20 Unexpectedly Awesome Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

...because it has everything Bali had once upon a time.

Many people, myself included, are put off by Bali's overtourism, where there's constantly bad traffic, beaches littered with trash, and long waits for photos at popular Instagram spots. So where can one go in Indonesia where there are stunning waterfalls, nice beaches and a social yet laidback atmosphere, like Bali once upon a time had? The answer is Lombok. Not only is Lombok overall a wonderful alternative to Bali, but also cheaper. As a solo traveler, I find it easier to socialize and connect with other solo travelers in Lombok, as people tend to hang out at the same spot, like Kuta, or go to the same beaches.

↠ A Complete Guide to Lombok

↠ How to Find the Tiu Kelep Waterfall In Lombok

↠ The Ultimate Kuta, Lombok Guide

...because there's nothing like a little solo motorbike adventure.

Siargao Island is a water-lover and general adventurer’s dream. You can go on a little solo motorbike adventure, as the roads are mostly flat and easy. It is also a surfer’s paradise with a playful soul to it, so if you are a surfing enthusiast, or have been thinking of picking it up, Siargao is perfect. The island's popularity is growing rapidly, but the atmosphere remains laidback and relaxing. This means that it’s just as easy to meet others as to be by yourself. I was able to hang out with surfers on the beach, talk to other people in restaurants and cafes, and retreat to my little corner in an adorable guesthouse every night. It's perfect!

↠ A Complete Guide to the Philippines

↠ How to spend 5 days on Siargao Island

↠ What changed my mind about the Philippines

...because the animals will keep you entertained.

Few places in the world offer its visitors the opportunity to share such close proximity to unique birds, reptiles, and sea critters without them turning fearful, and since most people come to the Galápagos for the animals, meeting people of the same interest becomes super easy. Whether on an island cruise or a dive trip, you are bound to meet like-minded people and have an amazing time together! Prior to my visit, I always thought the Galápagos was effectively off limits to budget backpackers, but I couldn’t be more wrong, as you can absolutely do the Galápagos on a budget!

↠ The best time to visit the Galápagos islands

↠ How to do the Galápagos on a budget

↠ 30 Galápagos islands animals (and where to find them)

...because its friendliness and hospitality is out of this world.

Remember travel before the Internet was so ubiquitous, before Instagram was even a thing, and before the birth of "influencer"? Allow me to introduce you to French Polynesia, where the locals immediately treat you as though they know you, the environment is preserved and treasured by the locals, and you can truly come back to yourself. While Bora Bora may make solo travelers feel a little bit out of place, French Polynesia has way more than that to offer, and I can almost guarantee you that you will have a wonderful time as a solo girl. This is a country I know I will be returning to again and again.

↠ I spent 22 days with whales

↠ An ode to the places we keep secret

...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 laidback Coffee Bay (and that whole coastline) is and how many other cool backpackers are always passing through. It’s easy to meet other people, go on long walks along the bluffs on the ocean, and take in 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.

↠ The essential guide to solo female travel in Africa

↠ 7 reasons to visit South Africa, the Rainbow Nation

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, but both are excellent places to meet other solo travelers.

↠ Why going alone to Mozambique was the best decision ever

↠ How to travel through Mozambique

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.

↠ Zanzibar: not the eastern Africa you thought you knew

↠ 5 steps for perfect Zanzibar style

The capital of dining alone.

The language barrier may make you feel a little bit intimidated at first, but virtually everything from public transportation to ordering food from a local restaurant is so organized and systematic, it makes traveling in Japan such an easy and enjoyable experience. In cities like Osaka and Tokyo, there are all kinds of interesting things to do, including all kinds of themed cafes, unique museums where one can easily spend hours in, and beautiful parks perfect for people watching. Visiting Japan is also perhaps the best place to master the art of dining alone. Many solo travelers are afraid of eating alone, but in Japan, eating alone is completely normal. There are even restaurants that sell on "low interaction dining"!

↠ This is the only all-female Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo

↠ Here's an island paradise near Tokyo

Because it is literally 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.

Perfect for times when 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.

↠ The perfect 9-day Torres del Paine O Circuit itinerary