20 Unexpectedly Awesome Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

So you’ve decided that you want to see the world – I applaud you! – and you’re thinking of all of the amazing places you can go. You’re going to learn so much about yourself and meet so many fabulous new friends, beautiful strangers, see so many vibrant landscapes and skyscrapers, too. The world is your oyster, but the question is, where do you start?

When I see lists like these I often just see suggestions for places women should travel to solo based on only one thing: safety. While crime stats are worth noting, they’re not the defining factor for a great place for women to travel alone. The best destinations aren’t just the popular and well-trodden ones, either. Some of the best places to travel to by yourself might be in the places you least expected, or didn’t even know existed yet.

The best places will be where locals are particularly friendly and welcoming, or it’s social due to a shared interest like surfing or diving, and even though it might be off the beaten path a bit, it’s not so remote that you’ll be the only one there. It still has that special charm that makes it feel authentic and inviting.

Sounds amazing, right? So where can you find these places? I’ve searched high and low, and these are some of my favorite destinations for solo female travel – they might surprise you!

Maui, Hawaii

Because it’s for more than just honeymooners.

It’s crazy to think that Hawaii would be a good place to travel to solo, but I was delighted to find that there were tons of things for me to do even though I wasn’t on my honeymoon. I made friends easily while snorkeling, found a lot of active adventures, like hiking to waterfalls on the Road to Hana, and found a surf school especially for women as well!

Coffee Bay, South Africa

Because Africa isn’t ‘scary’ after all.

Africa gets a bad rap as being a scary place to travel through, and while it’s important to take precautions (here’s a list of them), that doesn’t mean solo female travelers should write it off. I love how laid-back Coffee Bay (and that whole coastline) is and how many cool other backpackers are always passing through. It’s easy to meet other people and go on long walks along the bluffs on the ocean and take in the gorgeous nature. While South Africa does have a pretty high crime rate, the bulk of it is in the cities. I loved the little towns like Coffee Bay where there weren’t many people or worries around at all.

Tofo, Mozambique

I maintain, Africa’s not that ‘scary’

I love Tofo, Mozambique because of the type of adventurous and interesting people it attracts. It seems like most travelers in Mozambique have a cool story, and have arrived by word-of-mouth. There are only a couple of backpackers accommodations there (I stayed at Fatima’s), and scuba dive shops, both of which are excellent places to meet other solo travelers.

Pai Thailand

Because Thailand’s north is even better than the south!

The north of Thailand is cheaper, more laid back, and generally nicer to hang out in than the party islands to the south. I know that sounds impossible, but head up to Pai and you’ll see exactly what I mean. It’s eclectic, full of yogis and social people, and the waterfalls around there are magical. I love Pai for the laid back and free-spirited people it attracts.

Chengdu, China

Because the expat scene is diverse and so much fun.

Usually you have to actually be an expat to be part of the expat scene but in Chengdu, China, it’s such a nice mix of travelers, locals, and English teachers from Italy, France, Ireland, Mexico, and a bunch of other places all over the world. There are only a few bars like Jellyfish and Jah Bar that the social crowd frequents so it’s easy to see familiar faces if you stay for a little while.

Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka

Because places that attract surfers are social by nature.

This little surfing town on Sri Lanka’s East Coast, which doesn’t get nearly as much tourism as the booming south, is so tranquil and chill, it’s hard to leave. Places that have a sport as their main draw always attract more solo travelers, and this little surfing town in paradise is one of them. Extra points if you take the train there, one of the best parts about traveling through Sri Lanka.

Bukit Lawang, Indonesia

It’s about more than orangutans.

…but you’ll see Orangutans there too, which is cool, because this is one of the only places where they live in the wild.

Bukit Lawang is a tiny little trekking town with a river running through it, deep in the jungles of Sumatra. I couldn’t believe it, but after my second day there, locals and expats were calling out my name to say ‘hello’ as I walked by. It’s such a social and friendly place, they already knew me by name. It felt like a family in a way. That kind of place is paradise for a solo female traveler because they feel so welcoming and like a home.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The safest country in the world.

Iceland is ranked the #1 safest country in the world by Vision of Humanity, and I can attest, people left their cars running while they went grocery shopping! That’s how sure they are that nobody will steal their car. Iceland’s landscape is so unique and stunning, plus it’s great for a road trip. Reykjavik has social hostels as well, where you can find adventure partners. This guide has everything you need to know about Iceland.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Because hikers are friendly people:

I geared up for the Annapurna Circuit, a 2-week hiking loop in Nepal, solo. I remained solo up until departure, and didn’t have a hiking buddy until I met one on my bus ride in, picked up two more in the coming days near the top, and expanded the group even further. By the time we finished, we were a group of six. A communal endeavor like hiking tends to bring people together.

Phong Nha Ke Bang, Vietnam

Because it looks like this:

Picture jagged mountaintops covered in jungle, rising up like little waves all over the countryside, with rice paddies thrown in between every now and then. Phong Nha Ke Bang and surroundings in Vietnam is full of such friendly locals who smile and wave, and since there aren’t many places to stay in town, most backpackers are all at the same hostel – Easy Tiger – where I met and devised a plan to motorbike around the park with 6 other guys the next day. It was a blast!

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Perfect for if you don’t want to hike solo, but you’re solo

Even if you start out alone in the 5-day W or the 8-day O circuit trek in Torres del Paine National Park, you’ll come out of it with a bunch of new friends. For the same reasons that I loved the Annapurna Circuit, I love the social atmosphere amongst campers and hikers on this trek, particularly on the back, ‘O’, part of the trail where fewer hikers go and the crowds are more intimate. Refugio Dickson, in particular, was tons of fun thanks to the social rangers who played music and organized soccer games.

Otres Beach, Cambodia

Because it’s still chill

Serendipity Beach in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville used to be the most coveted place for backpackers on the Cambodian coast, but I much prefer laid-back Otres Beach. It’s still the kind of bare-foot, relaxed, quiet but still fun beach place I just can’t get enough of. If you love them too check out my chillest places in the world.

Along the Wild Atlantic Way’s West Coast, Ireland

Because this is one friendly road trip.

It’s the small towns on Ireland’s least populated coast that can be the most social. In a country that’s already pretty friendly, I found that people were especially friendly along the Wild Atlantic Way on the Connemara Coast. Just walk into any pub and within a few seconds someone will be talking to and joking around with you.

Valparaiso, Chile

Where the artists hang

I’ll never forget when a local artist invited a fellow backpacker and I to his studio for some mate tea when we were wandering around outside, gaping at the street art with our mouths open. I’ve never seen more street art, or people out sketching and enjoying art, as I have in Valparaiso. The public life is vibrant and there are interesting people to meet around every corner.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Because waterfalls are best when shared.

Iguazu Falls is one of Argentina’s most-visited attractions and for good reason, I mean just look at that beauty. There are plenty of social places to stay, from mid-range hotels to hostels. A friend of mine told me he enjoyed his guest house so much that it took him three days to actually leave the hostel and go see the waterfall!

Don Det, Laos

Live the river life on the Mekong.

Much of Laos is great for a solo traveler, but I liked Don Det, aka 4000 Islands, in particular because it tended to have a more community-oriented vibe than some of the other places. I felt like most of the other travelers here came to know each other pretty quickly, and the local fishermen sometimes invited us to fish with them.

Bologna, Italy

Because university towns are always a good call.

Plus, the food in Bologna, and Emilia Romagna in general, is so incredibly fresh and delicious! Though I already had a place to stay, I met people in Bologna via Craig’s List just to hang out, and ended up with a mixed crowd of locals and students from all over the world. There’s a nice history there, and I got fewer cat calls and purse-snatching attempts there since University towns tend to be a bit safer, people send their kids there after all.

Coron, Philippines

Because dive towns attract people.

There are a lot of social places in the Philippines, but the best for above and under the water, is Coron and Apo reef nearby. I arrived there solo, joined a snorkeling trip the next day, and had dinner with four new friends that night. It’s that easy in places where people love to SCUBA dive.

Sunset Beach, Zanzibar 

Beach Bums, Unite.

The white-sand beaches and baby blue waters of Zanzibar are legendary, and there’s so much to do there from diving to swimming, boating, and perusing the markets in Stone Town, it’s attractive for a lot of reasons. I remember laughing and dancing at the reggae bar there with Masai warriors dressed in regalia, local beach boys, and tourists from all over, loving how communal and inviting it was. Even if you go there solo, you can find your people. Just lock up your stuff in the safes, as there’s some petty crime.

El Chalten, Argentina

The most social place in Patagonia

Much of Patagonia, particularly along the Carretera Austral, is remote and quiet, but if you’re solo, El Chalten is the best mix of nature and social opportunities. The hostels are warm and friendly places, many of the hikes and campsites are well-loved, and it’s easy to meet others on the more trodden hikes. Far from the cat calls of Buenos Aires, I found El Chalten to be a breath of fresh air.

After traveling for over four years, mostly by myself, I’ve found some really special gems around this world that seemed have that special something that was missing from many others, and all of these places have that.

I was delighted to find, sometimes in the places that I least expected, that such friendly people and that amazing of a social atmosphere could exist, and that’s the beauty of traveling on your own.

Need help with the planning, financing, figuring out how to travel for cheap or even free, and what to bring?

READ NEXT:

How to meet Other Solo Female Travelers

10 Free Resources for Solo Female Travelers

How to Afford Solo Female Travel