There is a reason why viaje (travelling)is sometimes synonymous with adventure. Because you leave the comfort of your home behind to immerse yourself in an alien urban landscape or the wilderness. Being away from your comfy bed, friends, and family teaches you to rely on yourself and take challenges head on.
Travelling, if done right, can breathe life into your soul. However, if it goes South, it can give you life-long trauma. Like my hike in the Andes transformed me and getting robbed in Madrid by my own guide gave me trust issues for life.
However, if you are an adrenaline junkie like me and always want to take things up a notch, then solo travelling as a female is a fool-proof way for that.
Yes, it is scary but the thrill is unmatched and it is super liberating. However, before you decide to jump in on the endless adventures of female solo travelling, go through this guide I have created for you. It has all the necessary tips that can make your travelling experiences safer and enjoyable and bring you home alive and in one piece.
Pack Light
Now I know it makes sense to carry everything you possibly need to your vacation, but trust me, don’t. You cannot chug a maleta (suitcase) full of your belongings everywhere you go. It is going to tire you out, plus you will always have to keep an eye out for thieves.
Relying on yourself is an important aspect of solo travelling. But if you carry a heavy suitcase, you are bound to need help with it while getting on trains and buses. But handing your belongings to a stranger in a foreign country is a recipe for disaster.
However, packing light like carrying a backpack means you can carry your belongings with you without slowing down. Plus, this severely reduces the chances of your stuff being stolen too.
Make Sure To Have Access to an Internet Connection
The Internet is crucial for travelling to a foreign country. A physical map will get you nowhere but the internet will get you places, safely. Plus, not only will you be able to use local apps on the go, but you can also use it to navigate through the transportation system.
I always make sure to turn on international data roaming for my Optimum mobile plan. For that, I can contact the servicio al cliente Optimum españoland they activate my international roaming. This ensures that I have internet wherever I go.
Not only does this improve my travel experiences, it also keeps me connected to my family. They can see my whereabouts (geo-location) even if I am not in contact with them. Apart from that, having your own internet keeps you from the temptation of signing in on public Wifis that are home to all kinds of viruses.
Don’t Accept Stuff from Strangers, Ever
While I am sure the ‘stranger danger’ rule has been engraved in our brains since forever, still this tip is super important.
Do not ever underestimate the power of the extranjero (stranger) danger rule. I mean, we have all watched Taken, right? * shudders*
I get travelling for some people is also about making friends, but you never know who is who under the guise of that friendly smile. So, don’t ever accept stuff from a stranger. Your drink will most probably be spiked by a drug and what seems like a friendly souvenir, most probably has a tracker. This also means not accepting a ride from them.
However, you can make friends while taking caution. Just don’t accept anything and don’t tell them where you are staying.
Research Thoroughly
Now this tip might seem like a no-brainer but researching in detail before each leg of your trip will tell you what and what not to expect. It will tell you the best routes to take and the most tourist-friendly modes of transportation.
I remember this one time I decided to take the bus in Seoul while I should’ve taken the metro. Not only did it take an hour and half to reach my destination but I got confused about the bus stops as well. Almost missed my last bus.
Always Carry an Extra Credit Card
Now this one might be a stretch but it is important to never keep all your eggs in one basket.
While you should keep your password at a safe place, it is also a good idea to keep an extra credit card, somewhere away from your wallet.
I remember this one time I dropped my bag at a Metro station in Mumbai among the hoards of people and couldn’t find it. But thank god I had another one of my credit card in my hotel room. It helped me immensely in paying my way back home. I usually put mine inside the pair of my spare shoes.
And that is it for solo female traveling tips. I hope you have the time of your life on your next holiday and that you come back home safely.
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