Solo Travel Mindset: How to Conquer Travel Self-Doubt
These words by Amelia Earhart hit differently when you’re a Latina staring at flight tickets, your heart racing at the thought of traveling alone. I know that feeling well. That voice in your head spinning stories about what could go wrong. Those well intended but anxiety inducing comments from family. The internal battle between desire and doubt that keeps you awake at night. Here’s what I learned after years of solo traveling: The biggest obstacle isn’t the planning, the money, or even the destination. It’s your own mindset. I wrote this blog while thinking of all of the ways that I worked on changing my solo travel mindset.
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act.”
– Amelia Earhart
The Truth About Being Alone (That No One Talks About)
Being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. This distinction changed everything for me.
Solitude is a skill.
Like any skill, it feels awkward at first.
Think about when you learned to drive. Remember that nervous energy? The hyper-awareness? The feeling that everyone was watching you? Or that you would make mistakes at every single turn.
Solo travel starts the same way. But just like driving, it becomes second nature.
When you’re alone, you notice things.
The way sunlight hits ancient stones in Machu Picchu.
The smell of rain in Mexico City.
The taste of that perfect chocolate con churros on a cold day in Madrid.
These moments belong entirely to you.
Breaking Down Mental Barriers to Change Your Solo Travel Mindset
Your brain is hardwired to protect you. It’s doing its job when it raises concerns.
Let’s examine these thoughts:
“It’s not normal for women to travel alone.”
Reality check: Millions of women travel solo every day. We’re not unicorns.
“I’ll look weird eating by myself.”
Truth: No one cares. They’re too busy with their own lives to notice.
“I won’t be able to handle problems alone.”
Fact: You already solve problems every day. Different location, same capable you.
“My family will worry too much.”
Solution: Set up regular check-ins and share your itinerary with trusted contacts.
Practical Steps To Building Your Solo Travel Mindset
Start small. Your mindset shifts through experience, not just positive thinking:
- Spend one hour in a café alone. Just you and your thoughts.
- Take yourself to dinner. Order exactly what you want.
- Go to a movie solo. Feel the freedom of not sharing your popcorn.
- Plan a day trip to a nearby city using public transportation.
- Book a weekend getaway at a local resort or bed and breakfast.
Each small win rewires your brain. Your brain learns to feel comfortable with these activities until they become second nature to you.
This is why I will always recommend that you date yourself as preparation for your first solo trip. Why? Because when you intentionally do things by yourselff that you would normally do on a date, it helps you build the confidence to go on that first solo trip.
Safety Mindset: Smart Preparation
Safety concerns are valid. Here’s how to address them practically:
- Research neighborhoods before booking accommodations
- Learn about common local scams and how to avoid them
- Keep emergency numbers saved offline
- Share your location with trusted friends through apps
- Get travel insurance that covers medical emergencies
- Keep digital copies of important documents in secure cloud storage
- Learn basic self-defense moves and trust your instincts
- Choose accommodations with 24-hour front desks for your first solo trips
The Freedom You Never Knew You Needed
When you travel with others, you’re in constant negotiation mode.
Where to eat. What to see. When to rest.
But when you Solo travel?
Pure freedom.
Every minute belongs to you.
Want to spend three hours in that museum?
Do it.
Need a mid-afternoon nap?
Take it.
Changed your mind about today’s plans?
No discussion needed.
Solo travel is giving yourself permission to listen to your own desires without guilt, hesitation, or external input. It’s an extremely indulgent and deeply rewarding experience to enjoy your own decisions in their entirety.
Solo travel helps you learniwhat makes you happy without external influences.
Maybe you’ll discover that you love wandering local markets more than visiting major landmarks.
Or that your perfect day involves lounging by a quiet lake instead of rushing to check off tourist bucketlist locations.
When you travel solo, every decision, big or small, becomes an act of self-care.
You prioritize you in a way that doesn’t happen when traveling with others.
The freedom isn’t just logistical; it’s emotional. It’s the liberation of accepting what you want in that moment. And once you taste it, you might wonder how you ever traveled any other way.
Our Cultural Context as Latinas
We’re raised with beautiful values of family and togetherness.
These values don’t disappear when you travel solo. They expand.
You become part of a bigger family, the community of travelers.
You create deeper connections with yourself and others.
You bring home stories and perspectives that enrich your family’s world.
Cultural understanding deepens when you travel alone.
You have more meaningful conversations with locals.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
You learn to navigate different social norms and expectations.
And you bring your experiences wherever you travel to, also expanding the understanding of your own culture in the process.
When you share your journey, whether through stories, photos, or the lessons you’ve learned, you become a bridge between worlds.
You help your family and community see the beauty, complexity, and diversity of other places.
Traveling solo doesn’t mean leaving your family values behind; it means honoring them in a different way.
By opening yourself up to new experiences and people, you bring back more than souvenirs.
You bring back wisdom, compassion, and an appreciation for how humanity is interconnected.
Mental Strength Training (No Gym Required)
Solo travel builds psychological muscles you didn’t know you had:
Decision-making becomes empowering, not overwhelming.
Every choice is yours.
Self-trust grows stronger when you actually listen to it.
Your intuition is usually right.
Adaptability becomes second nature.
Problems transform into adventures.
Mistakes become stories.
Problem-solving skills sharpen naturally.
You learn to:
- Navigate language barriers creatively: I have pointed at things or made sounds to communicate when Google translate was not working.
- Find solutions in unfamiliar environments
- Handle unexpected changes calmly
- Budget and manage money effectively
- Create backup plans instinctively
Practical Tips for Building Your Solo Travel Mindset
Before Your Trip
- Practice saying no to things that don’t serve you
- Start small with local solo adventures
- Learn basic phrases in your destination’s language
- Join online communities of solo female travelers
- Research local customs and dress codes
- Create a flexible itinerary with built-in free days
- Book your first night’s accommodation in advance
- Download offline maps and translation apps
During Your Trip
- Keep a journal of your experiences
- Take photos of yourself (yes, selfies count!)
- Talk to one new person each day
- Trust your gut instincts
- Stay in female-only hostel dorms or boutique hotels
- Join free walking tours to meet other travelers
- Use hotel breakfast time to plan your day
- Schedule regular video calls with family
Managing Your Money
- Create a realistic daily budget
- Include a buffer for unexpected expenses
- Use a mix of payment methods (cash, cards)
- Keep emergency money separate
- Track expenses daily
- Research local tipping customs
- Understand ATM fees and foreign transaction charges
- Consider getting a travel rewards credit card
A Note About Fear (Because It’s Normal)
Fear is a natural part of stepping out of your comfort zone, and for us as Latinas, it can feel even more significant.
We come from a culture deeply rooted in family, safety, and collective care. The idea of traveling solo can sometimes feel like it goes against everything we’ve been taught.
But I want you to know that fear doesn’t need to disappear completely for you to thrive as a solo traveler.
Even after years of venturing out on my own, I still feel nervous at times.
It’s normal to feel a pang of doubt when boarding a plane to a place you’ve never been or when walking down unfamiliar streets.
The difference now? I’ve learned that fear isn’t a stop sign. I do the activity even while feeling fear.
Those butterflies in your stomach? Those are reminders that you’re about to do something brave, something transformative.
Fear often shows up when we’re on the verge of discovering something extraordinary about ourselves and the world around us.
As a Latina solo traveler, I know the fear is sometimes amplified by cultural expectations.
Maybe you’ve heard family members say, “Pero cómo vas a viajar sola? Estas segura?” (But how are you going to travel alone? Is it safe?).
These concerns come from love, but they can make the fear feel heavier. That’s why it’s so important to remind yourself that courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear, it means moving forward despite it.
Each time you take that step, you’re not just proving to yourself that you can do it. You’re challenging stereotypes, breaking barriers, and showing others in our community that solo travel is about growing your wings.
Fear might always walk beside you, but so does courage. And every time you choose to face your fear and travel anyway, you’re rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a Latina exploring the world on her terms.
When Doubt Creeps In (Your Emergency Toolkit)
When your mind starts spinning:
- Remind yourself: Discomfort is temporary, growth is forever
- Question your fears: Is this reality or just a story you’re telling yourself?
- Focus on now: Not the whole trip, just the next step
- Remember: You can always change your plans or go home
- Connect with other solo travelers online
- Read your journal entries from previous successful trips
- Look at photos of places you dream of visiting
- Remember past challenges you’ve overcome
The Real Transformation
The biggest secret about solo travel isn’t about the places you’ll go.
It is that you will learn that you’re braver than you thought. Stronger than you knew. More capable than you imagined.
The world opens up when your mind does.
Ready to start traveling SOLA?
Remember: The first step isn’t booking a flight. It’s deciding that you’re worth this adventure.
Your solo journey begins in your mind.
Want more support? Join the community newsletter where Latina solo travelers share their journeys, fears, and victories. We’re in this together!
Last edited December 15, 2024
Resource List
? If this is your first time on my blog, make sure to read Why Latinas Should Never Solo Travel.
? If you want to solo travel but don’t know where to start, I have an entire Guide to help you Solo Travel.
? For general travel safety tips, please make sure to read 10 TIPS FOR SAFE SOLO TRAVEL LATINAS
? Tips from the US Department of State specifically for Women Travelers.
? STEP Program
? If this is your first time considering solo travel, you might find my Guide to Solo Travel helpful. It covers everything from planning your first trip and even Travel Hacking 101.
? Make sure to subscribe to the blog and newsletter to stay up to date!
ES