Costa Rica

Costa Rica stands out as an exceptionally safe and genuinely warm destination for solo travelers, a direct result of its consistent democracy and the abolition of its military in 1948. This commitment to peace has contributed to its population being ranked the happiest in the Western Hemisphere, according to the Happy Planet Index. The country, despite being smaller than West Virginia, boasts an incredible diversity of ecosystems, from active volcanoes and mystical cloud forests to pristine Caribbean and Pacific beaches, teeming with wildlife like sloths, toucans, and monkeys. Popular routes through Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio are well-trodden and offer abundant organized tours, making it simple for solo travelers to join daily excursions. For adventurous individuals, surfing lessons in Santa Teresa are readily available for around $40, while the exhilarating experience of zip-lining through the verdant canopy costs approximately $50, offering an adventure comparable in thrill to the jungle excursions found in Thailand.