5 Best Destinations For Solo Travel

Long gone are the days of waiting for friends or a significant other to tag along for a trip. Solo travel is the new way to travel, especially for millennial women.

According to the American Express 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, 76% of Millennial and Gen Z travelers planned solo trips last year — a number projected to grow in 2025.

“While Mexico gets a bad rap for crime and cartels, Playa del Carmen’s development and popularity attract tons of tourists annually,” said Simone Harvin, travel and culture editor and writer.

“Unlike its neighbor, Cancun, Playa del Carmen is a happy medium between a high-energy vacation spot and a tranquil beach town,” Simone said. “It’s also the preferred location for many expats and digital nomads, so the likelihood of meeting other Americans, especially Black women, is high. In terms of where to stay/what to eat/things to do, Playa del Carmen is a solo female traveler’s paradise.”

As a coastal resort town, Playa del Carmen is often admired for its palm-tree beaches and coral reefs. It also has a plethora of shops, restaurants, bars, and dance clubs. Playa del Carmen offers many all-inclusive resorts to make your solo stay easy and comfortable.

Additionally, if you’re looking for a variety of delicious, affordable food, here’s a list for the foodie in you to unleash its raft. And you must not leave without grabbing a few mementos to commemorate the trip from 5th Avenue, also known as La Quinta. This is a popular area for shopping, bars, restaurants, cafes, gelato, and it’s only a block away from the beach.

If you are into art, London is the place for you, as they often offer many free museums and galleries, and free 45-minute chamber concerts at Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall.

You can book a tour for the day to see Stonehenge or Windsor Castle. Once you have worked up an appetite, try one of the best restaurants according to Conde Nast Traveler. Finally, you mustn’t leave without experiencing the double-decker bus tours and a boat ride before or after experiencing London’s shopping scene.

Traveling solo doesn’t have to have restrictions, especially when it comes to paradise. Explore the Yasawa Islands in Fiji and experience the beauty it possesses. 

“I explored caves, spotted a manta ray while snorkeling, and went scuba diving with bull sharks! Plus, each resort has a reef off the beach to snorkel,” said Sarah Gittens, creator of SaltySarah,a travel blog dedicated to bucket list travel.

Sarah also adds that Blue Lagoon Beach Resort had the best food, with dinner being three courses. However, if you’re looking for authentic cuisine, Travel Triangle suggests some delicious alternatives, giving places like Beach Cocomo Vakacegu Café and Tokoriki Oishii Teppanyaki Restaurant a rating of 5/5.

The top 10 best hotels in Fiji make it difficult to choose, as each resort offers an exceptional ocean view; most come equipped with spa services, breakfast, and 5-star luxury. Feel free to explore the art scene at Sigavou Studios, or try out Hot Glass Fiji for a fun souvenir to take home. Lastly, don’t forget to stop by Damodar City Centre for premiere boutique shopping, restaurants, food courts, and cinemas.

As the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, Porto has breathtaking architecture, bridges, and historical figures. Often cast as “Invicta,” or invincible in Portuguese, there is plenty of opportunity to experience the cobblestone streets, and the port wine cellars across the Douro River at Vila Nova de Gaia.

“Porto, Portugal, is one of those places that just makes you feel good,” said Jane Iskra, a professional solo traveling, destination wedding, elopement photographer. “It’s a colorful, warm, and vibe-y city full of amazing moods and super yummy food.”

Jane also adds, that walking along the Douro Riverat sunset is pure magic. Another activity to partake in is port wine degustation, which is a tasting of an array of dessert wines originally made in Porto, Portugal. Port wines offer a sweet hint of berries, caramel, chocolate, and many others.

“The city is very easy to navigate, super safe, and has this relaxed energy that makes it perfect for female solo travelers,” Jane said. “You can spend hours in charming bookshops like Livraria Lello, and enjoy a Francesinha sandwich, (which is a mind-blowing-ly delicious sandwich with pork and goat cheese).”

Thailand is an international hot spot when it comes to travel and affordability. If you want to truly utilize your money, booking a solo trip to Thailand will be worthwhile.

Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance and International Travel advisor, told Her Agenda that Chiang Mai, Thailand,is an affordable destination, yet offers a wealth of interesting cultural experiences. Visit temples like Wat Phra Singh, take a Thai cooking class, or have a massage in neighborhood spas. 

“The Green Tiger Vegetarian House is an ideal place to stay for solo travelers looking to cut costs while trying incredible Thai stews available at Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak,” Joe said.