dangers for solo female

Hi There,

I am a eco-tour guide in the Pantanal(Cuiaba, MT) and I guide a ton of solo females here that been traveling all over Brazil, and the rest of the South America, and they always have a great experience to tell.
You have to remember, you will never be completely alone. You will meet people in the hotels, lodges, planes, buses, tours that are going or went to the places you are or will visit.
Just packed your lonely planet guide, and let the adventure begin...
Good luck! Reply to this

Dear Binks,
This world lives in various fears. It is like I tell you that if you go to Manhattan, New York, you'll see planes crashing into buildings.
Many things does not happen every day.
You probably heard about muggings, robbery, violence...and, yes, it happens. Abductions? Yes. Petty theft? All the time.
But, there are precautions traveller takes, read about it, but don't be worried, or even in panic.
Learn some main things:
1. Never show that you're alone, if asked, when it is not obvious. In some situations you'll have to say that your boyfriend is coming from the bathroom or some similar lie, and there will be no problem.
2. Speak Spanish - that is important, it shows your respect to the locals, and gives better impression, if you're a quick learner, and had some Latin in your life, or if you already know some Spanish - it is very good. Go harder on it. If you didn't - go and learn. You can do it!
3. Be friendly, but not too friendly (so they can get some ideas), be always suspicious and alert, but concentrated, not in any form of panic.
4. Dress moderately and simple, never show jewelery and watch (leave them at home), try to blend in by appearance,
5. Trust, but be decisive when feeling that somebody is trying to cheat on you in any way.
6. Find a travelling companions, these days many women, or groups travel in SA, and you can join in.
7. If you are alone or not, most dangerous places are the overcrowded tourist locations of any kind. And bigger cities. But, it is also not a chaos...
8. Keep your things safe. There is no padlock that can not be broken, that is why the wise traveller always estimates the situation, the places, the people. And never underestimates.
9. Always keep in mind: there is always certain time to leave some place. Find that moment.
10. Change the places, and change your habits, do not get too attached to some people and some places. Be polite, but decisive.

All of that is not a description of 007, just modest and keen traveller who wants to see the most for his decent money. And have fun.
Hope you'll love it.

I can give you the saying that famous Brazilian writer Antonio Olinto told me before I even plunged in SA (we met in Zagreb):
"There is no problem to travel to South America, the problem is that when you feel it, you'll be back for more. It is like a virus. Green Continent can make you a soul prisoner".

Hope you planned it well, have a nice time there, and enjoy. And don't hesitate to ask.

Mike65
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Hi Binks - if you're into quotes, here's another I saw in an outdoor/camping store in Australia; "The only trips I regret are the ones I never took" (I think it was Paddy Pallin) Reply to this

I have found south america to be a wonderful place to travel alone. people are very respectful of women. someone gave you great advice about dressing moderatly and never saying you are alone.....I ALWAYS HAVE A BOYFRIEND when someone asks.....even if he is back in the united states. 😉 if they think you are already taken they will move on. try not to be offended by cat calls, in general they are not threatening. the men are just bored, feeling poetic or want to show off to their friends. i feel that when i get catcalls in the united states they are much more threatening than in south america. Reply to this