Staying Safe as a Solo, Female Traveler

A lot of travelers have asked me how I manage to stay safe during solo travel. Here are my honest thoughts:

1. No clubs/ bars ❌🪩: not only do I try to be back before dark, no matter the country, I also do my best to avoid bars and clubs. Naturally, this may differ if I’m with a large group or in my home countries 🇺🇸🇧🇪, but even here, I exercise caution around areas with drunk people and loud music. When I'm solo traveling, I prefer to be in bed early, and awake early, to have more time for safe adventures 🕵🏼‍♀️

2. Modesty🥻- I dress modestly for safety & my values. Ultimately, we cannot control how other people treat us and view us, it’s optimistic to want to be treated the same no matter what we wear, but that’s not the reality we live in. Additionally, dressing immodestly can attract unwanted attention & put a target on your back. Modesty looks different according to different religions & cultures, but for me it means covering my chest, wearing loose, long pants & skirts, wearing looser tops, not wearing bright clothes or crazy makeup that attract attention, & sometimes covering my arms and hair, depending on the circumstance. It is the travelers responsibility to conduct due diligence on a country's customs and adapt accordingly.

3. No alcohol ❌🍻❌- Zero tolerance! Not only does drugging happen often, but I also want to be aware at all times when decision making & walking around, regardless if I'm next to my hotel or in downtown. Alcohol distorts decision making and mental clarity, a bad combination for solo travelers. Additionally, alcohol is poison for your body, and when I’m traveling I try to stay as healthy as possible (this goes for everything that I’m eating.. including processed foods and lots of sugar) having multiple autoimmune diseases makes me more picky about what I consume.

4. Follow local rules & customs👩🏼‍⚖️- whether or not you agree with a country’s rules and customs is irrelevant. If visiting a country as a guest, it is the travelers responsibility to conduct their due diligence & understand & adapt to expectations. This covers gender norms, clothing, public transportation, public intoxication, and other

5. Know where you’re going 🗺️ - looking lost can put a target on your back for those who want to exploit travelers & tourists. Memorize your routes before setting out on a walk, or have a guide/ taxi driver/ public transportation take you to your destination.

6. Handle money carefully 🤑 - not only do I recommend keeping your cash and IDs in a fanny pack tucked under your belt line to protect against pickpockets, but I would spread cash throughout your luggage and hide within clothes, shoes, and socks, in case of theft. That way, if you are robbed, not all of your cash is taken. Also, when paying for items with cash, have it divided out before handing to the clerk, so those around you cannot see how much cash you're carrying.

   
   

Nearly every horror story I’ve heard from solo traveling, from either men and women, stemmed from one of these categories, or a combination of them, or something else blatantly stupid & irresponsible. Furthermore, it's important to note that I also exercise all these recommendations in both the United States and Belgium. We have this idea that the rest of the world is abhorrently dangerous and that the United States is a safe haven. That couldn't be further from the truth. There are safe and unsafe areas everywhere in the world, including the United States. Concerns that most have on my overseas travels vary from kidnapping, assault, pickpocketing in larger cities, artillery-based violence, and financial scamming. However, all of these safety events can happen in the United States, as well.

What are your thoughts? Are there any guidelines/ rules you follow to stay safe?