NorahMy very first solo trip ever was to Ecuador in 2023. I had originally planned to visit the country with friends in 2022, but that trip was canceled due to political unrest in the region. I was determined to actually visit, and had done so much planning for the initial trip that I felt decently confident in my abilities to plan a trip focused around my favorite thing: adventure. No one was able to go with me during the time I wanted to travel to Ecuador, and I am a teacher with plenty of time off. Add in the fact that Ecuador takes U.S. dollars, and I was hooked. In this guide I will be sharing my experience with solo traveling, as well as specific tips I have for traveling in Ecuador as a solo woman.
My first solo international trip was messy and lonely and empowering and so fun, and I am so proud of myself for actually getting up the courage to go. I talk a big game and sometimes (most of the time) do not back that up with anything. But, I wanted to go somewhere and did not have anyone to go with me, so I made it happen with myself.
Tip #1: Avoid being out after dark.
This is perhaps the most universal solo travel tip, especially for women. Despite this, it is really my tried and true. I stayed in Quito, and did not feel safe walking anywhere alone. I especially avoided anywhere after dark, and always planned my adventures around being back to my hostel well before dark.
You can stay in a variety of different accommodations while in Ecuador, but I personally recommend the Secret Garden hostel. It was truly one of the best hostel experiences I have ever had, and they had so many unique features that made it super easy to be a solo traveler in Ecuador. They had airport transfers ($40, but major peace of mind), guided tours, and my personal favorite: an in house restaurant. There were multiple days where I got back from tours right at sunset, and it was lovely to be able to just eat dinner at the hostel. I felt super safe at the hostel and this eliminated the need to have to go back out after dark. Plus, their food was quite good!
I also personally avoided drinking when traveling alone. Again, this is personal preference and everyone will have different comfort levels. I personally feel more comfortable when I am sober, and don’t believe this takes away from my experience.
Tip #2: Stay in a place you feel safe.
I generally try to stay in super budget friendly places, but on my first solo trip I tried to be very intentional about where I stayed. I had some reservations about traveling in Quito as a solo woman, so I booked a hostel that might be slightly more expensive in favor of having more peace of mind. When I traveled in the Galapagos solo on the same trip, I did not have the same reservations.
I believe everyone will have different levels of comfort. I felt safe during old town Quito during the day, but did not feel safe at night. While in the Galapagos, I felt incredibly safe and had no trouble walking around the island at night. I would recommend spending more money on things that make you feel as safe as possible.
Tip#3: Bring a book for meals.
One of the best parts of solo travel is all the alone time, but one of the hardest parts is all the alone time. I really enjoyed a lot of the solo adventures I went on, but sometimes the meals were hard. I would recommend always having a book on hand to keep you occupied at dinner. Going out to eat can be one of the most empowering activities ever, and once you gain that skill solo travel becomes so much more fun!
Tip#4: Join tours to eliminate the logistical planning.
Navigating around Ecuador can be a bit stressful, and I would recommend booking tours for your excursions, especially if you are traveling alone. While excursions can be a bit more expensive, I would still recommend them for traveling in Ecuador.
I went on so many excursions while in Ecuador; I did hikes, road trips, snorkeling excursions, and history tours across the whole country. I cannot recommend the excursions enough; I still think about many of the people I met while in Ecuador. Traveling solo tends to lead to fascinating conversations with people I might not normally have talked to, and excursions are a wonderful catalyst because you get to spend the whole day with people!
Tip #5: Talk to people!
My best advice for traveling solo is to absolutely talk to as many people as possible. Whether it’s through your tours, your hostel, apps, or different meet up groups; I would recommend being kind to everyone on your trip. Being alone exposes you to new people that you might not have a chance to meet if you are traveling in a group.
In Ecuador, I found everyone to be remarkably friendly. Both locals and travelers alike were excited to share stories, swap memories, and give advice. Many people I interacted with in Ecuador had been traveling on an epic trip around South America, and had plenty of stories and advice to share about the beautiful countries.
Tip #6: Do not look approachable.
And finally, one piece of safety advice: When you are walking through the streets, look as unfriendly as possible. This can apply to any safety situation as a solo woman, but I found it especially helpful in Ecuador. When I was in Quito, I always walked through the streets quickly and made a point to avoid eye contact and not look friendly. Obviously, you are friendly! But, staying safe should be top priority.
Solo travel is truly one of the most spectacular and empowering experiences ever. It is also deeply challenging, and solo traveling in Ecuador has its fair share of both. Solo travel can be great, but make sure you are fully prepared!
Check out my YouTube videos about my trip, and read more about staying safe on road trips here!
