Be conscious of your surroundings at all times. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity near you – someone following too closely, potential ploys to divert your attention while your belongings are resting nearby – and always know where your essential items are at a moment’s notice, things like passport, money and hostel keys. Keeping a map handy or a running mental list of landmarks and street names is a good idea in a pinch, especially if you wander off the beaten path or the local language uses a different alphabet. Don't be afraid to make up convenient white lies if the situation arises -- for example, unwanted male pursuers might be combated by wearing a fake wedding ring or inventing convenient tales involving husbands. Thwart pickpockets by keeping a small purse close to your body, or invest in a money belt that can be worn under your clothing. Wear your purse over your body and make sure it has thick straps to deter thieves who attempt to cut the strap and run off with your valuables.
Solo travel doesn’t always mean visiting new places, but when an unexplored area or country is on the docket, do as much research as you can in advance of your arrival. This will help you choreograph the tiny details of the transportation shuffle so you don’t find yourself arriving in the dead of night with no public transportation to your hotel. Furthermore, finding out the location of the train station, airport and bus terminals you’ll be using can go a long way in figuring out if extra safety precautions are needed.
The latest summer wardrobe from home isn’t always appropriate in foreign countries, especially if your destination is somewhere beyond the Western World. Every country has its own norms of dress and culture, and being sensitive to these differences can save you a lot of distress, harassment and unwanted attention. For example, some Middle Eastern countries prefer that women cover their arms and legs, even in the blazing heat. In southern Europe, it's common for men to sometimes outright stare at you, and returning the gaze is often interpreted as an invitation.
Traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to stay locked up in your hotel once the sun sets each night. Travel usually brings new friends along the way, whether for the duration of a trip or a lifetime, so it’s likely you’ll find people to go out for a night on the town. However, be on your guard for suspicious activity around untended drinks. Getting drunk in your hometown is way different than getting drunk in a foreign country where everybody speaks a different language and you forgot the way back to the hotel. If full-on partying is on the agenda, know your late-night transportation options in advance or find a buddy from your hotel to stick with for the night.
Plenty of people will have their own version of nay-saying to contribute to your travel plans, but don’t let the fears of others taint your dreams. If you creep around places waiting for and knowing that someone is going to pickpocket you, you’re more likely to have that experience. But if you stroll confidently through the markets of Latin America, knowing that whatever happens is something you can handle, you will project a far stronger image. While you may start out alone, that doesn’t mean you’ll be lonely. After all, the world is full of other travelers just like you and chances are you’ll run into more than a few soon-to-be good friends.
