How to not feel alone during your solo trip?

Solo travel often rhymes with solitude in the common imagination.

But this is not necessarily always the case, you can advance alone in your journey while being surrounded.

We are not going to hide the fact that yes, you experience moments of solitude at times, but condensed into periods of meetings, activities, etc., it balances out rather well.

A good mix between his independence and his intimacy and his sociability.

Here are some points that I can advise you, with my many solo trips under my belt, to fully enjoy them in the best conditions.

1) The choice of your accommodation is essential

Find a place that encourages meetings, such as hostels or rooms in private homes.

In a hostel

The +

• Cheap

• Who have common parts that encourage exchanges

• Activities/games/outings are organized on site to help people mix and meet people a little more.

Or even internal meetings allow you to organize visits between you.

I take my example I come back from Mexico where I made friends with a French guy in Holbox in a hostel from the first night. We spent our 2 days discovering the island and doing the must-sees together by ourselves (from renting a bike for the day to bars/restaurants in the evening, sunsets etc. and YOLO)

THE -

• Find out about the hostel where you are going to stay

Some hostels are known more for the party and young people side (this is where I tell myself while writing these lines that I am now an old lady who has to distinguish between the young people and me haha)

If you are not part of this movement, you should know that very often, people in groups of friends who come to this type of accommodation are not necessarily looking for travel companions.

Rooms in private homes

There is also this very practical option, in direct contact with the locals, super friendly. ¾ of the time they give you tips, ideas on what to do, where to go, you are like at home but traveling so it also allows you to rest your mind and relax even more.

Depending on the location and context, you can share moments together, have a drink, spend an evening together if they live there directly.

Ex: During a stay in Montreal before knowing that I was going to come and live here 1 year later, I found myself a place to stay in Couchsurfing with a Quebecer, Jessica, who was super nice. I had a great time in her little cocoon and then I ended my stay with David, who regularly rented 2 of his rooms via Airbnb. The apartment was great with a terrace overlooking the highest points of the city, in August-September.

How can I tell you that having breakfast in the morning in peace was a big bonus. Not to mention the many discussions with my host when I met him in the evening.

Airbnb / Homestay

Speaking of Airbnb, it's a gamble because it can be much more impersonal.

Same fight with Homestay or similar sites.

Quite often you tend to take entire homes, so there is no one on the premises to welcome you except for an unfortunate key box with a code etc.

But hey, it all depends on your needs during your stay.

 Sometimes when traveling, you need your independence and privacy as much as you need to socialize all the time. You can mix both during your trip for a good balance.

2) Forums

No need to make a long speech about it. Everyone sees the idea.

Before your trip you can try to get in touch with people who are going to the same destination and on the same dates.

Get to know each other a little in writing first and if the feeling is good why not organize a stopover together or even your entire stay? A bit like the Tinder of travel in a way ^^.

3) Communities / on-site activities

Before you leave, you can take a look at the associations or organizations that organize activities that you might like.

This can range from yoga classes, surfing to organized day trips with other travelers.

And who knows? Maybe you'll make some friends or at least some holiday acquaintances with whom you can share activities.

Ex: in each trip that I make I always allow myself at least one organized excursion with other travelers, this favors a day to discover with several people, to get to know each other, sometimes to be able to speak your own language (I met a French couple during my day of excursions in Tulum who did me good. A break in my daily life mixing approximate Spanish and English)

4) Volunteering

And why not leave your beach towel and take advantage of being in certain destinations to give a helping hand to associations in need?

Example: Still in Holbox, I spent an afternoon with two other people from my hostel feeding, cuddling and walking dogs on the beach at an animal shelter.

Or in Chiang Mai during my road trip in Thailand, spending time at the sanctuary for injured or sick elephants taken in to feed and wash them.

Incredible experience, moreover, where you perceive the link between the elephant and its " guardian " (there is a term for this but I can't remember it).

Many expats also use Woofing, sites like HelpX or Workaway: in the form of volunteering, working for room and board.

5) Groups/organized trips

If you still feel unsure about going completely solo, there is always the option of an organized trip from A to Z or sometimes semi-freedom.

The body UCPA is a good alternative to combine organized travel with sports activities that encourage encounters.

Or again Travel buddies, which has been growing more and more in recent years with a worldwide travel offer all year round.

From city trips to safaris, there is something for everyone (and wallets of course)

Finally, we can never say it enough: traveling alone forces you to get out of your comfort zone whether you like it or not, to challenge yourself if you don't easily take the first step in your everyday life. You will thank yourself for having done it afterwards.

Remember that people are on vacation like you, discovering new horizons, cultures. They are not going to reject you on the contrary, the goal of the trip is to open up a little more to others, to get out of your daily life.

And then there is no point in fooling yourself: if you do not go towards others, you will remain isolated.

So take your courage in both hands and get started, you have all the keys to do it serenely 😉