From planning to the arrival to destination, keys to women traveling alone

Travel alone It can be a very necessary rest of everyday social obligations, an opportunity for explore independently and participate in local communities without following anyone else’s rhythm.

“One of the great benefits of traveling alone is that you have the opportunity to be more in contact with yourself And living a deeper experience in any culture you are visiting, ”said Sasha Landauer, 27, who works in a New York editorial. His first trip alone, for a sabbatical year before starting university, went to Nepal. Since then he has traveled alone to Tanzania and Kenya.

However, to travel alone, certain considerations must be taken into account, in particular in countries where language and culture can be unknown.

Next, some tips are offered so that women are safe and can enjoy traveling alone.

On the Internet abound inspiration, guides and other resources for women traveling alone.

Wanderful It is a member -based network ($ 9 per month) with 50 centers in London, San Francisco and Brussels, among other places, and a Online community.

Unearth Women offers “Female cities guides” Online, with hotels and restaurants recommendations.

Es better choose a consecrated destination, but not crowded Of people, advises Elise Fitzsimmons, co -author of Wandress, a guide for women who want to travel “intelligently, safely and alone.”

“It always happened better in countries where there is tourism industry, but not a tourist overexploitation,” he said.

In general, the smaller and transitable cities or towns are friendly for women traveling alonelike destinations with Reliable trains systems.

“Cartagena (Colombia) is an incredibly passable city on foot. It has a lot of culture, so it is a great destination to travel alone. It is affordable,” said Nikki Vargas, co -founder of Unearth Women and co -author of Wandress, which Madrid and Barcelona also recommend in Spain; and Paris and Burgundy in France.

Sites like HoodMaps provide information about Where to stay, which neighborhoods are fun to explore and what areas should avoid.

“I like to stay near the city center, near the most frequented places,” said Vargas, who also recommends search for reviews written by women alone.

If you like the hiking or the trail runningthe mountains Dolomitas in Italy and the Tour du Mont Blanc circuit in France They are excellent for those who travel alone. On the paths there are good number of people, even other women alone, and many of the cabins have community meals.

Es Better to have the first days plannedincluding accommodation, having an approximate itinerary and knowing in detail how to get from the airport or the train station to the hotel or department (Remember, taxis can be expensive when you are alone.)

Before the trip, communication your itinerary to friends and family and update sending if something changes. You can also share the location of your phone with family or friends through applications such as Apple or Life 360 ​​Life Friends for Android devices.

Evaluate to buy an international telephone plan with data. Or download an ESIM (a Digital Sim card that activates a telephone plan without a physical Sim card) before leaving home to have service as soon as Atrices.

In addition, download Google Maps for your destination to Do not depend on connectivity of the device to navigate.

Take into account local customssuch as those related to reco and the choice of clothing. Reddit, Facebook groups specifically for women traveling alone and guides such as Lonely Planet are useful starting points. Fitzsimmons recommends that you imagine yourself as “an observer.”

“Observe if there are gender differences, age differences, differences in tone, and ask. People will like to talk to you about what happens in their country,” he said.

Try to carry a luggage as light as possible. It is important be self -sufficient And you may feel more vulnerable if you have a lot of luggage.

“Talk to the locals and the people who manage your hotel or hostel and are attentive to their experience once you are in the place,” said Fitzsimmons.

In public places, be intelligent: Pay attention to your environment at all times and avoid looking at the cell phone or using headphones. There are some cities and neighborhoods that seem quite safe, even after dusk, but I always knew where you are going. Many women also refrain from consuming alcohol when they travel alone.

If you have several bank accounts, Fitzsimmons recommends Take only one card when you get out of your accommodation and save the rest in your room. I divided cash into different pockets.

Apple pay can also be an option: if you have an iPhone, paying with the phone avoids having to choose between different cards. Fitzsimmons also suggests Use a pendant belt for the cell phone.

“You can Take it in bandit And in your pocket and, when you take it out, it will be much safer, closer to you, so that no one can snatch it from your hand, ”he said.

Have one emergency credit card or cash by hand It is useful in case you need to change plans or move to another hotel. Keep your emergency funds in a separate pocket or bag of your wallet and other documents.

It may be intelligent not to publish anything on social networks until you have returned from a trip to Avoid spreading your location.

Travel alone It does not mean being alone all the time. Nomadher is a free application specifically designed for women traveling alone to help them find Travel companions, welcoming accommodations and travel tips.

Sarah Radzihovsky, 28, who works for a technology company, recommends Selina shelters, either to stay or work at a distance. “It is a super social coworking and coliving shelter,” he said. “Even if I don’t stay in the Selina, I know I could spend some time with people there,” he said.

Sara Callon, 34, head of personnel of an energy company based in Paris, recommends making a Guided tour on foot the first day of a solo trip. In Rome, Callon met two other women who were traveling alone through Rome Free Walking Tour, and all three gathered to take some every night.

“It was fun to have A moment of social contact When he darkened, after touring the city alone all day, ”he said.

Los group trips, online forums and local events They can be easy ways to meet people with similar interests. In Hawaii, Vietnam and Mexico, Radzihovsky used Facebook to find hiking and improvised sports games that were organized weekly.

“Playing football, beach volleyball or surfing are very good ways to meet people because, first, the language barrier is not an obstacle and, secondly, it is a very healthy form of connection,” said Radzihovsky.

Sophie Stuber / The New York Times / Special for Clarín

Translation: Elisa Carnelli