Modern women are no longer allowing life and a chance to see an erupting volcano to pass them by waiting for friends, family, or romance to show up. Needless to say, knowledge of the safest places for women to travel alone is not only needed, but invaluable especially if you are new to solo female travel.
This blog post is the first part of a three-part series catered specifically for first-time female travelers from the US, but seasoned travelers from all over the world will find the series resourceful as well.
In this part of the series we will go over: why women are traveling alone, travel styles, safest places for women to travel alone, cheapest and safest places to travel alone, then safest countries for solo female travelers.
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Why are women traveling–alone (why you should too)?
This question is intriguing, right?
At first glance, it appears to be asked in an air of negativity. Perhaps, a slew of men want to know why women are opting to hike Kilimanjaro without their help.
Or, they’re just bored at home, alone.
Google is seeing an influx of this term and terms like it. “Solo travel” is one of them with a whopping 278% increase since April 2020. Close behind is, the search term “solo female travel” joining in at 220%.
Again, this begs the question, why are women traveling alone?
The simple answer is, they can.
Sorry guys. You thought it was about you? Tsk…tsk.
Contrary to popular assumption, most women aren’t traveling alone because they don’t have someone to join them. Women want the freedom and independence traveling alone gives.
With more and more women prioritizing careers over traditional family obligations they have more of the means to go and explore where they want.
Also, when a person travels alone they face inherent opportunity for personal growth and connecting with self by looking themselves square in the eyes confirming they know who they see.
Here, theGypsyMuses is a huge proponent of solo travel. Traveling as far as 9,000 miles or as little as 50 miles away from your day-to-day grind of life grants great chances for not only exploring new places, and meeting new people, but, also, the chance to get to know yourself without distraction.
For some, this sounds so empowering and liberating. And it is, but the truth is – it can also be downright scary and overwhelming. Thankfully, the more you solo travel the easier it gets. However, not all solo travelers are looking for self-actualization or to get all deep with themselves. According to The BA Global Solo Travel Study, 55% of women travel simply for the freedom to choose where they go and what they eat. While others, (only 10% confessed) use travel to get over a breakup. 😣
Hey! Booking a flight to the island of Mauritius and staying at the Constance Prince Maurice Resort beats watching Christina Milian do it to get over her ex.
OMG! If you guys haven’t seen this movie
>> Resort to Love <<
Please do. It was a Pandemic treasure! 😂
Thanks to movies and books like Eat, Pray, Love women are inspired, and travel alone to distant places like India and Indonesia. (Thanks Liz! – Author of Eat, Pray, Love)
However, American women do seem to be taking their time to come to the solo female travel party.
The Global Travel Study mentioned earlier also revealed that 63% of Italian women have taken holiday in at least one country alone, with Germans at 60%. Only 16% of women from the US had ventured abroad, but 62% are currently planning a future exploration.
Rome, here we come!
5 Travel Styles: Which is yours?
Before we can start rattling off a list of the 15 safest places for women to travel alone, we have to determine the various styles or forms of travel solo female travelers mostly prefer and use.
This is super helpful because the style of travel will determine your destination, safety measures, and your packing list.
1. Slow Travel
This is my ()favorite travel style. Team #slowliving all day!
Slow travel is a style of travel where you spend a longer amount of time in one place, rather than rushing from one destination or excursion to the next. With this style of travel, you’re able to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and make connections with locals and, or, expats.
With this style of travel, you’re also able to experience the destination in a more meaningful way. It’s perfect for women who want to take their time, relax, and truly get to know a place or themselves. Being in one place with minimal distractions for an extended period will definitely reveal some truths about yourself.
I know aaalllll about it. Trust me.
2. Adventure Travel
Adventure travel is the travel style lots of women enjoy and get the most zest. It’s where you seek out thrilling, adrenaline-pumping activities, such as hiking, kayaking, or bungee jumping.
This type of travel is perfect for women who want to challenge themselves physically and mentally and experience a rush of excitement and thrill.
Warning announcement: You adventurous ones, ABSOLUTELY must have travel insurance. Not to jinx that hike up Kilimanjaro, but it’s best to be safe. Most travel insurance coverage is 5% to 6% of the total cost of your trip. So, if you need to shorten your trip by one or two nights to stay on budget, just do it. Your safety is worth it.
3. Luxury Travel
Luxury travel is the travel style where you indulge in the fineries of life: five-star hotels, fabulous restaurants, bathtubs facing the Appalachian mountains, black car service–all the things.
This type of travel is wonderful when women just need a break to relax, unwind, and be loved on. And it’s probably the most commonly known style of travel, but it sometimes gets the most flack. I’m like, por que? The cost?
Experiences don’t have to be excessive financially or materially to be considered luxury, but I will save that rant for another day. lol
4. Cultural Travel
Cultural travel is a style of travel where you focus on immersing yourself in the local culture, traditions, and customs of a destination. I’d venture to say that this style of travel can require the most effort because it is easy when traveling as an expatriate to find the local expatriate’s culture within a foreign destination.
For example, Tulum, Mexico is growing in popularity for its offerings of EDM music festivals, mystical party vibes, and beautiful Tulum aesthetics, but with a touch of local Mexican culture. I’m not quite sure if this qualifies as cultural travel to the fullest extent, but the reality is a true cultural travel experience has to include some traditional element specific to that destination’s culture and not just the modern one.
When you participate in cultural travel learning of the local customs and traditions has to take place, not just the ones created by expats or for them.
5. Volunteer Travel
Volunteer travel may be a lot of people’s introduction to travel through educational, secular, or religious organizations. It is a style of travel where you combine travel with volunteering, giving back to the community, and making a positive impact through physical effort.
Some common volunteer projects are Childcare, Medicine & Healthcare, Conservation & Environment, and Education. A popular volunteer program: Volunteer Forever allows you to personalize your plans by circumstance and interest. It seems like a great starting point for a first-time international volunteer. Click the links above for more information.
We’ve briefly gone over the 5 different styles of travel, but have you figured out what your travel style is?
My travel style is primarily Slow Travel with a day, here and there within my trip, of some of the other travel style elements. I may book one night at a luxury hotel, a group adventure day tour, or a local cultural experience.
And what’s cool is I can do all of this within Airbnb’s app.
There’s a way to search for property type: a house, apartment, guesthouse, or hotel and amenities. But, I especially like the Airbnb Experiences feature. It’s where you can find “Unforgettable activities hosted by locals.” With Airbnb, I can get all of the elements of travel I enjoy all in one platform.
Airbnb has seen an increase in solo travelers using their platform. Here are their takeaways:
“As the “live anywhere” phenomenon has taken off among people who are able to work remotely, our platform has become increasingly integral to solo travelers. According to Airbnb internal data, 26 percent of all nights booked in 2021 were by solo travelers, and more than 50 percent of nights booked for long-term stays during the first quarter of 2022 were for solo travelers.
With this intel, I’d dare say that Remote Work Travel is a style of travel that should be added to this list. What do you think?
Let’s add it!
6. Remote Work Travel
Remote work travel (aka work anywhere) is a style of travel where you live and work in a location outside of your home while traveling. This type of travel is great if you want to work from your laptop during the day in a beautiful setting and have access to some cultural experiences in the evenings and weekends.
This travel style also makes it easier for someone to become a digital nomad. Digital-nomad is next-level solo travel! I’m not even sure they qualify as travelers because they are location independent, so every place they travel to in essence is their home. This is 100% my goal and counting.
No matter what style of travel you choose for your first solo trip, safety is always a concern for women traveling alone. Here are some universal tips that can help make your solo travel experience safe and enjoyable:
- Research your destination and take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety
- Trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings
- Connect with other travelers or locals for support and companionship
- Pack light and only bring what you need
- Keep copies of important documents, such as your passport and travel insurance, in a safe place
- Stay in touch with friends and family back home
- Have a plan for emergencies, such as knowing how to contact local authorities or your embassy (Airbnb has a new feature with solo travelers in mind to make this easier. Read about it here.)
These tips are only scratching the surface, but for now, keep these tips in mind as we go over the travel destinations for solo female travelers.
15 Safest places for women to travel alone within 6 hours of the US
NOW you know your particular travel style and why you should plan a solo trip. So let’s get into the list of safest places for women to travel alone. I’ve broken them down into the safest places to travel internationally within a 6-hour flight from the US, as well as separate destinations that are budget-friendly and first-timer friendly.
Since this is your first-time travelers guide I didn’t want to vaguely give you a list of safe countries without suggesting some specific cities within them. There are some smaller and easier places to travel to that are great for first-time female travelers, but they often get left out of most lists.
Canada
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Canada is a great solo travel destination especially if you are a woman who enjoys the adventure style of travel, but also great for those who enjoy a bubbling city experience. The country is welcoming and gorgeous. And there are always fun things to do in Canada, whether summer or winter, making it an excellent destination for any solo female traveler.
1. Montreal
In the middle of the busy metropolis of Montreal is a large park, Mount Royal, which offers an incredible view of the city of Montreal. The same person who designed Central Park in New York City is responsible for its design. This is the place to go and get your Instagram-worthy photos of Montreal from several of their look-outs. Or if you’re like me, take photos of people ice skating beautifully over the frozen winter lake.
>> Book your 1-hour flight to Montreal & get Cashback!
2. Toronto
Toronto is the third-safest metropolitan city in the country, perfect for solo female travelers. The CN Tower is one of the most well-known sights in Toronto, Canada. You should see it if you ever get the chance to visit Toronto because it is a city landmark. Women who enjoy skyscrapers and city views will enjoy the views here.
If you are looking for a place for a one-stop shop, Yonge-Dundas Square is one of the famous busy streets in Toronto where you have many options to shop the usual brands (if you like shopping on trips).
>> Book your 2-hour flight to Toronto & get Cashback!
3. Vancouver
If you want versatility with access to a city experience as well as nature then Vancouver is a perfect destination. You can get shopping, parks, and museums galore; it’s not intimidating to explore the bus system. Not to mention you can reach some incredible hikes in Banff and Jasper which you can get to by train ride through the country. However, once you get there beware of the wildlife. Apparently, their profound respect for nature means the animals can remain wild! Lol.
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Vancouver & get Cashback!
Puerto Rico (US Territory)
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Puerto Rico is so full of rich dynamic culture with so much history and pride (Puerto Ricans love being from Puerto Rico lol). PR is a US Territory which means that US Passport holders can leave them at home, or in your case this is a great first-time solo travel destination if you haven’t obtained your passport yet. Puerto Rico is a really special and safe place to do group tours. You can experience a jungle hike to a waterfall in the El Yunque National Forest, or take a Bioluminescence Bay Kayak tour. Do yourself a huge favor and take the tour! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as Puerto Rico has one of only five bioluminescent bays in the world.
4. San Juan
San Juan offers a nice walkability factor than some other Caribbean places on the list. The rainbow-hued old buildings that line the streets lead to a breathtaking ocean view at the end of the road. This picturesque area epitomizes “Old San Juan.” Old San Juan is absolutely an aesthetic. You will take a million photos of doors!
>> Book your 4-hour flight to San Juan & get Cashback!
Caribbean/West Indian Countries
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The Bahamas is a well-known Caribbean island destination, but not the safest of the islands. Therefore, it did not make the list, but two rare jewels did.
5. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
If you like rum, beaches (some white, some black), volcanoes, and pirates this is the place to be! There is a strong pirate culture here, perhaps due to the fact that the Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed in Wallilabou Bay or that pirates still live there. Either way, you must take a tour to visit the film set.
Most of St Vincent’s beaches have black sand Due to the island’s volcanic origin. You will find the only two areas of white sand at Villa and Indian Bay. Indian Bay Beach is a rocky stretch of beach with calm seas sheltered by a reef, making it a popular spot for swimmers and snorkelers.
>> Book your 5-hour flight to St. Vincent & get Cashback!
6. Turks and Caicos – 3h36m $320
With one of the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos is one of the safest places to visit. The central municipality sees most of the problems, whereas the other islands see comparatively less crime.
The Turks and Caicos Islands quite literally offer the most picturesque beaches due to their long stretches of plush white sand and crystal blue water with minimal background distraction. These conditions offer so many water-based activities from scuba diving with whales (and sharks) to kiteboarding. No wonder the Kardashians love it there.
>> Book your 4-hour flight to Providenciales & get Cashback!
UK Territory
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7. Bermuda
Have you ever seen those aerial photographs of beaches with blue water on one side and pink sand on the other? Well, yeah that’s what you can see in real life in Bermuda! There are around 34 beaches that make up the island’s coast, but you can find these pink beaches in only four of them: Horseshoe Bay Beach, Chaplin Bay Beach, Stonehale Bay Beach, and Warwick Long Bay Beach.
This North American island (correct, Bermuda is two hours from North Carolina, US, nowhere near the Caribbean) has a level of sophistication woven throughout the things to do, see and drink. You can have English afternoon tea after your morning pink beach run. Or, you can “Swizzle Inn and Swagger Out” of this nearly 90-year-old converted 17th-century roadhouse with a taste of a real and original Dark n’ Stormy after touring the beautifully claustrophobic Crystal & Fantasy Caves filled with centuries-old stalactites and stalagmites. But, that’s not all! The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute offers 41,000 square feet of Bermuda’s underwater world, or if you’d rather at least get your hands wet, the Hartley’s Undersea Walk gives you a diving-style helmet allowing you to freely walk about the seashore.
Wow! Bermuda is so underrated yet has so much to offer.
>> Book your 2-hour flight to Bermuda & get Cashback!
Costa Rica
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8. San Jose
Costa Rica is one big lush rainforest nestled between Nicaragua and Panama providing access to the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean along the other. Costa Rica is known for its world-class surfing, robust coffee, volcanoes, thick cloud forests, and all the habitats there, but most of all it is known for the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle.
This country boasts rugged terrain and naturalness that makes Pura Vida easy to achieve. It was named one of the happiest countries in the world, due to the locals no stress attitude. If you don’t mind a little daily rain shower, hot springs, mountainous views, and the occasional call of wild monkeys in a stress-free environment, then I’d say Costa Rica is worth adding to your safest places for women to travel alone list!
>> Book your 5-hour flight to San Jose & get Cashback!
Mexico
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Mexico, oh poor Mexico. Mexico gets just a bad rap as a place filled with violence and kidnappings when the reality is that the US shares a (dare I say) similar safety level as Mexico. Certain areas aren’t meant for entry-level travelers as there are in any place, but Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas are just a few great places women can travel alone safely.
9. Cancun
Cancun is one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most visited areas due to its abundance of all-inclusive resorts, lively nightlife, and stunning beaches. Located on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula it offers easy access to other local gems worth visiting such as Playa del Carmen. I personally prefer Playa del Carmen because of its ease of co-joining locals and foreigners. The beach town feel makes it a place that easily feels like home.
>> Book your 4-hour flight to Cancun & get Cash back!
10. Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, one of Mexico’s Pacific coast towns and considered one of Mexico’s safest cities, is an excellent choice for women to travel alone.
The city has tourist areas that expand along the Pacific Ocean and are separated into zones: Marina Vallarta, Zona Hotelera, El Centro, and Zona Romantica. Each zone has its flavor and vibe with El Centro (Downtown) housing The Malecon or the boardwalk where you can do plenty of walking and exploring the various eateries, gift boutiques, public artworks, and exciting art sculptures.
Puerto Vallarta also provides so many opportunities for day trips or excursions one of them being to visit the Marietas Islands which are a pair of islands that have a national park and bird sanctuary. Although visitors are restricted from walking anywhere on the islands other than a secret beach known as Playa del Amor, they are welcome to swim, kayak, and observe the islands’ abundant bird life like Humpback Whales!
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Puerto Vallarta & get Cashback!
11. Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas, also known as one of Los Cabos, is located on the tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The most walkable area is Amelia Wilkes’ Square and Cabo Marina, this is where you’ll get to experience some of Cabo. However, the real experience will come from sailing out to the famous Cabo Arch (El Arco) or swimming with Whale sharks if you travel during their migration season. If you like the idea of viewing and, or, swimming with whales, Mexico is the place to go.
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Los Cabos & get Cashback!
Portugal
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Portugal has it all: pristine beaches, historic cities, breathtaking scenery, and a culinary culture that’s on the rise. And, of course, plenty of wine. Portugal is also one of the most reasonably priced overseas locations and one of the safest. On our list are not Lisbon, Porto, or the Algrave, but three out of the nine islands of the Portuguese Archipelago which are situated 1,000 miles west of mainland Portugal and virtually have no crime.
12. São Miguel Island
Sao Miguel is the most populated of the nine islands, but f you want to see unspoiled vibrantly colored pasture greens, out-of-this-world volcano craters, and hike through fern-filled forests on your way to hot springs then Sao Miguel is a must-see.
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Ponta Delgada & get Cashback!
13. Terceira Island
Terceira is a small island but lacks nothing in terms of natural beauty and exploration. The hikes here put you up close and personal with nature in a challenging yet rewarding way. This island offers breathtaking views and the opportunity to explore the heart of a volcano, bathe in natural rock pools, and drink outstanding local wines. If you want a tranquil, and not very touristy, safe place to see some natural wonders while hearing Portuguese along the way, Terceira Island is worth adding to your list.
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Terceira & get Cashback!
14. Madeira Island
Madeira is the Azores’ island closest to mainland Portugal and just a ferry ride away, but you won’t want to leave this spectacular island. It’s extremely adventurous and the locals are proud of their Island’s cleanliness and safety.
A very adventurous way to explore this volcanic island is hiking one of about 200 of its levadas. These levadas are channels and aqueducts built in the fifteenth century that go through tunnels, and mountainsides and are very narrow. Needless to say, this is the one area of caution you must use when visiting Madeira.
Another sweet adventure worth mentioning is, If you thought you’d have to fly an extra hour to Lisbon to ride a Cable car, you’d be wrong. The cable car takes you up to the Monte Palace and you can take a more authentic mode of transportation back down to town through a toboggan shot in a wicker basket!
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Funchal & get Cashback!
Iceland
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15. Reykjavik
Iceland is an island situated between Norway and Greenland, showcasing one of the wonders of the world, the Northern Lights. It’s the only Nordic country to make our safest places for women to travel alone list because of its six-hour distance from the US, but let me tell you this country is no letdown.
Iceland is rich in Scandinavian culture with the settlement of Nordic Vikings centuries past and so much deep and rooted culture. Known as “The Land of Fire and Ice’, you can experience anything from volcanoes, bubbling mud pits, and lagoons to glaciers, waterfalls, and ice caves.
Contrary to its Viking history, Iceland has high levels of safety, a shallow crime rate, and a low risk of scams or harassment, making them an ideal country for women traveling alone.
>> Book your 6-hour flight to Reykjavik & get Cashback!
Perfect first-time solo female travel destinations
Here is a roundup of the 17 safest places for women to travel alone that deserve to be highlighted on their own list. You will find the destinations on this list are selected based on the following criteria:
- Safety levels.
- Accommodations are similar to the US.
- Well-rounded offerings of things to do
- Affordability (Flights under $400 roundtrip).
- English speakers are readily available
These first-time solo female travel destinations are also no more than 4-hour flights back to the US, which may be important for some of you who are new to solo travel and want to stay closer to home. It also makes for an easier travel experience when the flights aren’t terribly long. Jetsetting from New York (JFK) to Tokyo (NRT) is no easy undertaking, especially for your first international travel destination. So, the perfect first-time travel destinations for solo females living in the United States and are also the cheapest and safest places to travel alone.
The overall safest countries for solo female travelers–ever
When it comes to traveling alone as a woman, safety is a top priority. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice adventure and excitement. There are plenty of destinations around the world that are not only safe but also offer unforgettable experiences for solo female travelers. Here are the overall safest countries for solo female travelers–EVER.
- Spain
- Australia
- Thailand
- Italy
- Japan
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Europe’s Nordic countries
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Canada
- Portugal
We’ve discovered why women are traveling alone and why you should too. We’ve learned that there are not just five travel styles but in fact six ways of travel. We’ve learned of not only the safest places for women to travel alone, but the cheapest and safest places to travel alone. And finally, the overall safest countries for solo female travelers.
This guide has laid out of all the needed information to get started with a solo travel trip, but the most beneficial resource I can share with you to make the planning much more helpful is this wonderful app I learned of a few years back.
It’s a black-owned, woman-owned app called Airfordable!
It allows anyone (regardless of your credit) to book flights for only a fraction of the cost upfront. The rest is paid in installments before you fly. Tell me this isn’t perfect?! It’s so easy to use and it’s free! Find out how to reserve your first solo trip with their help here.
I hope you found the post: 15 Safest Places for Women to Travel Alone: First-time Traveler’s Guide to be very helpful as you take on your first solo female trip! I’m so happy for you. Stay tuned for part two of the First-time Traveler’s Guide series.
Until next time…
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