The 5 safest countries for women to travel alone in 2026 - and which of them are in Latin America

The 5 safest countries for women to travel alone in 2026 - and which ones are in Latin America.
Getty Images via BBC
Women traveling alone are driving current travel trends.
Several tour operators report that this demographic is among the fastest-growing segments, especially women over 50 who don't need a companion to travel.
Searches for "solo travel for women" are up 30% globally in the last five years. Despite growing interest, many women still have valid safety concerns.
In a February 2026 survey conducted by Talker Research for the nonprofit Road Scholar, 59% of respondents said that walking at night was their biggest concern about traveling alone.
Additionally, women were more likely than men to cite safety as the reason they had not yet traveled alone.
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There is no single global index that reflects the safety of countries for women who travel alone.
So we looked at Georgetown University's latest Women, Peace and Security (MPS) Index, which ranks countries based on women's inclusion, justice and safety, along with the Global Peace Index, and spoke to women who have traveled alone about where they felt safest.
Below, we look at five of the countries that stood out this year and how to best explore them as a solo traveler.
Coast Rica
Estonia
Vietnam
Uruguay
Norway
Costa Rica
Nosara Beach in Costa Rica attracts tourists from all over the world.
Getty Images via BBC
This Central American country was recently named one of the happiest in the world and also recorded one of the most significant rises in the Women, Peace and Security Index, rising from 60th to 34th position.
This change reflects further progress broad focus on women's inclusion and safety, along with a growing influx of remote workers attracted by the digital nomad visa.
"Costa Rica is one of the easiest places in the world to meet people traveling alone," says Molly Gagnon, solo travel agent at The Social Solivagant agency, who has returned to the country every year since 2021.
She highlights the great diversity of expats, surfers and entrepreneurs who flock to the beaches of Santa Teresa and Nosara on the coast of Costa Rica. Pacific.
"You meet people naturally at surf and yoga classes, cafes, and even walking along the beach," says Gagnon. "The culture encourages independence. It's very common to see women doing things alone."
For first-time visitors to the country, she recommends booking one or two structured activities at the beginning of the trip, like a surfing lesson or a guided tour, to make it easier to interact with locals, and opting for boutique hotels or guesthouses with a social atmosphere rather than isolated vacation rentals.
The peninsula's Caribbean coast has a unique atmosphere. "The vibrancy and tranquility of the coastal beaches was something I had never experienced," says Ashley Hunter, communications manager at Signature Travel Network, who recently traveled alone to the southern coastal city of Puerto Viejo. in the Women, Peace and Security Index, its best historical position, thanks to significant progress in women's health, financial inclusion and perception of community security.
The country also ranks 24th in the Global Peace Index, reflecting low crime rates and political stability.
"During my stay in Estonia, I felt completely safe", says Veronika Romane, blogger on the website Aim To Discover.
The historic center of Tallinn, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a highlight ideal starting point. "It's very walkable," comments Romane.
"The cobblestone streets, the little shops selling crafts and traditional food, the vibrant arts scene, and the rich history of Tallinn's streets made me feel completely at ease exploring on my own."
Solo traveler Ioana Moga recommends visiting the Kiek in de Kök Museum and the Bastion Tunnels, a complex of medieval towers.
"Kiek in de Kök means 'looking into the kitchen', because from the tower it was possible to see inside the kitchens of the neighbors across the street", explains Moga, who chronicled his trip on his blog.
"What I enjoyed most was going underground and exploring the tunnels, which were used for various purposes for many centuries."
To the west of the capital, Tabasalu National Park offers a refuge in nature with breathtaking landscapes, where limestone cliffs rise above the Baltic Sea.
"It was the perfect place for a peaceful walk with spectacular views," said Romane. "I felt at peace being there alone. The few people I encountered in the region were very kind and welcoming; they were simply there to enjoy nature, as was I."
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Vietnam
Vietnam, ranked 38th in the Global Peace Index, has risen three places since last year and remains one of the highest-ranked countries in Southeast Asia.
It also scores relatively well in the Women, Peace and Security Index compared to other countries neighbors, particularly in relation to women's perceptions of community safety.
"Here, everyday interactions were warm and welcoming," says Molly Gagnon, who also visited Vietnam alone last year.
"Simple moments like talking to the owner of a cafe, sitting down for a meal at a street stall, or riding a night bus create spontaneous social opportunities. It's a place where social interaction happens naturally."
She recommends joining one of the many small-group tours the country offers, which cover themes ranging from food and drink to motorcycling, as an easy way for solo travelers to start exploring the country. But she also suggests enjoying the experience of hanging out with the locals.
"I've been back to Vietnam several times: hiking in Sa Pa with a Hmong guide, staying with homestays in the Mekong Delta, and celebrating Tet [Lunar New Year] in the Central Highlands with a local family," says Tracy Smith, author of The Purpose of Getting Lost: A Story of Self-Discovery. free).
"I was impressed not only by the beauty of the country, but also by how safe and welcomed I felt traveling alone. I'll be back this spring for my old guide's wedding."
Her advice: go beyond the typical tourist itinerary. "Use local guide services, consider homestays, and be open to slower-paced travel that fosters personal connections," she says.
"Vietnam rewards curiosity and respect; it's a country best served by connecting with others." to its strong record in justice and security, including low rates of violence against women.
The country also ranks as the second most peaceful in South America (behind Argentina) in the Global Peace Index.
"I was immediately struck by the peaceful atmosphere," comments Claudia Tavani, who wrote about her experience on her blog.
"Uruguay is incredibly peaceful and its people are very welcoming. I visited the country in mid-March, when there weren't many tourists, so I was able to meet many locals who were always willing to talk and share interesting stories about the country, its history and its culture."
Visiting Colonia del Sacramento, in the southwest of Uruguay, is an unforgettable experience, especially the Historic Center, where most of the country's attractions are concentrated.
"It's a labyrinth of cobblestone streets with whitewashed walls and colorful fountains that flood the streets, and the old cars add a unique touch", comments Tavani.
She recommends a sunset stop at the Calle de los Suspiros (a well-preserved street that once housed the city's historic brothels) or the Colonia lighthouse.
To enjoy a beachy atmosphere, he recommends Punta del Diablo, a fishing village on the east coast, rather than the better-known and busier Punta del Este.
"It's much quieter and safer to explore on your own," she says. "The beach is ideal for sunbathing and swimming."
In Montevideo, renting a bike and cycling along the promenades along the Rio de la Plata is an easy way to explore the city.
Tavani also highlights Carnival, which takes place from mid-January until the end of February or beginning of March, as a much more relaxing alternative to Rio de Janeiro's festivities.
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Norway
Norway, third place in the WPS index (tied with Sweden), it scores highly in social protection, equal pay and citizen security.
The country has consistently ranked in the top three since the index's creation in 2017, and its robust social safety net (which includes universal healthcare, parental leave and public daycare) supports a culture in which women actively participate in the job market and government.
For women traveling alone, the appeal lies in both natural beauty and safety. "Traveling alone here was very easy," says Janice Lintz, who described her trip to the country as one of the most extraordinary she's ever taken.
"The wildlife [in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, located between Norway and the North Pole] exceeded all my expectations. We saw polar bears, bearded seals, walruses, arctic foxes and reindeer. We also saw flat ice at about 82 degrees north latitude, which was surreal."
The comfort and sense of well-being persists even outdoors in the dark.
"I always felt safe, even photographing the night sky," says Lisa Michele Burns, founder of travel photography club The Wandering Lens.
Burns visited Norway alone twice: once in winter to photograph the Northern Lights and once in late summer, spending much of her time in the region north, around Bodø and the Lofoten Islands.
"The spectacular coastline provides the perfect setting for strolling, taking in the beauty and sounds, taking photos at your leisure and watching how the weather conditions develop," she commented.
While Burns loves nature, she also appreciates the country's welcoming hotels.
"Traditional fishermen's houses, now converted into cabins, and Scandinavian interior design are other reasons why Norway will always be on my list of places to go I'd love to go back," she says.
Burns recommends that solo travelers rent a car and plan a route around the small towns and viewpoints of the Lofoten region, leaving plenty of free time to explore at leisure. He highlights the pink sand beaches of Mjelle, Unstad and Haukland, and the fishing village of Nusfjord.
This article originally appeared on BBC Travel. To read the full article in English, click here.
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