How My First Solo Trip as a Female Traveler Changed Everything

I know my blog might make it seem like I’ve always been this confident, seasoned traveler—but truthfully, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Here is the real scoop behind how my first solo trip as a female traveler changed everything about me and my life.

I grew up in a low-income Latin household where travel wasn’t really in the cards. Our one family vacation? A five-hour road trip to Phoenix when I was 12. That was it. And even when I landed my first job as an engineer after college, I still didn’t travel—not because I didn’t want to, but because I had no one to go with. I kept waiting for friends’ schedules to align. Spoiler: they never did.

I dipped my toes into local adventures, but I hadn’t built the confidence to book a flight solo—until my NYC boyfriend dumped me which pushed me to take the leap. Yes — I’m embarrassed to say a breakup was the catalyst.

Taking the Leap: Booking That First Solo Flight

After the breakup. I found myself at a crossroads. I was tired of waiting. Tired of putting my dreams on hold. So I did something bold: I booked a solo trip to Mexico City and Guadalajara. This was back in 2016, before Mexico City became a post-pandemic hot spot. And to be honest I was terrified—but also deeply ready for something to change.

Like most first-time female solo travelers, I researched everything obsessively. I looked up safe neighborhoods, bucket list attractions, where to stay, what to eat… but even with all the planning, nothing could fully prepare me for that mix of butterflies, nerves, and freedom that comes with taking your first trip alone.

And girl—was it worth it.

Finding Magic (and Myself) in Mexico City

I landed in Mexico City in the late afternoon and, after checking into my Airbnb in Centro Histórico, I went out in search of dinner. Wandering through the cobblestone streets, I ended up in the Zócalo just as twilight began to drape the city in magic. The cathedral glowed under the moonlight, and there it was: a rooftop restaurant that looked like something out of a dream. Only problem was I didn’t know how to get there.

To be honest, I used to be a nervous person, especially when talking to strangers. Any normal day, I would have looked at that mesmerizing rooftop restaurant and let the “talking to strangers” part deter me from find how to get there. But I reminded myself—I had already invested in this trip. I had flown across the country, taken PTO, and stepped far outside my comfort zone. And I wasn’t about to let a little fear stop me now.

I asked a few local vendors for directions, and eventually found my way to Balcón del Zócalo. The waiter led me to the perfect table overlooking the Zócalo, and I’ll never forget the feeling: I was falling in love with this city, and more importantly, with the version of me who had chosen courage to follow her heart desires — despite her self-doubt or nerves.

The Freedom of Solo Travel

The next day, I wandered the streets of Mexico City with a latte in hand and sunglasses on. It was sunny—even in mind November—and everything felt full of possibility. There’s so much to do in that city (I even made a guide: 35+ Unique Things to Do in Mexico City).

Your first solo trip as a female traveler is pure magic. It’s not just about the places you see—it’s about what you discover within yourself.

So if you’re feeling nervous to take that leap, let me offer you this:

Your life truly begins outside your comfort zone.
There will never be a perfect time.
You can plan all you want, but at some point—you just have to go.

Beyond Travel: How Solo Adventures Transformed My Life

My first solo trip as a female traveler opened the doors for me and taught me how to boldly walk into the uncertain — and not just with travel. It gave me the strength to pursue career dreams, it gave me the courage to move to a new city, and most recently, it’s helped me navigate post-divorce life with more confidence and clarity.

I owe so much to the version of me who booked that flight.

And I hope that when you take your first solo trip, it opens doors you never imagined, just like it did for me.

Let’s Stay Connected

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→ Interested in that 2016 solo trip that started it all? Here’s the full breakdown of everything I did in Mexico City and Guadalajara—what I saw, where I stayed, and what I ate (obviously).