Q: Do you have to be an extrovert to make friends while traveling solo?

A: Of course not!

I would characterize myself as an extroverted introvert. While I can be extremely bubbly and social at times, I tend to recharge alone. I CRAVE some personal time every so often. I’m not afraid to spend an entire day alone. HOWEVER, I’ve managed to meet a TON of interesting and inspiring people as a solo traveler (without any real effort)! And you never know who you’ll meet… I met my boyfriend on my solo adventure down to Antarctica! Meeting people from various walks of life has been an unexpected bonus of my global travels alone. Remember: “The energy we put out is the energy we get back.”

Here are my tips for how to meet people while traveling solo!

Book a couple of group tours

The flat out easiest way to meet people while solo traveling is to book at least one group tour. Some examples that I participated in during my travels have included: group scuba certification on a dive boat in Bali, guided group bar crawl and Argentine football game in Buenos Aires, group tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, group trekking on the Perito Merino glacier in Patagonia, and MANY more. All you need to do is sign up and show up with a smile!

The best part about meeting people this way is that they will undoubtedly be like-minded! Who did I meet scuba diving in Bali? A few 20-something active financiers from Singapore. The following day we met up to explore and hike on a nearby Indonesian island. Who did I meet trekking the Perito Merino glacier in Patagonia? Some 30-something Californians who shared their backpack bottle of Rosé with me and invited me out salsa dancing.

This is all to say that I met people who shared my love of the outdoors, spontaneity, and adventure because of the group activities I joined. Pick something you enjoy, and you’re bound to meet other people who enjoy it too.

Pick a social accommodation

For solo travelers who want to socialize, I recommend booking an accommodation that facilitates meeting people. This could be a hostel if you’re a younger budget-conscious traveler, or it could be a 5-star luxury resort that offers a ton of on-site group activities. Or HEY, why not something in between!? For example, I jump on any opportunity to stay in a private room at a clean and trendy hostel. I’ve aged out of the shared bathroom experience but still enjoy how hostels connect like-minded solo travelers from around the globe! There are plenty of ways to avoid sitting alone in your hotel all day!

Spark up natural conversations

Besides joining a group tour, which provides loads of natural opportunities to spark up a conversation, I find that restaurants and bars are highly conducive to meeting people. My favorite way of eating dinner out alone as a solo traveler is to sit at the bar and chat with the bartender! Servers also tend to be super interested in hearing solo traveler stories! It’s my favorite way to get a local’s perspective on tourism and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Stay (cautiously) open to strangers

The overarching advice I have to meet people while traveling solo is to stay open to it. Your best friend was once a stranger. You should always keep your guard up if/when someone’s behavior seems off, erratic, or gives you ANY reason to pause… extricate yourself from that situation immediately! BUT, the majority of the people you come across will be just as harmless as the people you encounter near home. Keeping your heart and mind open to new people, new experiences, and new spontaneous adventures is a MUST. My most exciting travel memories have come from unplanned experiences. If you’re going to jump off a cliff and try solo travel, you might as well make it a running leap!!

What are some ways you’ve met people as a solo traveler?

Let The Soloist plan your next solo adventure and who KNOWS who you might meet!!