Traveling is pretty much an unpredictable thing, but it’s one of the best feelings in the world. Being able to roam around–whether locally or internationally–can give humans a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. In fact, many people even say that traveling is actually good for one’s mental health. There’s just something about traveling that can make people happier, discover, and reflect more about life.

But, more than traveling itself, one of the most recognized and prominent trends today with regards to travel is solo traveling. Scary as it may seem for most people, but fun, exciting, and challenging for some. While almost the whole world thinks that solo traveling is something that only men can do, women see it as an opportunity to grow and empower others. And, do take note that this “experience” isn’t something to be tried just once in your life because it would be so much better to actually make it a habit to travel alone every once in a while. Solo traveling is more than just a quick trip to check off from one’s bucket list; it deserves to be a regular activity. More than that, it definitely helps cultivate women’s mental and emotional well-being.

One of the best places to travel in is the Philippines. A tropical and archipelagic country down Southeast Asia houses 7,641 majestic islands, three of which are its main regions Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Here in the Philippines, there’s just so much to explore that one day, one week, or even a month could never suffice to travel the entire archipelago fully. More than that, anywhere that is safe for everyone is basically also safe for solo female travelers. With that, let me take you on an initial, virtual tour, and who knows, you might just want to visit the Philippines anytime soon as you fulfill your solo traveling dreams and turn it into reality.

Tagaytay

Image source: Freepik

 Tagaytay is definitely one of the top choices out of all cities in the Philippines if you’re a solo female traveler. It’s also a good start for those only beginning to travel alone. The City of Tagaytay sits on top of a mountain, which explains why it’s famous for its year-round cold and misty weather. More than that, it’s a pretty accessible city. If you’re coming from Metro Manila, particularly Makati Central Business District, it would only take you about an hour to an hour and a half drive to reach Tagaytay.

Located in Tagaytay is also the famous mountain resort that is Tagaytay Highlands, home to the country’s first and only Swiss cable car system, an international golf club, which is recognized to house Asia’s most exciting golf course, luxury log cabins, spa and lodge, and so much more. As a female solo traveler, it’d be one of the best decisions to travel within Tagaytay as you hop on from amusement parks to restaurants, cafes to public markets offering affordable prices of fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants, to famous tourist spots, and a whole lot more!

Baguio

Image source: Pixabay

 Dubbed as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines” and the “City of Pines” in Baguio City. Baguio is so much just like Tagaytay, although Baguio offers cooler weather all year round up in the mountains, and, a trip to Baguio is considered as dreadful for some. This is because it takes quite a while (an average of 7 to 8 hours of bus ride) to reach the city. However, for some people, especially travelers, it’s part of the journey. And besides, it now takes less time (an average of 5 to 6 hours) to get to Baguio, thanks to the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx).

Baguio is culturally rich, so don’t expect much about finding modern tourist spots. This is what makes Baguio retain its charm amidst the large influx of tourists each year. You will find famous tourist spots rich in cultures such as art galleries and museums, artsy cafes, restaurants, food parks, and thrift stores, among others.

Also, thanks to Baguio, you can save a lot of money since it’s a pretty walkable city, also thanks to its cold climate! If you need to take a transport system, transportation is also relatively cheap as you will only need either a jeepney or a taxi. Lastly, Baguio is filled with so much inns, hostels, and transient homes for when you’re on a budget. Leaving Baguio can get so hard as its charm stays with you, and it doesn’t go away quickly.

Batanes

Image source: Pexels

 Safety and security are highly necessary for any and every solo female traveler. Batanes does it best if you want to visit a Philippine city and be able to walk around comfortably and safely at night. Batanes has such a peaceful atmosphere, and, you’d be surprised to know that Batanes has little to no crime rate at all. The Ivatans are very warm and welcoming, so you wouldn’t really feel that you’re alone on a small island. More than Batanes offering utmost safety, security, peace, and calmness, it’s also home to the country’s most beautiful sceneries ranging from scenic cliffs to lush greens and hills and a pebble beach. Find your inner peace and reconnect with yourself as you visit the beautiful island of Batanes.

However, do take note that visiting Batanes is very crucial. The local government only allows a maximum number of tourists per year to preserve the beauty and culture of the island. More than that, Batanes is also prone to strong winds and rains as it is an island that lies in the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean. Make no mistake with your travel bookings! Unless you’re down to get stranded on this island for months, then why not? After all, people are very welcoming anyway.

Sagada

Image source: Freepik

 Where do broken hearts go? To Sagada.

 Sagada is a famous tourist destination amongst solo travelers, particularly people who are currently trying to mend a broken heart. Sagada is just the right place to be for some “me time.” Sagada’s town proper is relatively small, so it’s easier to find all local and key restaurants and hotels that offer cheap deals. So much of Sagada’s tourist spots are those that you can never find in any other city in the Philippines, or maybe even the whole world. Sagada is most popular for its hanging coffins; back then, the dead were hung from limestone cliffs and placed inside wooden coffins. To this day, a lot of these hanging coffins still exist and in fact, are what most tourists look for whenever they visit Sagada.

Palawan

Image source: Freepik

 Head for Palawan if you want your breath to be taken away by nature. Palawan has this capability of preserving its charm that is its natural environment and marine systems. Palawan beaches are highly recommended and worthy of being visited with its fine white sand and clear, turquoise waters. The island of Palawan is a perfect destination for female solo travelers as it also helps you reflect and reconnect with yourself because of its pristine beaches, islands, coves, and the famous underwater river.

Wrapping Up

There are hundreds and thousands of reasons to travel solo, especially if you’re a woman. The Philippines, for one, is indeed one of the most beautiful and most perfect countries to visit if you’re planning on traveling alone. While I have mentioned a few destinations, there are a lot more cities and provinces in the Philippines that are worthy of being visited, so make sure to do your research before booking a flight! Whether you’re looking for something or not, the Philippines definitely has it, and all are enough to satisfy your soul and give you a sense of fulfillment.

Author’s Bio:

Angelo Castelda works as a contributor to a news magazine in Asia. He loves to learn and understand diverse cultures and aims to share through his writing his experiences around the world.