I’ve always felt like a social butterfly, an influencer, the life of the party, etc.—but I’ve also always felt alone. I love my friends and family, but I covet my time alone, which is why I enjoy solo traveling so much. I dread going somewhere with a group of people because then I’m subjugated to their desires—compromising where, what, and when is more burdensome than anything. Once I realized that perhaps, solo traveling was more pleasurable, there was no turning back.
Preparing for the Trip:
To find out where I wanted to travel, I looked online at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO. UNESCO has an extensive list of World Heritage Sites with deep-rooted history and are protected by the organization. The list is divided by countries, making it easier to narrow down where I wanted to visit. I chose Cozumel, Mexico. I love traveling to islands, so it wasn’t hard to narrow down my choice to Cozumel. I obsessed over the island’s map. What also helped me was that it has an international airport so that I could fly directly in from the States. I thought of flying into Cancun and taking a ferry to Cozumel, but the addition seemed overwhelming upon further research. I liked the logistical simplicity that Cozumel offered.
After I had booked my flight, I looked up the nearest U.S. Embassy to Cozumel. I also registered for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, commonly known as STEP, and informed them of my travel itinerary. The STEP program is free to enroll in and makes me feel safer to know that someone in the U.S. is aware of my travel plans. Next, I made copies of my passport, IDs, and all my credit cards (back and front) and left one set with my family at home. I do not carry my physical passport while exploring another country; instead, I leave that in the hotel safe or wherever I am staying. I notified each one of my financial institutes that I was traveling. I discovered that I did not need to purchase travel insurance because my employer offered it as part of my benefits. Still, I suggest some kind of insurance for medical emergencies while away. In addition to exchanging currencies, I also utilized credit cards that didn’t charge a foreign transaction fee (for me, Discover and USAA). If you do not have an international plan with your current cell phone provider, you can call to see if they offer a temporary international plan so that you can have cell service during your trip. If you have a phone that is unlocked (or fully paid off), then buying a SIM card from the country you are visiting may be ideal.
If you do not necessarily want to explore your location and instead want to just relax at an all-inclusive hotel, your transportation needs will be limited. On the other hand, if you are like me and want to explore, determining how you will navigate is essential. Cozumel was the first international location where I decided to rent a car, and I am so glad that I did! Although taxis are plentiful on the island, I found it prohibitively expensive compared to renting a car.
Lastly: COVID-19. When re-entering the United States, I had to show proof of a negative COVID test at least 24 hours before my departure. Although many hotels offered COVID tests, I felt more comfortable taking the test with a virtual proctor. I ordered my test from CityHealth. I then completed my test and received the results in less than half an hour.
The Trip:
Wednesday
I arrived at Cozumel International Airport full of anticipation. It was the island that I’d gushed over for nearly a month, and, at last, the adventure was underway! After an hour and a half in customs, I picked up my rental car from Fiesta Car Rental. I advise travelers to read the insurance mandates that each rental agency offers closely. By paying the additional fee for Mexican insurance, I had more peace of mind. I took pictures to document the condition of the car at pick-up, as well as a picture of my contract. At one point during the trip, I ran into a police stop. The officer asked for my license and contract. I had my license but had left my contract in my hotel room. I asked if the contract photo would suffice, and the officer said it would. I’m so grateful that I had taken a picture of that contract, or I would have lost a lot of cash.
When choosing where to stay, I found so many lodging options to choose from. It took me a long time to pick between an all-inclusive, adult-only site or an Airbnb. What it boiled down to was the vibe that I wanted. I was looking for Zen energy, and Hotel B Unique provided that. From the views to the amenities, I was in paradise. My room was on the fifth floor—a recommendation suggested during my research on TripAdvisor—and it did not disappoint. I ate a light dinner and turned in early to get a head start on the next day.
Thursday
I started my first full-day poolside with a fantastic breakfast that introduced me to amaranth, a powerful superfood that added an extra crunch to my fruit. Great-tailed grackles sang squeaky songs, all while trying to steal my food. They did this every morning, and honestly, they were so cute that I ended up feeding them the leftover bread that I didn’t eat. I visited a local shop of paintings on detached bird feathers. The woman running the store, Soledad Balam, explained that a family member painted every feather. I made a trip to the local supermarket for water. The water in Cozumel, and Mexico in general, can be very hard on non-residents. In fact, visitors are told not to use the water to brush their teeth. I saved money by buying bottled water in bulk from the store.
Friday
I spent most of the next day at Punta Sur Eco Park, located on the southern tip of Cozumel island. My goal was to loop the entire island, which can be achieved in under two hours, but I only got through half, visiting a lighthouse, a museum, a mangrove, and a few gorgeous beaches. Iguanas, alligators, and various birds peppered the park. I read that the alligators sometimes went for a dip in the ocean, but the only ones I saw were sleeping peacefully in the mangrove.
Saturday
The next day, I picked up where I left off and explored the remaining east side of the island. I was anxious about the lack of electricity or GPS signal on that half of the island; a few years ago, a hurricane destroyed the power lines, and they haven’t restored it yet. But the beauty of the beaches kept calling to me. Many tourists remain on the populated west side of Cozumel, and if they want to go to the east side, travel options are limited. I was happy to have rented a car. I spent about an hour at each location, making my way back north and eventually heading west. I visited Rastas Beach Bar, San Martin Beach, El Mirador, Coconuts Bar & Grill, and finally, Punta Morena. I debated for a while whether to visit an all-inclusive beach club, of which there were several, but ultimately ended up abandoning those plans for my adventures instead. It was the best decision I made.
Sunday
I carved out a lazy day and spent nearly all day at a beach club close to the hotel called Buccanoos. I lay out in the sun under a palapa, drinking a piña colada and eating a Cesar lobster salad. I met so many people—new friends just about everywhere I went.
Monday
I decided to explore the town early to get photos of some of the monuments along the seawall. There were a lot of murals that I wanted to capture, and the best time to get the photos was early in the morning before the traffic started. San Miguel, Cozumel’s main town, is full of historical monuments and cool art. After taking hundreds of photos, I headed back to the hotel to eat breakfast and check out. I returned my rental car, checked my bag, and began my flight back to the U.S. As I watched the island get smaller and smaller from the plane, I quietly thanked God for such a wonderful trip and keeping me safe. I had an incredible experience solo traveling. Maybe you need a solo trip, too?