How To Stay Safe When Traveling Solo
Are you a born adventurer with a free spirit, fierce independence, and a desire to see the world on your own terms? Traveling solo can be an empowering experience that you will treasure for a lifetime. If you long to follow the beat of your own drum to the distant corners of the globe, however, you will want to take precautions to ensure that your travels are a dream come true — not a nightmare.
Before you grab your atlas and order your tickets, here are some safety-savvy practices you will need to follow.
Blend In
Put down those Hawaiian shirts. And don’t even think about reaching for that fanny pack. What were you thinking? You might as well carry a sign that says “I’m a naive tourist. Please rob me.” In order to stay safe in a foreign land, you need to blend in. Be a local yokel.
Try to select clothing that follows your destination’s cultural norms and will not draw attention to you. The old adage, “When in Rome do as the Romans do,” is a sage advice.
Keep your expensive cell phone hidden or, better yet, leave it at home and bring a cheapie, instead. Avoid wearing a camera around your neck. And don’t wander the streets with your map wide open.
Stay Sober
No one is trying to poop on your party, but be very careful when consuming alcoholic beverages. As Conde Nast warns, when ordering mixed drinks in the developing world, it is not uncommon for cheap, deadly substitutes like methanol or ethanol to be mixed into the liquor.
If you do have a hankering for a drink, you may want to order a beer, ensure that it is opened in front of you, remains in the bottle, and keep it with you at all times. Never leave your beverage unattended and do not become intoxicated.
Embrace Daylight
Horror movies take place in dark, lonely spots for a reason. These are, after all, ideal locations for violence and other crimes to take place uninterrupted and without witnesses. It only makes sense, then, that you should avoid low-traffic or dimly-lit areas.
And, if you do find yourself out at night in a desolate area, “Important Safety Tips for Budget Travelers” recommends walking in the middle of the road — if there’s no traffic — as it will keep you in plain sight, in better lighting, separate you from the dark pockets found on sidewalks, and give you more time and space to react if someone is hiding in one such pocket. And, give yourself a smack for putting yourself in that situation in the first place.
Try Some Tricks
Now that you’ve mastered some of the more obvious safety tips, you are ready to move on to some tricks of the toughened traveler’s trade.
Some travelers recommend creating a convincing decoy wallet. By including a small amount of cash, some cancelled or expired credit cards, and a few other typical wallet contents, you can hand this one over in the case of a robbery or pickpocket. A cheap second cell phone is another great thing to have on hand.
Forbes advises lone travellers to carry a rubber doorstop to wedge from the inside of your room at night, a safety whistle, and to always register at your local embassy. It is also best to select a hotel room between the third and fifth floors.
By following some safety tips and listening to your gut instincts, you will be in a better position to see the world without mishap. So embark on some thorough research, learn some of the native tongue, and always look confidant — no matter how you feel. Bon Voyage.
What safety tips can you offer a lone traveler?
