Women traveling solo, then and now—on the world’s greatest river
Amazon has long meant more than a place on the map. In Greek myth, Amazons were formidable women warriors; centuries later, a Spanish expedition reported encounters with women fighters and named the river for them. The word has come to stand for strength, skill, and self-possession—exactly what today’s solo women travelers carry with them into wild places.
A lineage of fearless explorers
Women have been writing themselves into Amazonia’s story for more than a century. Botanist Ynes Mexia began collecting in her mid-50s and led expeditions across the Americas, including the Amazon—proving, as she said, “I don’t think there’s any place in the world where a woman can’t venture alone.”
Artist–explorer Margaret Mee trekked for decades through the rainforest to paint the moonflower cactus that blooms for a few hours each year—an odyssey of patience, grit, and wonder.
The 2025 surge in solo women travel
The momentum is real—and measurable. Nearly 40% of women say they’re interested in a solo international trip in 2025 (+8% YoY), and solo has become one of travel’s fastest-growing segments. Women make 82% of travel decisions and are on track to control 75% of discretionary spend by 2028. No surprise, then, that women-only tours have risen 230%, and more brands now waive or discount the single supplement.
Delfin is part of the solution
We’re honored that Delfin Amazon Cruises is named among operators waiving the single supplement on select departures/seasons, making deep-nature expeditions more accessible to solo guests. As a Relais & Châteaux member, we pair warm, personal hospitality with immersive naturalist guiding on small vessels—so you can choose solitude when you want it and community when you crave it.
Why the Amazon belongs on your solo list
- Meaning over mileage. The river invites reflection: dawn skiff rides, canopy bird calls, pink-river-dolphin sightings, and the spaciousness to process life’s transitions. (Many solo travelers cite nature, purpose, and transformation as their “why.”)
- Autonomy with a safety net. Our expert naturalist team and crew know the river’s moods; you set the pace, we handle the logistics.
- Connection on your terms. Small-group excursions foster real conversations—with guides, local partners, and fellow travelers—while leaving room for quiet.
A modern meaning of Amazon
From myth to Mexia, from Mee to today’s voyagers, Amazon has come to mean a woman moving through the world with calm power. If you’ve been waiting for permission to go—consider this your sign.
Planning your solo voyage
Ask our team about solo-traveler availability and departures with waived single supplements this season. We’ll help you choose the right itinerary, from high-water wildlife to low-water beaches, and design the cadence—active, contemplative, or a bit of both.
The river is ready. So are you.