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This article was originally published in The Detour in January 2024, before Ecuador was added to the piece linked below. We have made some updates to reflect the change.
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Scrolling wistfully through another of the countless &ldquo;best countries to visit for XYZ&rdquo; lists, I found myself stopping and re-reading the title: &ldquo;<a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/south-america/best-countries-visit-south-america-b2472253.html?lid=vbe18r4pg8ch">7 of the best countries to visit in South America</a>.&rdquo;
When there are only 12 countries on the continent (*plus one French overseas department), it makes you wonder what it takes to become one of the glaring omissions? For some, it&rsquo;s undoubtedly political unrest (*ahem* Venezuela) but for the others, it just seems to be a case of poor PR. Let&rsquo;s get stuck in&hellip;
<h2 id="ecuador">Ecuador</h2>
Ecuador had absolutely no business being left off this list when it was originally published in 2024&mdash;they had David Attenborough, for goodness&rsquo; sake! As the home of the Gal&aacute;pagos Islands, it&rsquo;s probably one of the most inspiring destinations for wildlife on the entire continent, or even planet. Grab a cuppa and sit down with <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://youtu.be/dTdyRTN9Baw?si=fOGbb23vHO-sY2DX">the legend himself</a> if you need a refresher.
And there&rsquo;s more where that came from on <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://inspiredbymaps.com/isla-de-la-plata-ecuador-alternative-to-the-galapagos/">Isla de la Plata</a>, aka the Poor Man&rsquo;s Gal&aacute;pagos, where you can catch a glimpse of some <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://youtu.be/lcPHFQP9GN0?si=YREZZJi-QKwT7m__&amp;t=11">blue footed boobies</a> without burning a hole in your pocket. You&rsquo;ll even find a mess of iguanas just hanging out in the centre of Guayaquil. Yes, a <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://theoccasionaltraveller.com/guayaquil-iguana-park/">mess</a>.

The capital, Quito, will take you inland to the foot of the Andes. The city&rsquo;s <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyeVKim6mUc">cable car</a> offers up seriously epic views over the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/quito-ecuador-underrated-capital-city/index.html">historical city</a>, while <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.ecuador.com/attractions/sights/mitad-del-mundo/">Mitad del Mundo</a> serves as a humbling reminder of the time someone bungled marking where the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.aswesawit.com/real-equator-line/#:~:text=The%20Equator%20line%20is%20located,and%20do%20when%20you%20arrive.">real equator crossing</a> is. On top of that, Quito is also the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon and <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.muchbetteradventures.com/magazine/yasuni-national-park-ecuador-amazon-biodiversity/">Parque Nacional Yasun&iacute;</a>, one of the most diverse biospheres on earth. Can&rsquo;t argue with that.
Buuuut here&rsquo;s the catch: Ecuador has been <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-ecuador-became-a-narco-state/">in the news a lot</a> recently due to political unrest, gang warfare, and general violence. In and around Guayaquil, narco activity has increased as gangs fight for control of the ports to ship drugs produced in Colombia and Peru.
The Ecuadorian government initiated a state of emergency, meaning there&rsquo;s an increased military presence and daily curfew in place across the country while they attempt to regain control. That said,&nbsp;<a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador">current travel advice</a> still considers most of Ecuador safe to travel to, especially the national parks and Amazon region, as well as the Gal&aacute;pagos.
We wouldn&rsquo;t blame you for hesitating about booking flights right now, but in theory, there&rsquo;s nothing to stop us heading off into the jungle&hellip;
<h2 id="paraguay">Paraguay</h2>
Right in the middle of South America lies land-locked Paraguay. As international tourists go, the country is pretty overlooked&mdash;in 2022, only 1.5 million foreigners visited Paraguay, over 75% of whom came from neighbouring Argentina.
So, why don&rsquo;t we go there? According to the Global Peace Index, it&rsquo;s <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://worldlyadventurer.com/is-it-safe-to-travel-south-america/">not because it&rsquo;s dangerous</a>. Like most built-up cities, the capital, Asunci&oacute;n, isn&rsquo;t free of crime, but if you keep your wits about you and don&rsquo;t wave your valuables around, you should be good.
It turns out the reason hardly anyone visits Paraguay is that <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.czickontheroad.com/is-paraguay-worth-the-visit">there&rsquo;s nothing to do</a> there. Or so we think.

Asunci&oacute;n is one of the oldest settlements in South America, and now a <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/beckbamberger/2023/05/06/paraguays-asuncion-is-quietly-enticing-tourists/?sh=6175635370b1">vibrant, modern city,</a> dotted with colonial ruins, local markets and a <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.tripsavvy.com/best-restaurants-in-asuncion-paraguay-5198743">food scene</a> that&rsquo;ll tickle most taste buds. Unless you don&rsquo;t eat meat&mdash;then you should bring a packed lunch.
Down south, there&rsquo;s plenty more evidence of the country&rsquo;s chequered history at the impressive 17th century <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.timetravelturtle.com/paraguay/jesuit-ruins/">Jesuit ruins</a>, which were built by missionaries in an effort to convert the local Guaran&iacute; people.
There&rsquo;s plenty of beautiful (tourist-free) nature out there as well, like the quiet beaches of <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://youtu.be/pUZAnErHMYQ?si=yY3xBdQ86jZuU3Ax">Laguna Blanca</a>, or <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://nationalparksofparaguay.blogspot.com/2013/08/ybycui-national-park-part-2.html">Ybycu&iacute; National Park</a> with its monkeys, tropical birds and (fairly modest) waterfalls. Although, when it comes to waterfalls, save yourself a trip to see the big guns at Iguazu by checking out the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/salto-de-monday">Saltos del Monday</a> instead. Or, realistically, visit them as well.
<h2 id="suriname">Suriname</h2>
Much like Paraguay, there&rsquo;s no special safety risk when it comes to visiting Suriname. Again, don&rsquo;t be flashy or walk around dark areas at night, and you&rsquo;re likely to be just fine. That said, <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/suriname/safety-and-security">government advice</a> suggests travelling with a tour company if you&rsquo;re heading away from coastal areas and into the centre of the country.
And that&rsquo;s exactly where you&rsquo;ll find the <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g3364167-d1537809-Reviews-Central_Suriname_Nature_Reserve-Saramacca_District.html#/media-atf/1537809/416229273:p/?albumid=-160&amp;type=0&amp;category=-160">lush nature reserves</a> that absolutely shouldn&rsquo;t be missed. From the imposing mountains, to the hundreds of indigenous bird species (and a few <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://ebird.org/species/gcoroc1">giggle-worthy names</a>), it&rsquo;s well worth making the effort to leave the Caribbean coast. There are loads of tour companies available in the region, but <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g294082-d19819244-Reviews-Impressive_Suriname_Travel_Services-Paramaribo_Paramaribo_District.html">Impressive Suriname</a> get excellent reviews.

But the capital, Paramaribo, also deserves a couple of days on your itinerary. The city's imposing structures are essential stops. The cathedral is the largest wooden church in the region and <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://notesonslowtravel.com/the-wooden-st-peter-and-paul-cathedral-in-paramaribo-suriname/">sure lives up to the hype</a>, while <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://www.alluringworld.com/fort-zeelandia/">Fort Zeelandia</a> is perched upon the banks of the river, reminding visitors of the long colonial history.
Paramaribo is an ideal place to sample a few local dishes&mdash;many of which you&rsquo;ll recognise. Surinamese cuisine takes influences from India, Indonesia, Africa, China&hellip; the list really does go on, so don&rsquo;t be surprised if you&rsquo;re served up a <a style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-decoration: underline; font-family: 'Work Sans',Helvetica, Arial !important; color: #0ebfff;" href="https://travelfoodatlas.com/food-of-suriname-10-must-try-traditional-dishes">roti or nasi</a>.
<h2 id="venezuela">Venezuela</h2>
This one might be the most obvious on the list of &ldquo;why we don&rsquo;t go there&rdquo;&mdash;years of civil unrest, a shortage of basic public services and harsh living conditions are just the start. Violent crime rates are high, and renewed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-venezuela-guyana-dispute-explained-in-3-maps/?lid=i4q7gfubjm6y">territorial disputes</a>&nbsp;with neighbouring Guyana just add to the tension.
It&rsquo;s a shame, because otherwise, Venezuela kind of has it all in terms of reasons to visit&mdash;stunning&nbsp;<a href="https://passporterapp.com/en/blog/venezuela/best-beaches-in-venezuela/?lid=3m1un2jigmy1#1-The-beaches-of-Los-Roques-archipelago">Caribbean coastline</a>, the actual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/waterfalls/latin-america-angel-falls/?lid=vlddp5v7e9uj">tallest waterfall in the world</a>, impressive&nbsp;<a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/mount-roraima-ephemera-documentary/0wVBNbmVRPLfoA?hl=en&amp;lid=t249ul2h1vrs">table-top mountains</a>, its own corner of the Amazon&hellip; Oh, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.willflyforfood.net/food-in-venezuela/?lid=8hq82p66be53">super tasty food</a>, which I've (so far) only tasted in Berlin.
Sadly, most of us will likely be waiting a while before experiencing it first hand.

<h2 id="guyana">Guyana</h2>
Guyana&rsquo;s safety levels land somewhere (<a href="https://westviewnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/null-24.jpeg">fairly appropriately</a>) between Suriname and Venezuela, especially when you&rsquo;re in the capital, Georgetown. And while Georgetown does have a few things worth seeing (another one for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/st-georges-cathedral?lid=ghgoi1tncegg">big wooden church</a>&nbsp;lovers), it&rsquo;s really inland that you&rsquo;ll want to go.
Guyana offers a lot to thrill the adventurous traveller, but be sure to sign up for guided tours with a&nbsp;<a href="http://exploreguyana.org/?lid=25ghn6tp70kb">reputable company</a>&nbsp;for the best rainforest adventures.
<a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/nature-travel/worlds-largest-single-drop-waterfall-kaieteur-falls-guyana?lid=itwktx4ig72f">Kaieteur</a>&nbsp;is the world's largest single drop waterfall, and the best (and easiest) way to see it is from a bird's eye view on an aerial tour. These cost $220-$270 per person and usually include a guided tour of Kaieteur National Park as well.
If you have a few more days (and dollars) you could book a guided&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enchantedexpeditions.com/tour-item/kaieteur-falls/">4-day trip over land</a>. This is a more intimate way to see the country, with meals, lodging, and transportation to the start of the hiking trail included.
While tourism is relatively new to Guyana, it's already setting itself up to be as sustainable as possible. You'll be spoilt for choice with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greentraveller.co.uk/post/where-to-stay-in-guyana?lid=712vad2oxjr8">eco lodges</a>, many of which are still working ranches or conservation hubs.
The bravest travellers can even&nbsp;<a href="http://caimanhouse.com/?lid=sin6zp694i25">tag along with researchers</a>&nbsp;while they capture and study the black caiman - one of the world's largest reptiles that rule the rivers of Guyana. Don't worry, you can stay in the other boat while they do the wrangling!

<h2 id="french-guiana">French Guiana</h2>
Last but not least, the slight anomaly in the bunch&mdash;French Guiana. Not actually a country, it is in fact an overseas department of France, meaning it&rsquo;s part of the EU and uses the Euro. And as a bonus, when it comes to safety, you should just follow normal precautions.
As you might guess from the other countries mentioned, you&rsquo;ll most likely be here for the nature. After landing in Cayenne, head north towards the border with Suriname. Cruises&mdash;definitely&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/GpL7ZIjNo5o?t=15&amp;lid=y2jtbhb0q3z7">not the ones</a>&nbsp;you're thinking about&mdash;leave from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to navigate all the way into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espritparcnational.com/en/live-experiences/forests-tales-and-legends/guiana-amazonian-park-forests-tales?lid=rwdey58v803r">Guiana Amazonian Park</a>. Sitting on the wooden canoes for 3+ hours can be quite uncomfortable, but spotting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_NUmm2D8OW4?lid=g3u4vyol5waf">these guys</a>&nbsp;is absolutely worth the flat bum!
Before hopping on your canoe, make a stop at Hattes Beach. Not only it's an incredibly pretty spot, it is also the perfect&nbsp;<a href="https://anitabeyondthesea.com/beaches-in-french-guiana/#aioseo-les-hattes-beach">nesting location</a>&nbsp;for huge leatherback turtles - a good addition to those&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmbhlnwjuVo&amp;ab_channel=Danslesfor%C3%AAtsdeGuyane&amp;lid=rxbe3stz6rlw">toucans and giant otters</a>.
You&rsquo;ll find plenty of&nbsp;<a href="https://etichotels.com/journal/top-10-sustainable-hotels-in-french-guiana/?lid=aq6ahddve7rd">eco lodges</a>&nbsp;scattered around the jungle, in case you don&rsquo;t like the idea of sleeping on a hammock in the middle of the forest. Just don&rsquo;t forget to bring a power-bank and a torch&mdash;most accommodation doesn&rsquo;t have electricity.

That completes that list of destinations that&nbsp;The Independent didn&rsquo;t deem &ldquo;the best&rdquo;! Honestly, they all seem pretty exciting to me&hellip;
Let us know what you thought! Are these spots worth the visit? Where else in South America do you want to give a shout-out? Comment below to share your experiences!

The South American Countries We Never Talk About

New Zealand

Finland

Japan

Denmark

Latvia

Getting away is supposed to be relaxing, but for introverts, when your trip turns into a long string of social events and awkward conversations with randos who just don&rsquo;t get that you might be sitting alone on purpose&hellip;you might come home feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.
Of course, you can make any trip work for your needs as long as you plan well. Just knowing your limits and giving yourself ample time to recharge in a quiet place (or embracing <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/travel-hub/beginners-guide-to-slow-travel">slow travel</a>) can go a long way.
But to really get away from the extroverted world and not feel pressured to socialize more than you want, here are a few especially introvert-friendly places around the world. From ditching pointless conversations to avoiding human interaction altogether, you can decide just how much alone time is right for you.
Note: You don&rsquo;t have to travel solo to have a great trip as an introvert - I usually prefer to bring a travel buddy who&rsquo;s comfortable being &ldquo;alone together&rdquo; with me. But for really getting away for some quality &ldquo;me time,&rdquo; it&rsquo;s worth giving solo travel a try. Any of these options would be great for a solo traveler, but here&rsquo;s one for beginners.
<h3>Go solo in New Zealand</h3>
For a first-time solo traveler (especially an introverted one), you can&rsquo;t really beat New Zealand. (Yep, you&rsquo;re allowed to go without a band of <a href="https://www.newzealand.com/us/feature/the-lord-of-the-rings-trilogy-filming-locations/">elves, dwarves and hobbits</a>.)
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/63a9b99eaefa909f79ac36f7ebe96eb23f975600" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
Consistently rated in the top 5 of the <a href="https://www.visionofhumanity.org/maps/#/">Global Peace Index</a>, NZ&rsquo;s about as safe as you can get for venturing out on your own. Heck, you don&rsquo;t even have to worry about dangerous <a href="https://nzpocketguide.com/10-things-you-did-not-know-about-new-zealand-wildlife/">animals</a> attacking you out in the wild (though the redback spider can be deadly, at least to small children, so I guess don&rsquo;t completely let your guard down).
It&rsquo;s also super easy to get around, with just <a href="https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/highway-one/">one main highway</a> and really good infrastructure. So you can rent a vehicle and go on a mega road trip - it&rsquo;ll just be you, the car, and some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHCemviY06Y">gorgeous scenery</a>.
And this is really a &ldquo;<a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/new-zealand-road-trips">choose your own adventure</a>&rdquo; opportunity. While you can definitely find lots of friendly locals on your journey, you can also make it as people-free as you want by staying in sparsely populated places the whole time. But don&rsquo;t worry, you&rsquo;ll still have plenty to do and see.
For example, Akaroa on the South Island has a population in the hundreds, but you&rsquo;ll find lots of great hiking trails and ocean access. You might even catch a glimpse of the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/hector-s-dolphin#:~:text=Hector%27s%20dolphins%20are%20the%20smallest,like%20a%20Mickey%20Mouse%20ear.">world&rsquo;s smallest dolphin</a>&hellip;which is just too adorable.
You could also try some white-water rafting in Taihape (pop. about 1,800) or surfing in Raglan (pop. about 3,000).
<h3>Shun small talk in Finland</h3>
Finland is consistently ranked one of the <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/the-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world">happiest countries in the world</a>, and I can&rsquo;t help wondering whether the fact that they discourage small talk there has something to do with it&hellip;
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/4d857100e6d1e1bd8b3d30915b4b4aeeace5302f" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
Yep, you read that right. There&rsquo;s essentially <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20181016-how-the-finnish-survive-without-small-talk">no small talk</a> in Finnish culture. In fact, <a href="https://introvertedgrowth.com/5-introverted-countries-and-cultures-that-value-introversion/">unnecessary chatter</a> is impolite.
It&rsquo;s not because Finns are shy. After all, they&rsquo;re pretty comfortable getting fully nude in <a href="https://finland.fi/life-society/bare-facts-of-the-sauna/#:~:text=Saunas%20have%20existed%20in%20other,were%20born%20in%20the%20sauna.">saunas</a>. They just recognize (like I wish everyone would) that pointless weather chit-chat is unnecessary, and if you&rsquo;re going to have a conversation, it should be about something that matters.
Even for those of us who cringe at small talk, it&rsquo;s hard to imagine not being expected to do it. But in a country where there&rsquo;s no such thing as an <a href="https://medium.com/finland-stories/the-sound-of-finnish-silence-and-why-i-love-it-4130bb20d033">awkward silence</a>, it&rsquo;s a glorious reality.
Hating small talk isn&rsquo;t the only overlap between Finnish culture and introversion. If you enjoy the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/introvertdoodles/?hl=en">Introvert Doodles</a> webcomics, you should probably check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/finnishnightmaresofficial/">Finnish Nightmares</a>. Featuring &ldquo;nightmarish&rdquo; scenarios like having to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVPynKFlSC7/">self-promote</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BElZJBDFbnF/">ask for help</a> while shopping, they&rsquo;re just as relatable.
Plus, in Finland, they really respect your space.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/f96d9411667389f1352743266794b86d7b61cae6" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
You&rsquo;ve got lots of opportunities to enjoy all that extra space, too, whether you choose to stay in Helsinki with the chance of a whole <a href="https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/the-helsinki-islands/">island</a> to yourself, or head out into the deep solitude of Lapland to catch aurora borealis or do some cross-country skiing.
<h3>Get lost in the crowd in Tokyo</h3>
Tokyo, with its population over 14 million, might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about an introvert-friendly trip, but hear me out.
Even though there&rsquo;s lots of hustle and bustle around, you can find pockets of quiet and solitude.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/d10e5fcf85fc9f84719f852a5ee639868b010b26" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
For one thing, you can eat by yourself without anyone bothering you and or weird looks from the wait staff. In fact, it&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.japan.travel/en/sg/story/japanese-custom-solo-dining-quiet-way-savour-your-meal/#:~:text=In%20Japan%2C%20however%2C%20eating%20alone,out%20more%20often%20than%20not.">totally normal</a>; Sushi and ramen bars make it easy to avoid having to ask for a table for one.
You can take it a step further and dine in total solitary bliss at <a href="https://thepetitewanderess.com/ichiran-ramen-tokyo/">this ramen place</a>, which has individual booths.&nbsp;
Other than a brief interaction with a waiter at the beginning of the meal, you get to savor your bowl of umami deliciousness without having to talk to (or even look at) another living soul.
And while there might be a ton of people riding public transportation with you, they&rsquo;re unlikely to strike up a conversation. *Cue sigh of relief.*&nbsp;
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/0bfc2d8f4be1f6b7a050eaa0675b4770c6091d08" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
You can also find a few peaceful shrines and <a href="https://trulytokyo.com/yushima-seido/">temples</a> where you can get away from it all. Or you can hide away behind the shelves of Book and Bed, which I featured in my article about <a href="https://jacksflightclub.com/travel-hub/unique-and-quirky-destinations-for-book-lovers">bookish destinations</a>.
Either way, you&rsquo;ll find no shortage of alone time.
<h3>Get cozy in Copenhagen</h3>
If you haven&rsquo;t yet discovered the now-famous Danish concept of hygge, prepare yourself. It&rsquo;ll totally rock your introverted world.
It doesn&rsquo;t translate directly, but it has to do with coziness. But like, extreme coziness.
<a href="https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/highlights/hygge/what-hygge">VisitDenmark</a> explains it this way: &ldquo;In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Cozying up with a loved one for a movie &ndash; that&rsquo;s hygge, too.&rdquo;
Hygge doesn&rsquo;t necessarily require you to be alone, but it does involve swapping out big, wild parties for more intimate group gatherings or spending time just being happy and comfortable. Sounds like the best kind of introvert recharging to me, and it&rsquo;s totally built into the culture.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/644f01d470681526aca5374f850517bb7fe0e31d" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
You&rsquo;ll find no shortage of hygge activities in Copenhagen. Here are some ideas to get you started:
<ul>
<li>Rent a bike and ride solo around the city.</li>
<li>Bring your travel buddy or a book to a local coffee shop - or head to a <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/paludan-bogcafe-gdk695540">book cafe</a>.</li>
<li>Have a quiet <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/eat-drink/let-hygge-flow-these-8-perfect-spots-candle-lit-dinners">candle-lit dinner</a>.</li>
<li>Enjoy a dreamy stroll around <a href="https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/kings-garden-gdk420899">King&rsquo;s Garden</a>.</li>
</ul>
Once you&rsquo;ve experienced Danish hygge, you can&rsquo;t go back. It seeps into your soul, and you&rsquo;ll want to <a href="https://www.midliferambler.com/25-ways-to-bring-hygge-to-your-life/">bring it back with you</a> and make lots of time for warmth and coziness at home.&nbsp;
You can also get some help with that from the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute (sounds like a nice job, huh?), who published a popular <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30045683-the-little-book-of-hygge">guide to Hygge</a> a few years ago.
<h3>Get your creative juices flowing in Latvia</h3>
Like the Finnish, Latvians value alone time and quiet, and they often joke about how far they&rsquo;ll go to avoid awkward conversations.
But in Latvia, it&rsquo;s not just quiet for quiet&rsquo;s sake. The culture really prizes creativity, and they feel like the best way to be creative is to have space and time to yourself.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/8326788ff663811bc5b677d514a1ed13196abb85" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
Over the last few decades, they&rsquo;ve been especially proud of their groundbreaking and experimental <a href="https://wordswithoutborders.org/read/article/2018-02/february-2018-latvia-a-small-country-with-a-big-literature/">literature</a>. As an introverted reader, I&rsquo;m definitely a fan of <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/introvert/comments/ericl5/this_banner_outside_the_latvian_embassy_in/">this banner</a> that proudly hung outside the Latvian embassy in D.C. a couple of years ago.
I know not all introverts are necessarily creative, but since a lot of us mostly live in our heads, plenty of us have a project or two in the works.&nbsp;
Whether you&rsquo;re an aspiring writer, artist, baker, etc., taking a creative getaway to this Baltic country is sure to be productive.
For something a bit more directed (if you&rsquo;re okay with some human interaction), you can book with a retreat company like <a href="https://www.wildnesscollective.com/">Wild&rsquo;ness Collective</a> or even try for a <a href="https://www.transartists.org/en/map?field_regio_target_id=All&amp;field_addresses_country_code=LV&amp;field_tax_discipline_target_id=All">residency</a> (and get paid to live out your artistic dreams in Latvia).
Or just nab a <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/38998240?source_impression_id=p3_1657108278_PdaThcm7LC26khnj08191_TOfiOXpVJad9zY5S">secluded cabin</a> for a week or two and go for it.
Latvia&rsquo;s low population and dense forests mean that solitude is easy to find, and you definitely won&rsquo;t get weird looks for walking around on your own to take inspiration from <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/jauniela">gorgeous city streets</a>, a <a href="https://historiceuropeancastles.com/latvia/">fairytale castle</a> or an <a href="https://youtu.be/-HNlnoOLWAc?t=10source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjkvpTByIz4AhW_s4QIHZ1xCL8Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&amp;biw=1536&amp;bih=754&amp;dpr=1.25">otherworldly bog</a>.
To get in some deep relaxation, you can also get a personalized treatment and quiet meditation time at <a href="https://www.liveriga.com/en/3558-taka-spa4z4AhV4mYQIHddGC0oQ_AUoAnoECAIQBA&amp;biw=1536&amp;bih=754&amp;dpr=1.25">Taka Spa</a>, one of the largest spas in the Baltics. If that doesn&rsquo;t get things flowing, I don&rsquo;t know what will.
<h3>Soak in the quiet of the Oregon Coast</h3>
I&rsquo;m the type of person who likes to stand alone at the edge of the ocean and contemplate my place in the universe (or just hunt for pretty shells), so I&rsquo;d rather skip a crowded beach of sunbathers and loud volleyballers.&nbsp;
Enter: the Oregon coast.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/14b0a1347cf1a2499c98c1f37b04eb84dfe0cd0f" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
With an evergreen forest backdrop and frequent cloud cover, there are tons of blissfully <a href="https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/favorite-trips/less-crowded-beaches-on-the-oregon-coast/">uncrowded beaches</a>, prime for quiet meditation or straight-up brooding.
And with tons of <a href="https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/attractions/oregon-coasts-surprising-places/">weird and wonderful stuff</a> to explore, the solo walk possibilities are endless.
Sure, the water tends to be a bit chilly and you might get a bit of rain, but in my experience that&rsquo;s just a good excuse to end the day with a cozy bread bowl of clam chowder from <a href="https://ilovemoschowder.com/">Mo&rsquo;s</a>. Don&rsquo;t worry, you can get some chowder to go if the restaurant is too crowded for your taste. (Get a family-sized serving. Trust me on this.)
<h3>Trade people for wildlife in the Gal&aacute;pagos Islands</h3>
Maybe the dancing, parades, and jam-packed streets of Carnival in Brazil aren&rsquo;t for you, but South America has lots to offer those who prefer alone time in nature.
An especially good spot for introverts is the Gal&aacute;pagos.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/dbe849ce1254c51e25ebf0bbc04257ef7c882dee" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
For one thing, it&rsquo;s a bit tricky (and a little pricey) to get there, so tourism is relatively limited (which is a good thing for conservation). The region only gets about 250,000 tourists per year (versus around 700,000 in Quito and 2 million in Ecuador as a whole).&nbsp;
So, needless to say, you&rsquo;re unlikely to run into crowds.
Visiting the Gal&aacute;pagos is all about quietly observing nature and wildlife. From moving slow next to a giant tortoise at <a href="https://localadventurer.com/giant-galapagos-tortoise-habitat/">Rancho Primcias</a> to <a href="https://www.galakiwi.com/blog/5-great-galapagos-snorkeling-spots/#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20sea,water%20and%20from%20the%20beach.">snorkeling with sea lions</a>, you can make sure most of your encounters don&rsquo;t involve other humans.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/5180a7d20b305b0ad51f28c06f5a9c1fbe4dc0d6" width="449" height="378" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
Maybe you&rsquo;ll find that the Gal&aacute;pagos or one of the other places I&rsquo;ve listed here are an introvert&rsquo;s natural habitat. But there are lots of places out there to spend some quality time with yourself, and it never hurts to check whether a place is good for solo travel (especially if you're a <a href="https://www.solofemaletravelers.club/solo-female-travel-safety-index/">solo female traveler</a>).&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;re not planning to go it alone, make a plan with your travel companions to ensure you get the time you need to yourself and don&rsquo;t come back as a peopled-out zombie.&nbsp;
And even when you get a weird look or two for eating alone or putting on your huge headphones on the bus, remember that there&rsquo;s nothing wrong with knowing and caring for your lil&rsquo; introverted self.

Pockets of solitude: 7 perfect places for introverted travelers

China

Kazakhstan

Faroe Islands

India

Sweden

Bulgaria

Egypt

Australia

Guam

Sometimes you just want to get off the beaten track and delve into the more isolated corners of the world. However, getting to these places can often be both challenging and expensive. We've put together a guide on how to get to some of the most remote places on earth for cheap.
This list is not an exhaustive guide, and we'd highly recommend doing your own research before making your way to the places below.
<h2>1. Gurbant&uuml;ngg&uuml;t Desert, China</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/0d61be165463a34e5e17d70fcc6d3f45503865cc" alt="Gurbantunggut Desert China" width="745" height="453">
Sandwiched between Kazakhstan and Mongolia, the Gurbant&uuml;ngg&uuml;t Desert is located in northwestern China. It is the country&rsquo;s second-largest desert behind the Taklamakan Desert and occupies 50,000 square kilometers of Northern Xinjiang.
It&rsquo;s one of the most arid areas of the world, but the nearby glacial mountains of Tian Shan are a major water source for the province, providing valuable hydration once the snow melts. Spring is the best time for a spot of desert trekking, when blooming flowers stand out against the sandy backdrop.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there">How to get there</h3>
To get to the Gurbant&uuml;ngg&uuml;t Desert, you can take a flight from London to&nbsp;&Uuml;r&uuml;mqi (URC), the capital city of Xinjiang province, with your choice of several Chinese airlines. Our team has tested out China Southern and China Eastern; <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfc-honest-airline-reviews-china-southern">here's what they had to say</a>.
Once at &Uuml;r&uuml;mqi, take a one-hour bus/train to the city of&nbsp;Shihezi, then another bus to&nbsp;Group 150 (yes, this is a place, named by the military) for another hour.
After arrival at Group 150, you'll need a taxi or a coach to cover the last 10 km. Easy peasy.
<h2>2. Supai, Arizona</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/65fb2c184ae2c2cff16974e8eedda9fd112aa41b" alt="Supai Arizona Waterfall" width="740" height="562">
The village of Supai, the capital of the Havasupai Reservation, has mail delivery service for its 43 households carried out by a team of mules.&nbsp;
That's because there are no roads leading to Supai! Unlike most rural destinations in the United States, this town is a full eight miles from the nearest drivable street and requires you to travel by foot (or hoof), or book a helicopter ride to reach the town.
<h3>How to get there</h3>
Start by flying into Las Vegas. From there you&rsquo;re going to want to rent a car for the 3-4 hour drive to the Hualapai Hilltop, which is essentially a car park. From there, you'll either need to hike the 8-mile trail or rent a mule to help you out. You could also splurge on a helicopter, but with surroundings this beautiful, why not take your time?
You'll also need to get your hands on a permit, which can be pretty costly ($455 as of 2026) and comes with set rules on how long you can stay.&nbsp;
<h2>3. Kolsai Lakes, Kazakhstan</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/e2d32256dd3781f6d6e68490a8fd73bd45369cd3" alt="Kolsai Lakes Kazakhstan" width="740" height="587">
Around 75 miles southeast of Almaty, near the northern foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains, sits the breathtaking Kolsai Lakes National Park. At its center are the Kolsai Lakes, often referred to as &lsquo;The Pearls of Tian Shan&rsquo;, an untouched, scenic area of Kazakhstan.
Of the lakes, Kaindy is perhaps the best known among travelers for its <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DKWmCA2I6n5/">eerie skeleton trees</a>.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-06">How to get there</h3>
The first part of the journey involves flying into Almaty Airport. From there, grab a&nbsp;marshrutka or taxi to Saty. You can also pick up organized tours from Almaty.
The first lake is fairly easy to reach by taxi or hitchhiking, thanks to a new asphalt road from Saty. You can then hike to the second, but make sure you take your passport, as you may encounter Kyrgyz border patrol along the way.
<h2>4. Faroe Islands</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/599e78da4b094f5f5dfc62f919c335bbf25635e9" alt="Faroe Islands Overview" width="740" height="584">
The Faroe Islands is a little easier to reach than some of the other locations on this list due to an increase in flights over the past several years, but don't be fooled&mdash;you're still visiting an isolated archipelago with a population less than half the size of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. It's remote travel made easy!
<h3 id="h">How to get there</h3>
Six of the islands are connected by road, so you can soak up the vast amount of snow-capped scenery from a rental car once you have arrived at the pocket-sized Vagar Airport. Atlantic Airways is the main airline connecting the Faroes with the rest of Europe, including Edinburgh, London, Copenhagen, Paris, Oslo, and more.
<h2>5. Changthang Plateau, Tibet</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/2ba3e4a730752e9c165232a8280588c805fb482f" alt="Chang Tang Tibet" width="740" height="534">
Changthang is located in the west of the Tibetan Plateau and sits at an altitude of over 4000 m. It&rsquo;s a truly wild and untouched 700,000 km&sup2; area of largely uninhabited land that experiences harsh, arctic-like winters. However, visiting between May and October opens up the chance to spot wild yaks, antelope, and snow leopards and see nomadic life in action.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-01">How to get there</h3>
First, fly to Leh, Kashmir, likely with a layover in Delhi. From there, you&rsquo;ll need to rent a car, as it's a four-hour bumpy ride out to the&nbsp;Tibetan Plateau.
<h2>6. Kungsleden, Sweden</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/7a98dcf5bbe5d33b356e8d02990d5a213f7eda0e" alt="Kungsleden Sweden" width="733" height="589">
Northern Sweden is perfect for the more ambitious, wilderness-loving travelers. Kungsleden, also known as the King's Trail, is a 270-mile-long hiking trail between Abisko (North) and Hemavan (South Sweden). The trail passes through the Game of Thrones-esque Vindelfjallen Nature Reserve, which has to be seen to be believed.
A series of huts located 6-14 miles apart are open during the summer, but the weather can be unpredictable and potentially treacherous all year round.
<h3>How to get there</h3>
Fly into Kiruna after a layover in Stockholm. From there, it&rsquo;s a 1.5-hour bus ride to Abisko, and then you're on your way. Don't forget to pack your rain jacket&nbsp;and&nbsp;sunscreen.
<h2>7. Andaman Islands</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/ab92fd1359b100882bae286c928ea023129a7435" alt="Andaman Islands Beach" width="740" height="634">
The beautiful (and largely untouched) Andaman Islands are located in the Bay of Bengal, between India and Myanmar. The islands are home to numerous tribes, including the Sentinelese, known for their hostility towards visitors. Many of the inhabitants have had little contact with the outside world. Only a dozen or so of the 300 islands are open to visitors, so this is a must-visit if you're looking to tick off a major spot on that remote location bucket list.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-02">How to get there</h3>
Start by flying into Delhi or Bangalore, India. Then it's on to&nbsp;Veer Savarkar Airport, also known as Port Blair, which is the main airport for the Andaman Islands.
<h2>8. Rila National Park, Bulgaria</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/7ecf4aeddb4215bc1a29c829e244c98afc69922b" alt="Rila National Park Bulgaria" width="740" height="509">
Rila National Park is the largest nature reserve in Bulgaria, stretching across more than 800 square kilometers. Rila is practically made for fans of blue lakes, hiking trails, and epic views, and it&rsquo;s only 100 km away from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. This makes it even cheaper and easier to visit!
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-03">How to get there</h3>
Fly into Sofia with a cheap and cheerful connection from anywhere in Europe, then hop on a bus from Sofia to Rila town. The trip takes around 2-3 hours from the central bus station.
<h2>9. Siwa Oasis, Egypt</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/211de9ede0a0c35dfc4bde40fd24c17744daa34e" alt="Siwa Oasis Egypt" width="739" height="629">
Siwa is the ideal location for all you desert daydreamers. Despite its arid appearance, Siwa is home to both olive and palm trees, with crystal-clear springs dotted throughout. Add to that the epic ruins of the Old Fortress, and it makes for quite the adventure.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-05">How to get there</h3>
First things first, fly to Cairo. From here you have a rather long drive of around 740 km to Siwa Oasis, which could take 10 or more hours. There are night buses leaving Cairo and Alexandria between 9 and 11 pm if you're up for a restless night, while shared minivan transfers travel during the day from coastal towns.
<h2>10. Guam, Micronesia</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/7f5402f0311141111d21f175a4feb6d3a4b7b42b" alt="Guam Micronesia" width="740" height="560">
If "remote" for you means "crystal clear lagoons and white sandy beaches," then the Micronesian island of Guam is what you need. The whole island is only 210 square miles, and it is surrounded by a massive coral reef that makes it the perfect place for avid scuba divers and snorkelers. Located in Typhoon Alley, visiting any time between August and October puts you at a higher risk of encountering a tropical storm. If you&rsquo;re looking to stay dry and soak up the max amount of vitamin D, visit in the dry season between December and June.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-04">How to get there</h3>
Getting there is actually pretty simple, if a little time consuming. Connecting flights to Guam are available through Honolulu, as well as a few major Asian hubs like Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo.&nbsp;
<h2>11. Utqiagvik, Alaska</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/1a6391ed4175250800ac0bda639f27b0ab6fa577" alt="Barrow Alaska" width="695" height="613">
Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, is one of those unique areas of the world that basks in 24-hour sunlight for over 80 days in the summer. Then, in the winter, locals endure a complete blackout for over 60 days. Located right at the tip of Alaska, you&rsquo;ll struggle to find more remote surroundings without driving for days through the mountains.
<h3>How to get there</h3>
Fortunately, the town has its own airport, meaning you only need to travel by plane to get there. Alaska Airlines runs daily flights between Utqiagvik and Anchorage in the $300s/&pound;200s. Find your flight to ANC, then take a quick hop upstate.
<h2>12. Cape York Peninsula, Australia</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/e79cdcc9eb6792d0187413954224a10a417e8b5a" alt="Cape York Peninsula Australia" width="740" height="547">
The Cape York Peninsula runs parallel to the Great Barrier Reef, north of Cairns. Its nearest city, however, is in Papua New Guinea and not Australia&mdash;that's how remote this place is! Tackling Cape York means spending several days in the bush in near complete isolation. It'll just be you, your travel partner, your jeep, and the scattered fuel roadhouses located every few hundred kilometers for company. The juice is so worth the squeeze if you like having your breakfast by pristine waterfalls, spending your days walking through rainforests, and chilling on deserted beaches by night.&nbsp;
<h3>How to get there</h3>
First, fly into Cairns. From there, your cheapest (and most exciting!) option is to rent a 4x4 and head out on your off-road adventure.
<ul></ul>
<h2>13. Galapagos Islands</h2>
<img src="https://d20k4h1q6oowm6.cloudfront.net/id/bee8b60dc0e9532dee14d49cc2a3ddcfb15a8dfa" alt="Galapagos Islands" width="740" height="539">
Known for its rare wildlife, the Galapagos is a set of pristine islands off the coast of Ecuador. The islands and their surroundings are home to flamingos, sea lions, whales, rare birds, and, of course, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise.
<h3 id="how-to-get-there-07">How to get there</h3>
To get to the islands, you first have to fly into&nbsp;Quito or&nbsp;Guayaquil, Ecuador. From there, it's just a quick flight over to Baltra in the Galapagos.

Where else would you include on the list? Is there anywhere crazy you'd like to know how to reach? Drop your suggestions in the comments :-)

How to get to some of the most remote places on earth 

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The Galápagos in $380s-$490s RT

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Pockets of solitude: 7 perfect places for introverted travelers

How to get to some of the most remote places on earth