The year 2023 saw more and more Americans turning to solo travel. There is an undeniable sense of freedom, independence, and fulfillment in enjoying a break on your own. It could be the perfect opportunity to slow down, unwind, reflect, and make new friends. For some, traveling solo has become the go-to option when their interests don’t align with those of their friends and family.
But despite the many perks, concerns about safety can often deter female travelers from setting off on a solo vacation. If this sounds like you, here are five vacation spots in the U.S. for you to plan your next solo getaway with absolute peace of mind.
5 Safest Vacation Spots in the U.S. for Female Travelers
1. New Hampshire
According to ConsumerAffairs, New Hampshire is the second-safest state in the U.S., with low rates of robberies, aggravated assaults, and vehicle thefts.
Its abundant forests, mountains, beaches, and ports make it the perfect destination for solo vacationers seeking outdoor adventure.
2. Delaware
This state consistently turns up among the safest places in the United States under different ranking lists.
Delaware is an excellent choice when you want a laid-back experience to unwind and relax in a small-town environment with plenty of historical places to explore.
3. Vermont
Vermont was a favorite among female solo travelers in 2023, partly thanks to its safety track record.
It also has much to offer when it comes to stunning scenery, lakes, and mountains.
4. Minnesota
Known for its low crime rates, Minnesota is home to some of the safest neighborhoods in the country.
This state is not just about lakes and waterfalls, either. You will find plenty of things to do in the city, from shopping at the Mall of America to enjoying art and culture at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
5. Hawaii
While Hawaii may not be the ideal location for remote working, it can be the perfect getaway to vacation under the sun. With breathtaking beaches, lush mountain ranges, and friendly locals, it is a favored destination for travelers from around the world. The low crime and violence rates have made it popular among solo female travelers, too.
Essential Safety Tips to Know Before You Travel Solo
The truth is, choosing a safe, female-friendly vacation spot alone will not guarantee a safe and enjoyable travel experience.
Your safety could be compromised in multiple ways, even before you reach your destination. This is why taking adequate measures to prevent and mitigate the risks of travel scams and other crimes is critical when you are planning to vacation on your own.
Here’s what you should know:
1. Research the destination
Why is this important? First of all, it allows you to familiarize yourself with popular travel spots, roads and routes, travel modes, rental companies, and other critical aspects. As a result, you can depend less on others for information and guidance and minimize the risk of bad actors misleading, manipulating, and deceiving you.
Secondly, you get to learn from the experiences of other travelers. Travel reviews are an important source for this. They can give you insights into common challenges, places and activities to avoid, and steps you should take to ensure your safety when exploring a destination by yourself.
2. Plan ahead
Travel preparations should start well before you set off on your vacation.
For instance, arrange and finalize accommodation and identify an additional hotel or motel as a backup. Consider how you will travel when you arrive at the destination. Will you rent a car, use your own vehicle, get a taxi, or opt for public transportation?
Deciding all these ahead and making necessary arrangements will enable you to minimize unexpected challenges and unpleasant surprises. Besides, when you are fully prepared and know what to expect, you can travel like a local, leaving less room for scammers to sap the joy out of your vacation.
3. Protect your privacy
Oversharing personal information with strangers can make you an easy target for crime, especially when you travel solo.
The same goes for your activities on social media. When you let the world know where you are vacationing, with whom, and when, you are giving away all the information criminals require to target you for a scam or other nefarious activity.
For instance, they can break into your home while you are away or plan to scam you when you vacation. Therefore, it is always best to hold your travel updates on social media until you return home.
4. Mind your digital safety
Before you travel, you will likely make online bookings for accommodation, flights, and other travel essentials. This is when many travelers fall victim to cybercrime.
Each year, online scammers devise a variety of schemes to steal money and personal data from unsuspecting travelers. They can, for example, sell fake discounted tickets to an event or direct you to a spoofed airline website to get hold of your credit card details.
You can guard against such online travel scams by avoiding unsolicited promotional links and ads, using verified websites for travel bookings, and researching travel services before you make any purchases.
5. Make use of digital resources
Today, there are a variety of apps and platforms to help ensure a safe and seamless travel experience.
Here are some of the digital resources every solo female traveler must have:
- Google Maps
This is an essential navigation app to have on your phone when you want to find the best routes to destinations without depending on strangers.
- Ride-hailing apps
Lyft, Uber, and similar apps enable you to avoid scams surrounding independent metered taxis, including overcharging customers and shortchanging.
This people search website allows you to reverse search phone numbers and addresses and find information about people by name. When you receive calls from unfamiliar numbers, need to find details about the property you’re renting, or just want to run a background check on someone during your travels, Nuwber is the go-to place.
Wrapping Up
The U.S. is home to several safe, female-friendly destinations for solo travelers. New Hampshire, Delaware, Vermont, Minnesota, and Hawaii rank high among them for low crime rates, safe neighborhoods, and friendly locals.
However, a safety-first approach will never go to waste when you are vacationing on your own. So, remember to take necessary precautions before you set off and remain vigilant when interacting with strangers.
