Solo Travel Guide For Globetrotting Girlies

You can also find guides by checking the businesses listed on the destination’s tourism website or by searching sites such as Viator.com or GetYourGuide.com.

I think I’d rather go with a group. Where can I find group trips that cater to Black culture?

Groups are beneficial for beginner travelers. Lauren said she likes the group trips planned by companies such as Traveling Black Women, Up In The Air Life, and Nomadness Tribe.

And what about the headlines I’ve read where tourists mysteriously died in their hotel rooms?

Many of those deaths were related to carbon monoxide poisoning. To avoid that, I always bring a carbon monoxide detector that plugs into the wall.

I also bring a door alarm to prevent anyone from entering my lodging without my knowledge. When I arrived at my villa in Guatemala, it was dark and raining, and the security guard got confused. The entry code wasn’t working when he tried to take me to my villa, so he entered through a sliding glass door and let me in. As soon as the door opened, I saw clothes on the table and realized we were in the wrong villa.

We found my villa across the walkway. I made sure to lock my sliding glass door and set my door alarm underneath it, so if anyone entered my unit, I’d know about it. Aside from that, the view from my villa of Lake Atitlan was breathtaking and worth every penny.

Lauren also recommends traveling with a whistle and registering with the United States State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program when traveling abroad. That way, if anything does happen, the U.S. embassy is notified and can assist.

To avoid getting sick, I bring Imodium and Dramamine and follow the medical advice offered on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travel Health Notices for the destination. I also consult with my doctor before traveling abroad to learn about any additional health risks; it’s also a good idea to research the hospitals in your destination and their level of care.

Dramamine definitely came in handy in Guatemala. I knew there were volcanoes in Guatemala, but I thought the highways would have tunnels that go through the mountains as they do in West Virginia, not up and down them. Nearly the entire three-hour ride from the airport in Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan was up and down and around mountains.

Lauren and I are both big proponents of purchasing traveler’s insurance. Typically, it will help you with many unexpected circumstances, including if you get sick.

How do I stay in touch with family while I’m abroad?

In my opinion, the best thing to do is to pay your provider to have cell service and data. Lauren also recommends sharing your location with trusted family members or friends, as well as your itinerary and important documents. To allow myself to use my phone throughout the day, I always bring a portable phone charger.

What do I do about money?

This often depends on the destination, so you’ll have to do your research before traveling. Some places operate as cash-based economies, where most vendors only accept cash, so you’ll want to bring plenty to exchange. I typically keep different amounts in my purse and then more in a thin fanny pack that I wear underneath my clothing.

One thing I learned in Guatemala is to ensure that I bring immaculate bills without tears or writing on them; otherwise, the banks or cash exchange centers may not accept them.

Always bring a travel credit card as well, for emergencies. If American Express is your preferred card, consider bringing a backup, as it may not be as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.

So, tell me, why are solo trips worth the money and risk?

Lauren summarizes this nicely, stating that these trips provide us a rare opportunity to be selfish.

“Black women in particular really need to make creating joy for ourselves a priority…Solo travel for Black women is freedom and intentional joy.” Lauren said. “I gained confidence and reassurance that I can do hard things. I have also gained new friendships along the way.”

The most important piece of travel advice I can give you is to embark on your trip with a positive attitude and travel with an open mind. While mishaps or unexpected things can happen on any trip, the adventures, friendships, and memories you gain from traveling somewhere alone will likely far outweigh the negative and remain with you for years to come.

Have you travelled to another country on your own? Would you like to? Share your thoughts in the comments below.