Affordable Summer Destinations for Solo Female Travellers in 2025

June 22, 2025
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Looking to hit the beach and enjoy the summer sun while staying safe and on a budget? Here are all my favourite affordable solo, female travel summer destinations that you should add to your 2025 bucketlist!

Summer is well and truly here and if you haven’t booked your sunny getaway yet, this is the article for you. People often think that solo travel has to either be expensive or unsafe, but that isn’t true. You can find affordable and safe destinations across the world where you can lie on the beach and top up your tan.

I have included some tips at the end regarding solo, female travel and general rules to stay safe and would recommend you check out this post too: How to Stay Safe as a Solo Female Traveller

Table of Contents

Top Budget Summer Travel Destinations for Solo Travellers

Whether you’re an experienced traveller or this is your first solo excursion, this list is for you. In each of these countries have I felt safe while making the most incredible summer memories all without breaking the bank.

1. Albania

Albania is the perfect summer destination, with pristine beaches and crystal clear water that rivals Greece. On top of that, it is still much more affordable and you can find accommodation and meals easily while sticking to a budget.

I volunteered three weeks in Albania two years ago and loved it. While I was apprehensive at first because of the things I had heard, I felt very safe here, the locals were so kind and there is so much to do – even in the blazing summer heat! I also met a lot of other solo, female travellers who I went on tours with, so it is a great location to solo travel to.

My Albania Travel Guides: Albania

2. Morocco

Morocco is one of the countries where I would plan more carefully in advance as a solo, female traveller. That being said, it has some amazing beach destinations that are totally safe and full of tourists, such as Agadir, Taghazout and Essaouira.

You will meet a lot of other solo women here and the hostels are great. Keep common sense in mind while here, e.g. don’t walk around alone after night.

Morocco has some incredible beaches, amazing culture and fantastic day trips, making it a great summer destination. On top of that, it is still very affordable!

3. Okinawa, Japan

While Japan is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination, the small island of Okinawa is rarely found on summer holiday lists. Which is a shame, as it has lovely beaches, stunning nature and incredible marine life and snorkelling.

In the summer months, Okinawa hits an average of 30° each day (86°F) as well as warm sea temperatures. You can find hostels from just around $15 a night and food is incredibly good and cheap! Japan is also the country I have felt safest in while solo travelling, so it is a fantastic option for solo, female travellers.

4. Croatia

Croatia has gained a lot of popularity for its pristine beaches and fun boat parties, however there is so much more to the country that is still underrated. And for Europe, Croatia is still on the cheap side. Hostel dormitories are usually between $20-30 (the most popular islands/national parks are slightly more) and you can get great AirBnBs for 2 people from $40.

I used mostly Flixbus and local trains to get around the country which are really cheap and cooked my own meals as groceries are also very reasonable. Even restaurants that aren’t in the main tourist areas are affordable with meals around $10.

I also met so many other solo, female travellers here and felt really safe overall. The locals are usually friendly and most people speak English too. Check out places like Rijeka and Korčula for more budget-friendly and quiet summer destinations.

5. Mexico

Mexico is a beautiful and affordable beach destination especially for those living in the Americas area. Safety-wise, I would recommend sticking to the very touristy areas and beaches. I stayed in Cancun last year in one of the Nomads Hostels and felt very safe plus the beaches were so stunning (stay in the town instead of the hotel strip for cheaper accommodation). Food, especially street food, is affordable here too and there are some incredible activities.

I would recommend checking out areas such as Cancun, Merida and Puerto Vallarta for affordable but very safe destinations. You will meet many other solo, female travellers in Mexico, which is always a great!

6. Nicaragua

Nicaragua, as so many other countries in South America, is statistically described as unsafe, yet very different when you actually visit. I had the same with Peru and Chile, where the travel advisories were shocking but my actual visit was amazing and eventless in the best way. I would say do your research on the country, traditions, culture and safe areas before visiting – this guide by Maddy’s Avenue gives some great insights.

That being said, Nicaragua has some of the most beautiful beaches, breath-taking nature and affordable accommodation. Great destinations with regards to safety are Granada, San Juan del Sur and Omepte Island.

7. Thailand

Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is very popular amongst other solo, female travellers. It is safe, easy to travel and very budget-friendly. You can find great hostels for just $10 a night.

The islands in the South are specifically great for beach holidays, including Koh Kood, Koh Tao and the Phi Phi Islands. It is best to visit here during the dry season (Nov – early May) and specifically March and April for great weather and little rain.

8. Montenegro

Montenegro is a small country between Albania and Croatia and still very much underrated as a beach holiday destination. While I was in Albania, I met countless people who raved about this beautiful country. Hostels and hotels are fairly affordable, especially during shoulder-season, and eating out doesn’t break the bank here (10-15€ for a nice dinner). September would be a great month for visiting here for example, with average temperatures of 25°.

Some of the best beaches are found around Budva, Rijeka Reževići and Ulcinj.

FAQ about Solo, Female Travel

What are the best safety precautions to take in unfamiliar places?

There are a few important safety precautions to take when travelling somewhere new as a solo, female traveller.

First of all you need to research your destination – is it safe to travel to (check government websites), do other people travel there, how much information about it is out there, where are the safe areas to stay in, what are some things you need to keep in mind when there.

Once you have determined this and made a rough itinerary, make sure to share this with family/friends. When I solo travel, I always text someone exactly where I am staying when including addresses. We also agree that I text daily unless I am on tours etc. This isn’t to be obsessive but so someone knows exactly where you are and can alert authorities in case of an emergency. This is a precaution so don’t let it scare you.

When I solo travel I also trust my gut and put my safety above all else. If a situation feels unsafe, I get out of it no matter the cost. Money can come back, your life doesn’t.

In general, I’d say avoid being out alone at night, know which areas are safe and which to avoid (your accommodation can usually give you advice on this) and drink only when with friends or in a safe location.

How do I choose affordable but safe accommodations?

The first thing I do when choosing accommodations in a new destination is research the area. Which areas are safe for tourists, especially solo travellers. There are usually lots of resources about these things. If you are unsure, you could also reach out to accommodations for advice.

Second, I usually stay in hostels or hotels that are rated well amongst solo-travellers. This is so I can meet other travellers but also so I know that the location is good etc. Hostel dorms are usually your cheapest option though some countries also have affordable AirBnBs – for those I always make sure it is a female host.

Reviews are crucial!! Check several sites such as booking, Google, Tripadvisor, etc. Some red flags are people talking about stuff being stolen, no women leaving reviews, bedbugs and any negative comments about staff. A huge red flag for me is also when a hotel responds rudely to complaints – it’s unprofessional and will probably affect you if something goes wrong.

How do I deal with loneliness while traveling alone?

When I first started solo travelling, meeting people felt super difficult. Even in hostels, everyone already seemed to be in their little groups and I was struggling. I remember being on week 3 of my Australian East Coast trip and calling my mum sobbing because I felt so lonely.

The more I solo travel, the more I have learned about loneliness and making friends. First of all, I am much more comfortable being with myself now. If I don’t find anyone to hang out with, that is okay. FOMO is sometimes still there, but I always remind myself that I am doing my best.

I usually do meet other people though. A good way is booking hostels with activities as it is SO easy to meet others during say a trivia night or a city tour. Another great way is choosing a female dorm – I often find myself bonding quicker with the girls in there. I also use Bumble BFF. That may sound awkward but I have met some of my now closest friends on there and it has been so great while travelling, especially if I am longer in one place. Finally, Facebook Groups – there are hundreds of travel groups out there and so many other solo travellers just waiting to meet you!

Sometimes though, loneliness prevails. Over the years I have learned that when the feeling refuses to leave, it is my time to go home. It’s a sign from my body that I need a break from travelling and constantly meeting new people. I need familiarity and my family. And that’s okay! Trust me, it took me a while to learn this but stopping a trip early is not failure, especially if it has already been a few months.