Solo Dolo But Make it Travel
Where to start? I got so much positive feedback from my birthday trip to Antigua!
Not only did y’all encourage me for taking a leap, but many of you also expressed sentiments of taking your own solo trip.
It was already on my heart to share this perspective of my experience with you, so here goes. #dolo
Travel Agent, or nah?
I personally book and handle my own travel. I’ve planned enough trips to know how to go about this thing, and I like having the autonomy and flexibility to make any decisions on my own.
That said, there are some phenomenal services out there, and if this isn’t necessarily your forte and you have some extra dollars to allocate, feel free to do what’s best for you. The job of a travel agency is really to make the process less of a hassle for you. They can set up payment plans and leverage their relationships with properties to get you competitive packages, so there are some benefits to going this route.
Choosing a Destination
I’m obsessed with the African Diaspora and since my 25th birthday in Barbados, which was a huge learning experience, I have prioritized visiting the West Indies annually.
There are so many islands, and each time I learn of another, I add it to my mental list of places I might want to explore. From there, I do the math on what I can afford and make a decision.
That said, I always do a search on crime to understand the lay of the land, because even though I’m adventurous, I’m still very cautious.
Here are some places, including but not limited to the Caribbean, where I’ve visited and would feel comfortable traveling to alone:
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
St. Johns, Antigua
Fort de France, Martinique
Christ Church, Barbados
Paris, France
Stockholm, Sweden
Airbnb or Resort
I’m a bargain shopper, so I look for the best accommodations at the most efficient rate. I also prioritize safety, so when booking Antigua, deciding between an Airbnb or Resort was a real conundrum for me.
I was tied between safety at the cost of a hefty expense or a nice, affordable stay with everything I needed, excluding formal security or local friends and family.
In the end, I went with the all-inclusive stay at a resort, and it was worth every penny.
Pros
I didn’t worry about anything while I was there. My meals, drinks and on-site water sports were all covered all day every day.
I met other people, who either stayed at the resort or worked on the property. This provided a social experience I couldn’t have traded for anything.
I felt safe because security was present at the gate entrance/exit and on the property as well.
Cons
Larger investment
If you’re visiting anywhere for the first time I’d recommend staying at a hotel or resort property.
How to Prepare
Research
Learning as much as you can about the island before visiting is always a good idea. Some things you might want to find out before you visit are:
What is the national currency and the exchange rate?
Where’s the "city” and how close in proximity is it from where you’ll be?
Is there a U.S. Embassy, in case something happens?
What are the top things to do there?
What’s the history of the island/country/people there?
Is there a big night where everyone gets together and do something at a disclosed location?
Reviews
Read the reviews! This is your guiding light.
When I saw that one of the resorts I was considering had poor reviews for cleanliness, I moved on and didn’t look back.
Of course, people are fickle and may have an issue with things that may not bother you, but just prioritize your needs when you make a decision. The last thing you want to do is be uncomfortable on vacation.
Renting a car/Taking Taxis/Public Transportation
Depending on the infrastructure of the island, I prefer to rent a car.
In some places, like Antigua, it’s not the best idea, because the roads are really narrow and I didn’t see a whole lot of signage. However, in other places, like Martinique, where it’s basically like driving in America, it’s a plus, because you can avoid high fares and explore the island on your time, as you please.
The best is when countries, like Barbados, have functional bus systems that can pick you up at a stop near your stay and take you around the island for $1-$2 USD.
Lastly, but certainly not least, are the $1 cabs. These are run by locals who drive large vehicles around, pick up tourists for a low price and drop them off at stop along their route.
Activities
Activities are essential to a good trip!
It doesn’t matter where I go, I’m looking for the Black History Museums and the excursions. lol
Museums, because I want to understand my people’s contribution to society, celebrate it and add that to my repertoire.
Excursions because they are so much fun and provide an opportunity to meet other people and make friends.
That said, try to budget 1-2 excursions and 1 educational activity while you’re away. Here are some of my favorites:
Tours that take you around the island
Day Cruises to any wreckages, uninhabited islands, or etc.
Land Sports on the property (at a minimum, I sprained my toe playing volleyball, but I made friends and had a lot of fun)
Jet Skis
ATVs
Tubing
Snorkeling
Highs and Lows of Being Solo
If you’re single, the real tea is that you solo travel every day. Seriously, all the things you do with and for yourself daily have prepared you to go off and enjoy this experience to the fullest.
Keeping that in mind, and even if you’re in a relationship, solo traveling comes with its own set of highs and lows. Here are some of mine.
Highs
I did everything on my time. I got up at 6, I went to get breakfast, I spent hours on the beach… I ate when my stomach told me I was hungry and went back.
There was absolutely no drama. None. Zilch. Zero. Nada.
I had space to be free. I mean, the beauty of it all. I just remember floating in the water for hours not thinking about a damn thing, really.
Taking my own pics was a high I didn’t anticipate and it’s also my new preference. I could see my poses, capture my own angles and fix my face in real-time. I also didn’t have to feel bad about asking for more pics because the first few someone was willing to take didn’t look good. Instead, I got back in front of the camera and took more. :)
Lows
The first couple of nights, there were times at like dinner, when I would have appreciated having a friend to wind down with and talk to.
I’m clumsy and injured myself several times while I was there. It was overwhelming at times, but thankfully there were people around me who offered a hand. <3
Travel Safely & Smart
I have found that traveling alone is comparable to relocating to a new city alone. The difference is, you’re in a different country-that however familiar, is still not your own-so you will want to take more precautions.
Here are some basic rules that I was more than willing to follow:
Check in regularly to let your family know what you’re doing and ultimately that you’re okay
If you make friends and feel safe enough to venture off, tell somebody where you’re going and who you’re going there with.
Share your Room # and any other details about the property with your family so that they know other ways to get in touch with you should they have any problems reaching your line.
Note: Make sure you’re telling the people who actually care about you. My crew was solid.
Dad, making sure his baby girl remembered the lesson he taught me 10 years ago.
On the first night, I was sitting alone at dinner and as it dawned on me that I had come alone, a member of the staff brought me a bouquet of freshly picked flowers. I posted it to my story and my ma was like wayment. lol <3
Misc. Fees
Wifi
Whether it’s an Airbnb or resort, if you can find somewhere with wifi included, that will be the best way to go. This is an additive fee for a lot of resorts, but usually included at no additional cost when booking an Airbnb.
Data Plan
Regardless, I would set aside $10/day to go toward the international travel data plan fee that’s offered by your carrier so that you can make calls and use your phone as you please throughout the day(non-negotiable for me).
How it works is simple. Once you land, turnoff “airplane” mode and begin to respond to texts or access the internet, you’ll get a message that explains the fee and you’ll just have to reply “Y” to opt in. Please note: you’ll have to opt in each day you’re away.
Things You’ll Want to Keep Handy At All Times
Passport/I.D.
Pepperspray
A book
Cash and/or at least 1 debit/credit card
Pain Medicine
Feminine care items* (I also advise packing these- they are ridiculously expensive on the resort property)
Portable charger
Your phone
Room key
Cross body bag or back pack
I checked my purse for these items every single time I was about to leave my room.
Bon Voyage! (Have a great trip)
Hopefully, you’ve gotten a strong sense of how to go about planning your own trip and feel empowered to do so, if it’s on your check list.
I had no idea what to expect from Antigua, but every part of it was beautiful.
Can’t wait to hear about yours!
