10 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE SOLO TRAVEL
1.You will get really comfortable in your own company
I was really freaked out going alone until I realised how great my own company is.
Think of it this way. Travelling on your own forces you to get really comfortable in your own company and travel to your own rhythm. You're forced to listen to your own gut and make decisions based on what is right for you instead of bending to the pressures of a group.
Don't get me wrong, having people to share your experiences with is just as rewarding. However there are times where you really just need to do what's right for you and what you want to do, instead of tagging along in a group, just for the fear of being alone.
2. You're not the only one
Sometimes the idea of solo travel can feel crazy and it's easy believe you'll be alone the whole time.
Trust me, you're not the only one.
Before coming to South America I was totally freaked out about being a solo female traveller. It's good to be up to date about the situation of the countries you're travelling in, but a lot of the time our perceived dangers of a country can be highly exaggerated by the media and by ourselves.
I've met a lot of solo travellers in South America and now I really can't imagine why I held myself back so much.
3. Spending an extra $1 or 2 on a dorm room goes a long way
Feeling safe and being safe is a priority. I will spend more to ensure this. Booking a female dorm for an extra $1 or 2 not only put me in the company of fellow female solo travellers but often gives me peace of mind and a better nights' sleep. I've also met other travellers by just staying in a smaller dorm, who have become great travel buddies for a week or two.
In Bolivia, I had the choice of a private room for 45B or a dorm room for 40B in one place. Of course I went for the private!
If your goal is to go for as long as possible, then it makes sense to save on the extra $1 here and there. But being able to spend that little bit extra, can also be well worth the investment.
4. Get a local sim card
When I first started travelling, I avoided getting one of these to save a few dollars. It's important to tell your friends or family where you're staying and where you're going and a good wifi connection is not always guaranteed.
In cities, call a taxi or an Uber when walking home late at night when you're not familiar with your surroundings.
On a few occasions I've shared my location with friends on google maps so they can track exactly where I am.
5. Get a private room from time to time
Getting time to yourself when you travel is surprisingly a huge pro. Staying in hostels is a lot of fun and one of the best ways to meet people, not to mention much cheaper. But having your own space after a few weeks can be priceless at times.
Handy tip: If staying in a city, a private room on Airbnb can sometimes be of the same value, if not cheaper than a decent dorm room in a hostel.
6. Trust your gut
When I first started travelling, I'd often tell myself very different things depending on if it was my fear or my gut talking.
A recent hike I did in Santiago, I was completely alone on the trail. I wanted to hike but suddenly I was totally freaked out being alone and a million random scenarios started to go through my mind. What if something happens to me? Am I even on the right hiking trail? What if someone comes out of the forest and attacks me?
I let the fear get to me and I turned around, ready to give up on the hike. Ten minutes on my way back, I heard two Chilean girls and relief swept over me.
I had pretty much fabricated all my fears and let it get to me. After speaking to the two girls, it turns out I was really close to the top anyway.
Sometimes the voice might be a really quiet one but trust your gut.
Santiago from above. I almost didn't make it.
There was no one else at the top and I had this view to enjoy all to myself.
7. Lie ocassionally
On numerous occasions I've told taxi drivers I have a friend waiting for me at my accommodation. Or I'm meeting up with someone.
Rarely do I tell people I am travelling solo, where I'm really from or where I live. Wait until you trust someone or feel comfortable.
8. Learn some of the local language
Not only do locals warm up to you faster when you do this, but you'll find it much easier to navigate yourself around a country knowing the basics.
I took a weeks worth of Spanish lessons in Bolivia which proved to be priceless. It's opened up many more doors and being able to do basic things like buy a bus ticket or ask for directions has made travelling much smoother!
9. Don't feel bad about skipping destinations or activities
A friend of mine was feeling bad about skipping the Amazon Rainforest in Bolivia. She told me about how a couple she had met made her feel like she had missed the most amazing thing ever.
Visiting the Amazon Rainforest in Bolivia will be an awesome experience but it doesn't mean it's going to be an awesome experience for you.
The more you travel, the more you'll find what you love. It might be chilling on beautiful beaches and surfing in Bali, hiking mountains or finding the best bars in a city.
Do what you love to do and excites you. Above all, don't try to do everything!!
10. Find your own rhythm
Travelling solo can be really daunting at first. I used to be a massive planner and needed to know everything about a destination before I showed up.
Now I'm pretty happy if I have a couple of nights booked just to get a feel for the place. I've become much more comfortable planning a day or two in advance than 2-3 weeks in advance.
Whether it means having two weeks fully booked in advance or two days, go at your own beat. Forget what anyone else is doing.
This is your journey. Your path. Your experience.
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