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The idea of gallivanting around the world’s stage, visiting exotic locales and desolate isles, can be as heady and romantic as Eat, Prey, Love styles it out to be. As undeniably seductive as trekking through the Inca Trail, cycling through the Loire Valley, or digging into a mammoth bowl of ravioli in Italy is, there’s a side to traveling as a solo female traveler that can be a bit of a buzz kill. From unwanted verbal attention to inappropriate touching and theft, women face a multitude of challenging situations when traveling alone.
However, the fear and reality of these situations shouldn’t override your desire to go off the beaten track; there is a significant difference between being adventurous and blindly throwing caution to the wind. It all comes down to thinking critically and employing a level of caution to sustain adventure. To help you fulfil your whirlwind adventure, simply follow these basic safety tips for solo female travelers.
Practice Street Smarts and Listen to Your Gut
One of the most important safety tips for solo female travelers is to do what you already do at home. You practice street smarts in your own town by avoiding certain areas and organising the safest route home, so why wouldn’t you apply the same caution when travelling to a new country?
The key is to be self-reliant and well prepared, so you don’t have to rely on strangers unless you want to. If you happen to get lost, it’s wise to be savvy about who you ask for help; seek out families or other women, or head into the nearest store to ask for directions. Be sure to listen to your gut by looking at the situation you are about enter from a critical standpoint; if it doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to say no and walk away.
Research the Destination Before you Leave
Traveling to a country rich in ancient and cultural practices calls for a bit of research before you jump in head first. It will prepare you and help you manage expectations so you can seamlessly blend in. Research the style of clothing that is appropriate, traditional and sacred days of the year, areas you should avoid, and the types of transport available to you. Researching the destination is key when going abroad as a solo female traveler.
Use Transportation Strategies
It might seem frustrating, however adopting a series of transport strategies will safeguard against the chance of being stuck by yourself in a deserted area. For example, when leaving a bar, get someone you trust to accompany you to a taxi, or plan your flights so you don’t arrive in the middle of the night. Note: Always let someone know where you are going, and constantly keep in touch with friends and family.
Always Carry a Mobile Phone
Your mobile phone is essential for safety and convenience. If you’re planning on staying in one country for a while, don’t get stuck paying for those pesky international roaming charges; pick yourself up a cheap phone and local number to keep your spending to a minimum.
Dress Appropriately
The key here is to dress to the modesty of the region, not dress in the local attire. Sure, everyone has the right to dress how they would like, however donning the traditional garb only shows your inexperience and can be seen as insulting to some cultures, especially if you are wearing it incorrectly.
Hold Your Head High
You don’t need to live in constant fear of something bad hiding around every corner. Hold you head high, be confident and even if you don’t know where you are going, it’s better to appear like you know to avoid looking like a walking target for muggers.
Remember… People are People
In your home town, you have people who are saintly, some who are sociopathic, and many spectrums in between. You treat them all as individuals, and the same mentality should apply when travelling overseas. Aligning and treating people as their culture, ultimately dehumanises them, and inhibits you from truly connecting because you can’t see past the stereotype. Treat people as people, and you will have a far more rewarding experience.
Are you a solo female voyager? What are your top safety tips for female travelers while travelling overseas?
