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It turns out that a brand-new international airport is a magnet for solo travelers. After much anticipation, one of Mexico’s trendiest beach hotspots kicked off 2024 with a bang, opening their brand spankin’ new airport to multiple U.S. airlines.

Flying into Cancun only to take a separate 2-hour trek south is now a distant blur in the rearview mirror, just like all of 2024’s shenanigans.

Lonely Planet recently hyped up 23 of the ‘best places for solo travelers’, and Tulum found itself sitting atop the list for Mexico’s premiere getaways.

With new ease of access, a welcoming community of like-minded travelers, incredible coastlines and ruins, and a variety of accommodations well-suited for solo trippers, there’s no doubt Tulum ticks off all the boxes for those braving the world on their own.

Tame, Yet Wild: Where Stunning Beaches Meet Lush Jungles

Tulum is far removed from “hidden gem” status but still boasts a wild side that is fun to explore, even by yourself.

Not often do new airports pop up, but Tulum was an exception, given how popular it has become over the years.

Of the newfound fame, Tulum is mostly beloved by travelers for its diverse set of attractions ranging from natural excursions like visiting otherworldly cenotes, Caribbean blue beaches, and a buzzing arts scene that only continues to thrive.

Solo travelers fit in seamlessly no matter what element of Tulum piques their interest, and there are ample tours to assist in discovering Tulum’s wild side.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with taking a beach day or two…or five, but Tulum’s natural wonders are always calling your name.

First and foremost are the vibrant cenotes, which are considered a must-visit for any traveler.

Why not double-dip into the best of both worlds? Explore Tulum’s tropical jungles, where you’ll discover sun-god secrets at well-preserved Mayan temples and enjoy a dip in the pristine waters of a private cenote.

You can do so by booking one of Tulum’s top tour operators, Mexico Kan Tours. Check out their Tulum Ruins & Cenote package – and if you can swing it, find fellow tourists to group together for better rates.

Secret Tour: For the ultra adventurous, check out adrenaline-inducing ‘Crocodile Night Dives & Snorkel’ tours with Koox Diving!

Make New Friends At Tulum’s Top Solo Accommodations

Speaking of cost-splitting, that’s gotta be the number one concern when traveling solo, right?

It always is for me, which is why I’ve opted for hostels on occasion, especially those with private rooms, rather than taking on the risk of booking a bunk across from someone who doesn’t need to know deodorant exists.

Tulum is well-equipped with a variety of modern hostels, so much so it’s as if Tulum is trying to cater to solo travelers more than couples and families, even though there are some high-end resorts to splurge on, too, if you’re a rare bankrolling solo traveler.

According to HostelWorld, these are the top 5 Tulum hostels for solo travelers this year:

• Che Tulum Hostel & Bar
• Mayan Monkey Tulum
• Lum
• Oryx Hostel Tulum
• SLNA Tulum

If it were me planning a solo trip to Tulum, I think I’d shoot for Che Suites for more privacy.

Although pricier, you can enjoy more comforts with more room and dedicated co-working spaces without the downside of traditional hostels, like shared bathrooms and the aforementioned risk of smelly backpackers.

Escape The Crowds! Enthrall Your Senses At Tulum’s Isolated Reserve

Any trip to Tulum requires at least a beach day. The best part of doing so as a solo traveler is you’re more likely to find a space to sprawl out and relax as Tulum’s beaches fill up quickly.

While every solo trip comes with its fair share of downtime, there is certainly too much downtime as well.

Whether it be the paradises of Akumal Beach, Playa Ruinas, rightfully named Playa Paraiso, good or bad, it’s a challenge to be in touch with your introverted side.

As Lonely Planet highlighted, Tulum is equal parts ‘sociable and solitary,’ but there is a spot that should top your itinerary to unplug and reconnect with nature – Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve ($5 admission).

Here, you can experience nature in its rawest form in what seems like Tulum’s most untouched region, brimming with thrilling wildlife sightings of monkeys, dolphins, and even jaguars.

Snorkel in crystal clear water or opt for a boat ride. Either way, there’s a reason this haven for all things nature holds such rave reviews, where one recent visitor claimed, ‘Beautiful, absolutely not to be missed if you love nature and slightly remote places; a true paradise.’

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Perhaps to the surprise of many, Lonely Planet elected a lesser-known city in France that tourists often ignore as the best city to travel in 2025.

Not Paris and its sparkly Eiffel, Strasbourg and its Gothic cathedral, and certainly not Nice with the high life and turquoise seas.

Though it’s not on every American’s bucket list for a visit to France, Toulouse is rising fast in popularity as an alternative to the usual jam-packed tourism hotspots, and it’s not hard to see some of the reasons why:

It has a fascinating culture, with over 2,000 years of recorded History to its name, the culinary offers are some of the best in the country, and did we mention its Old Town has a pinkish hue?

Discover La Ville Rose

The capital of the southerly Occitanie region, Toulouse is an ancient settlement lining a picturesque Garonne River, and one of France’s last major cities before the border with Catalonia, in Spain, roughly 100 miles before the nearest crossing.

It’s known in France as La Ville Rose, French for ‘Pink City’, and you may be wondering why:

Well, you’ll know you’re in Toulouse when you start seeing terracotta brick-built buildings everywhere, looking a striking ocher during a sunny day, and turning a soft pastel pink in the golden hour, making for a unique cityscape.

When it comes to its credentials as a cultural treasure, Toulouse was founded at the beginning of the 1st century by the Romans, only to later become the capital of several successive kingdoms, from the Visigoth, to the Merovingian, to the Carolingian, to Aquitaine.

Needless to say, it has the architectural wealth to back it up:

Toulouse Is One Of France’s Most Historical Cities

Starting with the Romans, not much is left of the original city of Tolosa, but you can still see the ruined 1st-century amphitheater, formerly used for gladiatorial combats, and the picturesque Place Saint-Jacques, built atop a Roman enclosure.

Upon the decline of the Roman civilization, one of the first Christian basilicas in Western Europe––Saint-Sernin––was raised here, with the signature Toulouse bricks being employed in its construction as early as the 5th century.

It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site distinguished by its impressive collection of stained glass.

The Middle Ages in Toulouse was one of the city’s most emblematic, with multiple landmarks popping up almost simultaneously:

The Capitole, or City Hall, with some of the oldest parts dating back to the 12th century, the Jacobins Convent, famous for its intact cloister and inner gardens, the medieval Daurade Tower, and of course, the iconic Pont-Neuf, spanning the Garonne.

Later periods brought on Renaissance and Belle époque-issued structures, from the stately Hôtel d’Assézat to the Grand Hôtel de Dieu, a former hospital now hosting a cultural center featuring an ornamented Art Nouveau façade.

Canal Tours & Great Food

As you can see, there are plenty of manmade wonders in Toulouse to keep the culture aficionado in you entertained for days.

Now, if you’re looking for unique things to do while in town, don’t miss out on a visit to the Grand Café Le Florida, a restaurant dating back to the 19th century characterized by its timeless décor, serving delicious French pastries and coffee.

Can’t get enough of the mind-blowing History yet? One of the best ways to take in the Old World charm of Toulouse is biking along the 17th century Canal du Midi, linking the Garonne River to eh Mediterranean Sea, offering postcard-ready views along the way.

Oh, and of course, it’s not a trip to France if a food tour isn’t on the cards!

Ditch the diet and take this walking tour of Toulouse’s charming historic center, with sampling of local delicacies included, from only $51.32 per person.

Toulouse may not have made it to this list of France’s top 5 foodie destinations, but we’ll be honest with you, the slow-cooked, hearty cassoulet beats any stew you can get in Normandy, Alsatian sausages don’t stand a chance against Toulouse’s sautéed saucisse, and don’t get us started on violettes:

Sugar-coated, flower-shaped candies made with Toulouse violet, a symbol of the Pink City, it is a much-welcome treat for sweet fiends like us that can be found in any souvenir shop.

Find the complete list of best destinations to visit for 2025, as chosen by Lonely Planet, here.

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