Samantha Sage shares her experience of solo exploring through Brazil to inspire female travelers in honor of Women’s Month
When the cold, rainy winter of Seattle became too much for Samantha Sage, a 34-year-old tech consultant from the United States, she realized she wasn’t just looking for a vacation—she was looking for an adventure.
With the freedom to work from anywhere, she packed her bags for a six-week solo trek across Brazil, a journey that would take her from the iconic beaches of Rio to the remote, almost mystical landscapes of the Amazon Rainforest and Jalapão.
To explore these particular destinations, she trusted PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil, to ensure she had a safe, fulfilling trip. In honor of Women’s Month, we tell her story right below.
Discovering the scale of the Amazon
For Samantha, the Amazon was a revelation. While she had seen rainforests before, nothing prepared her for the sheer magnitude of the rivers. “You hear about the rivers in the Amazon being really big, but you don’t really conceptualize it until you’re there.”
Staying at an Amazon jungle lodge, she enjoyed a uniquely intimate experience. As the only guest, she received personalized attention from guides who were born and raised in the region.
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Her trip was filled with sightings of many Amazon animals, including a humorous moment when she mistook a sleek head in the water for something else.
“I freaked out. My brain immediately thought it was an anaconda, but my guide looked at me like I was crazy, and he was like, ‘It’s an otter,’” she laughs, saying how excited she was with the possibility of seeing the star of the Anaconda franchise in its natural habitat—though she was still happy to see the giant otter.
👉 Read more:
The spontaneous magic of Jalapão
Samantha’s decision to visit Jalapão was sparked by a single, captivating photo of the Japanese Lagoon she saw online.
Despite her admitted lack of planning, the impulsive choice paid off. She found herself mesmerized by the diversity of the scenery, from the golden dunes to the “fervedouros” (natural springs where the water’s pressure prevents you from sinking.)
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She credits much of the trip’s success to the professionals who guided her. “The guides can really make or break a trip,” she noted. “My guide was just amazing and made it so that the experience was even better than I expected.”
👉 Read more: Women in ecotourism: female presence that makes things happen
Empowerment through solo travel
Beyond the stunning vistas, this trip was a deeply personal one. Samantha found that traveling solo in Brazil was important for her to grow into a stronger, more confident version of herself. “It really helped me overcome insecurities, like fostering comfort with my own unique personality,” she explained.
@sage_gonewild
Despite receiving cautionary advice from others before her departure, Samantha felt safe and welcomed by the “lively and patient” Brazilian people. She now encourages other women to take the leap and explore the world on their own terms. Her biggest piece of advice is to avoid overthinking; she believes that if you spend too much time dwelling on potential fears, you’ll never leave home.
For Samantha, a bit of impulsivity, when balanced with safety, can be a wonderful thing. She urges future adventurers to stay flexible and be okay with plans changing, as some of her best experiences happened when things didn’t go according to script.
👉 Read more:
- Ecotourism in Brazil boosts solo travel for women through planning and support networks
- Why Brazil’s remote outdoors are becoming a haven for foreign female travelers
Booking your trip with PlanetaEXO
Though Samantha is all for flexibility, PlanetaEXO helped her to structure a safe, enjoyable trip in two different destinations. After all, even spontaneity needs some organizing.
We are an ecotourism platform specializing in adventure tours in Brazil that helps travelers from all over the world to plan their trips according to their preferences and needs. From booking accommodations to choosing the best itineraries, our team is ready to assist you with the vacation of your dreams. Contact us now!
