Essential Tips for Women Traveling Solo in 2022 - Peru Hop (2023)

More and more female solo travelers are taking life by the horns and taking their holidays into their own hands. Over the past year there has been a surge in the number of strong and powerful women who have decided now is the time to spread their wings and try their hand at solo travel. Female solo travelers are some of the bravest and most independent people on the planet, but when planning that independence, a little preparation never hurt anyone.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone as a woman?

The world is a huge place and with so much to see and do it's a wonder everyone can choose a base. There are also a few things to consider when deciding where to go. This decision is exacerbated when you have decided to travel alone. You hear a lot about traveling solo being the best thing to do, but it also comes with a lot of downsides. Some of theadvantageThis includes being able to choose where you go, how long you stay there, and abruptly change plans without being carried out by a fellow traveler.

Some of theContrastit's language barriers, personal safety and sometimes loneliness. All of these things are things that can be overcome with a little thought and deliberation. If you decide to travel to a country whose language you don't speak, consider a few useful phrases so you can communicate effectively. Try to have them phonetic (so you can pronounce them) and correct (so a local can read them if need be).

Loneliness is greatfraudbut it's something that comes and goes. With every trip, you're likely to go through a phase where you don't meet anyone you really get along with. This is okay and even normal. Stay in hostels with other travelers and take part in organized group tours to meet people and bring a great book and notebook so that in any downtime you can really get to know each other when you don't have anyone to click with .

You will find that there are some questions that are fairly standard opening questions for most travelers and lead to real conversations, connections and friendships. The best thing you can do is take a deep breath and relax. If necessary, you can exchange the accommodation you are staying in for one with a more convivial atmosphere. Remember that as a solo female traveler this is your journey and you can do whatever you want.

an honest onefraudIf you're a solo traveler and one thing that can affect your budget is that you don't have anyone to split the cost between the taxis to and from the bus and train stations. However, every coin has a flip side, and that means you are open to meeting other people sitting next to you on a bus. APeru-Hopfen, we've received countless messages from solo female travelers telling us how they met an amazing group of friends or even their significant other just by sitting next to them on our buses.

Get chat while traveling alone

A largeProfiTraveling alone as a woman means you can really set your own itinerary. No one complains that you want to drive around for two hours to see Ecuador's oldest church, and no one tows you to another burger joint while you try to explorelost city of the incas. There is so much freedom when you travel alone, especially as a woman.

Personal safety tips for women traveling alone

Here are some tips for solo female travelers on how to stay safe. This advice has been generalized to better suit the situations of most female solo travelers.

• Travel with reliable companies, both for long-distance travel and tours.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, if you are in a busy bus station or a crowded bar, be extra vigilant. Have fun, but don't lose yourself in the moment.
• Use common sense, don't walk alone at night, stay on busy routes and keep your bag close at all times.
• Keep an eye on your drinks, don't accept drinks from strangers and, if possible, watch your drink being made.
• Use taxi apps and send your location and taxi number plate to someone you trust when you get into a taxi.
• Be vigilant at bus stops, airports, etc. These are entry points for thieves.
• When traveling on long-distance buses, carry a small bag with your valuables on your knees. Petty theft is common.
• Use a lock on your hostel locker and, if possible, one on your actual bag.
• Do not use ATMs at night, especially outside of the tourist areas of major cities.
• Do not carry large amounts of money with you. Carry only the cash you need for the day.
• Write down important information such as your passport number, travel insurance number, local emergency number and the address of your local embassy and keep this information with you. It also doesn't hurt to know a few phrases in the local language in case you need to ask for help.
• Watch out for strangers. Traveling is great for meeting people, but be careful and listen to what your gut tells you about someone. If you don't like their vibes, move on.
• If you feel like you're being followed, don't hesitate to go to a store and ask for help, or just stay there until the person leaves.
• Get a local SIM card so you can make phone calls and access the internet when you need it.
• Have an offline map and translator app on your phone so you don't get lost.
• Trust your instincts, they got you this far!

Stay social as a solo female traveler

An important part of solo travel is the social aspect. It's great to be independent and do what you want, when you want. But at the same time, one of the best things about traveling is the people you meet along the way. Anyone who has experienced life as a woman traveling alone can tell you that sometimes you meet up with lifelong friends and sometimes you don't. The moments when you don't are just as precious, but they can get a little lonely.

When you're stuck in a hostel that doesn't have enough reservations, is full of people who don't want to go out, or is insomehow differentdoesn't meet your expectations for your trip, then remember: nothing will keep you there.

Likewise, if the hostel is too full, if someone disturbs you, you can leave. You travel for yourself, you don't need to make yourself uncomfortable for anyone.

Join Facebook groups and discussions about the country you're traveling to, you can meet other travelers, hear about their experiences and even meet them for tours and hikes you know you don't want to do alone.

Be open to new experiences with new people, but prepare to have some with yourself, too. One of the best things about solo travel is that you have the freedom to learn about yourself in a way you've never had before. You can get to know yourself without the interruptions of what society expects of you. Take the opportunity and love yourself!

Deciding where to travel as a solo woman

Deciding where is best to travel as a woman traveling alone can be one of the most difficult decisions of your trip. Each continent has pros and cons, and it really comes down to what you want out of your trip. EnterEuropabeautiful architecture to see. EnterNorth Americafor vibrant cities. TripAsiaexperience a whole new culture. EnterAfricaif you want to get off the beaten track and see stunning scenery. If you want to experience a bit of all of the above, then consider itSouth America.

Of theGalapagos Islandsin Ecuador an derlet's sleepIn Bolivia, South America really is a continent that packs a punch. You can learn more about the Incas in Peru and relax on the beautiful white beaches of PeruColombia.

Of all the countries in South America, Peru is undoubtedly the country that really packs a punch. You can see one of the new 7 wonders of the world with Machu PicchuCuzco, learn the language of the Incas (Quechua) from the natives as you tour thesaints Tal. You can seeHuacachina, the only oasis in the South American desert, and the"The Galapagos of the Poor"in Paracas. You can head north and enjoy the beaches ofLostor head into the trees and experience the Amazon jungle for yourself, a place unlike any other in the world. Check out this blog on the topicThe 10 best things to do in Peru!

Safety when traveling alone as a woman in Peru and South America

Latin America as a whole generally has a bad reputation when it comes to women's safety. Of course, there are things to consider wherever you travel as a solo female traveler, and Peru is no different. But in general, South America is neither more dangerous nor less dangerous for travelers than any other part of the world.

Peru Hop staff have shared countless hours of experience with solo travelers in Peru to ensure the safety issues faced by solo female travelers are addressed. Bus terminals are often located in a part of the city far from the tourist areas and pickpockets and thieves have been known to be found in these areas (as in all parts of the world). Our hotel takes care of thatHostel pick up and drop off points, meaning you stay and stay in the safe districts of the city. This will also help you avoid taxis and the unnecessary costs that come with them.

In general it is best to avoid taxis in Peru unless they are booked by your hotel or hostel or a taxi app. Unless your Spanish is impeccable, expect to pay a premium for a street taxiavoidTake non-community sponsored taxis. You can tell if a taxi is sponsored by the municipality by the number plate printed in yellow on the doors. When hailing a taxi off the street, always write down the license plate number before getting in and share your location with someone you trust.

While not necessarily a safety issue, language barriers are certainly something all travelers should be aware of, especially solo female travelers. If you get lost, you may find it difficult to return to your known location, take the wrong bus, or face many more potential disasters. Luckily Peru Hop has oneLocally trained bilingual guide on board each bus. All guides are enthusiastic about their work and their country and always ready to help you. Whether it's brushing up on your Spanish, translating a menu, or going out for a drink with you in the evening, they're more than happy to help anyone on board the bus. This is the magic of the Peru Hop family!

It's more than just guidebooks that make Peru Hop stand out. Each bus is equipped and monitored with a GPS tracking device. This ensures that we always drive the safest route between each location and that there are no unauthorized stops along the way. Unfortunately, bus hijackings and thefts do happen in Peru, but Peru Hop works hard to ensure this doesn't happen to our buses and with a 100% clean safety record, we do an excellent job of getting our travelers to their destinations. .

We are a bus company, but we are not a normal bus company. That's why we have a partnership withrecommended tour operator. We have worked with many of these operators for years and we trust their skills and precautions. We only work with agencies that have the appropriate level of certification and have proven to us time and time again that they can offer our passengers the best possible experience.

We consistently ensure customer satisfaction by having a dedicated team within the company to answer any questions or concerns and provide expert advice for all your concerns.

Make the most of your trip to Peru

If you have decided to travel to Peru as a solo traveler, know that you are not alone. Peru has an increasingly thriving tourist industry, but at such an immense size (1.285 million km²) there is much more to see than just the Inca capital of Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Without reservation, we recommend that you take a little time during your trip to Peru to get to know the rest of the country. See more than the capitalLimaand Cusco, home of Machu Picchu. of the world famousTiticacaseeand the floating islands of the Uros to the mysteriousNazca Lines. Peru is a country where you will ask yourself many questions: about history, about life, about yourself and much more.

With so much to see and do in Peru, trying to navigate travel logistics is another stressful thing that's best not to worry about at times. At Peru Hop, any concerns that come with being a woman traveling alone have already been carefully considered and taken care of.

With direct hotel and hostel pickup and drop-off, and stops at all the major attractions en route from Lima to Cusco, there's not much to complain about. It's much more difficult to miss a bus that stops at your doorstep than to miss one that is an hour away from where you are in a foreign city! We make stops along the way for you to eat at local restaurants and we even stop at someincredible placesthat most tourists don't touch.

Completely free with every passing trip, these stops allow you to see incredible bits of Peruvian history. These are things that would otherwise be too remote to visit, something that falls victim to a tight schedule, or even a hidden gem that you didn't discover while exploring the country.

From the secret slave tunnels located under a hacienda in Chincha to the Nazca Lines lookout point in Nazca. Yes, you can even see the world famous lines without spending time in the city of Nazca. Perfect for solo female travelers in a hurry!

Travel South America and stay sociable

Since Peru Hop is a bus company specially designed for travelers, you will be automatically accompanied during your trip. You can meet people on the bus and if you want to spend the day with them, great. If you decide to spend time alone, that's okay too. The culture of having a whole bus full of like-minded people is like no other. Many of our travelers have contacted us and told us that they have met other Peru Hop drivers across the country, both on and off the bus.

At Peru Hop we have received thousands of messages informing us that our female solo travelers have met a great group of lifelong friends and even some people who met on the bus. Like traveling alone, Peru Hop is what you make of it. It's the perfect way to travel independently, but never alone.

Traveling alone, especially as a woman, is a beautiful thing. It's a bold decision that will change you for the better in many ways that you may not realize until you get home. In a time of personal growth and experiences, solo travel is a great way to capture both. To start planning your trip, take a look at thesesuggested routes!