8 Places I Felt The Safest As A Solo Traveler

As a female solo traveler, safety is an ongoing priority. For me, peace of mind means being able to walk around the city without constantly checking my surroundings, and having my camera on my shoulder.

There are some places where I felt very safe as a solo female traveler. However, I should add that wherever you go in the world, you should try to be familiar with your surroundings and have safety protocols in place. written in detail.)

Here are the places I’ve felt most safe as a solo traveler.

1. Kerikeri, New Zealand

New Zealand is generally considered a safe country. I was stranded there for two years during the pandemic, which allowed me to explore the North and South Islands quite extensively. I decided to live there most of the time because I felt like it. I found that whenever I had even the slightest problem, someone was more than happy to help. It was as if their mission in life was to make sure I got what I needed.

This is the only country I’ve been to where I left my bag full of valuables on the cafe table while I went up to the counter to order and always found everything intact when I sat down. rice field.

Pro tip: The South Island is great, but take a look at the more remote parts of the North Island that tourists often overlook. Less-visited locations such as Whanganui, Whangarei and the west coast near Omapere offer stunning views and spectacular natural formations.

2. Vietnam Hanoi and Hoi An

I speak 6 languages, but Vietnamese is not one of them. So I was worried about how I would be able to figure things out alone in the streets of Hanoi or Hoi An. Plenty of English spoken so no worries (although I tried to pick up some Vietnamese during my trip). Vietnam is a stunningly beautiful country and one where you can feel safe traveling alone.

The scariest thing about Vietnam, at least in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is crossing the road with all motorbikes. On my first day in Vietnam, a member of the hotel staff came outside with me to guide me through the traffic! Eventually, I learned that things have a rhythm, and found a moment to jump off the curb and into the driveway, but no one hit me. At the corner of a 10-lane road, I got stuck. Miraculously, a motorbike stopped next to me and signaled me to cross the road. I didn’t need words.

I took an overnight bus or train from Sapa to Ho Chi Minh City with stops along the way and never felt unsafe or worried about my bags. Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Ba Na Hills are my favorite It was the place.

3. Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand

When I visited Bangkok in October 2019, I wasn’t sure what to expect in Bangkok, but I loved it, and was able to enjoy it on foot, on public transport, and even in the most touristy areas. Felt very safe. Other places I’ve been have been concerned about pickpockets due to the crowds. One of my tour guides in Chiang Mai explained that part of the reason Chiang Mai is so safe is that Buddhist values ​​such as good behavior are important to Thai people. Get on board and visit all the amazing temples along the way. The floating market is also a must-do activity.

In Chiang Mai you will want to see elephants. Make sure you choose a company with a good reputation. This is also a great place for cooking classes. Finally, don’t miss Chiang Rai’s White Temple.

Pro tip: There are trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, making this trip very easy.

4. Edinburgh and Highlands, Scotland

Scotland is another country where people give way to help. I traveled to Scotland for her 6 weeks in 2018 and this year she returned for a few weeks in October. On the train, the staff are very friendly and will help you put your bags in the overhead bins!

What made me feel safe was that strangers were friendly and even chatty.From immigration officers to chivalrous men to friendly passers-by. Edinburgh also hosts nightly ghost tours, so people venture out into the city center late at night.

We traveled through the Highlands, hiked the Cairngorms, sampled scotch in Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Dalwhinnie, and boated to islands like Mack, Skye and Isle of Arran. I highly recommend hiking the Cairngorms, driving to Glencoe for stunning views and visiting the Orkney Islands.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

When I first visited Reykjavík in 2015, I found it difficult to find the police everywhere as there is very little crime. Since then I have been back 3 more times. Most recently he followed in September. The people are friendly and during the winter he has people outside for 2 hours because of the Northern Lights so walking late at night makes it feel even safer.

Iceland is a fascinating country and you will need multiple visits to see it all. On this last trip, I went to Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon. Its beauty is astonishing, albeit tragic, due to the melting iceberg. Must-do activities are Reykjavík’s municipal heated pool (less crowded and more authentic than the Blue Lagoon), Vik’s black sand beach, and chasing the Northern Lights.

Pro tip: Auroras can be seen anytime after dark, not just in winter. In Iceland, this is generally from late August to early April. Iceland’s location is great for viewing the lights from above, but unpredictable weather can get in the way.

6. El Calafate and Villa La Angostura, Argentina

I know there are places in Argentina, especially Buenos Aires, that are considered dangerous, but I discovered another side of the country. During my trip, I met a pair of Argentinian women traveling together. Her one pair of friends made near Bariloche were in her Angostura town at the same time as me and took me to where I was staying.

I met another pair of women in El Calafate. They are from Buenos Aires and met again when I went there. When I took a public bus to the beach, the people on the bus saw that I was alone and invited me to sit on the beach with them.

El Calafate is where you can hike the Perito Moreno Glacier and take a glacier cruise. It is also a cute town for tourists, and I was able to eat while walking alone without worry. I recommend trying the mate tea at Elba’r. The staff are lovely and will teach you how to make and drink.

Pro tip: Out of all the places I’ve been in Argentina, El Calafate’s dogs were the friendliest I’ve ever come across. When you pet a pet, it will follow you for hours, expecting love and affection.

7. Easter Island, Chile

I had the pleasure of spending a week on Easter Island in 2019. This is the only place in the world that I have been to. tourist!

The scariest part of the island was the dark streets at night which was scary as there were huge cockroaches and wild horses roaming the island.

One of the most fascinating places I have ever seen is the Rano Raraku quarry where the iconic stone moai are made. I learned all the theories, including aliens, about how they were transported from their quarries to their current resting place. Not cheap to visit, but never forget.

Pro tip: Join at least one tour with a guide. There’s a fascinating history to learn about the island and its people, which you won’t hear if you rely on a self-tour.

8. Zagreb, Croatia

I spent a week in Zagreb this summer. We arrived at the hotel after 10pm and felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. Nothing was open, the street was quiet, and the concierge remained late to let me into my room. The next day we found ourselves in a residential area away from the tourists and found it completely safe to walk around at night. We took the tram back to the hotel.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Zagreb, you might want to read more about my experience in Zagreb.

Pro tip: Dubrovnik and Split are the places most tourists visit, so you will find Zagreb to be less touristy and cheaper.

Read below for more information on the destinations mentioned in this article.