How to Be Safe at Night and Have Fun Traveling Solo as a Woman

Let’s be real. When it comes to safety, traveling solo as a woman is not the same as a man. The travel safety rules drastically change once the sun goes down.

For a woman to be safe at night, there are things she must consider regardless if she is traveling with other women or alone. I wish I could say this was not the case, but the reality is that women need to take extra precautions when traveling.

That said, this doesn’t mean women traveling solo need to skip the nightlife. No one wants to travel to another country only to feel trapped in their hotel or Airbnb because they didn’t feel safe as a woman to go out at night. Plus, it would be crazy to go to another country and not experience the local nightlife.

It does mean that to be safe at night, women need to be more alert to their surroundings and keep the following tips in mind.

Clubs/Bars

Clubbing or finding unique craft cocktails are some of my favorite things to do while traveling. I refuse to skip these activities just because I’m traveling solo. Instead, I’ll go out and act as if I’m waiting to meet a friend by making fake texts or calls, looking around impatiently, and checking the time often. Anyone who is scoping you out will assume someone is meeting you and knows your whereabouts. More importantly, they’ll think someone would know you were missing should something arise.

Gut Check

Women would seriously rule the world if they listened more to their intuition. Scientists have proven the power of intuition is real. And one of the most important times to hone this skill is when you’re traveling solo.

I had an incident where my intuition kept telling me to run, but I was too proud of an expert traveler to listen. Eventually, the signs were too loud not to listen, and I was able to get to safety.

There are many times my intuition kept me safe while traveling alone. We only need to listen.

Drugs and Alcohol

Traveling solo as a woman is not the time to get “White girl wasted” as they said in the movie Girls Trip. This is time to monitor your alcohol and drug intake. In addition, always keep your drink with you. That doesn’t mean putting it down and watching it closely as you dance. I can tell you from personal experience, I thought I was watching my drink closely and got roofied. It is not something you want to experience, let alone in another country.

Also, I don’t think this needs further explaining, but don’t take drugs from people you don’t know in another country.

Buddy System

If you’re truly traveling solo and want to be safe at night, notify someone back home of your general plans for the night. By creating a check-in system, you can put your mind at ease knowing someone knows your whereabouts and if you change your plans.

Now do I always set up a buddy system? No, because if I feel safe in my location, I prefer to keep my trips private and free. But this goes back to first doing a gut check and always being alert.

Make a Friend

If you aren’t already, I recommend joining a Facebook group focused on women travelers. Groups like Rogue Experiences Travel Insiders are a good way to find others who are traveling to the area at the same time as you.

I became active in a travel group for my first trip to Cuba and ended up finding like-minded women to meet up with during my visit. You may also find locals in these same groups who are willing to show you around, which is what happened on a trip to Belize.

I won’t lie, I have put myself in some scary situations while traveling. Luckily none resulted in anything life-threatening. Instead, they have helped me become a smarter female traveler who knows how to be safe at night while also having fun.

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