The best countries for women travelling solo in 2026

From Costa Rica’s social surf towns to Norway’s remote Arctic landscapes, new data and traveller insights reveal where solo female travellers feel most secure.

All signs point to solo women driving today’s travel trends. Multiple tour operators report that the demographic is among their fastest growing segments, especially women over 50 who aren’t waiting on companions to get up and go. Searches for “solo travel for women” have surged 30% worldwide over the past five years.

Despite increased interest, many women still have valid safety concerns. In a February 2026 survey conducted by Talker Research for Road Scholar, 59% of respondents said walking at night was the aspect of solo travel that gave them the most pause. Women were also more likely than men to cite safety as the reason they hadn’t yet travelled alone.  

There is no single global index that captures how safe countries are for solo women travellers. Instead, we analysed the latest Georgetown University Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index  – which ranks countries on women’s inclusion, justice and security – alongside the Global Peace Index, and spoke to women travelling alone about where they felt most at ease. Here are five of the countries that stood out this year, and how to best navigate them as a solo woman traveller.

Costa Rica

This Central American country was recently named one of the world’s happiest – and it has also recorded one of the most significant jumps in the WPS Index, rising from 60th to 34th. The shift reflects broader gains in women’s inclusion and security, alongside a growing influx of remote workers drawn by its digital nomad visa.

“Costa Rica is one of the easiest places in the world to meet people as a solo woman,” said Molly Gagnon, a travel agent specialising in solo travel at The Social Solivagant, who has returned every year since 2021. She points to the strong mix of expats, surfers and entrepreneurs clustered around Santa Teresa and Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula’s Pacific side. “You naturally meet people in surf lessons, yoga classes, cafés and even just walking on the beach,” she said. “The culture fosters independence. It’s very normal to see women doing things solo.”

Alamy

For first-time visitors, she recommends booking one or two structured activities early in the trip – like a surf lesson or a guided hike – to accelerate meeting people, and opting for boutique hotels or social guesthouses over isolated holiday rentals.

The peninsula’s Caribbean side offers its own unique vibe. “The vibrancy and peacefulness along the coastal beaches was something I never had experienced before,” said Ashley Hunter, a communications manager at Signature Travel Network, who recently solo travelled south of Puerto Viejo. “I would take photos during the day, and when the rain rolled in, I’d find a quiet place to tuck away, grab a snack and sketch from those images.”

Estonia

Estonia ranks 11th on the WPS Index – its highest-ever position – with strong gains in women’s health outcomes, financial inclusion and perceived community safety. It also sits 24th on the Global Peace Index, reflecting low crime rates and political stability.