21 Mar Traveling Alone as a Female: Do It!
These days, traveling alone as a female is widely accepted and even encouraged. Nonetheless, when I reply that it was “just me” on a trip, I am usually met with one of three responses. The first is the universal conversation stopper – “oh.” I’ve never been able to figure this one out. Maybe there is a sense that there aren’t any fun stories without a partner in crime? Maybe it’s insecurity. Either way, there is palpable discomfort that quickly shifts the conversation into safer territory. The next response is from men and it is an attitude of admiration. Sometimes I catch myself experiencing a little ego boost from this. I quickly remind myself that the only reason they are impressed is due to stereotypes. And finally, the response from women is often, “That’s cool… I would be scared.”
There are two parts to this final response. Admiration and fear. Many women want to see the world. They are held back by limiting Self beliefs, societal beliefs, or a combination of both. There’s one-part “what-if” and one-part “I could never”. I hybrid of “could” and “should”. This is where I like to encourage women to travel solo if they want to travel solo. Not everyone loves to travel, and not everyone loves traveling alone. However, if independent travel does pique your curiosity, I champion that traveling alone as a female is both possible and enjoyable. One could even argue that certain female qualities make women well equipped for exploration. The ability to adapt and remain flexible, a high tolerance for adversity, and inherent strength all work in our favor.
Leaving Your Comfort Zone
I’ve come to realize that it’s not just women who have trepidation about traveling solo. Many people have reservations about traveling alone to another country. Which is totally understandable. Doing anything for the first time is usually nerve-wracking, especially activities outside your comfort zone. Our Egos don’t like the challenge. Even now, traveling alone is not anxiety-free for me. No one ever promised it would be all easy, or all fun, especially as a woman – but is it worth it? In my opinion, yes!
My First Experience Traveling as a Solo Female
When I first traveled overseas by myself I was twenty-two years old. I went to Costa Rica, then Nicaragua. My general direction was dictated by a dire need for the sun (Seattle winter) and my family’s decision to vacation in Costa Rica. I met up with my parents and my brother for one week. Then, I met friends from home in a different village. After that, I was on my own. A deer in headlights. I decided to accept my fate though, as I had committed to being there for at least a month. I encountered some sexual harassment in Nicaragua but overall the trip went well.
Two years later I planned an excursion from Seattle to visit friends for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. From there, I journeyed to Peru by myself. The last leg of that trip constituted joining a friend in Mexico, where we took our chances of traveling to Cuba.
Peru was a random choice. I just wanted to go somewhere. I needed affordability and sun. After researching, I shortlisted Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. The final decision came from correspondence on an online forum. A seasoned traveler recommended that I “climb Machu Picchu while you’re young”. So, I went off to climb the ruins (which is a whole other story). After that ascent, everything was downhill. I’ve continued traveling ever since.
Why Travel By Yourself?
For me, traveling alone isn’t about bravado. Mostly, I am a curious person and I like to learn. I thrive on new food, sights, and people. I am also supremely impatient. So while one of my biggest fantasies in life is to globetrot with a partner, waiting for that special someone to travel with… is well, waiting. Which I’m not particularly good at in any form. Who can wait when there’s so much to see and to do?! This is mostly why I’m a big proponent of traveling alone as a female – not to prove anything.
Conversing with travelers across many different countries, I do not believe solo travel is so different for women, only that there are extra precautions to consider sometimes. The perceived hindrances and difficulties are societal constructions and regardless of gender, travel simply comes with some occasional challenges. In my opinion, experiences in other countries are dependent on attitude above all else. When I arrive open-minded, maintain some level of awareness, and act with humility and acceptance, I am able to receive all of the positive things on offer throughout the world. Bad things happen everywhere, not just overseas.
10 Tips for Traveling Alone as a Female
It goes without saying that traveling alone as a female, there are certain scenarios we should avoid – dark alleys, crowded bars, over-imbibing, trusting random men, carrying a lot of cash, flaunting valuables (jewelry, phones, etc.)… the basics. Here are a few more tips that might improve your experience traveling solo:
Participate in activities. Meeting people is fun and interesting, even if they are fellow tourists. You get to learn a lot about their countries (and maybe make a friend to visit!) and their experience of the country you’re all visiting. Socializing helps isolation-mode from setting in. You don’t have to hang out the whole time, but it is beneficial to have a few people aware of who/where you are.
Make plans and research beforehand. Sometimes it’s impossible (plus spontaneity is part of the fun!) to plan everything in advance. Yet nailing down the majority of your itinerary means that you’ll exude more confidence getting to where you’re going. This way you can also let friends or family know your whereabouts in advance.
Stay at a hostel. Occasionally they’re noisy and gross. Most of the time they are a great place to meet other independent travelers or even locals. My recommendation is to stay in an all-female dorm with as few beds as possible. Not for safety, but for hygiene 😉
Travel lightly and keep your belongings with you (i.e. not in the trunk of a taxi). The idea is to look confident. This is tough to achieve when you are buckling under the weight of a heavy backpack or struggling to shove your belongings into a taxi. Preoccupation juggling suitcases, lack of mobility, and no free hands make you a target. I opt for a medium-size, soft backpack. It squishes and I feel less conspicuous than with a roller suitcase which is a walking advertisement for “tourist”. Packing a lightweight cloth tote or cross-body works brilliantly in terms of an “around town” bag. Leave your bulky stuff at the hotel or hostel! Totes are also great for carrying laptops more discreetly than a bag specifically designed for laptops.
Dress appropriately. I’m usually most comfortable in pants, a button-down shirt, and a lightweight scarf that doubles as a shawl. Avoid heels – not only for comfort but because they make you an easy mark. My purpose is to enjoy the place I’m visiting not to attract extra attention.
Spend a little extra to stay safe. Whether this is to stay in a nicer part of town or to take tourist transport, look after your safety. It’s priceless!
Rest. Sometimes when traveling, there is a big drive to see everything. Especially alone, this can lead to burn-out. Don’t underestimate the amount of energy it takes to navigate new places. If you’re exhausted, stay put and recuperate. You will be less prone to mistakes and/or being victimized if you’re not dragging.
Have your big restaurant meal for lunch or go for an early dinner. Even the most lively tourist neighborhoods can switch vibes at night. I often eat my big restaurant meal at lunchtime, then buy noshy stuff to make a plate for myself at the hotel or hostel in the evening. This way I avoid being out alone at night.
Be confident. Say “no” and mean it, walk away, keep your head up, shoulders back and your eyes straight ahead. Sometimes looking someone directly in the eyes will stop them in their tracks. Opportunists seek weakness.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. One of my favorite parts of traveling alone as a female is the connection I experience with my higher Self. By trusting myself, I’ve managed to avoid most troublesome situations.