My Top Safety Tips for Women Traveling Solo

The reality is that I am well aware of the potential dangers and don’t dismiss these feelings of fear or uncertainty. These uncomfortable emotions are normal and often protect us.

I can still vividly remember the nerves I felt when boarding my first flight out of the country. I ruminated and pictured the worst possible scenarios for weeks before my trip, wondering if I was making the right decision or stupidly putting my life in danger. Today, I’ve learned to embrace those tingling feelings of fear and anxiety when they seldomly appear, because they remind me of when I first began to travel. Although most of those sensations have faded away, as a woman, I don’t believe they will ever disappear altogether.

Personally, I believe that when you learn to trust yourself and your intuition, this will, in turn, allow you to have a little more trust in the unknown. When I travel, I meet the days with optimism and curiosity, often saying out loud, “I wonder what amazing people or what amazing things I will see today.” I realize this may not bring much comfort or align with everyone, as this isn’t actually a solution, but all I can do is share my experience and what has brought me peace while taking on so many risks so frequently. Shifting my perspective and genuinely believing that there are wonderful people in the world has opened doors to beautiful experiences I didn’t know were possible.

All this being said, I am not blind to the ugly side of humanity, and I do remain extra vigilant and alert because I know not everyone I come across will have the best intentions. I am also very selective with whom I trust and always silently observe the strangers I encounter.

1. Never posting my location on social media while I’m still there: Since I have a public Instagram, I like to play it safe. I’ve read multiple horrific stories of women being stalked online and even followed to their destinations. I lost all desire to share my live location years ago. Just a reminder that you never know what type of person might be watching your content.
2. Making sure all my car windows are covered before sleeping: While camping in the wilderness, I always cover all my windows, and often even go to sleep as soon as the sun sets. In urban areas, I cover all but the driver and passenger windows. I also block the view inside my cab to prevent anyone from peering inside while I sleep. I’m particularly cautious in cities, mindful of how my car appears, to avoid it looking like someone is living in it.
3. Rarely telling people I am traveling alone: This mostly applies to in small towns, remote areas, and while camping. I am always polite, but I definitely don’t walk around grinning or saying hello to every person I come across. Additionally, I don’t disclose that I live in my car while staying in a city. Luna is pretty distinct-looking, so I prefer to not share this detail about myself to everyone, especially considering how many of my belongings are in my car.
4. Staying alert and listening to my gut instinct: There have been instances where I’ve felt a strong urge to leave abruptly, especially in remote camping areas in the US and Belize, or around certain men where I instinctively sensed caution was warranted. I’ve learned to trust this intuition over my ten years of solo travel—it’s a vital part of staying safe as a woman traveling alone. This voice may very well be tied to our instinctive overprotective nature; however, it certainly makes more sense to cut an experience short than to ignore that voice of reason.
5. Not drawing unnecessary attention to myself: Personally, when I am camping, or I am traveling to certain countries, I dress down and don’t wear flashy jewelry. While out in the wilderness, I usually embrace my tomboy side; caps, baggy jeans, t-shirts, and outerwear in general. When I travel to other countries, I still dress feminine, but a bit more toned down than say, New York City, or L.A. I love expressing myself with fashion, jewelry and accessories as much as most people, however I’d rather minimize my chances of becoming an easy target—especially being a petite, solo traveling woman. I met a fellow traveler who’s gotten her gold chain yanked right off her neck in Mexico, and another one who was pushed and then pickpocketed in a bus in Italy. In certain countries, or areas of the US, the flashy jewelry or outfits can stir up negative feelings in a lot of people, so I prefer to take extra steps to avoid this altogether.
6. Investing in a zippable bag, discreet fanny pack, and rollup bag when traveling to other countries: I used all of these items for years, and safely traveled with my belongings throughout Europe and South/Central America. About two years ago, I got a bit too comfortable and let down my guard while filming and photographing the San Francisco PRIDE festival. I had my cell phone pickpocketed, straight out of my front pocket. The funniest thing is I patted my pocket about three minutes before this happened, and thought to myself, “it’ll be safe, I’ll be able to feel if anyone tries anything.” Alas, this happened so quickly, and I felt nothing. Learn from my mistake and always keep your guard up.
7. Being confident, and no people-pleasing: Most of my friends know me as a friendly, outgoing gal with a huge smile. In fact, I’ve had some comment that this is probably why I make friends easily wherever I go. While this can be true at times, when I first arrive at a new location, I am rarely overly friendly. I like to observe, readapt, and collect my thoughts about a city, town, or person. This may mean I come off a bit judgmental; however, I’d prefer to be a bit closed off at first rather than being seen as a naive girl who can be someone’s next victim. Psychology also proves that victims are usually targeted for their walk and posture, so be mindful of your appearance, stand up straight, don’t be afraid to make eye contact, and stay aware of your surroundings.
8. Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption: This can be a bit of a challenge, especially when you’re having a great time, but I think we all should remember the fear of being taken advantage of, and learn to pace ourselves better. I’m a lover of wine, and I definitely indulge when I’m out in cities. However, I do try to surround myself with friends if I’m out or stick to just a couple glasses on the rare occasions that I decide to drink while camping. One of the best things about being nomadic is that, at the end of the night, I know I don’t have a home to go to, so I am extra careful not to get intoxicated. Even if I am parked for the night, I have to be prepared to drive off at any moment.

9. Letting family and close friends know your whereabouts: I have a handful of close friends and family who I share my location with via Iphone. If I’m hanging out with a new friend somewhere other than a public setting, I usually send them a text with the person’s info, Instagram, and details of our plans.

10. Making sure you have enough gas when driving out in the middle of nowhere: Despite the usual stories of scary gas stations, I have thankfully not experienced any that made me regret stopping. I HAVE, however, encountered moments where the gas station on the map was closed and I had zero cell service for miles. My heart was racing, and I had to hold my breath and hope my car would make it to the nearest station, which thankfully, it did. Avoid this anxiety-inducing situation altogether, by mapping out gas stations on your upcoming drive, carrying extra gas, and letting someone know of your whereabouts just in case you lose cell service. I usually ensure I have a full tank or at the very least a half tank while driving in rural mountains or deserts.

11. Remember to have fun and don’t stress too much about what could happen: Traveling alone is undeniably one of the most empowering experiences for any woman. It allows you to discover the depths of your mind, your capabilities, and your personal boundaries. It’s understandable why many of us dig ourselves into a mental hole, picturing all that could go wrong, especially in such a chaotic world. Despite this, I urge you to ignore the fear and explore what calls you—before you wake up someday and your youthful days are over. Don’t ponder what disasters COULD happen because they very well may not, and you may be shocked at what type of magic may flow into your life if you’re willing to step off the ledge into the unknown.