Stop Waiting for Others and Just Go!
My Top 5 Tips for Solo Travellers
Greetings from Detroit, where I am staying put for the next 2 - 3 weeks. I’m testing recipes for the book and wrapping up text. Your girl is focused!
You may or not have seen Tracee Ellis Ross’ new show on Roku, tilted Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross. I’d seen some mention of it online and some of the critiques so decided to watch for myself. It is a short 3-episode season that has been renewed. She visits Morocco, Mexico and Spain. I really enjoyed it because she made me feel a little less ridiculous for how I pack. It is certainly aspirational and gave me a little nudge to go a little further with my wardrobe.
I have been solo traveling since 2009, when I took my first solo trip to Costa Rica. It was a last minute trip, I was in a terrible headspace and I had a free Spirit ticket to ANYWHERE that they flew. I took it while in Miami back then, as they had oversold the flight and I was living my best free and unemployed life.
When I booked that trip, I had no idea what I was going to do in a foreign country by myself. I booked a four star hotel, because I wanted to be comfortable and that was it. I remember walking the streets of San Jose with a notebook. Eating lunch alone, sitting in parks, people watching and writing. I ended up doing a group tour to Arenal, their famous volcano, and even watched it erupt, which is incredibly rare. The pictures I have from that day, were kindly taken by strangers in my travel group.
Since then, I have traveled to 115 countries solo and even wrote the introduction for the recently released Women Travel Solo, published by Lonely Planet. This anthology is comprised of stories by women from around the world, of their global adventures. You can purchase it on Bookshop.org, Amazon, Target and most places where books are sold!
I’ve traveled solo on all six inhabited continents and I’ve had very few issues while doing so. I find that you will always find people, in any country, that are happy to lend a helping hand and make sure that you enjoy, understand and fall in love with their country.
Traveling solo allows me to go deeper into a culture vs when I travel with family and friends. When I’m alone, the only people I have to talk to are the people in that country and that gives me the rich experiences that I have gathered around the world.
It is hard to rank my favorite countries for solo travel because I really do feel like any country is ripe for solo travel and you will always find someone whose least favorite country is someone else’s favorite country.
I encourage you to go wherever in the world that you want to go, and if you’re feeling a little hesitant, hire a tour guide to be your crutch!
My Top 5 Tips for Solo Travellers
1. Lodging matters! Hostels are great if you are on a budget and looking to make friends. I choose hotels because of the 24 hour front desk which makes me feel safe when returning at night.
2. Pay attention to your surroundings.
3. You are a woman - follow your instincts.
4. Be modest in your dressing. We live in a patriarchal world and unfortunately the way you dress can invite unwanted attention. If you're alone be extra cautious.
5. Never tell anyone that you are traveling alone.
Be well. Travel well. Live well. Until next time: catch me if you can!
- Jessica
Say hi on Instagram, watch my latest video on YouTube or check out my book for more travel tips!
Beautiful pictures. I’ve never traveled alone, maybe one day. You have such an open heart.