Traveling Solo: Tips for Going It Alone

One of my most terrifying fears? Karaoke. No matter how much I pretend I’m Beyoncé’s twin, the thought of being onstage, singing a solo in front of a staring crowd, makes my mind immediately leap to the Wizard of Oz scene where the Wicked Witch of the West melts. And just like belting out that hot single like Beyoncé (All the Single Ladies is my go-to karaoke song), the thought of traveling alone can be daunting—yet liberating—all at the same time.

So to make your next solo spa travel experience a successful, stress-free one, we’re sharing these tips.

1. A little bit of research goes a long way. Several wellness destinations cater to solo travelers with specialty themed weeks for women, men, and more. Head to spafinder.com for ideas when creating your next travel plans.
2. Make the solo trek a meaningful one. Take time to disconnect from everyday life, work, and technology and reconnect with yourself. Traveling solo can be a meditative experience if you choose to make it one. Be as solitary as you like…
3. …or, be as social as you desire. Sign up for resort activities like yoga, paddleboarding, hiking, etc., where you can engage with other like-minded guests and make the most of your stay. (Another idea? Look for destinations that offer communal dining experiences, ideal for solo travelers.)
4. Be safety conscious. Your wellbeing comes first when traveling—especially when traveling by yourself. Always be aware of your surroundings; take advantage of in-room amenities like safes; and stay healthy by packing plenty of immunity-boosting products.

As well, we spoke with renowned destination spa Rancho La Puerta, who put together two itineraries of tips for both the solo traveler who wants to be active/social and the other for those seeking solitude. While the tips pertain specifically to Rancho La Puerta’s property in Tecate, Mexico, read on for a better grasp of what wellness destinations have to offer those traveling solo!

In Rancho La Puerta’s own words:

“Guests can choose to be as social as they want—they can go through the entire day with people, or spend it alone.” the spa says.

SOCIAL:

• There are activities to choose from each hour, many of them are social and even if they are not, many classes encourage teamwork.
• Tip: Some examples of very social activities include hiking, cooking classes, tennis, bingo,hanging out at the Bazaar del Sol (wine and coffee bar)
• Tip: Go to the Welcome reception on Monday (wine, sangria, chips)
• Tip:Enjoy the sunrise and go on any of the hikes
• Tip: Attend the Newcomers Lunch – meet and greet people
• Tip: Attend any of the art classes including jewelry, sculpture and prayer arrow…a great place to chat with new people as the classes are usually small
• Tip: Attend the cooking classes as you have to work together and you feel a real bonding over the course of the class, plus you get to enjoy your delicious meal together.  Great way to meet new people.
• Tip: Attend Bingo…you will be laughing throughout, the mood is very open and social
• Tip: Attend cardio drum class, you can’t help but laugh all the way through and you have to work together.
• People often start making friends/socializing from the second they board the shuttle at the airport
• The dining hall fosters a spirit of community
• Tip: Sit at a table full of people you don’t know to meet new people!

SOLITUDE:

• The Ranch is the ideal environment for solitude and reflection
• The property itself is 3,000 acres and the buildings are spread out enough so that it feels as if you are in your own paradise.
• Tip: Attend the Dove Meditation Hike
• Tip: Spend time at The Spa and book treatments, we highly suggest watsu
• Tip:Attend any of the Inner Journey classes such as chanting and/or sacred bowls
• Tip: Book your room in the Sol area – some are more physically secluded for a sense of privacy.
• Tip:  Attend the silent dinner (this could also be good for socializing because even though you’re not talking, there is a sense of bonding over the experience because it’s so unusual)
• Tip: The ranch is a great place for fostering personal goals or reflection by writing in a journal or reading out in nature near the labyrinth or the beginning of the hikes.
• Tip: Take advantage of our library, there’s a great selection of books and magazines
• Unplug for a Sense of Solitude: We encourage guests to unplug – this provides escape from the normal everyday life  – we don’t have WiFi in the rooms so that they can escape the corporate world.