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Best Destinations for Solo Female Travelers
We all contemplate traveling to destinations we have never been to before and are thrilled at the idea exploring all the wonders across this vast planet. Although, as women we can be a bit hesitant to venture out on our own and trek a solo adventure. Some of us might be afraid that is not safe and others just do not know what places to visit. Traveling solo is not as hard as you think. As a woman, there are many places you can go for discovery and self-renewal. Lets take a look at some of the best destinations for solo female travelers!
New Zealand
New Zealand is a beautiful place that offers subtropical climates as well as snowy vistas depending on the time of year. The most popular months are the sunny months of summer time, from October to April. Keep in mind that New Zealand is warm in the north and cool in the south. Although, if you decide to visit in winter, even the subtropical northern regions can get a bit cold.
Milford Sound is a very popular natural wonder to visit. It is a vast fjord that stands majestic, with breathtaking waterfalls and snow covered mountain peaks. If you prefer warmer climates there is the 90 mile beach where you can toboggan down sand dunes. You might want to try diving at Poor Knights Island where there are several boats underwater that you can explore. Overall New Zealand is a globetrotter’s paradise, especially if you’re a lady who wants to venture alone.
Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the best times to visit New Zealand!
Switzerland
Switzerland is a great place for a woman to immerse herself in the natural beauty of the land. The locals are friendly but mainly stick to themselves, although they will help if you need it. There are many places to hike and enjoy the beautiful views of the Swiss Alps. If you prefer a scenic mode of transportation, the Swiss Rail Pass is a beautiful way to enjoy the view. You could explore the picturesque town of Zürich or head to Lake Geneva for amazing food, entertaining nightlife, and a plethora of museums. Travel is safe and crime rates are low, making this an optimal place for a lady to explore on her own.
Costa Rica
If you are looking for a tropical destination, but still enjoy adventure and not just sitting on the beach with a drink in your hand, Costa Rica is definitely what you are looking for. Noted as being the happiest country in the world, this Central American destination is lively and upbeat. The beaches make the perfect waves if you are an avid surfer. Also, if you are a nature lover then try your hand at rafting or exploring the rain forest. Hiking is another activity that is prolific here. At night you will find many places to grab a drink and be entertained as well. The people here are friendly and extremely helpful, so you will not be nervous about being on your own. The scenery and the atmosphere make this a top-notch solo travel destination.
Vienna
If you are a solo travel newbie, then Vienna is an amazing place for a first time solo trek. There are an endless variety of activities to suit any interest you may have. You can enjoy live music at any number of the amazing concert halls, visit museums that are full of beautiful art, or stop in at a café where people tend to linger and enjoy a bite to eat. Accommodations are affordable and easy to find. There is a convenient railway that cuts across the country if you would like to go to places such as Graz or Innsbruck. It is a beautiful place and you can get lost here for months.
Vietnam
Surprisingly, it is one of the safest and most appealing destinations to visit for a solo female traveler. If you are a shopper at heart, you will love exploring the plethora of markets, both indoor and out. You can find anything from colorful and beautiful flower arrangements, unique and one-of-a-kind items of clothing, or souvenir trinkets to give as gifts for anyone back home. You can explore Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City or the vast Dong Xuan Market. The women running the booth at many of the markets are very welcoming and always happy to help with any purchase you may be interested in. If you want to do some casual exploring of natural wonders then there are always the mountains of the Central Highlands or Food Walk Island where you can sample some wonderful local cuisine and enjoy the beach. Vietnam is a place that is exotic and beautiful, while at the same time easy to navigate for a solo woman traveler. If you’re still nervous, there are plenty of Vietnam travel tips that will help you!
Any of these beautiful countries would be a great place to enjoy a vacation whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time newbie. These places are known for being safe and have so much to offer. Consider visiting these destinations the next time you are up for a little exploring. You will enter with wonder and you will leave refreshed and renewed. These destinations do not disappoint.
Have you ever traveled solo? What are some other best destinations for solo female travelers?
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I’m a guy so it’s hard to comment here but as far as places go, I’ve been to most of these and I’d say overall they are extremely friendly, beautiful and offer so many sights and things to do!
Great post Ashley,
I think Amsterdam is probably another great one to add to this list because it’s easy to get around, everyone is helpful and speak English better than I do! There’s tons to do and it’s a lot of fun there 🙂
Aaah! Perfect timing with this post! I’m looking to plan a solo trip sometime in the next year!! Yay! Thanks so much.
Being a kiwi myself, I would have to second that New Zealand is a pretty great place to travel – no matter what season there is always plenty to see and do! I would also consider Spain a fairly safe place to travel solo, I was an exchange student near Madrid as a teenager and enjoyed many adventures around the Madrid region on my own and felt very safe.
Nice post and good ideas for travel! So far I have only travelled alone in Estonia, and I found it very safe, even in the night. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome Ashley! Did you travel solo in all these places? I’d add Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Korea to the list. All safe and fun!
I just came back from Switzerland 2 weeks ago and in a month time I am heading to New Zealand. This time around I am not going solo but with my boyfriend, but I can imagine how these destinations are perfect for solo female travelers.
I also found Chile out of all the other countries I have visitied in South America really safe. And I travelled by myself. Also Patagonia region of Argentina seemed completely different Buenos Airies, which has a high crime rate. To be honest though, unless you are going to a war or drug cartel zone, I think any country is safe, as long as you stick to the common sense and don’t wonder around in unsafe places by yourself.
Nice list, I have traveled solo to all of these places except Costa Rica and Vietnam, and I totally agree! I am glad you mentioned Vietman because I was thinking of skipping it during my travels in SE Asia, but maybe I will give it some thought.
Katie
Obviously I’m not a female traveler but was surprised by the inclusion of Vietnam. Not that it is a place of danger…actually now that I ponder it more, Vietnam is a great place and from there entry to Laos and Cambodia are easy. And then Thailand.
Vienna and Switzerland were awesome places to travel solo for me… Can’t wait to make it out to New Zealand 🙂
I’m sure there are lots of places to visit when you travel solo but these places you have are all great. Costa Rica would be my number 1 choice since I love warm weather and going to beach resorts. I will definitely have fun here when I visit this place alone and meet new friends.
I would add Taiwan! It’s one of the safest countries in the world for women, and it’s such a beautiful country. I never felt unsafe in Taiwan, and all of the locals are so friendly. I made tons of friends in my hostels, the food is amazing, and the temples are beautiful. I even learned to surf and rented a motorcycle!
Great list of places! I need to get out to ALL of them!
Prague, and Spain are also great for solo females. Thailand is another good choice 🙂 Would love to travel to Costa Rico one of these days.
Great list. Vietnam and Costa Rica are two places I really want to visit. So far I’ve travelled solo to Krakow, Morocco, Turkey and St Lucia. I loved them all and felt safe, although you do get unwanted attention from men in Morocco and Turkey.
Great advice! I haven’t traveled solo much, but have been wanting to lately and looking for a destination. These are all places I’ve considered. It’s great to learn about places where you can start in your comfort zone and feel safe before you branch out more.
I am a little late to the party, but I would highly recommend Rome! I went there in November and felt safe the entire time. It was so beautiful!
I’ve read numerous female solo travelers love Vietnam. Great list, Ashley. I also heard Japan’s a pretty safe country.
I’ve also heard great things about Japan for solo travelers! 🙂
Your list will help many solo female travelers to visit these places. I haven’t heard before about veitnam