Is Buenos Aires Safe for Solo Female Travellers? (2026)
Argentina’s capital city is a popular stop in South America, but is Buenos Aires safe to visit for solo female travellers? I spent a week exploring Buenos Aires by myself during my one-month South America trip. This is this is everything I would recommend to to solo travellers visiting the city, including what to know, where to stay and how to get around.
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Quick overview of Buenos Aires for solo travellers
- Buenos Aires is one of the safest cities in South America
- The main risks are pickpocketing and scams aimed at tourists
- The safest areas to stay in Buenos Aires as a solo female traveller are Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood and Recoleta
Is Buenos Aires safe for solo travellers?
Yes, Argentina is one of the safest countries in South America. I travelled to Buenos Aires alone and didn’t have any issues in the week I spent there. When I was on a walking tour, the guide recommended we stay alert for pickpockets, especially on public transport. But this is good advice for any city. In general, stick to tourist areas like Palermo, Recoleta and the city centre, use common sense and trust your instincts.
The safest areas to stay in Buenos Aires
When I visited Buenos Aires, one of my first questions was which areas are the best to stay in for solo female travellers. Friends who have lived in this city advised me to book my accommodation in Palermo Soho, as it’s safe to walk around and well-connected by public transport.
I found it to be a charming neighbourhood, with lively cafés and restaurants with music and tables spilling outside. There are boutiques with immaculately styled windows from every brand and label imaginable – it’s so tempting to spend all your money on clothes here! But I was backpacking around the world, so I had to make do with looking at the window displays.
Other good neighbourhoods to stay in as a woman travelling alone are Recoleta. This area gives you easy access to the city’s sites such as the famous Recoleta cemetery. Palermo Hollywood has a similar low-key polished vibe but it’s a little quieter. Villa Crespo and Chacarita are up-and-coming areas with newer bars and cafés if you want something less touristy.
The best places to stay in Palermo Soho
I would recommend staying in a hostel in Palermo Soho, as it makes it easy to meet other solo travellers.
Check out the Selina Palermo which has a rooftop bar and on-site restaurant. Alternatively, there’s the Meridiano Hostel Boutique, the Malevo Murana Hostel or Caravan BA, which has a pool
Check the map below for the latest accommodation deals for your dates in Buenos Aires:
How to get around Buenos Aires
Getting around the city by yourself is straightforward. I mainly used the subway system, but you will need to be vigilant for pickpockets (like with any city, to be honest).
To ride the subway and buses, you’ll need to buy a rechargeable SUBE travel card and load it with credit. You can find these for sale at subway stations, tourist assistance centres and some corner shops. When you board a bus, tell the driver your destination so he can charge you the right fare and confirm you’re heading the right way.
If you need a taxi, choose a recognised company like Radio Taxi or use an app like Uber. Drivers mostly prefer you to pay in cash and will often round up the fare to to the nearest full number. A taxi ride from central Buenos Aires to Palermo Soho costs around 9,500 – 12,000 pesos ($6-8) and takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Common tourist scams in the city
I have travelled around the world as a solo traveller and encountered some attempted scams along the way, though I didn’t experience anything in Buenos Aires. Just in case, it’s helpful to be aware of the following scams aimed at tourists in the city.
One is when someone ‘accidentally’ squirts mustard or another sauce on your, then a stranger helps you clean it up – and pickpockets you in the process. Another is when someone approaches your café table to sell you some of their merchandise, which they place on top and then swipe your phone or wallet from underneath. Finally, always make sure you’re given the right change when making a transaction, as some vendors will try to scam you this way.
A 3 day Buenos Aires itinerary for solo travellers
This three day itinerary is designed to help you settle in quickly, explore at a comfortable pace and choose activities that work well on your own. It balances guided tours with independent exploration.
Day 1: Take a walking tour and discover its history
I recommend taking a walking tour in English on your first day to get your bearings and learn about this fascinating city.
My tour guide arrived in Buenos Aires from the UK years ago. He loved it so much he stayed. It’s a dream job to now spend his days sharing his insights about the city, including its history, culture and essential tips for first-time visitors.
Visit the home of Carlos Gardel, Argentina’s father of tango
Sights include the home of Argentina’s most prominent figure in the history of tango, Carlos Gardel. This fedora-wearing crooner transformed this notorious street dance into a mainstream cultural phenomenon in the 1920s and 30s, thanks to his popular songs. In the Balvanera neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, you will see Carlos’s handsome face painted in colourful murals displaying some of his most famous song lyrics.
Book your place on a guided walking tour of Buenos Aires in advance here.
See the pink presidential mansion, Casa Rosada
My walking tour took us through Buenos Aires’s jacaranda-lined streets, flowering bright with their blue blossom. It concluded in Plaza de Mayo, where we stood outside the pink Presidential mansion, Casa Rosada.
On this building’s balcony in October 1945, Juan Perón and his First Lady Eva famously made their impassioned speeches to tens of thousands of Argentines squeezed into this square.
Day 2: Discover Eva Perón’s legacy
It’s time to dive deeper into the city’s most fascinating historical figure. Day 2 of your 4-day Buenos Aires itinerary is dedicated to Eva Perón, Argentina’s beloved First Lady who became a global icon. Learn about the woman who captured the hearts of a nation and inspired one of the world’s most famous musicals.
Visit the inspiring Museo Evita
President Juan Perón’s wife Eva became famous around the world thanks to the Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical that bears her nickname: Evita. In Buenos Aires, I visited Museo Evita to learn all about the acting ambitions and political career of ‘that woman’ – as her detractors labelled her.
This museum tells her story through proud quotes from her autobiography, her stylish designer outfits and her work to improve the rights and lifestyles of women, children and the poorest communities in Argentina.
The museum was built on the site of a women’s refuge established by Evita and now features a lovely al fresco cafe.
Explore the famous Recoleta Cemetery
Eva Perón’s body is buried in the city’s Recoleta cemetery. You can walk along avenues of grand Gothic tombs or take an organised walking tour in English. Some of these tombs contain more than a dozen caskets in their eerie, cobwebbed depths.
Intricate, symbolic stone-masonry and wrought ironwork decorate these mausoleums, which belong to some of Buenos Aires’ most wealthy and accomplished families. If you choose to go on a walking tour of Recoleta, you will learn the fascinating and tragic tales about its recumbent residents.
You can also spot Recoleta’s feline tenants. Despite their macabre home, this collection of crypt-rambling cats look well-fed and seem to love all the attention they get from the attraction’s visitors.
Day 3: Taste authentic steak and learn to tango
Day 3 of your 4 day Buenos Aires itinerary is all about indulging in the city’s most passionate pleasures. Today you’ll experience two things Buenos Aires is world-famous for: the sensual art of tango and Argentina’s legendary beef. This is the perfect combination for an unforgettable evening – first learning the intimate steps of this iconic dance, then savouring the city’s finest steak paired with rich Malbec wine. Get ready for a day that captures the true spirit and soul of Buenos Aires.
Tuck into happy hour steak
Buenos Aires is famous for its food scene, specifically its top quality beef steak.
With shiny fruit and vegetables on display in grocery stores, as well as vegan restaurants, Italian eateries and specialist cheese and wine delicatessens, this is one of South America’s best cities for foodies.
A local friend’s tip took me to La Cabrera for its steak happy hour. I love this concept: at this notable restaurant you get to sample the top notch steak, accompaniments and Malbec wine for around 40% less than patrons normally pay – as long as you arrive promptly and leave the restaurant by 8pm. Perfect if you’re on a budget like I was.
Take a tango class
On my 4 day Buenos Aires itinerary, I was keen to learn tango. With a friend from my hostel dorm room, I visited La Catédral Club, recommended by a friend who used to live in the city for its lively tango lessons.
This atmospheric venue reminded me of Baz Luhrmann’s vision of Moulin Rouge. A huge, red, artistically-rendered heart suspended from the wooden vaulted ceiling, symbolised Buenos Aires’s constantly beating passion for this dance. Watching the people twirling with their partners, I was seduced by this place before it was our turn to take to the floor.
A couple of guys asked us to partner with them. We took their hands and tentatively learned to lean our weight against them, balancing together. Then we swapped partners to learn the eight steps of the tango dance, which was complex but a lot of fun.
Frequently asked questions about Buenos Aires
Do I need to speak Spanish in Buenos Aires?
It definitely helps. Hotels, tour guides and restaurants in popular neighbourhoods often accommodate English speakers. However, many others may not, so it’s always a good idea to download a translation app and learn basic phrases.
When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?
March-May (autumn) and September-November (spring) have the best weather with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer (December-February) can be hot and humid, while winter (June-August) is cooler but still pleasant for city exploration. I went in November and the weather was perfect.
Final thoughts on Buenos Aires as a solo female traveller
I found Buenos Aires to be a city that’s easy to relax in. It feels quite European with its walkable neighbourhoods, wide avenues and café culture. I never felt unsafe and hopefully you won’t either. The precautions are mainly the same ones you would need to take in any big city. I recommend staying in a hostel, as the best way to stay safe is to meet another solo female traveller and explore the city together.
