First-Timer’s Guide to Debunking Solo Female Travel Safety Myths

Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

tips for women traveling alone for the first time
Debunking Solo Female Travel Safety Myths

Is Solo Travel Safe for Women?

Travel beckons, with whispers of adventure and the promise of self-discovery. But for many women, that call can be riddled with “don’ts” and warnings, particularly when it comes to solo travel. The myth that solo female travel is inherently dangerous clings stubbornly to society, deterring countless women from experiencing the transformative power of exploring alone.

In this post I’m debunking solo female travel safety myths. Here’s some tips for women traveling alone for the first time.

Solo female travel, far from being reckless, is an act of audacious courage, a chance to rewrite the script and redefine what it means to be a woman in the world. Here’s why:

Watch my video : Is it safe to travel alone as a woman ?


VIDEO: Is solo travel safe for women?

Debunking Solo Female Travel Safety Myths

Myth #1: I am a Damsel in Distress

This outdated myth portrays women as helpless victims in their own stories, not natural adventurers. While this doesn’t necessarily reflect reality, it can influence how women perceive themselves and their risk tolerance.

The truth is, women are not inherently risk-averse. Women embrace calculated risks when armed with their abilities and confidence. Strong survival instincts, endurance, intelligence, and willpower are heroic qualities that rewrite the narrative of the helpless damsels. Solo travel empowers women to tap into these strengths and navigate challenges with wisdom and resourcefulness.


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Myth #2: Danger Lingers Exclusively for Solo Women Travelers like me

While international travel comes with its own set of potential challenges, solo female travelers aren’t the exclusive targets of danger. In fact, the largest danger can often stem from a woman’s ability to overthink and rooting their thoughts rooted in internal fears and anxieties.

“what ifs,” self-doubt, and fear of the unfamiliar can create a mental paralysis that hinders dreams of exploration.

Is travel safe for solo women? In many countries, it can feel safer than being a woman living in the U.S.!The reality is that everyday life for a U.S. citizen can present similar or even higher risks of encountering unwanted situations. The difference is that we have learned to normalize our country’s violence. We’ve learned to be street smart with our own surroundings. Read street smarts for fearless solo travelers

Living in large urban cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, can be equally dangerous with muggings, car jacking, rape, domestic violence, etc… I lived in two of those states and even living in a state –Hawaii– with one of the lowest U.S. crime rates, I must still be vigilant and aware of my surroundings when jogging in desolate areas or walking to my car in a parking lot at night.

Gun violence can also be higher in the U.S. where 44 states have legalized the right to bear arms.

Comparing these risks to the potential dangers of solo travel abroad, highlights the importance of focusing on preparation, awareness, and trust in one’s own capabilities.

Myth #3: I’m not “brave” enough.

Solo female travel isn’t a daredevil challenge; it’s a conscious choice to step out of the passenger seat and become the author of your own story. It’s about reclaiming your freedom, embracing your independence, and discovering the world on your own terms. It’s about silencing the naysayers and saying, “I can, and I will.”

Bravery is not about being fearless – but about facing fears and stepping outside your comfort zone.

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Is Solo Travel Safe for Women

Myth #4: I will be lonely and vulnerable.

Most friends think that by traveling alone, I must be lonely or alooooone. That is simply not the case.

Solo travel does not equate to isolation. Loneliness is not a curse of solitude. It is a state of mind. I experience loneliness most whenever I feel misunderstood, forgotten, unrecognized and left out. This is largely situational and can arise occasionally when I am alone, in a partnership or in a group. My feelings of loneliness are much stronger when I’m in a group where i’m made to feel like a wall flower or traveling with a friend, who leaves me behind to hook up with someone at a party.

On the contrary, being a solo female traveler opens doors to meeting locals and making friends. From striking up conversations with locals to joining fellow travelers on impromptu adventures, the solo journey is paved with opportunities to forge authentic bonds.

You’ll be surprised at how the absence of travel partners can push you to embrace vulnerability. Hostels, local markets, and community events become gateways to unexpected friendships and shared experiences. Read how to make friends traveling solo

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Myth # 5: I need someone else to keep me safe.

Solo travel pushes you to take responsibility for your own travel safety. It encourages you to be independent, step up to the plate, and be accountable for your decisions and choices of action. As a solo female traveler, I don’t have a safety net. Instead, I take proactive measures to create my own safety. I think carefully about the consequences of my actions when I weigh my decisions, and this has empowered me to discern good risks from bad ones. You can read more about preventing danger here: solo travel safety tips.

Myth #6. Being spontaneous is dangerous

I’ve had girlfriends whose primary objective for going to a nightclub was to get drunk, hook up with a guy and have sex.  Some travelers like to party at bars like it’s spring break… While I’m not saying you can’t have fun or be spontaneous as a solo traveler, but some types of spontaneous fun can be risky and dangerous when you’re in a foreign country and do not know the culture.

Knowing that you have only yourself to watch your own back, solo female travelers tend to seek ways to embrace safe spontaneity when traveling, such as taking activity tours, cooking classes, visits to the museum, and walking tours. Here’s a list of fun ways to spend your nights alone.

Read Cultivating safe spontaneity in solo travel

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Myth #7:  Unfamiliar is not unsafe.

Many Americans associate international travel with danger, thanks to what they see in the daily news. A foreign country’s unfamiliar customs, languages, foods, and culture can understandably raise concerns. However, fear often stems from stepping outside the comfort zone, not from genuine risk.

While safety varies globally, consider American life itself. The United States has a diverse spectrum of crime, from white-collar to gang violence to tourist scams. Visiting Los Angeles might prompt caution about carjackings, pickpocketing, or scams, just as they would anywhere else. The key difference is that Americans consider their country “home,” inherently safe, while foreign lands raise alarms. This perception can distort the actual risk.

Myth #8: Home is a woman’s safest place.

While I acknowledge potential dangers in travel, let’s remember, danger is also plentiful at home. We’re not venturing into a fiery abyss from a perfect haven. Date rape, muggings, domestic violence and even murder by loved ones can tragically occur in our own neighborhoods.

The reality is, danger can lurk anywhere, woven into the tapestry of societal life. So, what makes travel different?

Is Solo Travel Safe for Women?

Safety is subjective and situational. It’s more accurate to say that travel can be safe for anyone who proactively prioritizes it. Researching destinations, practicing responsible travel habits, and trusting your instincts are essential for all travelers, regardless of gender or travel style.

Remember, the world is not waiting for you to be brave – it’s waiting for you to be you. And you, are already brave enough.

For Fun: Watch 5 Things you Would NEVER Tell a Male Solo Traveler

 

What would you recommend as tips for women traveling alone for the first time? What solo female travel safety myths do you want debunked? 

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