Calling all solo female travelers! Want to get away but feeling anxious about going overseas? Worried about making new friends, or staying safe in a different country?
Volunteering vacations are a great option for solo female travelers because they are an extremely safe and organized way to holiday abroad with others. Volunteering will build your confidence, create lifelong friendships, and make your vacation more meaningful by giving back to the local community where you’re staying. You’ll get to push yourself out of your comfort zone, find your independence, and meet like-minded people from different backgrounds and cultures.
While you may arrive on your own, you will be enveloped into a group of new friends from the get-go. That’s because volunteering abroad brings people together in a much deeper and more meaningful way than your average vacation. Our volunteers find it easy to connect with each other because they share a mutual passion to make the world a better place, with an open-minded willingness to learn and grow, and a desire to become part of a community.
“I left my home country (United States) for the first time ever with IVHQ. It was incredible!! I feel so confident and excited and refreshed after finishing my program! I met some of the coolest people in the world, tried so many new things, and learned how to handle hard situations and challenges. I feel like I can take on the world now and I couldn’t be more excited to take another trip!” Bailey Bjorn, Mayan Cultural Immersion in Guatemala
Interested to learn more? Here are answers to some common questions we get asked around solo travel for women:
- How easy is it to make friends as a solo female traveler?
- Why volunteer with IVHQ as a solo female traveler?
- How does IVHQ keep solo female travelers safe?
- IVHQ’s top solo female travel destinations
How easy is it to make friends as a solo female traveler?
When you volunteer abroad with International Volunteer HQ, you’re never alone. Every day we watch our volunteers form extraordinary bonds with each other and their host communities.
Making friends with other volunteers
With 70% of our volunteers arriving solo, everyone is in the same boat and super eager to make new friends! From the moment you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by like minded people who want to make the world a better place. In the evenings and at the weekends, you’ll have the chance to explore incredible new places together. Before you know it, you’ll be laughing together, adventuring together, eating together, and making memories together.
“I made bonds in those couple of weeks that will always stay with me. It’s normal to feel nervous before going but honestly you become close friends with the other volunteers so quickly. Go in open minded and embrace the culture. It has helped me grow so much and be so grateful for the little things.” Louise Hall, Childcare in Kenya
Connecting with the local community
It’s not just other volunteers that you’ll form these special connections with. You’ll be welcomed into the local community with open arms, giving you a truly authentic cultural experience that you simply can’t get as a tourist. IVHQ’s in-country teams are all locals and will help give you a real taste of life in your chosen destination.
“Volunteering will forever be one the best ways to truly learn about a culture. You will receive an experience interacting with locals that you just otherwise wouldn’t get as a tourist. And the programs themselves are very exciting!” Vittoria Roberto, Turtle Conservation in Zanzibar
Why volunteer with IVHQ as a solo female traveler?
If you’re planning to volunteer solo it is important to go with a reputable volunteer organization that will organize your whole trip for you, with accommodation and projects that have been fully vetted, providing support while you’re overseas and giving you the chance to socialize with other volunteers.
IVHQ is the world’s most trusted provider of solo volunteer abroad programs. We’ve hosted over 144,569 travelers since 2007 and the majority of them are solo female travelers. So we know what we’re doing when it comes to providing support, safety, fun, and friendships to women traveling alone.
Here’s why IVHQ is the top choice for solo female travelers seeking a volunteer vacation:
- 70% of our volunteers travel solo and 70% are women – you’ll be one among many!
- We organize everything for you
- Cheap way to see the world: Fees for accommodation, airport pickup, most meals, and 24/7 support start at just $20 per day
- Choose from 300+ volunteering projects across more than 40 countries worldwide
- Unmatched safety record: Well established health and safety procedures
- Easy to make friends: Live, volunteer, and socialize with like-minded people from around the world
- Super friendly local communities excited to welcome you
- Ethically minded: IVHQ is the only global volunteer abroad provider to be a certified B Corporation
“I’m so glad I chose Costa Rica as my first volunteer trip with IVHQ. I 100% recommend IVHQ if you are travelling solo and want to volunteer in a country you’ve never been to. I will cherish all the memories and the 3 weeks I was there.” Ashley Del Rosario, Teaching English - Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica
“Was my first solo trip which turned out to be an amazing experience that allowed me to grow personally and emotionally. The program definitely gave me a different perspective on life. At the end of the day the program is what each individual makes of it, so for me, it was a perfect balance between my volunteer commitments (which I loved!) as well as having adequate time to explore a new country with my new friends. And lastly, there was no need for me to be anxious because the program was so well coordinated from the time I arrived to my departure.” Anneline Simmer, Childcare in Tanzania
“My first solo international trip was through IVHQ and went better than I had ever expected. IVHQ helped me plan the things I was most concerned about prior to my departure (accommodation, transportation) and ensured I would be connected and supported while in the country. The local team went above and beyond my expectations in terms of friendliness and support, and truly made me feel so comfortable. I was most nervous about staying with a host family for the first time, but the local team set me up with a perfect match – a family I truly connected with and hope to stay in contact with. I am so glad I went through IVHQ. I learned so much on this trip and can’t wait for the next one!” Emma Hudson, Healthcare in Costa Rica
How does IVHQ keep solo female travelers safe?
IVHQ’s 15+ years of experience means we know how to make it safe and easy for you to volunteer abroad with confidence:
- Secure accommodation that is vetted and regularly monitored
- Female-only dorms, private room upgrades, and homestay accommodation available
- A member of the local team meets you at the airport when you arrive
- In-country orientation when you arrive highlights any hazards and gets you familiarized with your surroundings
- 24/7 in-country support from our local team included
- Dedicated support from your IVHQ Program Manager in the lead up to, during, and after your trip
- Health and Safety, Risk Management, and policies and procedures in place across all destinations
“This experience is life changing. IVHQ is safe, reliable and they care about their volunteers’ safety. During orientation, you will most likely receive a list of word translations that will help you navigate the country. IVHQ will be there every step of the way as they check on you during your program, making them an excellent choice for placement and support. Not only will your life change for the better but you will build relationships with the community that will last forever.” Donna, Women’s Education in Tanzania
IVHQ’s top solo female travel destinations
The following IVHQ volunteer destinations have excellent wrap-around support from our local teams and a high volume of volunteers starting every week, making them awesome choices for solo female travelers!
Volunteer in Belize
Volunteer in Costa Rica
Volunteer in Croatia
Volunteer in Guatemala
Volunteer in South Africa
Volunteer in Sri Lanka
Volunteer in Tanzania
Volunteer in Victoria Falls
Volunteer in Zambia
“Never thought the goodbye day was going to be that hard. Laughing, crying, hugging, running, coloring, teaching. It’s not about the place, it’s about the people. Couldn’t be more grateful for this time, to have met all these people, to have experienced all of this. Enjoyed every minute of it. It seems to have been a lifetime.” Joana Fernandes, Childcare in Tanzania
