I’ll admit it — I’m a late bloomer when it comes to traveling. For most of my life, I lived in one city, in one country, and looked at travel as a luxury — even an indulgence. At one point, I was almost scornful of it.
Growing up with limited means, I saw two sides of the travel coin. On one hand, people romanticized it: they said traveling broadens your mind, that meeting people from different walks of life makes you more understanding and appreciative of your own culture. They claimed that hiking mountains, getting lost in cobbled European streets, or exploring a jungle could change you in ways you’d never expect.
On the other hand, others saw it as impractical. Why spend so much time and money when you can learn about the world from books, documentaries, or even the internet? Travel costs money — and not everyone can just drop their day jobs or family responsibilities to chase sunsets in Santorini. For many, travel is simply out of reach.
I see the truth in both sides. Travel can be expensive, exhausting, and not always accessible — but it also has the power to change you. Even if you only step out of your comfort zone once, that experience can leave a mark.
So… is traveling really worth it?
For me, yes. And here’s why.
1. Traveling improves your health
Science backs this up — travel can reduce stress, lower your risk of heart disease, and even boost your immune system. When you’re out of your daily routine, both your body and mind get the reset they didn’t know they needed.
I’ve noticed it myself. Whenever I travel, I move more, eat better, and sleep deeper. In the U.S., I drive almost everywhere. Abroad, I walk. A lot. I also eat more fruits and vegetables because they’re fresher and cheaper. My mood improves too — there’s something about being surrounded by a different language, culture, and pace of life that just makes me feel lighter.
My trip to Italy was full of sunshine, good food and art.
2. Traveling teaches you to appreciate diversity
Obviously, when you travel to a new place, you get to meet new people and if you stay long enough, you learn about their culture.
When I left home, I realized how easy it is to get stuck in your own bubble — to believe that your way of doing things is the way. But when you’re somewhere new, you start to see that life isn’t universal.
The beautiful thing about traveling is that it shows you that there’s more than one way of doing things. That while back home, people eat breakfast early, here in this new place, people actually eat later, or that they skip breakfast altogether. It’s not bad, just different.
In Costa Rica, I traded the noise of car horns for the sounds of birds and the soft rhythm of a broom sweeping dry leaves. Instead of hurried “hellos,” I woke up to cheerful cries of “¡Pura Vida!” That’s when I realized: there’s more than one way to live fully.
The beautiful and diverse landscapes of Costa Rica, Peru and Ecuador.
3. Traveling improves your communication skills
This is my favorite perk of traveling.
Traveling forces you to talk–whether you like it or not.
You’ll ask for directions, order food, or figure out train schedules. If you’re introverted (like me), that can be terrifying at first. But with each small interaction, your confidence grows.
I still remember nervously saying my first “Vorrei un caffè macchiato, per favore” in Italy. My accent was bad, my hands were shaking — but the barista smiled. And I realized something: even broken communication can build connection.
If you travel overseas, you will definitely have to learn a few key phrases in their local language. Sure, you can probably get by with English, as it is widely spoken everywhere, but the experience will be definitely limited.
Personally, I never travel to a country without learning the local language. I make it a point to learn at least a few local phrases. Not just out of necessity, but out of respect. It changes how people treat you. It shows effort. It opens doors — and hearts.
Volunteering as a nurse in Peru. My level of Spanish was sufficient for me to work in Urgent Care. It’s prohibited to take photos of the staff and patients.
I will post my story of language learning in the future, but for now, let me just say that learning the local language of the places I traveled to has improved my communication skills even after coming back home. I’m now able to converse with my Spanish-speaking patients, making them feel more comfortable in my care.
4. Traveling opens the door for relationships
Even for introverts, travel has a way of bringing people together. Whether you’re chatting with locals, fellow travelers, or hosts, connections happen naturally. That’s the magic of traveling!
Creating friendships and connections is the gift that keep on giving. I say this as an introvert who’s bad at keeping in touch. Some of my most meaningful conversations happened with people I’ll probably never meet again — over dinner tables, bus rides, or simply hanging out in hostel lobbies.
Of course, not every connection lasts, and maintaining friendships across time zones takes work. But even fleeting moments of kindness can make a trip unforgettable. And for solo travelers, those connections often mean comfort, safety, and a reminder that you’re never truly alone in the world.
The downside, of course, is that having friends in different parts of the world will require effort to maintain. It might be challenging, especially with differences in time zones, but it can be rewarding too. Some people even end up with happy romantic relationships that all started with being travel buddies.
5. Traveling verifies relationships
This is for those who travel with someone, or a group. I read somewhere that you only really get to know a person when you live with them and/or you travel with them. I agree. Traveling presents its own set of challenges, which can give you a clear picture of the kind of person you are with.
Everyone has their own travel style, and this should be considered before embarking on a trip. Some people have food allergies, or medical conditions that will affect their activities. Others prefer to travel slow while some prefer high-adrenaline stuff. Some are in-between.
As with all things, there are problems associated with traveling with someone/a group. It can strengthen bonds but may also drive a wedge between relationships. It is best to talk about personal differences when planning to travel so that everyone involved will have a good time.
6. Traveling promotes independence
Solo travel, in particular, builds a kind of independence that’s hard to describe. You learn to trust yourself — your instincts, your limits, your choices.
I often gets asked how I manage to travel alone. Is it scary? Is it safe?
Yes, it can be lonely at times, and sure, it’s scary.
But that’s what makes it so freeing. You eat when you want, go where you please, stop when you’re tired. You answer only to yourself.
There’s something healing about that — about proving that you can rely on your own company and still have a good time.
Sometimes, it just feels therapeutic to be a selfish bitch.
So, Is Traveling Worth it?
Definitely — but not in the “drop everything and move to Bali” kind of way. It is not a cure-all for your problems.
But it will teach you. It will challenge your comfort zone, shift your perspective, and remind you that the world is vast — and so are you.
If you can’t travel right now, that’s okay. Try something new — explore a nearby town, learn a language, take a different route home. The spirit of travel isn’t about distance. It’s about discovery.
And sometimes, all it takes to start is one small step outside your front door.
Happy travels, wanderer!