Travel Colombia – Why women should travel alone!

 

Single? Female? Have itchy feet and keen to travel Colombia? Well, let me let you in on a bit of a secret girls – Colombia is calling.

Being a single female and deciding to travel to Colombia alone was definitely one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most fun.

Travelling alone as a female can be daunting, but travelling and living in Colombia alone? You’ve got to be kidding right? No way!

Here are a few reasons why being a single travelling female works in your favor and why you shouldn’t be scared to take the leap to travel abroad alone.

 

 

We’re not threatening

Wait a minute, being non-threatening is supposed to be a good thing? Well yeah, it is. A blonde girl with a backpack is as non-threatening  as they come and as long as you’re in areas that are busy, aren’t dangerous and you’re doing your exploring during the day, chances are things are going to work out fine. Obviously just because you’re non-threatening doesn’t mean you should walk around alone at night or in areas you aren’t familiar with or comfortable in. But it does mean that people aren’t going to be threatened by you and act aggressive toward you without reason.

 

People are more likely to help us and trust us

Colombians are very proud of their country and are very willing to ensure you have a good impression and a great stay while visiting their home. You’ll undoubtedly get the chance to meet some incredibly friendly people and, as long as you are also friendly and welcoming back, they are very likely to go out of their way to help you when you need it. Being approachable and trustworthy also allows you to connect with people and make people feel comfortable when you want to photograph them too. Especially kids and dogs.

 

We make friends easily with both men and women

Being a woman, it can be incredibly easy making friends with both sexes. Whether that means you meet fellow travelers on a bus or at the hostel bar, it can be very easy for a lone woman to make friends with groups or other lone travelers. Spot a friendly group or a foreign-looking person and go up and say hi. Travelling alone doesn’t actually mean you ever really have to travel alone, so start making friends.

 

 

We can blend in easily

Buy some tight jeans and some big dangly earrings, pop on some eye makeup and voilá, you’re Colombian! Well, maybe not. But we can blend in remarkably well when we want to. Learn some Spanish before you get here so when you head to the shops or jump into a taxi you don’t feel vulnerable or uncomfortable and then you can work on blending in. If you’re a blondie like me, this is going to be harder, but just say you’re from Medellín!

 

You’ll learn to be independent

Sure, you’re probably already independent. Taking the plunge to travel solo has already proven that, but traveling alone as a woman in Colombia will keep you on your toes and will also force you to make pressing decisions. You won’t have anyone else around to make them for you. You’ll be on the road, listening to your gut, following your instincts and ultimately turning into the best, or worst-cum-best, version of yourself.

 

Be Open

You are going to have to learn to be open and accept things as they are or else you’ll be eager to jump on the next flight back “home”. Being a solo female traveler in Colombia means you’re going to have to accept your surroundings, be alert and trust strangers, cautiously of course. You’ll reinvent yourself, you’ll learn to love your own company, you’ll fall in love, make bad choices and do things that you never thought you would ever have the guts to do. Travelling solo anywhere is fun and scary but travelling solo as a women in Colombia is one of the best things you could ever choose to do.

 

Animal instincts

Us women, and of course you guys too, have some serious animal instincts going on so be sure to listen to them. Don’t take anything for granted and even when you think you can let your guard down, always stay alert. And that goes for whether you are travelling Colombia, or anywhere else in the world. Listen to your instincts, do your research before you travel and stay safe, but ultimately go out, enjoy yourself and get the most out of your trip.

 

Sarah