Solo travel has become a real trend: freedom of movement, complete immersion in the culture of another country, the opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle. It would seem that what could be better?
However, this type of tourism has a downside - safety. Especially when it comes to women. Some countries are so dangerous for female travelers that it is better not to even go there without a reliable escort. And it's not just pickpockets and street scammers: some parts of the world have high rates of crime, violence and kidnapping, and female tourists are often victims of criminals. Which places are better to exclude from the list of your adventures?
South Africa is the leader in terms of violence
The Republic of South Africa is an absolute anti-record holder in terms of safety. Only 25% of local women say they feel calm when returning home at night. And this is not surprising: the country has long been notorious for high levels of sexual violence. According to statistics, more than 40% of South African women have faced aggression on the street at least once in their lives. Tourists are even easier prey: about 70 women go missing in the country every year, and not all of them can be found.
Add to this the high murder rate, the dominance of criminal gangs and weak police work - and you get a country that is completely unsuitable for a safe vacation alone.
Brazil – creepy favelas and violent crime
It would seem that Brazil is a country of endless carnival, football and hot samba rhythms! But behind the bright picture there is a completely different reality. Only 28% of women in the country say they feel safe. Brazil has the third highest rate of intentional homicide among women in the world, and female tourists are often victims of violence.
A separate topic is favelas, slums, where it is better not even to go. The law does not apply here, and it is easier not to interfere. If in large cities tourists can still move with caution, then in remote areas it is better not to appear at all.
The Dominican Republic is a paradise for scammers and kidnappers
The Dominican Republic is known as a country of sunny beaches and resorts, but local criminals have their own entertainment. Tourists here are a desirable prey, and scammers are inventing new ways to get other people's money. On the streets there are fake ATMs in which devices read card data, on the roads there are "express kidnappings": a tourist can be lured into a taxi in which fake passengers are already sitting, and after that no one will hear about her.
Disappearances of people are recorded regularly, and the crime rate is growing from year to year. Solo travelers in the Dominican Republic should definitely not feel relaxed.
Mexico is a country of drug cartels
Mexico is always on the list of countries where tourists should be careful! Showdowns of drug cartels, armed attacks, kidnappings for ransom - all this happens in the country regularly.
Usually, tourists do not become the main targets of bandits, but being in the epicenter of a shootout is a very real risk. If scammers see an unaccompanied woman, she automatically falls into the category of "easy prey". Local criminals especially count on the gullibility of foreign tourists, and European women arouse maximum interest among attackers.
Pakistan – the risk of not returning home
Pakistan may seem exotic and unusual, but it is actually one of the most unsafe countries in the world. In 147th place in terms of security, with regular terrorist attacks and weak tourism, this country is not about comfortable trips. Especially if you are a woman.
If local residents are limited in freedom here, then foreign women arouse genuine interest. A girl unaccompanied by a man is a rarity, and this can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences.
Somalia is "hell on earth"
If the other countries on the list are simply not safe, Somalia is already a real war zone. In 2021, the country was again included in the ranking of the most dangerous places for tourists. Shootings, assaults, kidnappings, sexual violence – all this happens on a regular basis here. Those who decide to travel to Somalia often hire security, otherwise the risk of not returning back becomes too high.
A woman alone in this country is a potential victim of kidnapping, who can easily fall into slavery.
India is a country of contrasts and danger
Despite its spirituality and beauty, India is one of the most unsafe countries for women. A significant number of sexual crimes is recorded here, while not all cases are included in the statistics: due to the weak work of the police, criminals often go unpunished.
Foreign women arouse increased interest in India: they are photographed, harassed on the streets, and some men directly offer to "get closer". Given that there is a significant preponderance of the male population in the country, this leads to great tension.
Morocco – Deception, theft and discrimination
In Morocco, tourists should be especially careful. Robbers on motorcycles, pickpockets, dummy merchants - everyone here is determined to rob a gullible guest.
But if a man risks losing only money, then a woman faces much more serious problems. Morocco ranks tenth in the world in terms of discrimination against women, and about 45% of local women are subjected to violence by partners. For tourists, this means one thing: you can't relax. A lonely woman on the street will not be allowed to pass quietly, and signs of attention from local men are rarely polite.
Is it worth the risk?
Solo travel is freedom, but in some countries it is better not to practice this format, especially when it comes to places with high levels of crime, violence and discrimination.
If you still decide to travel, you need to prepare carefully: study the safety rules, plan the route in advance and not be left alone in unfamiliar places.
But perhaps sometimes it is worth choosing a safer direction - to bring back from the trip not terrible memories, but pleasure and inspiration.
