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Tips for Solo Traveling & Traveling to Puerto Rico

After my 31st birthday I booked my first solo trip to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico. It was a “just do it” moment! Overall, the best decision I made this year! Traveling solo is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime – whether young old, married or not. Traveling solo is an experience everyone needs. Contrary to what you may think – a lot of women – black women particularly, travel solo. Now I know why!

Traveling solo – for those on the fence – is easier than you may think. And yes – you can have a lot of fun traveling solo! Even during COVID and the guidelines countries have in place – you can still enjoy it. And if nothing else – it can be the rest and relaxation you may need after a year of heartbreaks, unknowns and changes we experienced in 2020. Traveling solo can also be the spritual awakening or leap of faith you need to take. On a solo trip you can discover so much about yourself and who you want to be. Check out my post “What I learned about myself on my first Solo Trip” coming coon!

Here are some tips I’ve learned from my first experience as well as others I’ve learned from women who have done it! I’ve combined tips for traveling solo but also fun things to do in Puerto Rico if you are traveling solo. Tips 1 -4 are safety and planning tips. Tips 5-8 are tips to enjoy your solo vacation! If you are looking for additional tips, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram here!

  1. Before you book your trip, figure out the purpose of your solo trip! For me this trip was about connecting to myself, exploring and enjoying! For you this trip may be for rest and relaxation. Or it may be spiritual. Figure out what you want to experience on your solo trip then head to tip 2. 
  2. Do your research! Based on the reason for your trip – figure out where you want to go and where you want to say. Puerto Rico was good for me because I wanted to explore the culture, EAT, and get some sun. This dictated the hotel I stayed at. Since my trip was more about being on the beach and exploring, I didn’t need the major luxuries in a hotel. I wanted somewhere comfortable, clean and safe to sleep. I stayed in Condado – a town near San Juan & minutes from the beach. This worked out perfectly for me. You can check out the Ivy Hotel here.
  3. Review the guidelines of your destination and what’s open there. Puerto Rico worked for me because it was in between international and local being a US territory. This also made it a little easier to travel. Prior to the trip – I checked the requirements of entering Puerto Rico, what forms I had to fill out, the differences were for those fully vaccinated and those not vaccinated and the requirements when entering back into the states. I also checked the guidelines locally.  Know what the hotels are offering and the guidelines for Airbnb. There was a curfew in Puerto Rico which meant, depending on the activities I wanted to book, I had to be mindful of when things would close and travel time. Curfew also was important for transportation. Taxi’s and Ubers stopped taking trips at 10pm – so I couldn’t get stuck far away from my hotel after 10pm. 
  4. Create a safety plan. Not meaning like White House security safety plan – but a plan that makes you feel safe. I created a group of friends and family that would have constant access to my location and knew where I was staying. Tip: IPhone users can share your location indefinitely with other iPhone users with he find my phone app. I created a schedule for my group – a picture in the morning and one at night once I was in the room for good. I did bring some mace with me and a small pocket knife just in case. Disclaimer: I NEVER HAD TO USE IT, but it was there if I needed it. Just pack it securely in your checked bag and depending on where your going bring it. (Honestly – I wasn’t nervous traveling alone – but the input of some friends and family members that were scared – I decided to bring it just in case). 
Taken at the Ivy Hotel in Condado Puerto Rico

Now, the fun tips!

5. Book some, explore more! I booked a few activities throughout my trip, but I also left time to explore the island and go with the flow. With the help of other women who have traveled to Puerto Rico I was able to find some really cool tour and activities to do while out there. This is also the best way to meet new people!  When traveling solo, activities are good ways for you to explore sagely and feel out the area. Tours are also a good way to see the famous or fun spots with someone who can give you the hsitroy and suggestions. When traveling solo, tours are also a good way to see what places you would want to come back to! My favorite experience was learning the local dance  Bomba in the city of Loiza! I was also able to see El Yunque – the famous rainforest on the IG Tour managed by Spotin (I would definitely recommend and you can check them out here).

I planned my trip with United family Organization. One of my favorite tours, the IG tour by Spotin tours was suggested by UFO. Check out UFO here or your next travel experience! While activities are definitely fun, you don’t want to fill your schedule up so much that you miss out on the beauty and culture of the island. Allow yourself a few days to sleep in, walk to the local breakfast spot and have breakfast on the beach and then go from there.

6. Be open to the people you’ll meet and the possibilities you’ll have! The best thing about traveling solo is meeting new people and trying new things! While in Puerto Rico I met some amazing people! It’s easy to stay to yourself while traveling solo, but feel out the atmosphere and the people and make connections! You may find a friend,  a spouse or just someone to give you a local place to eat or visit that you may love. You can check out my Instagram reel “Life mottos I learned from amazing people in Puerto Rico”, here! Also, be open to what the trip will bring to you! Whether you ask for clarity, rest, inspiration or just good food – let the universe connect you to all of those things.

7. Trust your vibe and your instincts. If it feels good – go with it. If it feels off – walk away. Traveling solo is the best way to learn to trust your instincts. They never steer you wrong. 

8. Let go of the baggage before you get off the plane. Why would you bring negative energy to your trip? Whether you sage yourself before you get on the plae, pray, or whatever makes you feel calm – do it and release the negative energy. Allow this trip to be the release you need – spritually, mentally or sexually. Create the space for positive vibes to flow to you.

Don’t think about it just do it! You’re going to love it. Trust your vibe and go! 

Until Next Time!
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