28 SAFETY TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
28 safety tips for solo travellers
HOW TO STAY SAFE AS A SOLO TRAVELLER
28 SAFETY TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
When you are planning a solo vacation, the first thing you must do is some in-depth research into the country you will be visiting. You must have an idea as to the crime rate, uprisings, crime hot spots, etc. You can read the 28 safety tips for solo travellers and other important tips in more details, when planning and preparing for your vacation in the related posts below. This will facilitate in you being prepared for a solo vacation safety-wise. This will be your guide as to how to stay safe as a solo traveller.
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HOW TO STAY SAFE AS A SOLO TRAVELLER
- Trust no one 100%, trust and rely on your gut instincts, remember safety comes before friendliness and being accommodating.
- Prearrange your taxi from/to the airport/hotel, (booking.com for taxi pick-up) use public buses or trains, (preferably not at nights), but never flag down unauthorized cars/taxis to save on money. I have heard two different stories where taxis have pulled off with luggage on arrival at the hotel and another instance when the lady arrived at the airport and exited the car.
- Do not flash lots of valuables (expensive cameras, phones, etc) neither flaunt lots of jewelry or money.
- Be alert, don’t walk around listening to music with air buds/headsets in your ears in public.
- Try to arrive in a country during the day instead of late-night flights, if it is a cheaper flight, arriving after midnight, then wait at the airport until dawn then take your transport to your hotel, (this trick also saves you one day hotel room cost) see how to save money to travel.
- When leaving the hotel, at least mention to the front desk staff where you are going or may go.
- Take the hotel’s business card with you in case you lose your way, when returning to your hotel. Also take a photo of the hotel, the main building along the street and the street signage. Many people can help you easier with a photo than with you trying to pronounce the name of the hotel or street.
- If you have met a new person (local or tourist) and they are coming to take you out, let them come into the reception, so the hotel staff/camera saw that you left with this person.
- When you are having drinks with anyone, always monitor your drinks, accept no drinks that were not opened in front of you. Do not leave your drinks unattended, not even to use the washroom.
- Avoid going out alone at night or returning to your hotel too late at night, no matter how safe the country might be. If your hotel does not serve dinner or is too expensive, then find a restaurant in close proximity to the hotel or use a food delivery service.
- Always be vigilant at your hotel. Whenever you check into a hotel you must.
- Check to see where the closest staircase is in proximity to your room.
- If there is an exit door on your floor.
- Look for visible cameras in the corridor leading to your room, it gives a sense of extra security.
- On return to your room, (especially at nights) when exiting the elevator, be sure to have your room key ready in hand, and not get to the door and me rummaging through your bag to find it.
- Food Safety, just like your security, food safety is a top priority. The last thing you want to get is food poisoned, it will abruptly end your vacation. Don’t compromise your health for cheap street food, where little or no hygiene is practiced. I have seen in many countries’ food for sale and open to the passers-by who pass and sneeze or cough on these foods. Many times, also exposed to flies and dust pollutants.
- Be smart and safe-guard your health, I would also recommend you take apple cider vinegar (preferably Braggs) with you when travelling, it solves any bad food-related issues you may have (I’m never without mine).
- Bathtubs, I swear whenever I check into a hotel, I get a bit nervous to see those “death traps” (that’s what I refer to them as), I never enjoy my showers in those things especially without a non-skid mat. Even without soapy soles you can slip in seconds and damage yourself. I fell in one in St. Lucia and in Malaysia damaged my arm, even though I was careful. Remember you are alone so be careful in those bathtubs when taking a shower, because, like me, I know many people are not going to take baths in a public bathtub.
- Ladies don’t expose too much, the extra shorts and skimpy clothes, revealing too much, is a no no…tone down the sexy. Also, try to hang out in groups instead of alone in unfamiliar places.
- Avoid giving your contact details and information as to the name or of your accommodation and location.
- If you love the night-life and may want to hang out at the pub/disco, try to hook up with people from your hotel/hostel….groups are your friend.
- Have a soft copy of your travel documents, as advised in my post how to prepare for a solo vacation, to be on the safe side, just in case your passport is lost or stolen.
- Walking with open maps in the streets and looking lost, is advertising to the world that you are alone and may need assistance. This may also attract those with ill-intent.
- Keep yourself in check and do not get wasted on alcohol or drugs, this can expose you to harm or worst, you are in an unfamiliar country with no one to help you.
- Buy a sim card, on arrival into a country, mainly for the data, (sim cards are cheap). The sim card with free data is your perfect language assistant. If you are in a country where you do not speak the language, you can use it to download a translator for better communication. Its more discreet using location map on your phone to find your way around and back to your hotel, in case you get lost.
- Register with your country’s diplomatic embassy. It’s a good idea for all travellers due to instability or natural disasters in some countries.
- Avoid unsecured public WIFIs that can be found at some restaurants, hotels, etc. This can cause hackers to infiltrate your device and steal data. Download a VPN and use this if you must use such WIFI, there are free and paid VPNs, check your App store.
- Don’t hitch-hike, this is a big no-no, this is dangerous for both males and females., not with the prevalence of human trafficking, rapists and kidnappers.
- Financial safety, secure your monies, before leaving your country to advise the banks that you are travelling, dates and countries
- When leaving your hotel secure your cards and cash in the hotel safe.
- Walk with minimal cash when leaving the hotel, just for your essentials.
- Your back pockets and or backpack pockets are not for storing your wallet and mobiles.
- Travel Insurance, especially if you are going to a region where a contagion might be prevalent.
- Travel Essentials, besides your main travel essentials, take a mini medical kit with you especially flu inhibitors or sinus medication.
- Self-defense, learn some basic self-defense moves and or carry a pepper spray or mace for added protection (if its legal in the country).
- Invest in a travel lock, even at airports and hotels things can go missing. If you are sharing a room a hostel. Keep your luggage and valuables secure when you are out site seeing.
MUST HAVE ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ALL TRAVELLERS
These are my essentials and gadgets I can never do without for a smooth and stress-free vacation. All are available on Amazon for direct links to the products and information and suggested uses .
For MUST-READ BOOKS Think and Grow Rich is an excellent book for those who who are looking to improve their life and personally grow and develop. How to win friends and Influence people (#Ad) another self improvement and and social skills development read (excellent read …perfect for long airport layovers and during your flight) or during your free time. CLICK HERE for the entire list of travel essentials and uses/descriptions
ENJOY YOUR SAFE SOLO VACATION
These are just the main guidelines for a safe vacation, and my 28 safety tips for solo travellers. The main thing is not to act or look scared, the idea is to have fun with caution in mind. Get out there, use your common sense and street smarts. Maintain your health and your security at all time.
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