First Solo Female Travel: 13 Things I’ll Never Do Again
Traveling alone has been one of the most empowering experiences of my life, but it hasn’t come without a few hard lessons. After several trips on my own, I’ve learned what makes solo adventures unforgettable—and what I’ll never do again. That’s exactly why I wanted to share my solo female travel advices: honest, practical tips based on my experiences.
In April 2021, I had been dreaming for months about traveling to Costa Rica, but life kept getting in the way—the timing never felt right, and I kept postponing it. On a weekend getaway with my friend, we met a guy and ended up talking with him for hours. He told us about his life working remotely while solo traveling around the world (esp Latin America). When I shared my fears about traveling alone, he reassured me with stories of all the women he had met on the road, most of them even younger than me, who were exploring by themselves. His words planted a seed in my mind and made me start considering it seriously.
When I got back to Paris, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I started digging into everything about solo travel — especially for women. Safety. Planning. Destinations. The people you meet along the way. I thought about it endlessly. I was constantly checking Google Flights and one day I decided Costa Rica was the right pick . I just couldn’t let it go.
01 – Not Trusting My Gut
When your gut tell you something, listen to it ! Sometimes you’re wondering why but from my experiences it has always a good reason or if your ineer self is telling you something it means he had some infos you didn’t.
02 – Overpacking : Things I’ll Never Wear
For my first back pack trip to Costa Rica i went to decathlon 2 days before my trip and bought a 30L bag. I wanted a bag that could be a carry on so no need to wait it on the luggage treadmill, being lost, opened or paying an extra. If you don’t to pu it in the plane’s storage, then it means you don’t neither need to come in advance to check in.
Morevover, when you travel you figure out that you mostly wear the same outfits, bikinis and sweater so why bringing 6 bikinis when you know you’ll only wear 3 ? (they are very light and small but imagine the same with trousers and dresses)
03 – Keeping my Itinerary Only For Myself
When traveling solo, i’ll mostly share my plans with my familly or close friends but I won’t with people i barely know tho. I want to keep it private. I never had the experience of someone following me (fingers crossed) but i consider it safer and also if meeting one day a “hard to be around” person then they won’t do the same itinerary.
04 – Trying to Tick Every Locations
Before going to a new place i’ll do my research on blogs, instagram and i’ll pin the location on google maps. When you’re in a city for 2 or 3 days you know that you probably won’t come back before a certain time (or maybe never) so you’re trying to get the most of it ! Fair enough. But is “the most of it” necesarely means ticking every places that are a must do ? Not for me.
I often wake up early in the morning to fully explore the places but i found out that i prefer to be fully present at one location (having a coffee and reading your book on a terrace; doing a free walking tour to learn more about the culture) instead of just running to every location taking 3 pictures and leaving.
05 – Arriving at Night Time To New Places
Honestly, I never arrive somewhere super late, especially if it’s a new place. Showing up in the dark, tired, and a bit lost? No thanks. One time, I got to the hostel way after dark, arriving from a long trip from France and the door was locked. I tried to open it and knocked. Fifteen long, freezing minutes later, someone finally showed up and let me in. (I didn’t warn anyone of my late come since i didn’t calculate the exact arrival time). Not exactly what i expected with my first hours in KL.
Since then, I always aim to arrive earlier. Way safer and less stressful to get there during daylight or early evening. If something goes wrong you’ll alway have time to figure out a plan B without being stuck in the middle of nowhere. No struggling or weird vibes.
06 – Not Researching About Local Transports
Look, I used to just wing it, thinking I’d “figure it out when I get there”… until I found myself standing at a random bus stop with zero clue if the bus was coming in 5 minutes or 5 hours. Now, I always do a quick check before I go—like, do I need a transport card? Is there Uber? Are buses even a thing here? A tiny bit of research saves a lot of wandering around looking lost (in which you look 10 times more vulnerable).
One thing I never skip anymore? Checking how local transport actually works. In some places, you can flag a taxi like in the movies. In others (like parts of South America), you absolutely don’t. I found that out the hard way when I hopped into a random taxi parked in the street in Costat Rica (probably waiting for blond european solo female traveler…haha). The driver took a selfie with me over his shoulder while driving. Now I always check: can you grab a cab on the street? Do you need to call one? Is Uber safer or legal? Does it even exist? (Replaced by “Grab” in SE ASIA for ex). Just a quick Google before landing can save you from some seriously weird (and unsafe) rides.
07 – Booking a Place Without Reading Reviews
Could turn that it’s a “party hostel” while you’re looking for quiet place to work; reading comments will tell you what to expect : The neighbouroud, clean, noise …. Honestly Booking.com rates is something i always trust and check before going to a place. I never had a surprise if you read comments before.
08 – Going Out at Night by Myself
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a solo female traveler is that nighttime can change the atmosphere of a place completely. A street that feels perfectly safe during the day can suddenly feel intimidating after dark. I used to think going out alone for a drink or a walk would be fine, but it often left me feeling on edge instead of free. Now, if I want to enjoy the nightlife, I make sure to join a group from my hostel, book a guided evening activity, or simply save that cocktail for a cozy spot earlier in the day. Traveling solo is about confidence, but it’s also about knowing your limits and listening to your instincts.
09 – Wearing Gold Jewelry
Wearing a gold necklace (eye-catching) and a watch are not what I would recommend for a solo trip. When arriving in a new country you don”t know anything about the culture the safety (even tho you read articles), you’re new to everything so you don’t want to attract eyes on you. You want to keep it simple and minimalist. For my solo trip i’m only wearing jewels made of pearls, shellfish when first coming to new places and i keep my nice jewels either home or in my bag depending on the destination.
10 – Drinking Too Much (Alcool)
1 or 2 beers ? okey. But being tipsy is def not what you want when being solo.
When being solo, you are the only person who can look after you. You need to be fully present to take care and protect yourself. For me when going out, i’ll get 1 or 2 beers and that’s it. I’m aware that after starting to drink more you can be less aware and become more vulnerable. Friends you’ve meet at the hostel, most of the time, are people you’ve met an hour ago, one day ago or 3 days ago. I’ve became more aware of what could happen to me.
11 – Acting Like I’m Lost
Similar as not wearing jewelry or expensive items on you, you don’t want to be seen more vulnerable than you are already. If you don’t know the way you should take and want to check it on your phone i would rather enter a shop, check my phone for a few minutes and once outside i would walk with a determinate walk instead of just wandering and looking up or like “trying to find help”.
12 – Not Having Any Cash On Me
I used to think having just my card was enough… until I ended up in a tiny village in Costa Rica where nothing took cards. No hostel payment, no sim card, nada. And of course, my bank app decided not to work either. Cue me, sweaty and panicking, sprinting from the hostel to the only ATM in town — which, by the way, wouldn’t let me withdraw until like 10 minutes before my bus was leaving. Now? I always keep some local cash on me. It’s not about being old school, it’s about not turning your trip into a dramatic race against time just to buy a SIM card and catch your bus.
Always grab a bit of local cash as soon as you can — at the airport, a reliable ATM, or even exchange a small amount before you leave. Even if most places say they take cards, there’s always that one hostel, food stand, or bus station that doesn’t. Having some cash on hand saves you the stress (and the cardio). Plus, it just feels good to know you’re covered if Wi-Fi’s down, your card glitches, or you end up somewhere beautifully remote… and totally cash-only.
Reflections on solo travel
Embarking on my first solo female travel adventure was eye-opening, challenging, and unforgettable. While I made mistakes and learned what not to do, every experience taught me more about myself, my limits, and the freedom of traveling alone.
To anyone considering their first solo trip: don’t be afraid, plan wisely, and trust your instincts. Solo travel is empowering, full of surprises, and a chance to truly connect with the world — and yourself.
To anyone considering their first solo trip: take these lessons, pack your courage, and start planning your own journey. The world is waiting, and your first solo adventure is closer than you think. Whether it inspires you to plan another solo trip or simply teaches you something about yourself, solo travel is an experience I believe everyone should try — it challenges you, helps you grow, and brings out the best version of yourself.
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