the solo travel code

6 Principles for Adventuring Responsibly

ditch Your Comfort Zone

Embrace fear and do it anyway. Solo travel is the opportunity to dive into new experiences and push your own boundaries. Try different foods, make new friends, get out of the touristy areas, ride a motorcycle- whatever challenges you! All that being said, use common sense and watch out for your fellow travelers along the way.

engage & (actively) listen

Keep an open mind. Travel will shatter many expectations and preconceptions you may have had about a country or culture. Learning a few words of the local language and asking questions respectfully will usually go a long way. Remember that you are a guest in someone else’s home as well as an ambassador for your own country.

enjoy the simple things

Breathe! Be present with yourself and listen to your body when it needs rest. Travel slowly if you prefer. Sometimes we are on a limited schedule, but take the time to mindfully immerse yourself in the place you are there to see. Watch the sunset, sit at a cafe, meditate or fall asleep in a hammock every now and then. Take it all in.

be kind to the earth

Each time we hike, lay on the beach or even take a sip of wine, we tap into nature’s resources. If you do your research, you can make informed lifestyle and travel choices that respect wildlife and contribute to the conservation and regeneration of the environment. Actions as simple as bringing your own water bottle or opting for public transportation over driving make a difference.

travel with gratitude

Being able to see the world for leisure is a privilege and one to be thankful for. The fact that we are out exploring and learning is beautiful in and of itself. Awe at the stunning architecture and landscapes you come across. Journal, photograph, paint or film your surroundings if it feels right and capture the sights. The memories and misadventures of the journey will remain with you long after you have left.

give back & educate

Support local businesses and communities while on your travels. This not only boosts the local economy but also encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. There are some fantastic co-ops that provide an educational experience while directly supporting their residents. Donate where appropriate, learn with humility, and share your positive experiences and new knowledge with other travelers.

“For all its material advantages, the sedentary life has left us edgy, unfulfilled. Even after 400 generations in villages and cities, we haven’t forgotten. The open road still softly calls, like a nearly forgotten song of childhood. We invest far-off places with a certain romance. This appeal, I suspect, has been meticulously crafted by natural selection as an essential element in our survival. Long summers, mild winters, rich harvests, plentiful game—none of them lasts forever. It is beyond our powers to predict the future. Catastrophic events have a way of sneaking up on us, of catching us unaware. Your own life, or your band’s, or even your species’ might be owed to a restless few—drawn, by a craving they can hardly articulate or understand, to undiscovered lands and new worlds.

— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994