Hiya,
this may be covered on the board already but I couldn't see it. I am planning to spend a year (from this November) travelling through Central & South America on my own (at least technically, I expect to meet people!).

I have a reasonable budget but would rather spend it on doing things than where I sleep, so will be looking to stay in dorms and super-cheap hostels & hotels for as much time as I can (with the occasional splurge so i can have a hot shower!)... but I have a small pop-up tent (weighs under 2-3kg) and was wondering whether to take it for emergencies - if I am travelling through somewhere and there's nowhere to stay (which has happened to me before), or if everywhere in a town's expensive?

I would only be using it as a temporary option, and don't have a problem with carrying it - it's small & light. But is it safe for me to even consider camping on my own, or would it be better to leave the tent at home?

If you like camping, or camping and hiking, then sure, bring it. I can only really speak to camping in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay in recent years, and it's totally doable, pretty safe, and a great way to get out and see a different part of the country. Generally the farther you are from a city the more "normal" it's seen to camp, and the more likely you are to run into like-minded people. The closer to a city you are, the more likely to get weekend revelers (or all-week long ones), carcamping with a sound system and in big groups, which is less fun to be near.

But if you're just bringing it as emergency shelter, that 2kg is probably better spent on something else. There is almost always someplace to stay, and in the south of chile and argentina where you'd be likely to do most of your camping, you can usually hire tents. 2kg might not seem like much, but you probably don't want to go any heavier than about 15 kg total unless you're much taller/stronger than the average woman, so it's a big proportion of the total weight.

I have thoroughly enjoyed camping in Chile (where I live) in many places, and it definitely makes it cheaper, but if you don't like camping, then you won't like it any better down here!

hth!

eileen

5 years and counting in Chile
my expat blog: www.bearshapedsphere.com

if you're just bringing it as emergency shelter, that 2kg is probably better spent on something else

Fully agree with above comment.
"He who travel light, travels far", as someone said.
I like to travel light and my backpack weighs not more than 8-9 kg, always acceptable as carry on luggage, easy to take on the buss, no hassle.
The only times I slept in a tent were organized tours, where tents and sleeping bags where provided by the tour operators.

Accommodation in Latin America is very affordable. You can easily get a bunk in a dorm for US$ 5-8 or a single room for around 10-12.

Based on my experiences in Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina I would say leave the tent. Things are pretty safe in Chile and Argentina, but I would not recommend a girl camping alone in Peru or Ecuador. You would probably be fine, but I have heard some horror stories. I have camped on treks in S. Am. but you can usually rent a tent in an adjacent town.

I agree with the other posters that carrying the weight of the tent is probably not worth it, and hostel rooms can be really cheap.

thanks very much guys, your comments have been really helpful... you've confirmed what I was thinking, at any rate! Camping would really just be an emergency shelter, and by the sound of it that won't be necessary (or safe in some places)... so I think I'll donate the tent to my friend's son for hm to take on Scout camp, and save the weight and hassle.

Thanks again!!
Suz xx