Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[amimai]

I am leaving for SA in 2 weeks, hoping to do Argentina, patagonia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil...

I am going on my own and as a female I wondered if there was any advice you could give me as far as places to be wary of etc...?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[wakingdream]

I don't think you're mad at all. Traveling as a solo female definitely has its ups and downs but as long as you use common sense you should be fine. Once you're there and get a little more accustomed to the way things work you'll know you're not mad!

I think you should be assertive at all times but definitely not paranoid. Use caution, pay attention, be aware of your surroundings.

I've traveled through SEA many times, twice solo and other countries as well. I didn't experience any negative things in terms of my safety. I've been cautious of certain people and use used common sense.

Below are a couple of resources to check out.
Rewards For Women Traveling Solo

Solo Travel

There's some good advice through both links. There's lots of other resources for women traveling solo online and in many books. I think once you read through some advice and experiences you'll feel better

Have fun!!

[amimai]

Thanks very much for that! I do feel a little better, the only thing that sets me off is that people are always referring to me as 'brave'...
but hey! If i can't do it now when can i?

Thanks again

[wakingdream]

Thanks very much for that! I do feel a little better, the only thing that sets me off is that people are always referring to me as 'brave'...

I hear you on that! I bet most of the travelers here could say that too.

There are so many people who would never consider taking a long-haul trip. The thought of a distant journey scares the hek out of so many people. Many of those people who believe everything they hear. They listen to the news and take it so literally that they're terrified to step outside their own country. I say the people who don't travel are nuts.

I still remember the time right before I left on my first solo journey to SEA. My parents thought I was totally nuts. My friends thought I was 'brave' and many thought mostly about the negatives, the What If's.

It wasn't really bravery, just a deep curiosity and the brains enough to know that we're all just people around the world going through life and taking on the same struggles as everyone else, each in our own, unique cultures. There's so much to gain through world travels.

You're going to have the time of your life and I bet before you ever reach home you'll be making another destination list!

If you have any questions about SEA, Brazil or Peru, feel free to mail me.

[haiassa]

no u r not mad. I am 43 yr old man from NJ and am doing the following insane thing: board a cruise ship in ft lauderdale, florida.....on 6th day arrive in cartagena, colombia.......leave the ship behind......take a bus to caracas, vz (20 hrs).....hoping i can cross into vz by obtaining a tarjeta de ingreso at the border.....take another bus to ciudad bolivar, vz.......10 hrs.......and another bus to santa elena de uairen, vz 12 hrs.........then cross into brazil to boa vista and up to guyana.......another 24 hrs.......alone.......i do fear dengue and yellow and malaria fevers, and will use long sleeves and repellent and bed nets. Ill actually be in VZ the same day of this referendum vote Chavez thing when there vcould be tremendous social upheaval. that scares me too.

Thanks very much for that! I do feel a little better, the only thing that sets me off is that people are always referring to me as 'brave'...

I hear you on that! I bet most of the travelers here could say that too.

There are so many people who would never consider taking a long-haul trip. The thought of a distant journey scares the hek out of so many people. Many of those people who believe everything they hear. They listen to the news and take it so literally that they're terrified to step outside their own country. I say the people who don't travel are nuts.

I still remember the time right before I left on my first solo journey to SEA. My parents thought I was totally nuts. My friends thought I was 'brave' and many thought mostly about the negatives, the What If's.

It wasn't really bravery, just a deep curiosity and the brains enough to know that we're all just people around the world going through life and taking on the same struggles as everyone else, each in our own, unique cultures. There's so much to gain through world travels.

You're going to have the time of your life and I bet before you ever reach home you'll be making another destination list!

If you have any questions about SEA, Brazil or Peru, feel free to mail me.

[wakingdream]

Hi

I've just joined the forum and was about to put up the exact same post! I too am a 25 yr old female travelling solo and am coming to SA in may, landing in Chile and hoping to go to Bolivia, argentina and home from Brazil.

So, having done it, do you have any advice or tips on routes, transport, safety etc?? Did you meet many other females travelling alone?

Thanks!!

Hey!

Welcome aboard! Your trip sounds great too! You know, the best advice is to keep your eyes and ears open and your wits about you and still have fun too! Common sense goes a long way. It's not fun to travel paranoid and not everyone is out to get you, but the reality is your an easier target for people looking to scam you etc. I'd personally get a good guide book for the areas you're traveling to. Read up on the safety sections and become familiar with common scams in different parts of the world. You could also get info online easily, just google it. This will get your mind more in tune to what you need to be aware of.

You will meet tons of people, I can promise you that. I met all kinds of people, both male and female. A few I traveled with here and there, some I met in passing and had great conversations with. You'll definitely meet all kinds of like-minded people. You don't have to worry at all about that!

As for routes, to each his own. Start off with some places you know you'd like to see. Check it all out on a map and plan your journey your way. Each journey is as unique as the person. In other cases you'll end up on the beaten track and there's nothing wrong with that either. The beaten track is usually the one full of the top attractions and if you've never been you'll want to see them. Plus, the beaten track can e a nice place for a first-time stint overseas

My most common mode of transport in all those places, I'd say, is bus, especially South America. In SEA, for the longer hauls, I prefer the train. Some people prefer to fly, which is easy and cheap too. Up to you. Just rest assured that everything you need will be accessible to you.

Have a great time