Single life - you answer to no one, pick up after no one, wait on no one - your time is yours, the world is yours - the glass is half full. Single life - no one to go to movies with, the dreadful idea of eating alone, and no one to join you on exotic tropical vacations - sounds lonely - the glass half empty.
Most of us are single at one point in our adult lives. The reasons don’t matter. Sometimes we find a soul mate and live happily ever after, sometimes our unaddressed baggage unintentionally beats away potential suitors and we’re left wondering why we can’t find that “perfect” match. For some, it seems we’re destined to journey through life solo. Being alone can be a liberating time or a debilitating time. It can be a time when you challenge yourself to take up new hobbies, go back to school, spend more time with friends … or it can be a time when you isolate, with your only date a glass of Malbec and a 5 hour Netflix marathon of Orange is the New Black. You could be pining over the fun others are having, that you should be having if only you had a partner or, with a little bit of courage, you could start planning a getaway of your own.
To all my would be solo travelers and adventurers, it’s time to take your first solo vacation! No more excuses, no more sitting at home, no more wistfully viewing someone else’s Facebook photos. It’s time to create your own travel album and I’m taking out all the guess work. All you have to do is click, purchase, pack and show up. Your adventure unfolds now:
Where to go - when choosing a destination as a solo traveler, especially the first time, it’s a good idea to pick a place frequented by other solo travelers. There are endless options. I’ve recently solo-traveled to Bali, Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico - all great for solo travelers. But I keep coming back to sunny, friendly, easy Costa Rica. I’ve been living part-time in Tamarindo, Costa Rica since 2013 and have traveled to many destinations within the country. I can tell you that while there definitely are families on vacation and couples on their honeymoon, there is a huge population of solo travelers - both male and female.