Traveling Solo in Argentina

Hi all,

I am a solo female traveler coming to Argentina for 5 weeks, starting July 3rd. I haven't planned much and so I have a bunch of questions. Any advice or help is very much appreciated.

I am looking for a room to rent in Palermo Viejo to use as a home base and am using Craigslist to search. Does anyone know of any rooms to rent in this area or of a better way to find a room?

I have a good command of Spanish, but would like to improve it. Anyone know of good advanced conversational Spanish classes in Buenos Aires that are not that expensive?

Also, I am considering going on the Argentina Northern Highlights Adventure Abroad tour. Has anyone ever used this travel company? I am wary of the cost and having an inflexible itinerary. Is it worth the money or is it better to go it alone? Since I am by myself, I thought it might be a good way to meet people and travel safely, but I would appreciate advice from someone who is familiar with Adventure Abroad.

I am also open to the possibility of a travel buddy. I want to spend most of my time in Buenos Aires, but definitely would like to see Iguazu, Mendoza, and maybe some parts of northern Argentina.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Craigslist is a nice resource, there are some website that you can google that have apartments which people rent.

The Mendoza regions is a nice area, if you have the time you should go to San Juan and do the Valle de la Luna tour, great trip and well worth the weekend just for the scenery around the city. Also Salta in the north should not be missed.

Safe travels, Jesse.

I think you are better off alone than with a tour company. Argentina is not particularly dangerous, and there should be plenty of travellers around, so I doubt you'll have problems meeting people to talk to or travel with.

It's also been my experience that travellers realise it's not always easy for women to travel alone in South America, and are always willing to make sure you are safe and have company.

I think the main thing travelling alone is to be a little bold, and not hold back from going up to other travellers on a bus or in a cafe and asking to join them. I've done this a lot, and almost always had good reactions.

I agree with Soda. When at home, I tend to be reticent about approaching people. But while travelling, I go up to pretty much anyone. I don't I've ever been turned away. People travelling like to meet other people travelling.

Are you sure about renting a room? Why not stay at a hostel? I've gotten apts before in BA, I've stayed at hotels and at hostels. I prefer hostels. There's a special going on at Portal Del Sur right now. 14 days in a single room and 10 Spanish lessons for 1236 pesos. 600 pesos if you want to be in a dorm. That's about as cheap as apts get.

I might be in BA in July. I trying to decide between Argentina or Thailand right now.

I'm not dead set on renting a room... just like the idea of a home base. Is anyone familiar with Portal Del Sur? Sounds like a good deal, but I had heard that Palermo Viejo is the best place to stay. Any suggestions for hostels in that area?
Thanks :o)

I've stayed at Portal Del Sur but haven't at Palermo Viejo. I like Portal Del Sur. It's very nice. Not much action in the Bar/TV room upstairs though except for the group activities like Salsa lessons etc. Most people hang out and talk in the breakfast area downstairs. Qualitywise, it's more hotel like than hostel like. My room there was nicer than all the hotels I've stayed at in BA. They even have real maids and room service. Why not just get your own room and home base from there? As long as you pay for it I don't think they care if you are there or not.

Portal Del Sur is downtown though. Plenty of restaurants, cafes and shopping during the day. But kind of quiet late at night. I actually hang out in Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood a lot. Plenty of activity at night especially in that roundabout. But from downtown you can walk to Recoleta et al. Palermo is kind of out there and isolated.

Hi Carlita! I stayed at BA STOP HOSTEL and its very cozy and staff is friendly, thats important when your SOLA! they cab aldo help ypu to contact spanish instututes. GOOD LUCK!
Cone

Hi Carlita,

Agree with soda and squidstrips. Travelling alone is great, allows you to be flexible with your plans and meet loads of great people (you just have to be a bit bold about approaching fellow travellers, but most people are delighted to hook up with you).

I know it is possibly the most expensive option, and I'll be shouted down (!), but had you considered joining classes in a language school in BsAs? Its an easy way to quickly meet people when you first arrive....especially if you are going to go with the apartment option (which sounds a bit lonely).

Have a wonderful time. Am v jealous!

Further to the reply above....not sure what kind of budget you are working to, but its also possible to arrange a "homestay" (ie stay with a local family). This might be an easy option to quickly improve your Spanish - especially as you've got a good grasp of it already, and might also work out cheaper/no more expensive than a room in a hostel (usually comes with 2 meals a day included). Most language schools will offer this as an option.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>www.lacavahostel.com<hr></blockquote><BR><BR>Obviously a crap hostel run by a dishonest idiot who can't follow the Terms of Service that prohibit advertising. At least you managed to fix your link you pathetic tout. How long do you figure you'll last this time before the mods get around to banning you again for advertising?

Unreal - what part of 'no advertising allowed' are you touts having a hard time understanding? Maru Mon, you have ten posts to your name, each of them advertising your business, most of them no more than the one sentence web address. Read the Terms of Service you agreed to when you registered on this forum. You're violating them. Get lost.

Hey Carlita! I don't teach spanish or know any cheap hostels but my friend Megan and I are flying in on the 4th of July (not very patriotic, I know) and you are welcome to hang out- we will be in BA for 6 days.
I have travelled solo all around the world and usually with out problems but my last trip was to Morocco and I had this attack of shyness that made for a very lonely two weeks.
Cheers!

Hi !
There are good Spanish tutors at www.amigospanish.com<BR><BR>Hope you get fun!!