photo by @revelatthepalace Instagram
Traveling solo can be scary and many people just don’t do it. Whether it’s the fear of eating alone at a restaurant or buying a museum ticket for one, there is something strange about American culture that makes us feel ashamed to go places alone. However, I call crazy on that notion as some of the best trips and experiences I’ve ever had in my life were while adventuring solo.
And it’s even more fun when you travel to a country where it doesn’t matter if you’re paired up or single as there is just so much to do that you’ll forget that you were alone in the first place. For instance, the Philippines is a great country to visit solo as there’s something for everyone whether you’re into dancing, history or food. And if you’re looking for specific hot spots to meet your new best friend, check out some of the hippest venues below that will get you feeling social and feeling at home in no time.
Hostels
OK, so the horror film Hostel has forever changed the connotation of this word, but in reality, hostels are some of the best places to meet people from all around the world who are seeking new friends, adventure and fun. Hostels are also filled with all ages these days from young people backpacking to hippies and sometimes yuppies in their 50s so there really is a great diverse group of people just waiting to swap stories and good times with.
Here at Uncharted Philippines, many of our guests stay at Lub D Philippines Makati . Dubbed as one of the most popular hostels in Manila because of how clean and technologically friendly it is, guests can choose to stay dorm style with a shared bathroom and shower areas or rent single rooms and/or group rooms if you’re travelling with your family. Bonus points: this facility offers free Wifi; not all places, let alone hostels, do. If you visit their website, you’ll also see taxi fare and rideshare estimates from various popular areas including the airport so that you can be sure you’re not overcharged for transportation.
If Lub D is completely booked or you’re looking for another option, just reach out to the Uncharted Philippines team and they’ll set you up with a recommendation.
photo by @revelatthepalace Instagram
Discos and Clubs
Even if you’re not into dancing and drinking, discos and clubs are still a great place to meet people when you’re travelling solo. When I lived in England, I would go to dive bars and discotheques and would meet some really cool, interesting friends there. We never really danced and did the club thing, just hung out and chatted which is how all relationships start, friend or otherwise.
If you’re hanging in Manila and staying at Lub D, the Lonely Planet recommends Fred’s Revolucion as a popular bar hangout where trendy alt rock plays in the background as the hip crowd sips on craft brews. And if alternative rock isn’t your thing, just strolling through the Cubao Expo neighbourhood provides many other options, one of them being the Habanero Kitchen Bar . The Cubao Expo neighborhood is a complete gem as the U-shaped street is filled with vintage stores, eclectic bars and more with an overall vintage/retro vibe oozing from all the coolness.
Looking for more of a dance vibe, check out the Revel at the Palace where socialites in the Philippines hang out as well as the instagram influencer crowd or the Valkyrie which draws the talents of local DJs as well as international ones. The Valkyrie was also named the best club in the Philippines in 2017, so there’s that too.
photo by Drumlanrig via Creative Commons.
The Old Manila Area
Not into nightlife? That’s OK. Just take a stroll in the old Manila area where you’ll be sure to bump into loads of other tourists enjoying the sights. Here, you’ll find the National Museum, Fort Santiago and Intramuros. The museum houses a spectacular collection of wood carvings, archeological finds, treasures and paintings so there’s plenty to see. And Fort Santiago is a fortress/citadel that was built by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and is a part of the walled city of Manila which collectively is known as Intramuros.
So as you can imagine, you’ll run into lots of history seekers and cultured individuals in these areas. The hardest part will be choosing whom to say hi to first.Uncharted Philippines
If you’re wanting to link up with people even before you go, you can also check out Uncharted Philippines as there are several group tours on offer that are built to show you the best sights in the Philippines as well as help introduce you to lifelong friends. There’s even a Solo Traveler page where you can post your trip schedule and ideas and find other travellers to book a tour together. Think of it as a new age bulletin board for exploring the Philippines.
No More Excuses
So now that we’re living in the technological age, saying that travelling solo is hard and boring is no longer a good excuse because traveling solo can be the most exciting, fun adventure that you’ll ever have. Take it from someone who has travelled both solo as well as with other people. Yes, the experiences are slightly different but being in the now and enjoying travelling solo truly created some of the most amazing adventures in my entire life. It would truly be a shame for someone to miss out on an equally amazing time just because they didn’t take a chance.
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