Traveling alone can be an incredibly rewarding experience for ladies. It gives them the chance to experience the world and the travel on their own without the distraction that a companion brings. However, solo female travelers also face a lot of risks if they don’t take the right precautions and don’t follow the basic do’s and don’ts.
Do’s:
1. Carry a credit card with you
A mugger would be interested in your cash since cards can be easily cancelled. A credit card would help you keep less cash while enjoying shopping.
2. Bring your own condoms
If you have even the slightest inclination towards making local liaisons when you’re traveling on your own, remember to bring your own condoms.
3. Research the local dress code and social norms for women
Research the dress code and social norms that apply to women in the area that you’re visiting to avoid any faux pas on your end.
4. Dress modestly
Being the center of attention at your local haunt is very different to having every eye on you in a place where everyone knows you’re a tourist and an outsider. Learn to dress according to what’s acceptable in local culture to be safe.
Don’t:
1. Don’t live in fear
Research the top dangers and crime levels of the place you’re visiting and then ensure that you stay out of danger. If you are afraid of going out at night but want to, get the number for the local police station and emergency services, the front desk of the hotel and even a local buddy if you have one and save them on your speed dial.
2. Don’t be afraid to make a friend
Being mistrustful of everyone during a solo trip could suck all the fun out of it. Make an effort to make friends everywhere you go. You don’t have to give them your social security number or tell them where you hide the spare keys to your house, you just have to be friendly, exchange phone numbers and invite them to join you for a meal to make the experience worthwhile.
3. Forget sunscreen
Unless you’re blessed with the kind of skin agrees with every type of sunscreen and doesn’t burn easily, you should bring enough sunscreen of adequate SPF strength for the entire duration of your trip.
4. Bring strangers back to your hotel room for the night
Bringing a stranger back to your hotel room and asking him to spend the night could be an invitation to trouble. It could compromise your personal safety and also pose a threat to your belongings and sensitive documents.