While Instagram would have you believe that the rest of the world comprises nothing but sandy beaches, turquoise seas, and Pina Coladas, that’s not true. A lot of the world is downright dangerous, even in 2020.
Most of us are lucky enough to live in Western countries – places where there is the rule of law. But that’s not the case everywhere in the world. Many countries are dangerous places, especially for solo travelers.
Here’s a list of some of the most dangerous places to visit if you’re going solo:
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North Korea
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Russia
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Egypt
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Philippines
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Kenya
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Haiti
And the list goes on and on. The reasons why these places are so dangerous varies from place to place. In North Korea, your main enemy is the repressive regime, which exercises total control over the population. In Haiti, it’s the living conditions and the aftermath of the destruction of the 2010 earthquake.
So here are some solo travel safety tips for women who love to visit these far-flung and somewhat dangerous places.
Transit Safely
Hotels, restaurants, and cultural sites are usually relatively safe. It’s when you’re traveling from place to place you encounter the real dangers. Going out into the countryside unescorted in a lot of places can put you at extreme risk.
Here are some solo travel safety tips for women:
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Stick close to crowds or families when moving around cities
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Take escorts if you’re planning on going into the country or districts that are not popular with tourists
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Always use verified Ubers. Don’t use local cabs if you can help it.
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Avoid traveling by public transport at night. Make sure that you’re back to your accommodation before the sun goes down.
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Arrange concierge transport services if you can from a trusted provider.
Stay In Touch With People
Sites like Tradecraft that are dedicated to keeping people safe suggest that you always stay in touch with as many people as possible. You want to create a network of both local and international contacts who can respond if something does go wrong.
Here are some ideas for how to do this:
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Use a GPS positioning app on your phone to share your location with your friends and contacts at all times
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Update social media with information about your whereabouts
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Tell people about your itinerary in advance so that they can follow up if they suspect a problem.
Make Yourself Less Of A Target
Tourists are a target for crime. Many opportunistic thieves view them as high-value, especially if they look or dress differently from the rest of the locals.
Here are some ways to make yourself less of a target when traveling solo:
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Don’t wear earphones while listening to music as you walk around – it distracts you from dangers and reveals that you have a smartphone
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Don’t wear expensive jewelry or watches
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Walk with purpose, as if you know what you’re doing and where you’re going
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Dress appropriately and as similar to the locals as you can. You want to blend in
