If you were a born traveler, you must have asked yourself about the 10 best countries to backpack alone. Travelling is fun when you’re with family and friends, but there are times when you would want to answer to your inner wanderlust all by yourself.
Backpacking alone is fun because of the thrill. You go somewhere you have never been before, immerse yourself in a different culture, and enjoy the spontaneity of exploring the world without an itinerary. The adventure tends to be more exciting when you backpack alone, because you allow yourself just to go with the flow and really go to places you want to see, instead of just being part of a group tour where you’re forced to leave even when you feel like staying.
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Most people want to travel to the beach to unwind, and we have a separate list for that too, the Top 8 Beaches in the World.
Back on the main topic; backpacking and beach trips are both fun and cool. However, there are also some disadvantages in backpacking alone. You have to be more careful in choosing where to travel on your own. This is why when we ranked the 10 best countries to backpack alone, we used the three criteria you must use yourself when planning where your next trip would be—the safety of the place as determined by the Global Peace Index, the happiness ranking of the country, which would determine its people’s attitude towards tourists, as determined by the World Happiness Report, and the daily travel cost from Budget Your Trip.
Using those three criteria, we came up with these ten beautiful countries you can definitely explore by yourself.
10. Sweden
Safety Ranking: 14
Happiness Ranking: 10
Daily travel cost: $122.90
Sweden is one of the most visited Holiday destinations in Europe. Its rich culture and interesting history make it an irresistible place to be explored, especially by backpackers. There are acres of forests, wide lakes, and even ancient castles to see in Sweden. Its high safety ranking also makes it an ideal destination, plus the happy and welcoming people you are likely to encounter.
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9. Nicaragua
Safety Ranking: 69
Happiness Ranking: 16
Daily travel cost: $23.82
Do not be fooled by the safety ranking. While Nicaragua did not rank very high in safety, a lot of frequent travelers have vouched how safe it is to travel here thus being one of the best countries to backpack alone. They have very welcoming and hospitable people, proven by their high happiness ranking. It is also very affordable to roam around, as there is plenty of public transportation available, including the chicken bus. There are several types of street food you can enjoy to have a taste of authentic Nicaragua experience.
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8. Costa Rica
Safety Ranking: 33
Happiness Ranking: 14
Daily travel cost: $72
Costa Rica ranks 8th in our list of the best countries to backpack alone. Costa Rica is said to be one of the most visited countries in South America. Apart from their rich culture and well-maintained nature scapes such as jungles and mangroves, there are also so many things to enjoy. The country offers zip lining, canopy walking, mangrove and jungle excursions, white water rafting, kayaking, surfing, and spelunking. Most of their tourist spots come with low entrance fees, so you can have fun without having to break the bank.
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7. Norway
Safety Ranking: 17
Happiness Ranking: 4
Daily travel cost: $112.72
Norway ranks 7th in our list of the best safe countries to travel alone. Norway is an expensive destination, without a doubt. But that is compensated well enough by the fact that Norwegians are among the happiest, friendliest people on earth. They are also among the most peaceful countries, so you do not have to worry even when you backpack alone. Norway has a lot of architectural buildings you can see, most of which look like they came out of an ancient tale. They have century-old castles, museums, and even reserves now recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Sites. They have something for adventure-seekers, too. Hiking, trekking, sailing near the coast, and scuba diving among a few.
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6. Finland
Safety Ranking: 11
Happiness Ranking: 5
Daily travel cost: $118.87
Finland ranks 6th in our list of the best countries to backpack alone. If you have always been fascinated by astronomy, Finland is a great destination for you. The place has the best views of the Northern Lights in Lapland. They also have annual festivals showcasing their culture, including the Jyvaskyla International Arts Festival. When in Finland, remember to visit Helsinki, the country’s capital, to see museums and reserves. Lake Saimaa is a view and experience to behold, too.
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5. Switzerland
Safety Ranking: 7
Happiness Ranking: 2
Daily travel cost: $166
Switzerland is an expensive place, and we all know that. Then again, any backpacker knows that a country’s safety and happiness are priceless. Add to that the many sights to see and places to explore in the country, and you know you can never go wrong with Switzerland. Those facts are more than enough to prove that indeed, this country is part of the 10 best countries to backpack alone. Swiss people are second of the happiest on earth, and they are known to be very welcoming and friendly. There are lots of things to do, including skiing, wine tasting, lake exploring through pedaling, and visiting museums. Make sure you visit Lake Geneva and the Swiss National Park.
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4. New Zealand
Safety Ranking: 4
Happiness Ranking: 8
Daily travel cost: $126
New Zeland ranks 4th in our list of the safest countries to travel alone. Known for the Southern Alps, New Zealand seems to be the best destination for solo travelers who want to tap back into nature. This country is also popular for its well-maintained greeneries, as well as the many types of adventure it offers to both locals and tourists. There is bungee jumping, skiing, jet boating, sailing, kayaking, and diving. Apart from water fun, there are also magnificent rainforests to explore.
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3. Canada
Safety Ranking: 8
Happiness Ranking: 6
Daily travel cost: $107.24
Being the second largest country in the world, Canada sure has tons of adventure to offer anybody who would like to explore their land. Each region of the country has something to offer, and with the high safety ranking they have, there is nothing to fear about going to Canada. There is just so much to do, such as fresh lobster meals, carnivals, visiting Horseshoe Falls, and exploring the smaller cities like Quebec and New Brunswick. Their museums and cultural centers are always fun to explore as well.
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2. Austria
Safety Ranking: 3
Happiness Ranking: 12
Daily travel cost: $102
Austria ranks second in our list of the best countries to backpack alone. Austria might seem to be a very small country, but it sure is full of adventures and amazing sights to see. It is a very popular holiday destination, because of the quaint, cozy city vibe exuded by its capital city, Vienna. They have museums, posh cafes, and offer thrill-seeking adventures as well. In Austria, you can also enjoy hiking, skiing, trekking, and biking. Its main tourist spots include The Vienna Hofburg and The Emperor’s Tomb. Both depict the Austrian culture and heritage, which makes them both a must-see.
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1. Denmark
Safety Ranking: 2
Happiness Ranking: 1
Daily travel cost: $126.79
Being the second safest country with the happiest people on earth, Denmark is a clear winner when it comes to 10 best countries to backpack alone. There are things to do both on land and water, for you can swim with the sharks and also enjoy hiking and bridge walking. Make sure to include these places in your backpack itinerary: Tivoli Gardens, Legoland, Blue Planet, The National Museum, and DJURSsommerland.
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