Traveling Solo Tips

Hey Community! 

As an avid world traveler, I have been on various SOLO trips (pre-COVID) and wanted to share some words of wisdom based on my experiences through this blog post. 

To begin, SOLO traveling is an absolutely amazing experience where you are able to  deeply connect with yourself, break out of your shell, build confidence, meet new people, and pretty much be free to do whatever your heart desires. I highly recommend that you do it at least ONCE in your life, it is truly life changing... you will thank me later!

Here are some of my personal TIPS for your solo trip...  

Preparing and Packing

1. Pack lightly, buy a comfortable backpacking backpack, if possible, or a nice travel backpack. I have a Timbuk2 San Francisco Travel backpack that my sister gifted me, absolutely love it. I can fit everything even has a nice safe space for my laptop! Here is the link for reference   https://www.timbuk2.com/collections/travel-backpacks
2. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if you are a U.S. Citizen that way if something happens, the U.S. embassy can locate you and assist you if needed. Also, you will stay up to date with any updates, advisories, travel alerts,etc.. that have to do with your travel location.  https://step.state.gov/step/ 
3. Pack an underwater pouch for your phone and water shoes if you will be going in the water.  Let's face it, if you are going snorkeling, water rafting, out on a kayak, etc... you are going to want pictures! Usually the adventure vendors will offer photo packages for your actions shots, however, they are usually really expensive and include people you don't even know.  So take that waterproof phone pouch. Also, if you are going into water, good water shoes will avoid your feet from getting hurt by rocks and shells or whatever else is in the water.
4. Pack clothes and shoes based on what you want to do. Remember the lighter the easier it is for you to move around. 
5. Do your research in the places you want to visit. Make sure you have at least a preliminary list of the places that you want to visit, food you want to try, things you want to do etc. Try not to jam pack your schedule though, you want to leave somethings to the universe and go with the flow. 
6. Pack essential toiletries like baby wipes, soap, wash cloths, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant etc. You never know what the conditions are where you are going and you want to make sure your hygiene is in check. 
7.  Do not take expensive jewelry or wear branded clothes! Please do not "stunt and show off" when you are traveling solo, this is the quickest way to bring the wrong attention to yourself. People will associate you with money and bad intentioned people might see you as an easy target. Be as humble and simple as you can. 
8. Only take non marked bills in good condition abroad.  If you choose to take USD aboard, I advise that you take out cash from the bank. ATMs sometimes give you old, and/or torn up bills. The banks in a foreign country will not take badly shaped bills  or marked bills to exchange.
9. Do your research on the social norms of the country you are visiting . You do not want to unintentionally disrespect anyone or do something that might get you in trouble. 
10. If you don't know the main language spoken in the country you are visiting, try to at least learn basic survival phrases like "where can I find food" "where is the bathroom" "water" etc. If you are going to a main city, you might get lucky and get English speakers but the more rural you go the less likely you are to find English Speakers. Download a translation app! 

Financial Planning 

1. Exchange money at the banks not at the exchange booths. The booths charge commission, the banks do not. Some airports have banks in their terminals. Don't be afraid to ask. If you can visit your bank before the trip and order foreign currency it'll be way easier ( you can also order foreign currency via bank app and get it delivered to your house). You need to have cash when you reach the country to last you at least 3 days while you find any affiliate banks that might charge lower ATM fees that will allow you to take out more cash. You can call your bank or research who the affiliates of your bank are by a quick online search.  Cash is a must especially if you are going to towns and/or love shopping at the marketplaces like me!  Look up the exchange rate before hand as well to have an idea of how much $$ you need. 
2. Take a good travel credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, gives you travel rewards and points, and has travel and purchase protections. I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and it is honestly totally worth the annual fee. If you are an avid traveler like me, you get most of the fee back with their $300 annual travel credit, global entry or TSA Pre check Fee Credit, and complimentary airport access. I love chilling in their partner lounges during layover with complimentary food, drinks, and wine! Use the credit card when you can abroad, especially for large purchases, get your points!  Points can equal free future flights!
3. Always carry a moderate amount of local currency cash on you. You never know what situation you might get in. You might be hungry, might need transportation, want to tip someone, buy something from the locals... you need cash. Do not carry bands or stacks of cash though, people are watching. Be moderate and discreet.
4. Download a currency converter app to make it easier for you to know how much you are exchanging or for you to have an idea of how much things cost in USD to put things into perspective. 

Accommodations 

1. Stay in a hostel if the country has high amounts of backpackers, way cheaper than a hotel. I also like Eco-Hotels or accommodations where you have your own room but share a bathroom. If you don't mind, it is cheaper and at least you have privacy where you sleep.  ( Daring ) 
2. Book an Airbnb for a more local experience, but make sure you research the area. Avoid isolated places. When you are alone, you want to be around people who can see you and will notice if you go missing. ( Moderately Safe) 
3.  Book a hotel using trip advisor, booking.com, or expedia if you want to play it super safe. Make sure you read the reviews!  ( Safest )

Adventure Planning

1. Visit the tourist section of the airport to obtain information so you can have a good idea of what to do and find tour guides/group tour vendors.  Also, ask questions, that is why they are there. 
2. Research local bus schedules (cheapest option) and bus stops, taxis are really expensive! Look up shared van services as well. They usually pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at another hotel. (Door to door) . Only use the bus during the daylight though. If you must go out at night, use a registered taxi, beware of the "pirate" cars or "private" cars.  Also research if the country you're going to has Uber or Lyft ( they are everywhere now). 
3. Book group excursions. Just because you are solo it doesn't mean that you have to do everything solo! When getting to know new places and go on adventures it is always good to go with a guided group. Please do not try to go out exploring the nature lands on your own and get lost.  Group excursions are also a great way to get to know fellow travelers. Make sure you go prepared and take a small backpack with snacks, water, bug spray, sunscreen etc. Ask about pick up and drop off so you will avoid those transportation fees. 
4. Talk to other tourists to see what their plans are. You can always learn something new and make new friends!  Always good to make connections all over the world, never know when you will be in their area. 
5. Look up tours and adventures on Airbnb, Trip Advisor or Culture Trip Apps! 
6. If you are planning to rent a car, make sure you book BEFORE you arrive. Many car rental spots at the airport only release cars that are pre-reserved especially after hours. So if your flight gets in at 10pm and you didn't rent a car, you have very slim chances of getting one. If you are staying in a non-metropolitan area, you are going to want that car. Taxi's will be VERY expensive. 

Shopping

1. Do not buy souvenirs at tourists stops, they are double the price than buying at the local arts and craft markets. Anything that says tourist is a trap and more $$$.  You pretty much pay for the convenience, the AC in their stores, and their nice presentation. You also cannot bargain at an established tourist shop. 
2. Bargain Fairly. Support the local people that are selling in the streets or outside in their posts when you can. When you buy from the streets or posts, you are able to bargain ( which you cannot in the tourist stores).  When you bargain, be fair. Remember that the people in the streets are trying to feed their families and what they sell is most likely their main stream of income.  A good point of reference of what is fair is knowing how much a gallon of milk cost in their country. On the flip side, do not let them take advantage of you either. Most of the time, people ask you where you are from to see if you have $$$. I never say I am from the U.S. for that reason, as they associate me with USD. I say I am from Nicaragua. Sadly, many people don't even know where Nicaragua is so they don't associate me with anything and I get to teach them something and make a connection. 
3. Make a budget per day before the trip.  Only take out what you budgeted for and put the rest in a safe with lock along with your passport and other expensive things like iPads.
4. Buy food from local restaurants and supermarkets. First thing I do when I travel is go grocery shopping! It saves me lots of money and I get to try their local products! Embrace the culture, it is really cool to see what different foods and flavors are in every countries grocery store! A cultural learning experience itself.

Safety

1. Do not stay in a room that does not have a safe. It is usually not good news and you want to make sure you have a place to lock up your valuables, especially if their staff has access to your room. Better to be safe with a safe. 
2. Always be aware of your surroundings. Scope of the place and observe what is around you, where the exit is, where the staff is, who looks suspect etc. If someone approaches you that you are not comfortable with, excuse yourself and go somewhere safe. Do not go somewhere that is isolated.  
3. Do not go out at night unless you know where you are going and is a public place. Take a taxi for sure. Be careful of the "pirate" independent car services. Play it safe and take licensed taxis. Better to pay a little more then to get into a random strangers car by yourself.  Make sure to let someone know where you are going, like the front desk at the hotel or a friend that will call to check in on you to make sure you made it home and will call the U.S embassy if you are missing. Just in case. 
4. Dress comfortably and simple. Try to blend in and not look extravagant. Again, you don't want to get the wrong attention. 
5. Get to know your lobby people and try to mention your plans just in case... also they are usually a good source of local knowledge so they can recommend spots. 
6. Do not take your phones out freely especially in big crowds or ask random people on the street to take pictures of you. Safety first. Smart phones are attention grabbers and worth lots of $$ in many countries.  
7. Google some self defense hacks just in case. I like to wear pointed hair clips, bobby pins, and rings, anything I can use as a weapon that will go through TSA. Scarfs or neck ties work as well, oh and a wine opener if you can find one. Flashlights are good too to scare them off or blind them.  I have never had to use any of these and most likely you wont either if you follow my tips.  Always be prepared though."Expect the best, prepare for the worse" 

Lastly, make sure you explore and embrace the culture, enjoy the whole experience and don't be afraid just be aware.  <3  

Please Note: I am writing this blog during the COVID Pandemic so I will advise to please follow CDC Guidelines for travel and take your COVID pre-cautions while traveling. Also, please check the countries requirements before travel. I will post another blog on this in the future.