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Traveling Solo

by Vallarta Online Staff | published: 2/20/2008

Many people have different reasons for traveling solo. Maybe your friends cannot get the same time off as you, you have traveled with friends and you vowed never to do it again, the reasons are endless. No matter you reason for vacationing solo, here are some tips for you.

One for the price of Two?

Veteran solo travelers are familiar with the dreaded "single supplement" the sometimes unavoidable penalty that you pay for traveling solo. Most hotels post rates based on double occupancy, and if only one person occupies the room the price is the same (Duo travelers can look at the flip side: one person free!).




In Vallarta there are a handful of hotels that have a reduced room rate for solo travelers. In the Romantic Zone Hotel Eloisa offers clean accommodations, a rooftop pool with a great view and it is just a few yards from the beach. Suites Emperador is located on the famed Los Muertos Beach, where you can sip a cool margarita while lounging under a palapa.

The Los Arcos family of hotels also has lower room rates when only one guest will be occupying the room. Los Arcos Vallarta and Suites Los Arcos are located off the beach, but guests are welcome to use the beach amenities at Playa Los Arcos, on Los Muertos Beach. The Playa Los Arcos hotel has a daily activities program to fend off pool boredom (as if that is a possibility) and break the ice with your fellow travelers.

In the Marina, the lovely Embarcadeo Pacifico has special all-inclusive rates for people traveling solo. With a large pool and view of the yachts in the Marina, what more could you ask for?

What to do

There is no shortage of things to do in our port. Some people end up needing a vacation from their vacation!

If you are looking for adventure activities in small groups, check out diving at Majauitas and Marietas. For high flying adventure check out the canopy tour. If you prefer to stay on terra firma, explore the mountainside on horseback.


For fun on a larger scale, check out the John Houston's former beach hideaway Las Caletas. This tour has everything you need for a great day, beach, lounge chairs, inner tubes, snorkeling, nature hikes, and open bar. Striking up a conversation with your fellow beach bums will not be a problem.

Book worm

Sometimes the pool looks like a library, with everyone's nose in a best seller, romance novel, or mystery. If you find yourself out of reading material, don't worry there is plenty of English language material available close to your hotel. In the romantic zone, you can trade your used read for a "new" one at A Page in the Sun, a sidewalk café across from Playa Los Arcos hotel.

For the latest releases and best sellers, The Book Store (Insurgentes and V. Carranza) has new hardcover books for only a few pesos over the cover price. A wide array of magazines are also available.

A smaller variety of books are also available at Libros Libros Books Books on 31 de Octubre, near McDonald's. They also stock a large selection of 'zines in English.

You can also find paperbacks at supermarkets, including Gutierez Rizo (magainzes too), Wal-Mart, Mega, and Gigante.

From lounging on the beach, to exciting tours, to reading poolside, Vallarta has it all! When you get bored with the sun, take a walk and sit in a café. See the jungle on a tour. Try new food in a gourmet restaurant. The best part about traveling solo is you are in charge!

For more information:

Single Woman Traveler

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