As an elder millennial, geriatric millennial really (but who’s counting?), and the first daughter born to Colombian immigrants in the U.S., my childhood came with rules that could fill a manual. Everything was about safety, reputation, and protection.
As an adult, I understand now that those restrictions came from love and fear—our parents’ way of shielding us from a world they didn’t fully trust. But those same rules also shaped how I saw the world: dangerous, unpredictable, and not meant for me to explore alone. For years, solo travel for Latinas, especially a Latina like me, felt impossible. Solo travel was something meant for other women, not for girls raised like me.
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The Beginning of My Solo Travel Story
I started traveling for business in 2007. Sometimes, I’d be on the road every week of the month—flying into cities I’d dreamed of visiting, only to spend my evenings locked in hotel rooms.
I’d finish work, grab takeout, and retreat to the safety of four walls, too nervous to sit alone in a restaurant. I’d imagine everyone staring at me in pity, wondering why I was eating by myself.
The truth? I was scared. Not just of being alone, but of being seen alone.
I thought solo dining was sad. I thought something bad would happen if I went out exploring.
I watched too much Forensic Files and had fully convinced myself that if I left the hotel, some serial killer would pick me out of millions and say, “Her. That’s the one.”
Back in 2007, resources for women traveling solo were rare. There weren’t many blogs or Latina travelers showing us that we could do this safely and confidently. YouTube travel vloggers weren’t really a thing back then either…
And honestly, Latinas didn’t travel solo. Not the ones I knew, anyway. That was for “locas” – women that were too crazy.
Breaking the Rules I Grew Up With
The fear of danger, of unknown situations, and of disappointing my parents always lingered. The voice of “Te lo dije” lived rent-free in my head.
For months, I begged friends and boyfriends to join me on trips. Nobody had the time or money. So I stayed put, hiding behind the illusion of safety.
Until one day, in New York City, I decided to test my luck. Surely, the serial killer could take a day off.
I walked into a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, sat at the bar, and ordered a meal. I brought a book, planning to hide behind it in case anyone looked my way. But within minutes, the bartender struck up a conversation. Then a few others joined in.
One woman turned out to be a Broadway dancer who ended up leaving me tickets at will-call for my first show. That night changed something in me.
Each business trip after that, I pushed myself a little more. Until one day, I booked my first real solo vacation—with no work meetings and no safety net.
And once I did, I was hooked.
The First Solo Trip That Changed Everything
My first trip for pleasure was to New York again. I walked the streets with no agenda. I ate when I wanted. Slept when I wanted. I didn’t have to compromise on food, wake-up times, or budgets.
That independence was intoxicating. Yo hice lo que me dio la gana.
For the first time, I wasn’t waiting on anyone to make travel happen for me. I had given myself permission. I went to the places I wanted to go to and spent as much time as I wanted to there, without anyone being tired or upset or rushing me to leave.
Why So Many Latinas Still Hold Back
Even today, many of us grow up with the same messages:
The world is dangerous.
You shouldn’t travel alone.
What will people think?
But solo travel isn’t reckless—it’s liberating. It’s how we unlearn fear and learn trust. It’s how we discover that we are the safety net we’ve been looking for.
Traveling alone teaches self-reliance, adaptability, and confidence. And those lessons spill into every part of life.
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How to Prepare for Your First Solo Trip
Here’s how to get started if you’ve been dreaming of a trip but haven’t taken the leap:
Start Small Pick a nearby city or a place you’ve always wanted to explore. Get comfortable being on your own for a few days.
Stay Connected, Safely Share your itinerary with someone you trust. Use apps like TripIt or Wanderlog for safety check-ins.
Choose Safe, Central Accommodations Look for well-reviewed hotels or home-stays in walkable areas. You can find options and compare prices easily through Expedia, Hotels.com or Kayak.
Pack Light, but Smart You’ll move easier and stress less. I always bring a crossbody bag, portable charger, and a printed copy of my travel documents.
Money Tips for Solo Travelers
Traveling solo doesn’t have to mean overspending.
Use flight search tools like Skyscanner, Google Flights or Kayak.
Book stays that include breakfast to cut meal costs.
Consider housesitting through Trusted Housesitters if you love animals and want to stay somewhere comfortable in exchange for home and pet care. .
Track expenses using apps like Wanderlog to stay on budget. The free version of this app is amazing!
For more detailed strategies, see my post: Travel Hacking 101 – The Beginner’s Guide to Travel Hacking.
Meeting People While Traveling Alone
Solo travel doesn’t mean loneliness. Some of my best friendships started while sitting at a bar, waiting for a tour to start, or joining a group activity.
? Save money through TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS if you don’t mind exchanging pet and home care for accommodation.
Final Thoughts
Solo travel isn’t a trend. Solo Travel for Latinas is form of freedom.
For Latinas, it’s also a form of rebellion. We’ve been told to play it safe, to wait for the right time, to always ask permission, always wait for another to want to come with us (especially a man).
But the right time is now.
You don’t need someone else to validate your dreams. You need courage, curiosity, and a plan. The rest unfolds beautifully on its own.
So, if fear has kept you home, pack your bags anyway.
You might just find that the world has been waiting for you all along.
Ready to plan your first solo trip?
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? For tips on handling conflict, border closures, a pandemic and other issues while traveling click here.
? For those just starting out, you might also enjoy my Beginner’s Guide to Travel Hacking – it’s a great way to make those solo adventures more affordable and accessible.
Meet Maribel, The Queen of Trips, a survivor who turned her cancer journey into a source of inspiration for fellow travelers. Join her as she fearlessly explores the world, showing that life after cancer is a testament to resilience and the power of living fully.
ES