Hey all,
Wander Woman here with another blog. 💫
If you’ve ever wondered how an introverted person can travel full-time without feeling overwhelmed by constant people, noise, and shared spaces…
Let me stop you right there:
Of course you can do it.
And this is exactly how I’ve been doing it for over a year — all while staying in hostels, volunteering, meeting amazing people, and protecting my energy. No private rooms, no fancy hotels.
I travel on a budget, but I’ve learned how to thrive as an introvert. Here’s exactly how you can too.
Solo date energy: laptop, chilaquiles, and zero guilt. ✨
🌍 Volunteering While Traveling as an Introvert
As I’ve mentioned before, most of my long-term travel has been through hostel volunteering, which saves a ton of money and gives you a built-in community.
Typical benefits include:
- Free accommodation
- Up to 3 free meals
- Up to 32 hours of volunteering per week
- Discounts on trips and drinks
- A stable routine
- A social environment you can choose to engage with (or not)
I’ve volunteered in the Netherlands, Mexico, and other spots — often staying 4+ months in each country.
And here’s the truth people don’t talk about enough:
👉 Volunteering is an introvert’s heaven.
You walk into a place where everything is already set up:
- A defined role
- A predictable routine
- A small group of volunteers you naturally interact with
- And the freedom to decide how much (or how little) you socialize
You can be social with only volunteers, volunteers + guests, or basically no one except the people you work with.
And thank god most travelers are extroverts — because someone will adopt you instantly.
I’ve met so many people who just clicked with me without forcing anything.
✨ Stories From an Introverted Traveler Being Adopted by Extroverts
1. The Irish Girl — @ Pink Flamingo Hostel, The Hague
My first day at this cute hostel in The Hague, I arrived after shift hours. Everyone was already chilling in bed. Gabriel (the sweetest French guy ever) showed me around.
He asked if they had a bed ready for me.
The Irish girl said:
“Nope, we didn’t make it.”
And I just said:
“Eh, that’s alright. The floor will be fine.”
We all burst out laughing — and just like that, my anxiety melted.
Shoutout to Shannon, my favorite Irish extrovert. 💚
I stayed there three months. What made it perfect was the small, stable group of people. It took all the pressure off — no forcing conversations and no pretending to be more social than I am.
Most mornings looked like:
- Coffee
- Headphones
- Music
- A smoke
- Zero talking
(What can I say? I’m NOT the friendliest morning person 😂)
Slow travel gives you the comfort to warm up at your own pace.
Once I’m comfortable, I can talk your ear off — but I need time, and that’s okay.
You won’t vibe with everyone in hostel life, but you will find your people. Always.
2. Will & Tate Hostel — The Hague
I volunteered here for four months, and it’s where I met the perfect mix of people: introverts, ambiverts, and extroverts.
Most days I hung out in the cozy smoking area playing chess, drinking beers, and having deep conversations.
This is also where I met people who pulled me out of my comfort zone in the best way:
- Beach picnics
- St. Patrick’s Day parties
- Volunteer dinners
- Birthday celebrations
None of it felt like forced socializing.
It felt like hanging out with friends who understood your energy — whether you’re quiet, talkative, or both.
It made me realize something important:
There are way more introverted long-term travelers than you think.
3. Mexico – Iguana Hostel: Why Low Season Is an Introvert Cheat Code
Right now, I’m at Iguana Hostel in Mexico, and since it’s low season, we’re only four volunteers — and honestly, it’s introvert paradise.
✨ Volunteering in low season = less pressure + more peace.
With fewer people, you naturally fall into:
- A calm routine
- A smaller and deeper social circle
- More alone time without guilt
- More slow, intentional connections
You get simple, cozy volunteer activities — the kind introverts secretly love:
- Movie nights
- Gossip sessions with zero interruptions
- Chill afternoons where everyone does their own thing together
- Quiet shared spaces
And my personal favorite:
I’m a big gamer, so sometimes we all sit together playing video games on our laptops, eating chips, or getting a bit high (shoutout to Vic ✌️). Everyone vibing, no pressure.
I wasn’t lying when I said:
You can have an amazing travel life as an introvert — you just find your own pace in whatever environment you’re in.
🎧 Tips That Help Me Recharge as an Introvert Traveling Full-Time
Quiet solo moments hit different when you’re recharging in a hammock. 🌤️
These are the exact things that keep me grounded and happy while living in shared spaces.
1. Take Yourself on Solo Dates
YES, you can eat alone.
And it’s honestly amazing.
My top guilty pleasure:
Fast food places with ordering machines (even less human interaction hahahahaha).
I order my food, find a quiet corner, and listen to music.
Pure introvert joy.
2. Turn Your Dorm Bed Into a Recharge Cave
Even if the hostel doesn’t have curtains — don’t worry.
You can make your own DIY setup:
- DIY towel curtains
- Blankets
- Pillow fort tactics
- Hammock-style corners
Close it up. Make it your cocoon.
I’ve had full movie nights in 12-bed dorms and nobody cared.
3. Hang Out With a Small, Chill Group
My perfect socializing includes:
- Chess
- A beer
- Getting high with good-vibe buddies
- Reading
- Budget walks
- Deep late-night conversations with one person
Small connections > big circles.
4. Protect Your Social Battery
Your alone time is not optional, babe — it’s essential.
Take it without guilt.
Go on walks alone.
Sit in a park alone to do whatever makes you happy, boo, and recharged 🤪
💬 Final Thoughts: Introverts Deserve More Credit in Travel
Introverts bring depth, calmness, and intention to the travel world — even though people don’t talk about it enough.
If a 31-year-old introverted backpacker can travel full-time, stay in hostels, volunteer, recharge solo, and still have the best time…
👉 If you like slow travel and hostel life, I also wrote another post about How I traveled the world for a year with almost no money — you can read it here.
You absolutely can too.
To all present and future introverted travelers:
Wonder. Explore.
Till next time,
Wander Woman Quest 💫
🌟 Travel Resources I Use
Worldpackers — https://www.worldpackers.com
Spotify — https://www.spotify.com
