There are times when we need to get away. Times when you just want to be alone with your thoughts. Times you feel like exploring without the voices of others impeding upon your peace. I was feeling this way a few weeks ago when I decided to do something spontaneous: book a solo trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I had been wanting to visit PR for some time, so I booked the flight as well as an AirBnB and didn't tell anyone that I was going except my best friends. I didn't even tell my mother until I was literally seated on the plane preparing for take off. If you've never used AirBnB but would like to, click here for some tips on how to choose a stay.

I stayed in the Santurce district for 3 days and 2 nights. I was a 7 minute walk from the beach, great restaurants, art museums, shopping and more. My AirBnb total: $89. The first and last days I spent at the beach and in the neighborhood where I was staying. On Day 2, I ventured out and took a $0.75 bus ride to historical Old San Juan. It was nothing short of gorgeous. The people were friendly, the food was delightful, and I got lost for hours in the scenery. *Fun tip: When traveling alone, take a selfie stick for better angles and selfies against fun backgrounds.

One of my favorite stops during my wandering was the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico. The artwork was beautiful and thought provoking. Unfortunately they do not allow filming or picture taking, but for $5 I got a full tour of the museum. I was the only person there so I felt like a celebrity getting the VIP treatment lol. The beach and lagoon were breathtaking. I sat on the beach with my feet in the sand, listening to the waves, and feeling peace on a spiritual level. My best meal (pictured above) came from the Latin Star. I had goat stew with rice and beans. At $15, it was enough for two meals and the flavor was robust. The forecast said rain my entire trip but the weather Gods smiled upon me. It was hot and sunny with sporadic breezes that were just enough to keep me from passing out. Brief pit stops into Starbucks and small shops along the colorful streets made me feel like a local. Seeing other travelers from so many different backgrounds made me happy. All in all, this trip was one of the best trips I've taken. Those few days reminded me to embrace a spirit of gratitude and to always make time for myself.

Have any of you ever taken a solo trip? If so, what did you learn about yourself? If not, what's stopping you? Leave your comments below and don't forget to share this post if you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!