Safety Tips for Women Traveling in South America

Staying safe in South America is easy enough to do as long as you are smart about what you are doing and aware of your surroundings. Whenever I travel solo in a foreign country, to South America or anywhere else on the globe, I take the time to inform myself about the local culture, learn about all the potential areas that I will be visiting and informing friends and family about my plans as much as possible.

As a woman, there are several things that I need to consider while traveling in South America, that my male relatives never even consider, and so should other women who plan on traveling in South America. Here are several safety tips for women traveling in South America-- some are just common sense and others you might never have considered.

On Arrival
Over and over again on my travels I shake my head at the folks that do not arrive ready to move and dressed for the occasion. This is especially true when traveling to South America, and other foreign countries, because the easiest way to catch the attention of pickpockets, swindlers, or anyone just looking to make a quick buck or harm you in any way, is to look like you do not know what you are doing, where you have landed and cannot manage.

First off, confidence is key. I don't care if you don't speak a lick of Spanish, and have never stepped outside your front door, act like you know where you are going and what it is you want. Trust me, a confident woman will get a lot farther than a woman with a lost puppy look on her face, even when they are just as lost as the other-- you will end up keeping a lot more money in your pocket as well.

Really think about the clothing you are wearing upon arrival and the bags you are carrying-- is it weather appropriate, too dressy or too casual, and can you handle your bags by yourself, are all things you need to be asking yourself.

Getting Around
A lot of the common sense travel type stuff that applies to anyone when traveling, should really be made important if you are a woman traveling by yourself in South America. For starters, it is usually a good idea to hire yourself a guide or local to help you around if you are going to be leaving a larger cities and doing any cross country treks. In countries like Chile, Ecuador and Brazil, guides are in abundance just about anywhere you travel in the country and they are very affordable as well. A guide keeps you from wandering into unsafe locations, getting lost and keeps your guidebook tucked into your bag instead of out, broadcasting the fact that you are a lost tourist.

When getting around on public transportation always be very aware of those around you and your surroundings at the terminal upon arrival and when departing. If someone is going to try and pickpocket you, they are going to do it when you are getting on or as they get off. Every time I have had someone try to grab a bag, or witnessed it happening to someone else, it has always been while waiting to get onto public transportation and boarding, or right as everyone is beginning to unboard.

Lodging Tips
I usually like to stay at hotels that are right in the middle of things, where the staff are quick to interact with their guests and where I can see that there is some care taken to secure the building and the people staying their. Some basics for any woman traveling in South America by herself include, speaking to the staff and letting them know that you do plan on returning to your room in the evening, securing your valuables in the hotel's safe, foregoing and signs on the door for housekeeping-- call them instead, refusing to let anyone in the door that you do not recognize or you did not request service from and I always ask female employees about the safety of the neighborhood at night and during the day.

Culture Shock
On my very first trip overseas, I was given a book by a friend familiar with the country I was traveling to, to help me identify cultural difference and socially acceptable behaviors I would encounter and should be aware of. I recommend that every woman traveling anywhere takes the time out to learn about cultural differences, and what is socially acceptable behavior for women. One of the main reasons women travelers are singled out in foreign countries and find themselves in a situation, is because they have done something that is considered unacceptable in the country they are visiting.

These are just some basic measures and things to think about when you are traveling alone in South America. When it comes to your safety, you want to make sure that you take every precaution possible and trust your instincts. No matter how comfortable you are, the worst thing you could do is let your guard down or blindly trust that everyone you encounter is your friend.