southern hemisphere watching the Southern Cross high overhead, seeing it low on the horizon here, just off to the side, is quietly disorienting. In a good way.

What to see and do in Quito

Quito doesn’t have a single landmark that justifies a flight on its own. What it has is density — a concentration of heritage, art, and cultural layers that takes time to work through, and rewards it.

The historic center is the obvious starting point, and it earns the attention. It was the first site in the world declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture spans neo-baroque, neoclassical and neo-gothic styles, sometimes within a single block. But what makes it distinctive isn’t the European influences — it’s what happened to them here.

The Quito School refers to the artistic tradition that developed in the city during the colonial period — religious art and sculpture produced under Spanish influence but shaped by indigenous and mestizo culture. The syncretism is visible everywhere in the historic center once you know to look: local faces on saints, Andean flora in ornamental details, Catholic iconography that absorbed what it couldn’t erase. The Sagrario, next to the Cathedral, is one of the better places to see it up close. That same syncretism is what makes the 17th-century Last Supper in the nearby Convento de San Diego land the way it does — Jesus and the apostles eating cuy, humitas and chicha.

The Pre-Columbian Art Museum also has a presence in the historic center, as do artisans working with ancestral techniques — less as cultural display, more as actual trade.

Not everything is the historic center — two landmarks punctuate the city from above. The Virgen del Panecillo — a large aluminum statue of the Virgin Mary — sits on the hill that rises over the historic center and is visible from most of the city. The TelefériQo cable car climbs to over 4,000 meters on the slopes of Pichincha volcano, with views over the entire city and, on a clear day, several of the surrounding volcanoes.

Guayasamín is probably Ecuador’s most internationally recognized painter. In the Bellavista neighborhood, a single entrance gives access to the Capilla del Hombre — a museum dedicated to his work — and his house-museum next door. The neighborhood also has some of the best viewpoints over the city.

The more modern neighborhoods have their own architectural interest — brutalist buildings show up in notable numbers — and are well connected by the metro, barely two years old. Locals say it was inspired by the Madrid system, and going back with that in mind it holds up: one station in particular is strikingly similar to Príncipe Pío.

La Carolina is a large park in the middle of the city. Further out, in quieter and more residential neighborhoods, there’s plenty of space to walk and spend time without much going on around you.

Where to stay in Quito: a personal recommendation

For anyone staying in the historic center — which I’d recommend — Viajeros Quito is where I’ve been for the past six weeks, and I have no complaints worth mentioning.

It’s a large colonial house, which sets the tone: high ceilings, a patio, a terrace, coworking spaces. The location puts you within walking distance of most of what the historic center has to offer, and La Ronda — one of the better streets in the city for typical food and nightlife — is literally around the corner. The neighborhood gets quieter at night and it’s worth being sensible, but it hasn’t been an issue.

The hostel runs daily activities and has enough common space — bar, restaurant, pool table — that socializing happens without effort. Tours are offered at good prices. The atmosphere is genuinely relaxed without being the kind of place that makes you feel like you have to participate.

On the practical side: the rooms are comfortable even at the cheaper end, the mattresses are good, and there are enough bathrooms — which is where a lot of hostels quietly fail. The one thing missing is a shared kitchen, but with a neighborhood this well stocked with cheap, good food, it’s hard to argue it matters much.

The best rate I found for staying here was on Booking.com.