Travel & Leisure – There are many travelers who claim that traveling alone is the best way to see the world. You deliberately travel solo, they say, because you want to experience the world without the influence of a friend or partner’s tastes, prejudices, or preferences. Still, there are two concerns for many solo travelers. The first is safety: the simple fact is that there are countries that are statistically safer than others for travelers.
The second concern is just as critical: is the country you’ve chosen a happy place? Is it a country where you’ll be made to feel welcome, a nation where you can easily interact with the locals, where conversation flows easily even if you’re struggling with a new language? For truly rewarding solo travel, it’s crucial that you can connect with the culture and not feel like an outsider.
To find the answer to these two questions, Travel and Leisure crunched the numbers from the Global Peace Index, which ranks 162 nations for their peacefulness, and the Happy Planet Index, which looks at environmental impact and human well-being in 151 countries to measure where people live long and happy lives.
Costa Rica Tops the List of the Safest and Happiest Countries to Vacation
In the results, Costa Rica ranked #4 Best Country for Solo Travelers. With a Happiness Ranking of #1 and Safety Ranking of #42, Costa Rica represents one of the best locations to vacation…alone.
You could argue that the concept of adventure travel was born here in Costa Rica, a.k.a. the world’s happiest country. This Central American destination has been drawing Americans for decades to surf on the Pacific coast, go ziplining through a rainforest, discover an active volcano, or simply relax on one of the world’s best beaches.
Now luxury travel seems to be defining Costa Rica, especially in the region of Guanacaste, where luxury resorts like Hacienda Pinilla and the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo offer relaxation and indulgence for the most discriminating travelers.
Whatever your preference, Costa Rica has something for everyone – and this land of Pura Vida is one of the best places to experience a your solo vacation.