The number one thing is to TRUST YOUR GUT. Choose rooms that hold eight or more people, or look for female-only dorms. That feeling that something is off feels different to nervousness or everyday anxiety, and when you feel it, follow it. It really comes down to men and women play very different roles. Most brands have a range of awesome backpacks for women. The DANGER of Solo Female Travel! To make getting back to your hotel easier and safer, choose a place thats centrally located. When You're Traveling Solo vs. With a Partner I lock my car doors as soon as I get in. Not as much as youd think! Youre quite literally putting your life in the hands of strangers, and as a solo female, youre more vulnerable to getting picked up by creeps than a solo male traveller. Believing and feeling how safe it was, I, unfortunately, left my valuables (phone and camera) on top of my towel just outside the shower stall. Before you set off on your first solo trip, be sure to read about the ten most common mistakes made by solo female travelers. An increasing number of people are traveling solo, and women are leading the trend. It definitely makes backpacking on a budget easier! If someone is pushing you in a direction you don't want to go, figuratively or literally, it's time to snap out of polite mode. Well, its been almost nine years since my first lone stint around the globe and my crystal ball tells me there are another nine (or ninety) years of solo travel up ahead. Part of HuffPost Lifestyle. Too often, I hear people talk about letting their guard down because theyve heard a destination is safe, and then they are frustrated when they realize that things can still go wrongespecially when they encounter cultural norms much different from their own. Crossing my fingers and touching all the wood to hope that Ill never have to test how effective that is in practice! Not to mention, communication can be difficult if there's a language barrier. On the other hand, solo female travel in Pakistan seems to be picking up. It means being smart. A neck wallet passport holder is a genius travel item that keeps all your most important items such as your phone, passport, cash and cards securely hidden under your clothing which makes it impossible for pickpockets to steal from. If youre being harassed or youre in another uncomfortable situation with someone who wont leave you alone, dont feel obligated to be nice or polite to them. No matter where you are, it is crucial to stay alert. I used to think intuition was only reserved for the hyper-enlightened all my gut ever told me was that it was craving cake. I use common sense, and if something feels too risky, I don't do it. Most lists of the best places for solo travelling as a woman are always framed in the context of safety. I still think South Africa is safe to explore, you just should stay alert. I promise its definitely going to be the latter, give or take few things. I've actually felt less safe in areas of my home city of London than places people would often be nervous about visiting like Honduras or Brazil. Let alone the fact that in most places, carrying a weapon is massively illegal. Most crime in any given country is usually not aimed at tourists. While I traveled to Egypt solo, I decided to hire a guide for that particular trip, so that I had a local with me during the day and could prevent any unwanted attention. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Blend in as much as you can and avoid drawing attention to yourself. No matter what, I always mentally prepare myself before traveling to Middle Eastern/Islamic countries; I think that Western women might feel a bit intimidated before traveling to these places (based on media and the representation of this part of the world). Most crimes are crimes of opportunity and scammers and thieves will always look for easy targets, as a woman traveling alone, you can appear as the perfect victim. Or have you been put off since the recent news reports? As two very popular all-inclusive beach destinations, it might come as a surprise to see Mexico and the Dominican Republic so high up on the list of dangerous vacation spots. If you havent ridden a motorbike before, a solo trip isnt the time to learn. Women and men share different roles in different parts of the worldthat can be as simple as a man refusing to speak directly to you and have to talk with you through another man, and while thats a matter of a cultural difference it might feel disrespectful to you. My adventures wouldnt have been the same without my tales of thumbing rides. It was all terribly unnerving and I was relieved we were leaving the next morning. While visiting a local market by yourself can be stressful, you can choose to see it as an opportunity to get to know the local culture better and learn about the hidden gems of the place you're visiting. There is little doubt that solo female travel is a trending topic as shown in the Google Trends chart below. They all sat on the steps of the hotel and enjoyed chatting for a while. I wanted to share a story about how I gained my personal perspective on travel safety. While some may behave foolishly, I don't want to be tarnished with this brush. First of all, if I can help it, I never stay anywhere that doesnt have safety lockers. The big takeaway is that you are never guaranteed the same experience as someone else. Ive shared before on what to pack for a trip to a conservative country, but its always a good reminder to take a look at! I tend to research my trips a lot, and book some organised tours and activities along the way. 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Therefore, some elements of your trip will be more expensive. I travel with a mobile WiFi hotspot device for work purposes, but also for safety. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. When I traveled to Morocco with a girlfriend, I found the catcalling and unwanted attention quite overwhelming. For me, these are not experience-altering measures. When shes not out hiking Eastern European mountains or befriending the local nerd community, youll probably find her at home watching horror movies with her cat. Travelling somewhere foreign and far-away is freaking scary if youve never done it before. There are so many benefits to seeing the world, I'd hate for anyone, male or female, to let the fear get in the way. You dont want to end up having to walk around looking for your hotel in the dark, so choose buses, trains, or flights that will get you in during the day. Runtime 8:25 View count 808 Description During my time in Cancun as a solo female traveller, I was in some dangerous situations! I thought I was just having fun. Your two best friends on the road are street smarts and your gut. But, travelers are unlikely to be affected by them. fairer sex comes with its own advantages. Additionally, you could have a great experience in a country that ranked poorly on our list or have a scary experience in a country that is considered very safe. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland consistently rank on top of all international peace and safety indexes so they are secure picks for female adventurers travelling Europe alone. If youre nervous about visiting a destination, the first thing I would suggest is research, research, research! Iowa, 52556, USA. But because of this, women are viewed as trustworthy and unthreatening, and people are often more willing to offer help without even asking. Below are 5 countries that were not the worst or the best but surprised us with where they ranked. Getting sick while traveling alone is awful, and it can even compromise your safety. Did a monkey steal your brand new iPhone? Both articles questioned. Honestly, everyone should try budget backpacking at some point. However, I've also had times travelling solo, and more than that, I recently spent a month living in Mexico on my own. Because what happens when all precautions fail and youre stuck somewhere where abortion is totally illegal? Does it mean you dont feel like you have to be on alert? Its very easy to make friends and youll never be alone theres safety in numbers. Follow these 9 safety tips to mitigate the risks of your solo travels. Act confident and if you're lost head inside a shop to check maps. Pickpockets and scammers mainly go after tourists, so do what you can to avoid looking like one. The high standard of living means that travellers need to dish out some serious cash money, and hostel culture isnt as well developed as in the rest of Europe. The scores you see are the index scores we used to create our overall Womens Safety Index. Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!. Because Iceland feels so safe, my mindset was very laid back and I got lazy with taking notice of my surroundings. Once you learn that, there is nothing holding you back. Rishikesh. While it obviously sucks, I would still consider Iceland an amazing and safe destination to travel to. Random strangers may try to convince you to go someplace that will give them a commission. Its annoying that women are still viewed as the weaker sex regular old damsels in distress. Now that youve stripped off most of the unnecessary things from your pack, lets go and add some real essentials. While changing the way I dressed didnt, and wont, completely negate that attention, it will help you to blend in more. The dangers of Cancn, Mexico - Solo female travelDuring my time in Cancun as a solo female traveller, I was in some dangerous situations! If something is wrong, your gut will let you know. But for a female tourist, Turkey is a relatively safe (and amazing) backpacking destination. Growth begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Its also good to make sure that the hostel is in a good area and near public transportation hubs so that getting there is quick and easy even in the middle of the night. What can you do to stay safe, then? And then there are babies because our bodies are just thusly inclined. In fact, those responding to solo travel surveys report that the higher price of travelling alone is preventing them from taking their first solo trip. Here are some safe places to travel alone as a woman and my thoughts on why best destinations is kind of a bad concept. (I should have known that walking across the Balkans with 15 kg on my back in an ill-fitting backpack would be not fun.) While backpacking around South America gets a dodgy reputation, its a proverbial treasure chest of awesome experiences for the adventurous (and feminine) souls. Ten minutes later I was talking to the hotel's night receptionist, who informed me the group of guys was renowned for preying on tourists, specifically using date rape drugs. Scammers and robbers usually target people who look lost or otherwise gullible but theyre more likely to leave you alone if they feel like youre a difficult target, i.e. Youve probably heard the phrase: when packing, take double the money and leave half the stuff. If you need to get out of a bad situation in a hurry, itll be much easier if youre not weighed down with heavy bags. Many first-time solo female backpackers have a weird distrust of sleeping with strangers (in a dorm, gutter-mind). One of my main goals with The Blonde Abroad is to give everyone insight and access to my personal travelshelping you plan your trip ahead of time and giving you the tools necessary to aid you in your adventure. Before you buy a ticket, check what any connections will be like. So, if you want to travel to somewhere but going solo isnt the route you want to takeno worries! For example, its smart to spend extra to stay at a more secure hotel, or to pay for a cab instead of walking at night. You barely even have to try to make friends! THE TRAVEL TIMES PODCAST ft. Robyn Kimberly. And there is a lot of poverty in the country. Im Kiki, a California native, who left my career in corporate finance to become a world traveler. I dont believe in only getting in cars with women or families. The farther you are from home, the more likely you are to run into surprises. Before you walk out the door, ALWAYS have your phone charged and bring a battery bank. When country-specific data was not available, regional averages were used with the following sources: 1680 Hwy 1, Ste 3450, Fairfield, Recently, Ive been noticing some conversations online where individuals felt they got a false impression of a destination being safe (through social media) because they experienced catcalling and harassment by local men. So while women might not be viewed as second-class citizens, it may feel like that for others that are used to a different culture. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Follow Chloe's adventures at Wanderlust Chloe. For anyone nervous about border crossings, language difficulties or who simply want to travel with like-minded individuals, these can be a good option. Solo travelling as a woman is actually dope as hell, and it comes with many benefits that fearmongers will never mention. There arent many human dangers you need to worry about out in the nature. I also look at the reviews. , Copyright 2022 The Blonde Abroad | All Rights Reserved, Describe yourself in four words: Extremely enth, Sweet memories from beach camping last fall , Denvers RINO (River North) Art District Travel, Weekend Getaway at @hermannbungalows in Palm Sprin, 10 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travel, The Best Girlfriend Getaways Around the World, 10 European Destinations for Female Travelers, 10 Incredible Adventures to Have in North America, 10 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations Around the World, What to Expect on a Luxury Galpagos Cruise, 7 Budget Travel Tips for Student Travelers, Ethical Animal Encounters Around the World, Why You Should Travel with Reef Safe Sunscreen, My Gender-Neutral Backyard Baby Shower in San Diego, The Best Babymoon Destinations in the United States, The Best Travel Products for Babies and Kids, what to pack for a trip to a conservative country, What to Pack for a Trip to a Conservative Country, Important Things to Look for in a Tour Company, Ten Mistakes Made by Solo Female Travelers, 10 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travelers, Top 10 Experiences for Solo Female Travelers, How to Talk to Worried Parents About Traveling Solo. Although, quite shockingly, Copyright 2009 - 2022 Asher & Lyric All Rights Reserved Site by, not to hike, drive, walk, or move about alone, UN Women Global Database on Violence Against Women, Equal Measures 2030: Female victims of intentional homicide index, World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap 2017 Overall Score, UN Development Programme Human Development Reports Gender Inequality Index, Gallup Poll: Do you feel safe walking alone at night?, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security: Women, Peace, and Security Report 2017/18, OECD International Development Statistics: Gender, Institutions and Development: Violence Against Women, WHO: Global and Regional Estimates of Violence Against Women, OECD Development Center: Europe and Central Asia SIGI Regional Report, Start with easier and safer travel destinations, Enroll in the State Departments STEP Program, Read reviews carefully before deciding where to stay, Make sure people cant see into your room, Take long-distance transportation that arrives during the day, Avoid making bus or train connections at night, Think twice about overnight trains and buses, Ride in women-only cars when theyre available, Dont wear headphones while walking around, Walk near local women or families if you feel uncomfortable, Meet up with online contacts in a public place, Keep some emergency cash in a secret place, Keep your hotels contact information with you. Its time to push fear aside: you should start travelling NOW. There are five major risks that a woman needs to pay attention to when it comes to traveling alone. They are places that have so much to offer in terms of culture, experience and tourism, and they have all spent a long time trying to shed negative reputations. Since then, Ive traveled to over 70 countries and have knocked some big adventures off my bucket list. That doesnt mean stop traveling and that doesnt mean you should live in fear. On top of having to worry about overall general travel safety (traffic safety, making your money last, not losing your passport or your mind), women also have to worry about their physical safety. Adventuring around Europe has been one of the top gap-year experiences for literally ever. Its just better to be prepared and to not gloss over the not so nice things that happen. If youre planning your first solo trip then these countries may well be a great starting point before venturing out to the more risky countries. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! When a girl travels alone, she is more likely to be approached by local people. When random strangers approach you with unsolicited advice or suspicious offers, theres a good chance theyre trying to steal from you, rip you off, or pull some type of scam. Brush up on your wilderness survival skills, know what to pack for hiking, and make sure youre savvy enough to take care of yourself in the wilderness. While you might not like the idea of gender segregation on principle, riding in these cars can save you a lot of hassle and discomfort. I asked, "Of what?" This is why many first-time solo female travellers try to pick safe places to travel alone as a woman over any other criteria. - Fiona Smiddy, 28. No matter how safe you stay shit happens. Traveling solo as a female should not be any more dangerousthan traveling solo as a male. There will always be some fear about travelling, particularly when going alone, but that heightens the experience and creates a sense of achievement. Girls supporting girls is dope, and Ive often heard my male traveller friends say that they wish they had similar support groups. Keep valuables tucked away (as in a camera) in your bag as much as possible. Heres the thing: Ive travelled solo in Asia, the Middle East, South America all the places people usually say girls shouldnt go by themselves. While backpacking Southeast Asia is massively overplayed at this point, its still the top choice for first-time backpackers for a good reason: its the perfect balance between adventures and comfort. And while. Make sure you have their phone number too, so the driver can call for directions if they cant find it. Your parents are worried for your safety. If its your first time traveling solothis post is not meant to scare youbut just to make you aware and be a smart traveler! Have you always dreamed of travelling the world but never had anyone to tag along with? I'm sad to read comments that women 'look for trouble' abroad. Scammers could attempt to lure you somewhere they can rip you off. And yes, there's always the fear and possibility of sexual harassment or rape. Buy a Geopress: its the last water bottle youll ever buy. Sign up and we'll email you a daily dose of lifestyle stories, covering sex, relationships, health, wellness, money, and green living. While male travellers might be a problem on occasions, you need to be aware of the culture differences between Latin American men and those from your own country. It'll be worth it, I promise! If you want MORE top-tier Broke Backpacker content like this, then sign up for our weekly newsletter below to get the latest and greatest! Scoring badly on street safety, non-partner sexual violence and a host of gender inequality issues makes the United States particularly bad for female travelers. For female travelers who are single, it can sometimes help to invent a spouse. Dressing in a culturally appropriate way is both respectful and a key element of avoiding unwanted attention. It's okay to have a couple of drinks, but know your limits. They have also decreased significantly over the years, though . It does, however, come with extra responsibility. Want to know why? Learn how your comment data is processed. Its in these adventurous activities youll find the most reward travelling by yourself as a woman. In many countries, Western women might be viewed as promiscuous local men might have only ever seen white women in movies and porn and because of this, they experience harassment and fetishisation. The safety scores range from 1 to 4 with1 being the safestand 4 being the most dangerous for solo female travelers. The media has conditioned us to be afraid of any place that isn't home but its's basically trapping you in your own little bubble, but one of these days you'll have to burst that bubble and fly! Plus, I wasn't sure about the dangers out there. Nomatic products are sleek, durable, and goddamn efficient. There are two big reasons solo female travel still needs to be talked about: Ive always been that kind of a weirdo that marches her own path. In all cases, the lower the number the better the country scored. Talking to local people, such as the staff at your hotel and other passengers on a train or bus, is one of the best ways to stay safe. Then, on a fateful snorkelling trip to the beautiful reefs just outside of Hoi An, Vietnam, I was swimming back to the boat when the captain decided to do a blind backflip off the edge and landed right on my neck. As a solo girl, its often easier to get a ride. Paying attention to the weight of your backpack is especially important for solo female backpackers. Travel has historically been, and to an extent still is, seen as a natural, bold activity for men, and a risky or frivolous pursuit for women. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. One of the major cons of traveling solo is that you have to budget for your own expenses. Travel TaiwanBeautiful Places You Must Visit Outside Taipei, Things to See in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh (Part II), Visiting Northern California? My neck was sore still weeks after so I got it checked up, just in case I might be slowly dying. For the most freaked-out female wayfarers, you really cant go wrong by travelling to literally the safest countries in the world. Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. We have to take accountability for our own safety and experiences. It can make you feel uneasy to be constantly stared at, but some people there had never seen a person who is not of Chinese ancestry, so I might have seemed unusual and different.. It took some convincing but eventually they did. And guess what?! Its also smart to keep a small whistle with you, so you can blow it for attention if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. Again, thank you! In countries with conservative gender norms, behavior that we might consider friendly or outgoing is often seen as flirtatious. If youre out at night, either walk in a group or take a taxi. Local men can misinterpret friendliness as an invitation, so be cautious about your body language, eye contact, and what signal you might be sending. There can be dangers to traveling solo as a woman, but not enough to cause you to not solo travel. Click the button below to get a quote on your insurance or read our in-depth review of World Nomads coverage. There is something comforting about seeing other women around, and in some countries, the street view is dominated by men. In Brazil, I couldnt get in an Uber without being hit on. People will probably be less likely to bother you, and youll have someone nearby to ask for help if you need it. There is strength in numbers, after all, and being alone means I'm more vulnerable and a probable target of persons with ill intent. On the Actual Dangers of Solo Travel as a Single Woman The very basic fact of it all is that if something serious happens to me on the road it will likely be a transportation based injuryjust like at home. Getting around at night is always an issue for solo female travelers, especially if theres no public transportation. In India, men would often straight up ignore me when I tried to talk to them. There will be odd moments with strangers, nights sleeping in funny places, and hitchhiking! It is critical to understand that safety is not the same as comfort. I check my Uber drivers license plate number before getting in. Solo female backpackers get the best adventures. Dont leave your drink unattended, and make sure you actually see the bartender open or pour it. Most crime in any given country is usually not aimed at tourists. You wont have your guard up, youll feel more desperate, and it can be easy to forget to do things like lock your door. 2. Has it felt dangerous to travel alone as a wom. We were camping and I went in to use the public showers. Traveling solo is not safe, especially for women. Even if I trust people and I know the world is a good place, I also know that one day I may be in the wrong place at the wrong time and things may get out of control. Wearing revealing clothing will attract unwanted attention and harassment, and local men may take it as an invitation. Weve gathered data from a variety of trusted international sources to create a Womens Danger Index that will help you find the worst (and safest) countries for solo female travel. , Hi Sherr! Im not saying that one of the best parts about backpacking is the fast-and-loose hook-up culture that prevails on the road But love and sex on the road is almost a guarantee, even if youre not partaking.
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