Airbnb recommendations – NorthAmericanDarrell

rarely had great experiences traveling with other people—and yes, I fully understand that I’m the common denominator here. I’ve done the math.

That said, I genuinely don’t know how some people manage to travel together at all. Maybe they’re just comfortable arguing as a lifestyle choice. I’ve seen it. I still see it. Loudly. In public. Over nothing.

I was told more than once that I needed to change, adapt, or compromise… otherwise I’d end up traveling alone forever.

Well… look at me now.
It’s working out just fine.

Meanwhile, you’re still arguing about:

whose turn it was to plan

where to park

And why that restaurant you absolutely had to try is suddenly a disaster

Godspeed.

Some of my worst vacations were spent with other people.
Some of the best times of my life have been solo.

Watching grown adults bicker nonstop doesn’t look relaxing to me. I’ve been there. I’ve lived it. I’ve watched it unfold too many times to pretend it’s “part of the experience.”

Getting yelled at like a puppy in public while supposedly on vacation?

Yeah… HELL NO.

Solo travel isn’t for everyone.
But neither is forced compromise pretending to be a “great trip.”

Pick your chaos wisely.

So many people can’t even go out to dinner by themselves—let alone visit another country solo.

I honestly think solo travel (and yes, solo dining) is a skill. And like any skill, it has to be learned. This didn’t come naturally to me either.

It came from years of traveling for work. If you didn’t force yourself out of the hotel or apartment, you’d just stare at the same four walls every night. That gets depressing real fast. So I started going out alone—restaurants, cafés, even the movies.

Turns out, it’s kind of amazing.

No negotiating where to eat.
No waiting on someone who “isn’t hungry but might order something.”
No small talk when you just want to enjoy the moment.

And let’s be honest…

Not having to share popcorn is elite behavior.
Everyone wants the last handful. I’m just brave enough to admit it.

Solo travel isn’t lonely—it’s efficient.
Solo dining isn’t sad—it’s peaceful.

Once you learn the skill, it’s hard to give it up.

I recently came across an article on Hostelworld that inspired me to write more about my solo travel and hostel experiences. Their content does a great job digging into why hostels are such a natural fit for people traveling alone.

As of this blog, I’ve stayed in hostels in:

Thailand

Philippines

Vietnam

Cambodia

London

Austria

Bulgaria

Greece

Hungary

United Arab Emirates

United States

And my favorite Hawaiian island, Kona, multiple times

(I know I’m forgetting a few—so I’ll keep updating the list as I remember them.)

Hostelworld’s articles go much deeper into the why behind solo travel and hostel culture. If this topic resonates with you, their blog is well worth a read:

Solo Traveller Hostel Blog – Hostelworld Travel Blog

At the end of the day, being comfortable on your own isn’t lonely—it’s freedom. And once you get good at it, the world opens up in ways group travel never quite allows.

I’m just going to borrow a bunch of their fancy data and stack it up against my own travels—because honestly, it lines up way better than I expected.

First of all… how great is it that Japan ranks as the #1 solo-travel country?
I already booked a full month in Japan for February 2026, followed immediately by another month in South Korea. Complete coincidence, obviously. Totally not validating every life choice I’ve made. 😄

While I was bouncing around Southeast Asia, I had no idea how popular Japan was for solo travelers. Then I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole (as one does), and now I’m fully committed. The planning alone has me fired up—and that’s before I even land.

And here’s the kicker…

I’ve already been to 10 of the 16 countries on their solo-travel bucket list. I’ll knock out four more on my next two trips, which leaves just New Zealand and Iceland sitting at the top of the list—according to the “experts,” anyway. 😎

Not bad for someone who was once told they’d end up traveling alone forever.

Turns out, that wasn’t a warning.
It was a recommendation.

Let’s look at some of the stats on solo travelers from the Hostel World blog. These numbers help show just how big—and how legit—solo travel has become.

Whether you’re curious about who’s doing it, where they go, or why they love it, the data lines up with my own experience out on the road.

Below are the key takeaways from the blog, followed by how my travels stack up against those trends:

I know what you’ve probably been thinking since you started reading this—and trust me, I’ve been told the same thing more than once:

Aren’t you a bit old to be staying in hostels?

Maybe 🫡
But you’d be surprised by some of the experiences I’ve had.

Hostels aren’t just for 20-year-olds on gap years anymore. They’re full of solo travelers, digital nomads, long-term wanderers, and people who simply value connection over room service. Some nights it’s quiet, some nights it’s social, and some nights you end up in conversations you never would’ve had behind a hotel door.

Age matters a lot less when everyone’s there for the same reason: to see the world without overcomplicating it.

I 100% agree—the last thing I want is to make anyone uncomfortable during their travels. Because of that, I’ve developed a few personal rules when it comes to booking hostels.

First, I’ll always book a studio or private room if one is available. Having my own space matters to me now, especially after years of being on the road.

Second, I’ll only book a dorm room if a private option isn’t available or the price difference is completely out of line. In some countries, a single bunk bed can run $50+ per night—that’s $1,550+ per month—so you can imagine what studios or hotels cost in those same places.

I’ve also realized I’m far from alone in this approach. Especially in Europe, it’s common to see older travelers and even couples staying in hostels. Sometimes it’s a bunk, sometimes a private room, and occasionally a one-bedroom if the property offers it. The idea that hostels are only for twenty-somethings on gap years just doesn’t hold up anymore.

Another lingering stigma around hostels—and travel in general—is safety and comfort. In reality, modern hostels have come a long way: lockers, key-card access, privacy curtains, solid Wi-Fi, and thoughtful layouts are more common than not.

Like everything in travel, it comes down to choosing what works for you. Hostels aren’t about suffering through discomfort—they’re about flexibility, affordability, and meeting people on your own terms.

I’ve only had one truly bad hostel experience, and it happened in Orange County, California. It was bad enough that I left—and yes, I was refunded. That experience was enough for me to decide I’ll never stay in a hostel in California again. Lesson learned.

That said, let’s be real—how many people can honestly say they’ve also had a brutal stay at an expensive hotel? It happens. Price doesn’t guarantee a great experience, just like budget travel doesn’t guarantee a bad one.

If you’re a solo traveler, I genuinely hope some of this helps you feel comfortable trying it at least once. Start smart. Choose what fits you. Adjust as you go.

And if you need advice or have questions, I’d love to hear from you through the homepage contact.

Make it unforgettable—and affordable. 🤙🏻

There are a lot of reasons people choose to travel solo, but these are the top three that line up with mine:

Freedom of Choice

Every decision is yours—when to wake up, where to eat, how long to stay, and when to move on. No compromises, no negotiations, no group chats arguing about dinner plans. If something feels right, you go. If it doesn’t, you pivot.

Peace Over Compromise

Solo travel eliminates unnecessary friction. No bickering over directions, budgets, or schedules. No managing other people’s moods. What you gain instead is calm, clarity, and the ability to actually enjoy where you are without tension tagging along.

Growth Through Discomfort

Traveling alone forces you to engage—with places, people, and yourself. You learn how to solve problems, sit with silence, and be comfortable on your own. That confidence carries back into everyday life in ways most people don’t expect.

Solo travel isn’t about being antisocial or avoiding people—it’s about choosing intentional experiences over forced ones. It’s not for everyone, but for the right person, it changes everything.

Affordability + Built-In Community

Hostel travel makes everything more affordable—and it’s one of the easiest ways to meet like-minded people along the way.

You’ll save significantly on accommodations, and food and drinks are often cheaper too—especially if there’s a shared kitchen or an on-site bar with hostel pricing. Even better, you’re surrounded by other budget-savvy travelers who are constantly exchanging real-time intel: what’s worth seeing, what’s overrated, how to get around cheaply, and where not to get ripped off.

Many hostels also offer discounted excursions, walking tours, and group activities that are both cheaper and more social than booking solo.

It’s not just about saving money—it’s about instantly plugging into a travel brain trust the moment you check in.

If you want, I can now:

write #2 and #3 to match your philosophy

make this funnier or punchier

or tailor it specifically to older solo travelers

You too can become a cheap travel nerd and travel the world solo!

Celebrated Taco Tuesday the only responsible way—fish tacos to start, hard-shell chicken tacos to finish, and absolutely zero regard for sequencing, nutrition, or personal dignity.

If this is wrong, I don’t want to be right.