Traveling is a great way to see new things and meet new people, but it can also be very dangerous. These 25 safety tips for solo female travelers can help reduce your chances of getting in trouble or hurt on the road.

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1. Save emergency numbers and the number of your embassy

This is important! Just in case you end up in a dangerous or life-threatening situation. 

2. Check your government website for travel advice per country

We live in a time where most countries are still on the orange or red list. Traveling is not recommended to many countries, but many of us do want to travel. Traveling is possible, just make sure that you are careful and follow the guidelines. Read carefully and make sure you are well informed about the country that you are going to visit. When in doubt about safety, stay home or choose another country.

3. Learn about the culture of the country

After all, you are a guest. Respect the standards, values, beliefs and rules of life of the country. Do you think “rules” are shit and you don’t feel like obeying them? Then just stay home or choose another country where the culture is not that strict. Respect others. Super simple, but very difficult to live up to for many people.

4. Do your research about certain laws, dress codes

Some people visit a country and are not aware of certain laws or dress codes, because of this they get in trouble with the police. Do your research. You are in a different country. You should respect their laws and dress codes. 

5. Vaccinations

Many vaccinations are not mandatory, but are advised. People find vaccinations too expensive or unnecessary, but still have to deal with infectious diseases or a random bite from a dog or monkey. This can easily be prevented. Do your research for an additional insurance specifically aimed at vaccination reimbursement. Your insurance may or may not reimburse you. This really depends on the country where you’re from and their healthcare system.

Not all people want to get the COVID vaccin. Most people have an opinion about this. I really don’t. Do whatever you feel is good. Especially now that we know that we can still infect people while being vaccinated. Everything is at your own risk. Just make sure that you respect others, practice social distancing, especially with local people who can’t afford to go to the hospital when they get COVID.

6. Learn the basics

Besides the fact that it is always useful to save yourself with standard phrases and words, it is also nice for the locals. This way they can communicate with you and you make it easier for them to help and/or speak to you. After all, it is really nice to have a chat with local people. You will learn more from them than you will ever learn from an information guide or blog.

7. Register at the embassy

Register yourself at your embassy so that they are aware of your stay in the country. This can be useful when something happens.

8. Buy a local SIM card

This way you are always available and online. It’s a smart thing to have if you get lost, feel unsafe or want to share your location with family or friends.

9. Share your travel plans with family or friends

In case you are on the beach or offline for a few days. You don’t want to worry home of course. I forgot to tell my mom I was going to do the San Blas tour for four days. On day four I had 20+ missed calls and a mom who thought I was dead.

You can also share your steps on Polarsteps. Polarsteps is an app where you can plan your trip step by step so tha people can track this journey. A lot of people use this app so that their family and friends can follow their trips anytime they want.

10. Make sure you have copies of your passport with you

It is better to bring copies with you when going out or on a tour instead of your real passport. These are the most common places where a lot of people lose their belongings or being robbed. Also make copies of other important documents (travel insurance, health insurance card, driver’s license, vaccination cards etc).

11. Travel insurance

It is better to be over-insured than under-insured. When traveling you sometimes come across situations that you never thought would happen to you. Most travel insurances will cover these costs.

Until this day please note that a lot a travel insurance policies do not reimburse COVID related matters. Do your research and make sure you have a travel insurance that do cover COVID related problems. Take a look this blog that I wrote to read more about travel insurances.

12. Wear a small bag under your clothes or near your chest

Preferably walk with as little visible things as possible. This way you won’t attract attention. Bags are constantly being pulled away by passers-by and backpacks are being emptied without you noticing. If you want to keep a bag in sight, make sure your hand is on it at all times. Just in case.

13. Never put anything in your back pocket

You will be pickpocked within two seconds and you won’t feel it.

14. Divide your bank cards over different places in case of theft or loss

I have not been robbed, but I did forgot my wallet with all my cards on the bus. Trust me. That’s probably one of the shittiest things that can happen while traveling. So, divide your cards over different bags and compartments. Do the same with cash.

15. Buy your own locks

Carrying your own locks is always useful. For your backpack, when you travel by bus or use lockers in a shared dorm. Sometimes hostels offer their own locks: try to always use your own! They may have an extra key, even if they say they don’t. For example, the people from the hostel can enter your locker, steal your valuables and then pretend that nothing happened. So be careful. Based on a true story btw.

16. Do your research on well known scams

There are plenty of scams that you can encounter all over the world. Someone who spills something on you or your bag and want to help you clean, while they are robbing you. Taxi drivers who tell you that there are no buses. Or local people who make it seems that things like pictures are for free, but afterwards they want money.

17. Always be alert

Always. Even when you think you feel safe. Unexpected situations can occur. Pay attention to yourself, your belongings and especially your surroundings.

18. Do not walk by yourself at night

Avoid dodgy places, especially if you are drunk. Sometimes you cannot avoid walking by yourself at night, but try to order a taxi or an Uber or a Cabify or whatever. Agree on a price before you get in. You must always check the identity of the driver. Still be on your guard though. Taxi drivers can scam or force you to go to an ATM to withdraw money. Don’t forget to share your location with friends or family!

19. Don’t advertise with your camera/phone and other expensive stuff

Before you know, someone will run or drive by and steals your camera or phone right out of your hand. Always keep an eye on your environment.

20. Never give too much information about yourself to strangers

Very simple: don’t trust people too quickly. Do not give your address if you are not staying in a hostel and do not share any personal information. People have often gone wrong with this and found an empty apartment or had to deal with violence during a burglary.

Important if you use Tinder, Bumble or Grindr: meet in a public place!

21. Pay close attention to what you eat and drink

Make sure you eat where the locals eat. Check your food, especially if you eat meat. Check whether the meat is cooked well and whether it smells good. In addition, make sure that the restaurants you visit are clean. A dirty restaurant is always a bad signal. And (for people like me) the most important one: do not drink water from the tap. Unless you want diarrhea.

22. Never post a photo on instagram with your current location

Probably the only thing we’ve learned from The Kardashians. We don’t have expensive jewelry in our room, but you don’t want to give creeps access to your current location. This can be dangerous for you and the people you have a photo with on your socials. Remember there are a lot of creeps out there that are capable to look you up and do whatever.

23. Listen to your intuition

Sometimes you have a gut feeling: please listen to that. Especially when you are in an unfamiliar environment.

24. Blend in 

Most of us don’t blend in, even when we think we do. The way we dress, the way we speak and the things we carry, all gives us away. Try to pay attention to this. Being noisy while you already stand out is also unnecessary. People can follow you when you expect it the least and before you know it, you have lost your things or worse. Just act casual.

25. Carry something with you that makes you feel (kinda) safe.

Like pepper spray, a pocketknife, or a whistle or whatever.

All of these tips are based on stories from people that I met or my own expierences. I do understand that many people do not feel like doing this or think that it’s too much of an effort: sometimes we all feel that way. Yet people often regret things afterwards and wish they could have been a little more alert or careful.

Just remember these safety tips. That’s probably the best you can do anyway. I’m not saying that you will be completely safe after you take all of these measures, but you will at least reduce the risk by a small percentage. We cannot prevent some things, no matter how many measures we take. Things just happen.

Did something happen to you or do you think that you are in danger? Immediately notify someone you trust (if possible). Normally I would advise the emergency line, but this can be tricky in many countries because the police can be corrupt as fuck. They often take money from you in exchange for help or even help the local who has done something to you. Don’t take this too lightly. Remember, you are in another country: the things you think you know and know about your country no longer count.