South America Tours for Solo Travelers
A South American solo adventure awaits! Imagine visiting the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, stunning Iguazu Falls, experiencing the tango scene in Buenos Aires, the Amazon rainforest, or the beaches of Rio. It's a fantasy! You'll meet other travelers, learn about different cultures from the Incas to colonial Spanish, and try foods from different parts of the world. When you travel alone in South America, you're never really alone for long.
10 best South America solo travel packages
Compiled by
NinaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar
- 6 Days: Exploring Santa Cruz (Budget-Friendly Solo Adventure)
- Explore Bolivia to Brazil
- Solo-ish Peru
- 8-Day Her Solo Trip to Peru
- Ecuador's Solo Female Traveler Group Tour
- 11 Days Single Gay Men Group Tour Ecuador and Galapagos Islands
- Ecuador Unveiled: Her 7-Day Solo Discovery
- Premium Highlights of South America
- Her Solo Journey into the Ecuadorian Rainforest & Baños
- Best of South America
Ages 18+ head to Santa Cruz Island for snorkeling with sea lions at La Lobería and kayaking through Tortuga Bay's clear waters. You'll hike among giant tortoises at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, then take small-group trips to Pinzón Island and La Fé beach where you connect with fellow adventurers.
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 1 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- US$1,610
Shared accommodations across 13 cities welcome solo adventurers. Highlights include Uyuni Salt Flats, tango in Buenos Aires, and Ilha Grande's beaches. Group activities balance with personal exploration.
Duration 31 days Destinations Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$6,485
Solo-ish Peru
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Everything was well planned and I was able to experience a lot of what Peru had to offer.”
Swapna, traveled in September
Like-minded travelers come together to embrace South America's wonders. Share memorable moments from Lima's Barranco cooking classes to Cusco's San Pedro Market visits. Group activities blend with personal time at thermal springs and optional Rainbow Mountain adventures.
Duration 9 days Destinations Lima, Cusco, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Pisac, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain Age Range Ages 18+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator G Adventures From $2,129
20% Off- US$1,703You save $426
Duration 8 days Destinations Lima, Miraflores, Cusco, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain Age Range Ages 24+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 1 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Authentic Ecuador From $3,545
10% Off- US$3,191You save $355
Ecuador's Solo Female Traveler Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Great balance of activities. Excellent insight into culture. Animals were excellent.”
Maria, traveled in March
Solo female travelers aged 26+ join groups of 4-12 women for cultural and natural activities across South America. Walk through Quito's UNESCO-listed Old Town, visit the Mitad del Mundo monument, and take part in a spiritual ceremony with an Andean shaman near Cotacachi. Snorkel at uninhabited Galápagos islands like Bartolomé or Santa Fé, where you'll spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and rare Santa Fé land iguanas. Mindo's cloud forest offers wellness time with massages, river soaks, and birdwatching for toucans and hummingbirds.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Otavalo, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range Ages 20+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Authentic Ecuador From $4,587
10% Off- US$4,128You save $459
Duration 11 days Destinations Quito, Mindo Valley, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Puerto Villamil, Galapagos Islands, Santa Fé IslandSee all destinations Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Responsible Travel South America From
10% Off- US$3,500
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Mindo Valley Age Range Ages 20+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 1 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Authentic Ecuador From $1,199
10% Off- US$1,079You save $120
Duration 24 days Destinations Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Premium From
10% Off- US$19,335
Duration 5 days Destinations Quito, Archidona, Banos Age Range Ages 20+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 1 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Authentic Ecuador From $1,850
10% Off- US$1,665You save $185
Independent travelers make up 67% of adventurers sharing Machu Picchu treks and Uyuni Salt Flats exploration. The journey features Lake Titicaca homestays, Colca Canyon excursions, and bonding time at an Uruguayan estancia.
Duration 51 days Destinations Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Room Type Singles, Shared Operator Intrepid Travel From
10% Off- US$9,610
What people love about touring South America solo
- Ultimate South America (With Train To Machu Picchu)
The absolute best!!!!
What our customers ask about South America Tours for Solo Travelers
What's the typical age range for solo travelers on South American guided tours?
The average age on South American guided tours ranges from 25-45 with a strong concentration of travelers in their late 20s and 30s. At properties like Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme guests span multiple generations creating a dynamic social environment. A TourRadar traveler shares: "At 32 I found plenty of similar-aged solo travelers to connect with though our group ranged from 24-55 and everyone mixed well together."
How safe is South America for solo travelers on guided tours?
Group tours provide natural opportunities for connection through shared experiences. The Buenos Aires to Rio Explorer tour lets travelers bond over stays at Uruguayan estancias and group activities while maintaining personal space. Recent travelers often highlight the social benefits with comments like "Made wonderful friends" and "meeting amazing people and sharing experiences together was unforgettable." The format balances group time at major sites like Iguazu Falls with independent exploration at stops like the Hotel Mirador in Rio de Janeiro.
Which South American destinations are most recommended for solo travelers on guided tours?
Key destinations include Peru's Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Brazil's Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls and Argentina's Buenos Aires and Mendoza wine country. These locations combine structured activities with chances to explore independently. Hotels like Holiday Inn Lima Miraflores and Windsor Excelsior Rio provide central bases that let travelers easily venture out while maintaining the security of organized touring.
Do I need to pay a single supplement for South America tours?
Single supplements for private rooms typically cost between $500-1000 USD for 2-3 week tours. Many companies including Intrepid Travel offer room-sharing options pairing same-gender solo travelers at properties like Casa Andina in Cusco or Hotel Windsor in Rio de Janeiro. TourRadar data shows about 40% of solo travelers choose shared rooms to avoid the extra cost.
What accommodations can solo travelers expect on South America tours?
Lodging ranges from 3-star city hotels like Casa Andina Standard in Cusco and Iguazu Grand Resort to basic Amazon lodges and Lake Titicaca homestays. Travelers can select private rooms for an additional fee or opt for shared arrangements. As one TourRadar reviewer noted: "The mix of accommodation styles added to the experience from boutique hotels in Buenos Aires to authentic homestays in Peru."
How does dining work for solo travelers on South American group tours?
Tours generally include some shared meals particularly breakfasts at hotels like Casa Andina in Lima. Special group dinners happen at unique venues such as Uruguayan estancias or Buenos Aires tango shows. According to a TourRadar traveler "The group dinners were a highlight for socializing but we also had freedom to explore local restaurants on our own or with new friends from the tour."