Black women travelers can face extra challenges when traveling, particularly when traveling solo. Here are the destinations writer Stephanie Yeboah and her social media followers have selected for giving the best experiences for solo Black women travelers.
A few years ago, while considering options for the perfect destination for my annual birthday holiday, I decided to do a call out on my social media channels for the best spots to travel solo as a Black woman. Frankly, I was tired of having to search online for honest answers about the places I could visit without being harassed and exposed to racial slurs.
I’ve written about my experience of traveling as a Black woman in the past and how the unexpected racial micro (and macro!) aggressions I experienced discouraged me from visiting some destinations again. I believe that one of the biggest concerns Black travelers have when it comes to international travel is safety, and with the additional challenges women face as part of daily life, it’s little wonder that I feel hesitant before booking a flight. Will I be racially profiled? Will strangers come up to me asking to touch my hair? Will I be subject to rude stares in public?
While no destination is a perfect utopia, there are many places where Black travelers can feel comfortable exploring, and some of these destinations are particularly exciting for travelers right now. I’ve taken a cross-section of responses I received from Black female travelers and added them to my own list of personal experiences.
Here are some of the top destinations for Black female travelers to visit solo.
1. Accra, Ghana
It’s been more than 400 years since the first slave ships departed from the shores of Ghana before arriving in Europe and the Americas. Ghanaian politicians have also long been advocates of the Pan-African movement and in 2019, Ghana started to invite people of African descent to visit with the promise of easier visa applications and a special calendar of culturally immersive events, dubbing it the “Year of Return.”
Since then, many people with Ghanaian ancestry have been traveling back to Ghana to connect with their roots, so there has never been a better time for Black women to travel there. Speaking as a person of Ghanaian descent, I can attest to the fact that it is indeed one of the safest places I’ve ever visited and lived.
2. Lisbon, Portugal
While Portugal can sometimes be seen as a companion destination to neighboring Spain, it’s a country that’s more than able to stand on its own. And since it is such an incredibly diverse country in its own right, it is definitely one of the best countries for Black travelers. If you are going for the first time, I would suggest visiting Lisbon, Porto and Faro, which have huge African communities.
3. Montreal, Canada
There’s so much to love about Toronto, especially with its thriving Caribbean culture, but Ontario’s capital can get quite busy for that very reason. That’s why you should head to Montréal instead! Montréal has a strong Afro-Caribbean culture, and this is a foodie city with the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada.
In April, the city hosts the Festival International de Cinéma Vues d’Afrique – a celebration of African and Creole culture through film – followed by the Montréal International Black Film Festival in September. Music lovers should try to visit in June or July for the annual Montréal Jazz Festival, featuring famous Black blues and jazz musicians such as Dianne Reeves and Buddy Guy.
4. Thailand
Thailand has become one of the most popular travel destinations for people of color – especially Black women. There are so many friends and influencers that I see posting pictures of their spa days, beach trips and visits to world heritage sites in Bangkok on Instagram that I’m starting to feel the itch myself. A friend of mine spent a year studying abroad in Thailand and had nothing but wonderful things to say.
Like many Southeast Asian countries, Thailand is particularly known for its hospitality; locals are always willing to extend a hand to travelers. In addition, the country is an excellent budget option for those of us looking to make our money go further. Affordable lodging can be found in pretty much any part of the country and if you skip restaurants in favor of local street food, you’ll be surprised at how far your budget will stretch.
5. Tokyo, Japan
I’ve put Japan on the list because of their historic love of Black culture. You can go to many of the nightclubs in Tokyo and other major cities and always find hip-hop music blaring from the speakers. During my short stay in Tokyo, I heard Cardi B being played more times in one night than I ever have in my lifetime.
In addition to Japan’s deep appreciation of our culture, you can find amazing food and extremely welcoming people. As a person who frequently travels alone, I can’t overemphasize how helpful it is to have locals who are happy to give recommendations and directions.
6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil is known for having one of the largest populations of Black people outside of Africa, with people of Nigerian origin topping the list. There is so much to learn from the way this place has combined both African and Portuguese cultures. In Rio de Janeiro, there is a rich and accessible arts community that travelers can engage with and immerse themselves in.
Whether you come for Carnival or pick a quieter time, Rio should be on the bucket list for any traveler, but it’s especially nice to know you’ll receive a warm welcome if arriving alone. While many major cities in Brazil are known for being dangerous at night, during the day there shouldn’t be any issues so long as you stay in well-lit and populated areas – advice all women sadly have to keep in mind no matter where they travel.
