How are your New Year’s resolutions shaping up? If you’re anything like 40% of the women included in the 4,000 travelers surveyed in a late 2024 survey by Future Partners, a tourism market research firm, more solo travel might be one of them. This percentage of women is up 8% from last year’s data, and it might be part of a growing trend. According to Virtuoso, a global network of luxury travel agencies, a whopping 71% of solo travelers are women. 

Even if you’re a total travel newbie, solo travel doesn’t have to be out of your reach — in fact, it’s one of the best ways to build confidence, get out of your comfort zone, and get to know yourself better. 

“Solo travel doesn’t have to be out of your reach — in fact, it’s one of the best ways to build confidence, get out of your comfort zone, and get to know yourself better. “

Below, you’ll find tips, tricks, and travel destinations curated for the solo female traveler. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler who’s backpacked solo through foreign countries galore, you’ve never traveled solo in your life, or you’re somewhere in between, you’ll find relevant info below.

Read on for top tips, domestic and international travel destinations, hotels and retreats, and group travel companies geared to solo female travel. Now you can commit to making 2025 the year you finally book that trip.

Want to read up on more of our travel tips? Check out our guides to slow travel, quiet travel, and our favorite 99 travel hacks.

Our tips for traveling solo as a woman:

  • If you’re intimidated to travel solo, especially to certain places, take advantage of group trips or retreats. There’s no shortage of travel companies that curate group trips to destinations around the world — no matter your budget or preferred activities — and many of them are women only.
  • Stay local! Start small by traveling within your own state or country first. Day trips and weekend trips away are a great way to get to know your own travel style.
  • When heading out of the country, do your research. Learn how you should dress and what areas to avoid — and learn a few basic phrases in the local language. There are so many good language apps these days to help you.
  • Plan, plan, plan. Booking transfers and activities in advance will not only save you time, stress, and money, but it can also keep you safer. Schedule your transfers to and from the airport in advance (if you’re not taking public transit), and always have a plan/itinerary when possible.

Consider these destinations for your solo trip:

Alaska

A US state that’s a world away, Alaska boasts incredible natural scenery and plenty to do for outdoor lovers. Book tours for activities like hiking and explore cities like Anchorage on your own timeline.

Bali

Safe, welcoming, and affordable, Indonesia’s island of Bali is great for solo travel on a budget. There’s so much to do all over the province, the weather is nice year-round, and it has developed tourism infrastructure. And while you’re looking for accommodations, check out Arya Wellness — a women-only wellness hotel.

Canada

One of the safest countries worldwide, Canada has so much to explore. Nature enthusiasts can visit one of the many breathtaking national parks, while city lovers can head to metropolises like Toronto or Vancouver. But the perfect mix of the two are cities like Victoria — combining the bustle of a small city with a gorgeous natural backdrop.

Costa Rica

Known for its safety and friendly locals, Costa Rica is a fantastic solo destination, especially if you like activities like surfing or hiking — we recommend booking group activities or retreats to make new friends while doing something you love, like Bodhi Surf + Yoga or Shaka Costa Rica. Prefer an experience at your own pace? Hotel Three Sixty has a serene rainforest location and does a special solo travel package that gives you a room discount and resources to explore the surrounding area on your own.

Galapagos Islands

Another destination for the outdoor adventurer, the Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, have plenty of wildlife tours you can book for an immersive trip with a bit of structure. 

Germany

According to a recent study, Munich, Germany was ranked the number one city worldwide for solo female travelers. The country boasts high safety rankings in general, too, with so much to do and see in world-class cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.

Guatemala

Popular tourist areas of Guatemala are great for solo travelers — we recommend staying in hostels in cities and towns to meet other like-minded travelers. And hotels located by Lake Atitlan, like Casa Palopó, make great jumping-off points for experiencing hikes and local villages and markets in the popular tourist region.

Iceland

Known as one of the safest countries in the world, Iceland is a great starting point for a less experienced solo traveler. It has plenty of tourism infrastructure, welcoming locals, and great gender equality so harassment is rare.

Ireland

Another country known for its relative safety, Ireland has plenty to see and do — whether you want to explore the culture of cities like Dublin or the natural beauty of their scenic national parks. The locals are friendly, to boot.

Maine

Like Alaska, Maine is another can’t-miss domestic destination. Portland is a super safe, walkable, small city with some of the best cuisine in the country (stay at one of the city’s many independent hotels like the Portland Harbor Hotel), and Acadia National Park has heart-stopping vistas and outdoor activities galore.

Nantucket

Another domestic destination you should put on your must-visit list: Nantucket. The island has a walkable downtown with so much to see, world-class beaches a bike ride or short shuttle away, delicious seafood, and charming stays like Greydon House or the Nantucket Inn. And the neighboring island of Martha’s Vineyard is well worth a visit, too.

New Zealand

Another destination known for its safety and gender equality, New Zealand also has some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world. This is another destination where we recommend staying in one of the country’s many hostels to meet like-minded travelers.

Peru

One of South America’s most popular destinations, Peru is great for solo travel because of its affordability and accessible transportation. Visit must-see tourist spots like Machu Picchu, or head off the beaten path and tour the Amazon rainforest or coastal beaches.

Singapore

One of the safest cities worldwide, this city-state in Southeast Asia is loved by female travelers for its clean, well-lit streets, straightforward public transit, and bustling (and safe!) nightlife.

South Africa

While South Africa is better for the more seasoned solo traveler, we recommend exploring Cape Town for its history, lively atmosphere, and proximity to stunning natural landscapes. It’s also a great country to take advantage of a group tour for a more structured experience.

Tokyo

The largest city in the world by population, Tokyo is also considered one of the safest, with a low crime rate and a respectful culture. Combine that with easy-to-navigate public transit and no shortage of things to do and you have a great destination for solo women. 

Thailand

Known for its fantastic food, breathtaking architecture, and great weather, Thailand is generally considered super safe, especially in city centers like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Our favorite retreats and hotels for solo female travelers:

For totally immersive experiences with a focus on wellness or yoga (because doesn’t that sound like a dream solo trip?), check out the below hotels and retreats at a range of price points and locations. And note that while a few spots on this list feature women-only hotels, you can find women-only hostels and hotels in pretty much any city.

Amantara, Thailand

For a total wellness immersion that also involves traveling to an incredible destination, check out Amantara in Thailand. The luxury “welleisure” resort is all about combining wellness with pleasure, and they customize your trip for you — experience oceanfront yoga, spa treatments, nourishing food, and fitness classes, all from a beachside location in Phuket.

Five Elements, Croatia

A country regularly topping solo travel destination lists, Croatia is known for its stunning Mediterranean coastline, historic architecture, and seafood-forward cuisine. What better location to immerse yourself in a retreat? Five Elements runs both five- and seven-night yoga retreats all summer long in Rovinj, combining yoga and meditation classes with daily adventures like swimming, snorkeling, or hiking and dinners at local restaurants.

Pura Vida Adventures

Like to stay active? Join like-minded travelers at a Pura Vida Adventures retreat. Their surf and yoga retreats take place at locations like Bali and Costa Rica, and they even do some women-only retreats.

Som Dona, Mallorca

Located in a picturesque Mallorquin fishing village turned beach vacation destination, Som Dona is a women-only hotel within walking distance of Porto Cristo’s bustling downtown and turquoise beach.

Santosha at Hillholm Estate, Maine

Located in a Gilded Age mansion tucked into the woods of Maine’s Carrabassett Valley, Santosha at Hillholm Estate offers full-service, all-inclusive yoga retreats in a peacefully secluded locale all year long. Guests can expect no shortage of rejuvenating activities — three daily yoga classes, two guided meditations, and four home-cooked meals — along with amenities like spa services and nearby hiking, swimming holes, and skiing. 

Cayo Levantado, DR

Located on an island off the coast of the Dominican Republic, Cayo Levantado is only accessible by their private boat — and while the all-inclusive resort feels as bougie as it sounds, its price is surprisingly accessible. The resort centers around Yubarta, their wellness facility comprising yoga palapas in between lush vegetation where guests can find yoga, meditation, and sound healing. You’ll also find a top-tier spa, a fitness center, and a restaurant that centers on the slow food movement. 

Postcard Cabins, various locations

We’ve reviewed Postcard Cabins here at TGT before, loving them for how easy they make it to unplug. The US has over two dozen Postcard locations, all of which are within a two-hour drive of a major city. Each location is full of individual, spaced out cabins with small dimensions and no wifi. Use them as a jumping-off point to explore the surrounding nature, or post up for a few days of rest and relaxation with unbeatable seclusion.

BookYogaRetreats

Have a destination you’ve always wanted to visit, but nothing pushing you to visit it, yet? Check out BookYogaRetreats.com to browse thousands of yoga retreats around the world. You can search by price point, location, and retreat duration, so you’re sure to find something up your alley.

Nihi Sumba

If you’ve got a bigger budget to work with, Nihi Sumba in Indonesia has recently unveiled a new lineup of wellness immersion retreats. The ultra-lux retreats feature highlights like equine therapy, treatments with rare jungle plants, underwater meditation, and long walks on remote beaches, all at one of Travel + Leisure’s best hotels in the world.

Josephine’s Guesthouse

A women-only guesthouse in Zurich, Switzerland, Josephine’s Guesthouse offers both short-term and long-term stays, a women-only wellness area, and a prime location in the city’s center.

Group tours for solo female travelers:

Some destinations are more intimidating than others if you’re solo traveling — which is why we recommend checking out group travel companies, especially if you’re a first-time solo traveler. Here are a few to get you started.

Girls’ Guide to the World

Creating small group trips for women only, Girls’ Guide to the World hosts curated group trips in tourist destinations all over the world — from Italy to Japan to Mexico to Namibia — all of which are about a week long.

Women Who Explore

Interested in adventure travel, but aren’t sure where to start? Women Who Explore hosts multiple monthly adventure travel-focused trips that’ll have you paddle boarding in Thailand, backpacking the Rockies, trekking the Alps, or seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Olivia Travel

The leading travel company for lesbian and LGBTQ+ women, Olivia Travel hosts trips of all styles and sizes — like riverboat cruises in Europe, adventure trips to the Maldives, or resort trips to Mexico.

Explorer Chick

Another company that focuses on women-only adventure trips, Explorer Chick is all about making connections while you explore destinations in the States or across the world — they also do trips to Europe, Africa, and South America.

Solo Female Traveler Network

The Solo Female Traveler Network takes it one step further than women-only travel with trips that prioritize responsible, sustainable tourism and supporting local women. You might find yourself spending a girl’s night with a Geisha in Japan, watching the Golden Eagle Festival in Mongolia, or visiting a women’s village in Kenya.

Black Tomato

While Black Tomato’s trips aren’t women-only, they’re bespoke, they head to world-class destinations like Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya, and they offer women a safe group travel experience.

Have you traveled solo before? We’d love to hear what you learned, where you went, and your favorite memories. Share your story with us in the comments!

Natalie Gale is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!