It might be quite a delicate topic, and unfair to paint a group of countries with one brush, but the fact is Latin America has a long and storied history of crime and violence and that is one of the reasons many tourists avoid visiting some of it’s most beautiful countries.

As a solo female traveller you would be forgiven for being one of the people who also want to avoid Latin America, however while a lot places in Latin America might be a bit intimidating for a solo traveller there are plenty of destinations that are quite safe and enjoyable to visit on your own.

Below are some of the top Latin American destinations that are great for solo female travellers.

Uruguay

Uruguay is considered one of the hidden gems of Latin America, and with one visit to its picturesque landscape, you will be able to see why it’s such a valued destination. With its glorious mountains lush rivers and beaches, it’s always a memorable adventure. The cherry on top of the cake is the fact there is barely any violent crime unlike some of its neighbouring countries. As a solo female traveller, you should feel comfortable and safe amongst the friendly locals.

Chile

Chile is a diverse nation known for its coastal beach towns, wine tours, and national park systems. It’s also known for a being a relatively cheap destination too which is an added plus. Places such as Santiago and La Reina are very safe; you might need to get to grips with some of the public transport systems, but as long as you brush up on your Spanish and don’t stay out too late you are likely to have a very enjoyable holiday.

Chilean Patagonia

Cusco

Cusco in Peru is primarily known for two things; excellent food and the friendly and easy going locals. One of the most popular things that tourist do is take cooking classes so they can take some of Cusco home with them! The people of Cusco are very accommodating when it comes to tourists, and you often get locals coming up to you in a friendly manner and engaging with you. When you add the fact that it’s a safe and vibrant environment, it can’t be denied that Cusco one of the best places a solo traveler can visit.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers many breathtaking rainforests escapades and is perfect for the adventure-loving traveller in you. If you prefer a more relaxing holiday, you can visit some of the celebrated parks and enjoy some of the world’s most exotic fruits. Along as being known as one of the most fun destinations in Latin America, it also known as one of the cleanest and safest places that you can visit.

Ecuador

Ecuador might be one of the smallest nations in Latin America, but it definitely packs a mighty and memorable punch. The awe-inspiring sights of the Andes and scenic Amazonian rainforest means that you can’t walk a mile without stopping to take in the sheer beauty of your surroundings. It’s also the safest place to visit in the region with a steadily declining crime rate and law enforcement teams trained to look after tourists.

Cuenca, Ecuador – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs, roasted guinea pig, chancho a la barbosa, a plethora of arts and music event…

As a solo traveller it’s always hard to decide exactly where you can and can’t go and you often end up not being able to see some of the best sights certain countries have to offer. However, this at times, can be due being overly-paranoid. The truth is with a little research you can visit some of those countries and still have fun while staying safe and secure. As you have seen above a  dangerous place like Latin America still has some hidden gems that you can enjoy.