As a woman of color who travels alone, is it a waste of money to visit places with zero diversity?

By Aditi Shrikant

'I don't want to spend a bunch of money and have a bad time'

"Part of the fun is meeting locals with similar interests and practicing speaking another language."

Dear Dollar Signs,

I'm a huge solo traveler. I love traveling by myself because I can do a lot of activities, whether it's spending a few hours at a museum or having an outdoor adventure. And part of the fun is meeting locals with similar interests and practicing speaking another language, whether that means going on dates or just making new friends.

I'm a woman of color and I live in a very culturally diverse American city. I'm planning a trip through Scandinavia, and I've seen content online where women are talking about being the only person of color in certain cities and having trouble connecting with locals. I know some places are just not as welcoming to outsiders, especially ones of color.

I don't want to cut myself off from experiences, but I also don't want to spend a bunch of money and have a bad time. Do you think it's a waste of money to visit a racially homogenous place, Scandinavia or elsewhere, as a woman of color?

Solo Traveler

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Dear Solo Traveler,

As a fellow woman of color who likes to travel solo, I can empathize with this anxiety. Travel is expensive. Oslo, for instance, is known for being pricey, partly because many goods are imported, which drives up the cost of groceries and dining out. I also don't want to spend my money visiting a city where people will be closed off to me because of my race. Whether you're flirting or trying to make friends, it's easier to exist in places where you're not thought of as inherently ugly.

It seems like you know it's best to do research beforehand, otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question. It's important to seek out the most candid perspective possible. To do this, Jessica Clement, a Black woman who has traveled solo to 14 countries, uses TikTok to research destinations but says the value isn't in the videos themselves.

"Look up a destination on TikTok and then read the comments," she says. "That is the most authentic review of a place you're going to get. If you keep seeing comments like, 'They don't like us here,' then that's something to think about. If reviews are mixed, I say give it a shot."

Simply knowing what to expect when it comes to racial demographics can help you manage your expectations.

Clement, for example, says she heard that Italy was a hard place for Black women traveling alone. When she went to Ischia, a small island near Capri, she says she was the only Black person there. When she traveled to Naples, though, she found herself among a much more diverse population.

For safety reasons, she always shares her location with at least one person before leaving for a trip.

Gabby Foster, a Black woman who has traveled solo to seven countries, makes connections with locals before she even lands. Facebook groups and Bumble BFF (the toggle on Bumble that allows you to find friendly connections, as opposed to just romantic ones) have been helpful, she says, as has an app called Tandem. This is a social-networking app where you can message people and practice speaking whatever language you want. Before arriving in France, where she planned to spend a year, Foster messaged French speakers to practice chatting in that language.

"You can kind of see everybody's profile, so it's like scrolling on Instagram and you can pick and choose who you want to talk to," she says. "There is no pressure to talk to people you don't want to talk to. That's actually how I met my ex."

Most important, I would urge you to have an open mind. No country is a monolith. As an American, you're aware, I'm sure, that how we are portrayed in the news and pop culture is not all that accurate compared with how many of us behave day to day. Both Foster and Clement say they had heard Italy was especially racist toward Black women, but each had a wonderful time there.

If you do your research, are open to meeting new people and make some connections beforehand, I think you have a good chance of enjoying pretty much anywhere. Limiting your travels due to potential racial stigmas is doing yourself a disservice. If the place you want to visit is safe and you're being smart, I say go for it.

Write to Dollar Signs at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.

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-Aditi Shrikant

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08-06-26 1530ET