A typical query seen on many journey boards is “how protected is it to journey to X (one on the Latin American international locations) as a solo feminine traveller?” It’s absolutely comprehensible why travelling alone to Latin America can appear an intimidating prospect, notably if you’re a girl. Nevertheless, girls who’ve already been to this area of the world know there is no such thing as a must put up one of these query. All the international locations in Central and South America are usually protected to go to as a solo feminine traveller. There are, nevertheless, some areas that pose a threat and these must be prevented.
Most of the massive cities in Latin America have areas that are not notably fascinating and you must keep on with the primary vacationer or fashionable elements of those cities when you go to them. This contains all the main cities in Central America (i.e. Belize Metropolis, Guatemala Metropolis, Managua, Mexico Metropolis, Panama Metropolis, San Jose, San Salvador and Tegucigalpa). There are additionally sure elements of South American cities that must be prevented equivalent to Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo in Brazil, and Caracas in Venezuela. As with the massive cities in Central America, keep on with the touristy areas and you will be fantastic. You must also take care when visiting specific areas of sure international locations equivalent to in Colombia and Venezuela. For instance, it is not a good suggestion to hold across the border areas of Colombia or journey to obscure, off the crushed monitor locations. Though Colombia and Venezuela get some dangerous press they’re each comparatively protected to go to when you keep on with the highest vacationer locations talked about in respected journey guides. If someplace is talked about in a good guidebook, it’s nearly actually protected to go to.
This results in an necessary level within the dialogue. It is rather straightforward to get paranoid about visiting sure international locations and cities however that is completely unwarranted. Keep in mind, it is solely sure elements of those international locations and cities which can be finest prevented, simply as sure elements of cities in Europe or North America are finest prevented. In truth, travelling round most of Latin America is much safer, and extra nice, than travelling round many elements of Europe or North America. Moreover, as Susan Griffith rightly factors out in ‘Travelling Solo as a Lady in Asia’ “there’s a pernicious mythology surrounding the lone feminine traveller, whether or not it’s as a hitchhiker round Britain or a traveller in Southeast Asia. Many individuals immediately exaggerate the perils and dwell on a single girl’s vulnerability. Usually this doom-ridden response is simply an excuse for their very own timidity of spirit.” Do not get paranoid: the international locations of Latin America aren’t any extra harmful than many different international locations on this world, and in actuality you usually tend to encounter issues in some European international locations or North American states.
Referring again to the basic query seen on journey boards (i.e. how protected is it to journey to X as a solo feminine traveller) it’s value mentioning the duties and talents of the person. Security is inherently linked to data and expertise. Every time planning a visit to Latin America or wherever else on the earth, it’s completely important you do your analysis. Try to discover out as a lot data as you possibly can concerning the nation or international locations you want to go to. Journey guides equivalent to these produced by Lonely Planet and Footprint will show you how to resolve which locations you wish to go to and people you may want or ought to keep away from. The web can be a useful supply of knowledge and there are various web sites devoted to the considerations of solo feminine travellers. We frequently hear individuals described as being ‘streetwise;’ if the definition was utilized to journey quite than the city setting, some travellers could possibly be simply be labelled as ‘travelwise’ (i.e. having the shrewd consciousness, expertise, and resourcefulness wanted for survival in a tough, typically harmful abroad setting). Journey expertise (notably within the third world) goes a good distance in guaranteeing security. It is because individuals with in depth journey expertise consider threat extra successfully and measurement up conditions extra efficiently. Thus, it is honest to say that general security is partly depending on the {qualifications} (age, data and expertise) of the particular person posing the query.
To a big diploma security is solely a case of being wise and staying alert. For instance, flaunting objects equivalent to costly cameras, jewelry, or cell phones is more likely to appeal to opportunist thieves. Equally, placing your day pack on the baggage rack of a public bus quite than preserving it in your lap or by your ft is asking for hassle. The important thing message right here is do not take any pointless dangers. You may fancy a late paddle on Copacabana seaside (Rio de Janeiro) however any guidebook will inform you to not go to this space after darkish. You may wish to hit the bars and golf equipment in Quito however go away your valuables in your resort. You may wish to get drunk within the nearest disco however do not strive strolling again to your resort late at evening. It is all a matter of frequent sense actually.
The primary concern for solo feminine travellers is the specter of sexual harassment from native males and even male travellers. Whereas male travellers may be an issue on events, you want to pay attention to the tradition variations between Latin American males and people from your personal nation. Machismo attitudes are pretty widespread amongst Latin American males and it’s advisable to observe native follow and take your cues (i.e. how do native girls take care of extended eye contact, and so forth) from native girl when you do not wish to be the item of curiosity. Applicable costume and conduct will appeal to much less undesirable consideration from the native males. It’s a unhappy proven fact that many native males view Western girls as promiscuous. This impression is basically because of how some girls costume. Performing drunk and a bit wild can be certain to create the type of curiosity you are attempting to keep away from. You should steadiness your sense of journey with an consciousness of cultural variations. It’s also necessary that you just take heed to and belief your instincts. In case you are in a scenario that makes you are feeling uncomfortable as a girl, you’ll want to observe your instincts and go away.
Most international locations in Latin America are properly established on the ‘gringo path,’ therefore, there’ll all the time be alternatives to hook up with different travellers. This can enormously cut back any problem you may get. This could not deter any girl from travelling alone as this generally is a rewarding and empowering expertise. There’s most likely nothing extra satisfying to a solo feminine traveller than realizing she solid her personal path.
Whereas it is true that there are particular considerations for feminine travellers, the dangers which can be on the market should not cease you from hitting the highway. There are millions of solo feminine travellers at present exploring Latin America and you could possibly be certainly one of them.