How to Make Genuine Connections While Traveling!
If you’ve ever traveled solo, you may have found yourself in the following situation: you land in a new city where you don’t know ANYONE. Yes, you might want to see local sites like Machu Picchu (if in Peru), or Notre Dame (if in Paris): but you don’t necessarily want to do it on your own. So what to do?! Here, we’ll discuss how to make genuine connections while traveling….something that solo travelers in particular may find especially helpful while out on the road.
In my experience, blending solo travel with meeting locals enhances the travel experience ten-fold, leaving you with lifelong memories.
A Genuine Connection Starts with Authentic Interest
Spotting genuine travel connections starts with paying attention to others who show consistency, curiosity, and mutual respect. A sincere connection often involves someone who shows interest in who you are, not just where you’re from ~ or what you can offer them in
the moment. Look for people who engage in meaningful conversation, ask thoughtful questions, and follow through on their words with actions.
You should feel no sense of pressure with someone who’s being genuine. Instead, they should make you feel comfortable, seen, and respected, regardless of the briefness or spontaneity of your encounter.
Adicho, a friend I met in the Galapagos Islands, is a great example of making authentic connections while abroad: there was never any pressure, & he was consistently reliable & helpful throughout my stay on the islands.
Some things we’ll discuss here:
Why good communication is so important;
What are the odds of meeting someone on a trip?
Why solo trips have their pluses;
How to meet new people while traveling?
Why environment matters in making real connections.
Why Good Communication is So Important
Travelers may wish to use dating apps in order to make new friends to travel with, meet locals worldwide, go on fun local dates, meet like-minded travelers/ex-pats, or even start a new relationship. However, no app can substitute for effective communication skills when dating abroad. Asking open-ended questions, listening to a person’s tone, and keeping in mind that communication is a two-way street all help enhance understanding of a partner. A question like “How was your day?” is better than “Did you have a good day?” They might respond with a curt “fine,” but an open-ended question allows them to share more if they wish.
A person’s tone reveals more than words ever can. Fidgety hands, tense facial expressions, crossing arms, or avoiding eye contact are all nonverbal cues that could signal someone isn’t quite as interested in you as you might think! Pay attention to how many times you say “I” or “me” while speaking. It’s not a conversation if it’s mostly about you! Turn it back to them once in awhile and ask for their opinion, or how they feel. Successful travel dating experiences happen when both people can share their thoughts, and feel heard.
The Odds of Connecting with Someone on a Trip?
According to a recent survey by OnePoll, 23% of respondents met their current spouse on a trip (I find that believable yet still wild)!? A whopping 77% have made lifelong friends while traveling, and 33% have had a holiday fling. Almost a third have even dated someone they met on a plane! Your travel companions can make or break your trip, and it’s a good idea to engage in activities that help you meet people while traveling.
In Cuba, for instance, my friends and I took salsa lessons from some very good-looking instructors….which turned out to be a major highlight of our trip ~ & even led one of my friends to go on a sexy date with one of them! Group tours can be a great way to meet new people and bond. When you step out of your comfort zone: whether through a language barrier, cultural exploration, or just navigating a new city ~ you open yourself up to spontaneous and unforgettable moments.
And often, it’s during these unscripted moments that genuine connections emerge.
I took Spanish classes in Cusco, Peru & became great friends with my teacher, plus met people from around the world!
Why Solo Trips Have Their Pluses!
Don’t underestimate solo trips as a great way to meet new people! I know this may seem counterintuitive. But I’ve found that it’s actually easier to meet people when traveling alone. Almost 50% of people surveyed say that having taken a solo trip actually changed their lives. According to 70% of respondents, trips can strengthen existing bonds as well. That same percentage has met someone while traveling who changed their lives, or gave them a new perspective.
Traveling solo also increases your emotional availability. With fewer distractions (and without friends who speak your language), you’re more attuned to your surroundings, more likely to speak a new language, and more likely to notice when someone is being sincere. You become more open to connection — whether it’s a brief but memorable chat on a bus, or meeting long-term travel companions at a hotel, who may become great friends…like what happened to me with two fantastic British girls I met at a horse farm in Uruguay!
I met these two crazy British girls while traveling solo in Uruguay ~ then we met up again in Patagonia. Don’t underestimate solo travel for meeting new people!
How to Meet New People While Traveling…
Participating in new activities while traveling is definitely the best way to meet people and create connections. Shared interests bring people together ~ in spite of language differences. Taking part in hotel events (like happy hours or breakfasts) and taking group tours are easy ways to meet new people. I’ve often made great connections simply by spending time at a local bar or restaurant, whether I’m working remotely or simply sipping coffee and people-watching.
By going to the same cafe day after day, you may also get to know the servers and bartenders well, & you may get some great local tips from them about lesser-known places to visit!
Additionally, local workshops (I once learned how to use a loom along the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, & met a whole circle of local women), cultural festivals, music festivals, and volunteering experiences (like working on a coffee farm in Costa Rica) ALL offer meaningful ways to meet and connect with others. These settings tend to attract people who share a genuine interest in the local culture — perfect conditions for good conversation and authentic interactions.
Volunteering on a coffee farm in Costa Rica was one of my FAVORITE travel experiences ever!! I fell in love with my host family, made great connections with fellow volunteers, & most of all: enjoyed being out in the fresh air ALL day long, picking coffee beans. Loved, loved, loved!!
Why Environment Matters in Making Connections
Where you meet someone can affect how easy it is to build a connection. Quiet cafés, hikes, or cultural excursions often provide a better atmosphere for conversation than loud clubs, or tourist-crowded landmarks. The environment can either encourage conversation, or as in the case of a noisy club: discourage it. Seeking out environments that allow space for personal interaction — such as hostels with
shared kitchens, yoga retreats, or co-working cafés for digital nomads — increases your chances of forming relationships with depth and meaning.
Surf camp in Costa Rica made it easy to make new friends: we ate together, surfed together, & even bunked together!
How to Make Genuine Connections While Abroad
In today’s world of instant gratification and superficial filters, spotting real connections while traveling is both refreshing and deeply rewarding. By being open to the moment, true connections are possible — and often, they’re the best souvenirs you return home with. So on your next adventure: be curious, stay open, and listen deeply.
Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, what makes the journey memorable is not just the places you visit, but the people you meet — and connections that outlast the trip.
xoxo Noelia
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Fantastic read! 👏 I really appreciate how clearly you explained the topic—your writing not only shows expertise but also makes the subject approachable for a wide audience. It’s rare to come across content that feels both insightful and practical at the same time. Was there anywhere in your travels where you had a harder time making connections than in other places? Thanks, Sierra
Hi Sierra, thanks for your comment & question! And yes, absolutely: there were definitely places in my travels where I just didn’t make good friends/or good connections. Buenos Aires comes to mind: I was there for 3 weeks, & only made 1 connection that I still keep in touch with today. Some of my friends loved San Pedro de Atacama (in Chile), but I got a REALLY weird vibe there, & definitely didn’t make any lasting (or even brief) connections. Contrast that with places like Cusco, Peru & the Galapagos Islands, where I definitely did make great connections. You never know what you’re going to get when you travel! Sometimes a place just doesn’t sit right with you, for whatever reason. Hope that helps! xoxo Noelia