Let’s talk about the one of the hardest things about travel, and that is loneliness. Traveling with a family, a friend, or a spouse makes travel so much better because you share the adventures and stories together. If this is a solo trip, then it could be harder to make a friend or two. Sometimes you spend entire days speaking to no one except hotel desk clerks and the person taking your coffee order.
I’ve been that tourist sitting alone in restaurants, awkwardly people-watching while everyone else seems to be having the time of their lives with their newfound local buddies. I’ve also been the tourist who somehow ended up at a family barbecue in someone’s backyard, invited to wedding receptions, and exchanged contact information with people I met while waiting for a bus. That family BBQ is definitely a story in itself.
The difference? Picking the right countries. Some places seem designed to turn tourists into temporary locals, where strangers become friends over shared meals and spontaneous adventures. Others… well, others make you feel like you’re observing life through bulletproof glass, you can see it happening, but you’re definitely not part of it. Cultural differences can also make things a bit more awkward as well. So do not be too offended if people seem a bit cold and less friendly to strangers.
Here are the countries where making friends is as easy as ordering a beer, and the ones where you might as well be a ghost with a really expensive camera.
The 7 Countries Where You’ll Never Eat Alone
Friends can be made everywhere if you are that extroverted person looking to make a new friend or two, but not everyone is that outgoing. Fortunately, we came up with a list of some countries that the people are generally friendly.
Ireland
One of the best experiences was going to Ireland. Sitting at a local pub, grabbing a pint of Guinness brought smiles on people’s faces. They knew you belonged. That was how I met a few of my Irish friends.
Irish pub culture is basically designed for making friends. Sit at the bar, grab a pint of Guinness and start chatting with the guy or gal next to you. The entire social structure revolves around shared conversation, communal drinking, and the assumption that everyone has something interesting to contribute. You might as well enjoy it and embrace it. I, as a red bearded man, have been mistaken for being Irish several times so when Ireland it is a friendly reminder that people are awesome there.
Ask about local music or sports or even your favorite parts of Ireland. The Irish love sharing their passions, and before you know it, you’ll be invited to traditional music sessions or football matches.
Even if you can’t understand half of what people are saying through the accents, they’ll appreciate your effort to keep up and will speak slower just for you.
New Zealand
Kiwis have perfected the art of casual friendliness. New Zealand’s culture of outdoor adventure means you’re constantly meeting like-minded travelers and locals on hiking trails, at hostels, and in adventure tour groups. Kiwis are almost as nice as Aussies (different accents though). The country’s size means you’ll often run into the same people multiple times, turning chance encounters into genuine friendships.
I met a Kiwi couple while hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing who invited me to stay at their farm for three days. We’re still friends five years later, and they’ve visited me in the States twice. That level of genuine openness is standard in New Zealand, not exceptional. My go to conversation piece is, “my wife’s cousins live in Auckland,” and it is a sure way to start a friendly conversation with Kiwis.
Join group activities like hiking tours or adventure sports, or even see if they have some fun beaches to go to especially if you are in Auckland.
The backpacker culture is so ingrained that even locals treat tourists like temporary neighbors rather than outsiders.
Colombia
Colombians take hospitality to levels that would make Southern grandmothers jealous. Have you met a latino family? Once you become friends it is more than friendship it is like you are family. A family helped celebrate my wife’s birthday while we were there. It was amazing! Songs, dancing, great food, and all the works just for my wife’s birthday.
The culture values personal connections over formal interactions, which means conversations move quickly from polite tourist exchanges to genuine personal sharing. Plus, Colombians are genuinely curious about foreign visitors and want to share their culture rather than just sell it to you.
Colombia may be famous for having a lot of Cocaine in the 80s, but their culture is wonderful. People are beautiful, the landscape is beautiful, and the food and hospitality is unmatched.
Even basic Spanish attempts are met with enthusiastic encouragement rather than polite tolerance.
Australia
Australians treat friendliness like a competitive sport they’re determined to win. The “no worries” attitude creates an environment where making friends feels effortless. Whether you’re at a beach barbecue, a pub in the Outback, or exploring Melbourne’s coffee scene, Aussies assume you’re interesting until proven otherwise. Living here for almost a year, I think Aussies are so friendly.
I spent two weeks traveling down the East Coast and never once ate a meal alone—locals and fellow travelers constantly invited me to join groups, share tables, or tag along to their next destination. They hear the American accent and say “ are you Canadian or American.” Then a new conversation can start with a load of fun on the way.
Sports conversations are universal ice-breakers. Just ask some questions about Footy and it will be game on. By the way, Footy is just another name for Australian Football.
Working holiday visas mean lots of international young people, creating instant communities of fellow travelers looking for friends.
Thailand
Thai hospitality culture means you’re never really alone unless you want to be. The combination of Buddhist values emphasizing kindness, a massive backpacker infrastructure, and genuine curiosity about foreign visitors creates perfect conditions for friendship formation. Thailand is cheap, but the overall hospitality is beyond something I had expected.
Eating some Pad Thai at a local restaurant meant that I interacted with the locals everyday, and they kept giving me coin pouches too. It was such a friendly gesture. For my daughter, they would give her toys or even some beach toys.
It was a non stop friendliness wherever we went. The country is full of people willing to help and create a welcoming feel for tourists all around.
Cooking classes are friendship factories. Spending three hours learning to make pad thai with fellow travelers and locals creates instant bonds over shared struggles and delicious results.
The concept of “sanuk” (fun) is central to Thai culture, meaning locals actively seek out enjoyable social interactions rather than just tolerating tourist presence.
Portugal
Portuguese people possess an almost supernatural ability to make visitors feel like returning relatives rather than random tourists. It must be where the Brazilians gained their friendly demeanor. The culture values conversation, shared meals, and genuine human connection in ways that make solo travel feel impossible. It is hard to not get the feeling that everyone around you is friendly.
I was invited to three different family dinners during a week in Porto, included in a neighborhood festival in Lisbon, and adopted by a group of university students who insisted on showing me their favorite hidden spots. It is hard to beat some of these invitations. Portuguese hospitality isn’t performative—it’s genuinely rooted in the belief that visitors should experience authentic local life.
Fado houses (traditional music venues) create intimate environments where locals and visitors bond over wine and emotional music.
English proficiency is high, but if you try to use a word or two in Portuguese you may make not just one new friend, maybe a few.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s “pura vida” philosophy extends to social interactions, creating a culture where making friends feels as natural as breathing. It is the moto of the country. Life is an adventure, and those living that adventure by doing it with friends will have a better time. The country’s adventure tourism infrastructure means you’re constantly meeting like-minded travelers and locals during activities, while the relaxed pace encourages genuine conversation over rushing between attractions.
Ticos (Costa Ricans) are genuinely interested in sharing their country with visitors, often going far beyond tourist service to create authentic cultural exchanges. I’ve been invited to family gatherings, local festivals, and impromptu beach parties by people who started as casual acquaintances. You never know what could happen when you make a new friend.
Eco-tours and adventure activities create natural bonding opportunities. Shared experiences like zip-lining through cloud forests or spotting sloths tend to break down social barriers quickly.
The emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable tourism attracts like-minded travelers, creating instant common ground for friendships.
The 3 Countries Where You’ll Master the Art of Solo Dining
It is not an offense to you, but these countries typically have a different culture than those that are more willing to become friends. That is ok. A little bit of prep can help your travels be a bit smoother.
Switzerland
Swiss culture values privacy, punctuality, and keeping personal business personal. While this creates an incredibly functional society, it also means tourists often feel like they’re observing Swiss life through museum glass—you can see it, but you’re definitely not part of it.
The language barriers (German, French, Italian, Romansh) add complications, but even English-speaking interactions tend to be polite but distant. Swiss people are helpful when asked direct questions but rarely initiate conversations with strangers. Social interactions follow established protocols rather than spontaneous friendliness.
Swiss social circles are established early and maintained privately. Tourists aren’t excluded maliciously—they’re just not included in social structures designed around long-term relationships.
Though these sentiments may be true, I have met tons of Swiss people that are friendly and helpful. Each place may have a cold feeling, but generally as I have traveled people are friendly.
Finland
Finnish culture treats silence as comfortable and social interaction as optional. The concept of “sisu” (stoic determination) extends to social situations, where Finns prefer meaningful connections over casual chitchat. This creates a culture where tourists can feel completely isolated even in crowded spaces. My brother-in-law is Finnish. The culture is very preserved and shy. My sister-in-law had never seen her husband’s mother until they flew to Finland. She would hide during zoom calls.
Finnish social culture requires time and trust-building that tourism timeframes don’t accommodate. Locals aren’t unfriendly—they’re operating under different social rules that prioritize privacy. It is just something to prep for when you visit.
Sauna culture provides the only reliable social interaction opportunity, but it requires understanding complex cultural protocols.
South Korea
Korean culture’s emphasis on age, status, and group harmony creates social dynamics that can be impenetrable for tourists. While Koreans are incredibly polite and helpful, the hierarchical social structure means casual friendships with strangers don’t develop easily.
Language barriers compound the challenge, as social nuances require cultural understanding that goes beyond basic communication. English is picking up, but knowing some words in Korean really do help in the society. Tourist-local interactions tend to remain transactional rather than personal, even during extended stays.
Korean social groups are often based on school, work, or family connections that tourists can’t access. These groups go out for work drinks, interact with each other, and create a bond. So not much offense towards foreigners and travelers, it is just the culture. The culture of “nunchi” (social awareness) means Koreans read social situations carefully before engaging, often excluding outsiders from established groups.
The Art of Tourist Friendship
The countries where friendship comes easily share common traits: cultures that value spontaneous social interaction, infrastructure that facilitates meeting people, and genuine curiosity about outsiders rather than just their money. Friendly people makes you feel like you are home. One of the most challenging things when you travel is the fear of being alone. Other countries may feel cold, but that could be their culture. Do not take offense, other cultures are just different.
The secret to making friends while traveling isn’t changing your personality, it’s choosing destinations where your natural social style aligns with local cultural norms. These countries make it great for digital nomads, tourists, and all sorts of travelers. It is also taking steps into saying hello or listening to people when they chat with you. Some places reward extroversion and spontaneity, while others require patience and structured social approaches.
Both experiences have value, but if you’re craving human connection during your travels, pick your destinations accordingly. Your future social self will thank you somewhere over a shared meal with people who started as strangers and ended as friends.