The Top 5 Countries For Solo Travelers

Solo trips are no longer taboo. In fact, more people than ever before are opting to travel alone. Respondents in a study by Queensland University said that they wanted to travel solo because it gave them more freedom and chances to meet new people.

Traveling alone can help you break out of your comfort zone, make new friends and immerse yourself in another culture. Solo travelers get the benefits of exploring their personality while also exploring gorgeous terrains and world attractions.

 Still, safety is one of the top concerns for solo travelers. Based on data, some countries are considered safer than others. Also, traveling can feel lonely at times, so the best places to visit are ones that are known for their friendly people and fun activities that allow you to mingle with other travelers and locals. These five countries have those qualities and more. When planning your next solo vacation, put these at the top of your list.

1.Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the happiest place on Earth, according to the 2016 Happy Planet Index. The friendly locals, who are known for their smiles and welcoming nature, make it a perfect place for solo travelers to make friends and learn about the culture.

 Costa Rica also has incredibly biodiverse landscapes and adventure activities to keep you entertained. The Central American country is full of beautiful national parks. You can hike through Monteverde Cloud Forest or explore one of its many volcanoes. Arsenal is one of the most popular volcanoes to visit, but Poas Volcano National Park is also considered one of the most breathtaking sites in the country.

 You can relax from hiking and catch some sun on one of their over 300 plus beaches. Beaches in the Tortuguero National Park are protected sea turtle hatching grounds and a great way to spot wildlife like spider monkeys. Jacó Beach is known for its nightlife and wide range of activities from surfing, ATV tours and kayaking to whitewater rafting and horseback riding.

 There are dozens of adventure tours for tourists. Whether you want to zip line through the forest or rappel down waterfalls, Costa Rica has it.

2.Spain

 For a mixture of great nightlife, cuisine, art and history, take a solo trip to Spain. There’s always something to do or go to with the hundreds of festivals that happen in multiple cities and towns throughout the year. Two of the major cities, Madrid and Barcelona also have tons of activities that are ideal for solo travel.

 Barcelona is filled with beautiful architecture, making it a must-see for art enthusiasts. Gaudi architecture like the Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia are two buildings that should definitely be part of your itinerary. However, there are walking tours throughout the city. If you don’t have the time to visit all the sites, you can take it all in and notice Gaudi touches as you walk around the city. There is also the vibrant La Boqueria food market. It is a bit off-the-beaten path for tourists, which makes it a prime spot to bump into locals while treating yourself to some fresh and tasty local foods.

 Spain’s capital, Madrid is full of beautiful museums, palaces and parks. You can grab a cup of coffee and read a book at Plaza Mayor or check out El Rastro flea market. There are also a bunch of small, picturesque towns like Segovia and Toledo that surround Madrid. They have amazing architecture and landscapes and are worth a visit if you are looking for less of the tourist experience.

3.Thailand

In 2015, Thailand was the second most visited country in Asia, with close to 30 million foreigners coming to the scenic island nation. As an ideal spot for solo travelers, Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles”, and locals are often known for their hospitality. Whether you are exploring ancient ruins in Ayutthaya Historical Park or island hopping to white sand beaches like Koh Phi Phi Leh and Ko Phi Phi Don, you’ll feel welcome.

 Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is one of the most stunning cities in the world with its colorful architecture like the Grand Palace and Buddhist temples Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Saket. Floating markets, in which local vendors sell fruit, vegetables and other food from their boats, give tourists an authentic Thai experience. Plus, the food is delicious.

 Throughout Thailand, visitors can backpack, dive, snorkel or visit one of the many wildlife preservation and animal rehabilitation centers such as the Elephant Nature Park. If you have some extra time, volunteer, meet locals and support a charitable cause.

4.Chile

 Chile is another country that seems to have a bit of everything to offer visitors, making it a top place to travel alone. The capital city of Santiago has a thriving art scene with the Museo Bellas Artes, a sculpture park and Bellavista, the neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife and street art by Chilean artists. The country is extremely diverse, so you can go skiing or snowboarding or visit one of their wine vineyards just outside of Santiago. 

 The Atacama desert is the driest place on the planet but bares a striking resemblance to the surface of Mars with its red colored sand. There’s also a deserted town there called Humberstone that makes the location even more surreal.

 Another amazing site to visit is Easter Island, where close to 1,000 moais, ancient monolithic statues, are scattered. You can join a hiking tour through Torres del Paine National Park and through the rest of Patagonia. You’ll feel like you’re living in a fairytale if you stop in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve in the Patagonian Rainforest. Located inside is the Montaña Mágica Lodge, a cone-shaped hotel with a streaming waterfall in the middle, mirrored after the volcano of the same name.

5. Iceland

The World Atlas ranked Iceland as the most peaceful country in the world for 2016. However, Iceland isn’t only an ideal spot for single travelers because of its safety, it has some impressive activities and places to visit.

 As a land made up of volcanoes and glaciers, it is the perfect, picturesque getaway. You can get some much needed “me” time and rest and relaxation at the Blue Lagoon Spa while taking a dip in their famous geothermal pools. Tour glaciers and even hike them if you want to with guided tours to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Jokulmorder Glacier Fjord.

The largest city in Iceland is Reykjavik and there, solo travelers can find a diverse range of clubs, pubs and nightlife.  If you visit around February, you can catch an amazing show of the Northern Lights and go to their Winter Lights Festival that is packed with free events.  

Whether you are ziplining in the jungles of Costa Rica, trekking a glacier in Chile or forming lifelong relationships with locals in Thailand, keeping in touch with your loved ones back home is crucial. No matter where you visit, when you travel alone, family, friends and others in your inner circle will worry about you. Communicate and check in with loved ones at any time during your trips with high-speed, reliable and inexpensive international mobile SIM cards and mobile WiFi hotspots from Keepgo.