With endless reports of global death and destruction, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s safer to stay home rather than explore the outside world. But safety is subjective, and you can use figures and stats to paint a grim picture of any location. For instance, according to the UNODC, the most dangerous place for women worldwide is their own home, with 58% of homicides committed by intimate partners or family. So, sure, swerve active war zones and totalitarian, repressive regimes, but don’t give in to fear and stay put. Activate your smarts, follow our solo traveler safety tips, and leave your fear of holiday hazards behind.
- Due diligence
Research, research, research before booking your dream getaway. Sadly, it’s still a Heteronormativite man, man, man’s world, and travelers who don’t fit the mold are often subject to different rules and regulations. LGBTQ+, unmarried couples (romantic or platonic), and women should be especially cautious in the Middle East and North Africa. There’s legislation that you may not envisage, such as unmarried male and female couples not being allowed to share the same hotel room in Dubai—and even though most tourist hotels turn a blind eye, you’re taking a risk and making yourself vulnerable—so know what the odds are before taking a gamble. Weigh up your desire to visit a country against the level of compromise required and stick to the law, or face the possibility of starring in an episode of Locked up Abroad.
- Paper trail
Before hopping on a plane, take photos of your passport, other documents, and the back and front of any credit/debit cards you’re traveling with and upload the pics to your cloud. Also, take a photocopy of your passport and always keep it with you. Never carry your actual passport around; a photocopy usually suffices if cops want to check your ID, and if they need to see the original, then you can take it to a station later.
- In the loop
Ensure somebody at home knows your travel plans and has a rough itinerary with dates and locations. If you make any last-minute changes along the way, update the person accordingly or find a local alternative if you haven’t got internet or phone access when you’re away. Never head off into the wilderness without somebody, somewhere, knowing where you’re going and how long for.
- Merge and mix
Out-of-towners are especially vulnerable to petty crime, such as pickpocketing, so blend in as much as possible, even if you look dramatically different from the locals. Don’t be flashy and show off the trappings of your wealth. Ditch the designer duds, jewelry, and pricy purses, choose inconspicuous clothing, and don’t purposely try to stand out.
- Be mindful
Always maintain situational awareness and avoid distractions. Steer clear of dimly lit streets at night, and don’t walk around with headphones in. Skip snapping pics and checking your phone in unfamiliar surroundings unless essential—TikTok can wait till later. If you have to use your phone when you’re out and about, step to the pavement’s side before doing so. Look like you know where you’re going even if you haven’t got a clue, and avoid pulling out a map in the middle of the street. If you really need to check directions, be discreet, and if there’s a café, bar, or shop nearby, ask somebody inside instead of a random person on the street.
- Drink smart
Nothing screams “I’m vulnerable” more than an intoxicated person stumbling down the road at night, whether you’re at home or overseas. Still, you’re at extra risk in foreign surroundings, so keep an eye on your alcohol intake. If you really have to booze it up, make sure you’ve got transport home or, at the very least, a sober companion. And when it comes to keeping an eye on things, don’t let your drink out of sight. Be vigilant if you’re accepting a drink from a stranger; keep a hand over your glass when walking through a crowd, and don’t leave your drink unattended. Drugging drinks is a danger that women usually face, but in some parts of the world, men are at risk equally, if not more. For example, it’s become a massive problem in Colombia where dudes go on a date with a hot chick and end up slumped in a dark alley with all their possessions missing.
- Mugging money
If you need cash and credit cards when you go out, make sure you spread the wealth. Carry coins and ten dollars or so worth of local low-value notes in a purse or your pocket, and keep your other cash and credit cards in a secondary, not-so-obvious place, such as down the side of your boot or in your bra. In the unfortunate event that you’re mugged, hand over the money from your purse or pocket without a fight—because ten bucks and your ego aren’t worth a potential stabbing or worse, and it’s easier to let it go when you’ve got a back-up stash to rely on.
- Go with your gut
Trust your instincts and act accordingly if you feel uncomfortable in a situation or location. If you’re getting a bad vibe from somebody, politely make excuses and leave because it doesn’t matter if cultural differences are at play; always go with your gut. Your well-being trumps potentially hurting another person’s feelings wherever you are in the world.