How to stay safe as a women during spring break vacation.
I have lived a well-traveled life. As a Christian woman who started traveling solo two months after my 18th birthday, I’ve had a lot of crazy experiences.
Some pretty sketchy.
I have also taught human trafficking prevention for 10 years. Here is what you need to know before and during your trip to stay safe as a woman traveling alone.
I love traveling, experiencing new cultures ( here is a post about how experience culture as you travel), and sharing Christ’s love everywhere I go.
Traveling on vacation, on missions, or stay-cations I love them all.
Heading to a beach destination or exploring a new city requires careful planning.
By prioritizing safety, you can fully enjoy your well-deserved break or your life changing mission trip.
Whether if you are taking off for spring break vacation. Or taking your time to go on missions here are some things you can do to stay safe.
Before your trip:
Research your destination:
Familiarize yourself with the local laws, customs, and any potential safety concerns.
Use resources like the U.S. Department of State travel advisories and reputable travel websites if you’re leaving America.
They have great advice on most countries.
The laws and crime rates as well as tips on staying safe in a particular country.
The Safer Travel website teaches the K.A.R principle (Knowing, Awareness and Response). It was started by a man who lost his sister while she was traveling. This is geared toward gap-years and backpacking travel.
If you are coming to America during spring break well it can get crazy depending on where you go.
So know where you are going, how you are getting there and the conditions and safety at night.
Florida and Texas beaches get very busy. Even the locals leave town. So make sure your where you are staying are booked, and you have transportation specific to that area.
Enroll in STEP Program
For Americans traveling abroad enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program with The State Department.
You can sign up for alerts about the country you are going to as well. Remember to keep the embassy number and address in your phone contacts.
Pack smart
Pack light but purposefully, including comfortable clothing appropriate for the climate, a first-aid kit, and any necessary medications.
Make sure you know the dress standard for the country, if it’s conservative dress the part. Here is an article with tips on dressing and packing for culture.
Consider carrying a small personal alarm or safety whistle for extra peace of mind.
Download useful apps
Consider downloading apps like emergency hotlines, language translators, and maps that work offline.
Make sure you know your closest Embassy and their address and number.
Use Air Tags
Air Tags can be sown into your purse or backpack or put into your shoe. If you’re going somewhere that has a high level of pick pocketing it’s a good idea.
If you buy them for your luggage then put them in your backpack when you arrive.
Make copies of important documents
Carry photocopies of your passport, ID, travel insurance information, and emergency contacts.
Send a copy to your email and email it to a family member or friend that isn’t on the trip.
During your trip:
Share your location
Share your itinerary and locations with trusted friends or family members back home.
Keep them updated on your travel plans and let them know when you arrive and depart from your destination.
Depending on where you are going turn on your tracking on your phone that links to a trusted person.
This is so important.
I worked in anti-trafficking all over the world and this is one of the most basic ways to stay safe.
Let everyone you come in contact with know that people know where you are the whole time.
That you are checking in several times a day.
Because sneaky people know how to get information out of people.
It all starts with small talk.
If you get in an Uber or Taxi alone, call someone and let them know you will be right there.
Ask the time of arrival, don’t give personal information to strangers.
This next tip is the most important piece of advice.
If you are traveling alone as a women and want to stay safe you need to do this.
Remember you’re safety comes before peoples feelings.
I had to tell a Taxi driver to pull over once, because he was either cheating me or abducting me.
I was a missionary in Eastern Europe and I got in a huge fight with him.
He started driving an out of the way direction from where I should have been going. And even though we already negotiated the price he wanted to change it.
I told him he should be ashamed, I started calling my friends in the country and I stayed on the phone till he pulled over.
I had a friend in the country get on the phone with him as well.
He dropped me off at a gas station way out of the way.
But I was safe and God protected me. Don’t worry about people’s feelings if they are endangering your safety.
Once you get there.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Stay alert and trust your intuition. Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas, especially at night.
If it’s something you wouldn’t do at home don’t do it because you’re out of the country.
Choose reputable transportation:
Opt for licensed taxis or ride-sharing services, buses, and metros when possible.
Avoid getting into unmarked vehicles or with strangers.
Be mindful of your belongings
Keep valuables wallets, passports, and phones secure. Preferably in a cross-body bag or money belt worn close to your body.
And hold on to it with both hands.
Be aware how other women are holding their bags. If they are clutching it, it’s probably a good guess their are pick pockets.
Don’t carry all your cash on you consider using a credit card. Make sure the place you are visiting will accept credit and the type or currency you need.
Be responsible with alcohol
Limit alcohol consumption and be aware of your surroundings.
Don’t leave your drink unattended.
If you feel pressured by someone to join in activities or drink-Get out of that situation.
If anyone makes you uncomfortable then make an exit and leave. Man, woman or animal leave.
Be aware of your Social Media
Be mindful of what you share online.
Don’t post anything with your location and personal information.
You can post when you get home.
Avoid posting real-time updates that advertise your absence from home, and your location where you are at.
Also make sure you don’t have any unwanted location tracking on your phone or in your bags.
Recently, I found out the Journal app on my Iphone was sending my location to strangers around me. Creeper!
If you own an iPhone turn off location for the journal app.
Trust your instincts
If something feels off, it probably is.
Don’t be afraid to decline invitations or remove yourself from situations that make you feel unsafe.
If you feel like you shouldn’t go then don’t.
I think many times God try’s to speak to us in situations and listening to the intuition can help.
One of the best ways to stay safe as a woman when traveling alone is to listen to your intuition.
In doing that don’t make a scene about it, just go to the bathroom and leave. You don’t need to let them know you feel uncomfortable. Just get out of the situation as safely as possible.
If you are traveling alone, have a phone buddy. Someone you can call anytime and talk to tell them your location.
In conclusion traveling can be a wonderful life-changing event that creates lifetime memories. Using these tips can help you have a great safe trip of a lifetime. And always remember if something feels off it probably is and get out of that situation as soon as possible.
If this post helped you please pass it on and share it as well. I would also love to hear from you about where you are traveling next.
Here are some related articles to check out as well.
How to Look Great as You Travel