As a solo female traveler, safety is a constant priority. For me, feeling safe means being able to walk down the street without having to constantly check my surroundings, or carry my camera on my shoulder without worry.
There are few places where I have felt extremely safe as a solo female traveler. However, I would add that no matter where you go in the world, you should make an effort to be aware of your surroundings and have safety protocols in place. (To that end, I’ve written more about how to travel safely alone.)
Here are the places where I felt safest as a solo traveler.
Rainbow over Honey House Cafe in Kerikeri
Photo: Heather Markel
1. Kerikeri, New Zealand
New Zealand is generally considered a safe country. I was isolated there for 2 years during the pandemic, so I was able to explore the north and south islands quite extensively. I felt particularly safe in Kerikeri, a growing town in the north of the North Island, and chose to live most of the time there. I found that whenever I had the slightest problem, someone was willing to help and it was like their mission in life was to make sure I got what I needed.
This is the only place I’ve been to where I often left my purse full of valuables on a coffee shop table while I went up to the counter to order, and always found everything intact when I sat down.
Pro tip: While the South Island is stunning, try to see the more remote parts of the North Island, which are often overlooked by tourists. Less visited places such as Whanganui, Whangārei and the west coast near Ōmāpere offer great views and spectacular natural formations.
SaPa, rice fields in Vietnam
Photo: Heather Markel
2. Hanoi and Hoi An, Vietnam
Although I speak six languages, Vietnamese is not one of them. So I was worried about how I would understand things only in the cities of Hanoi and Hội An. I didn’t need to worry, as English is widely spoken (although I did try to pick up a few Vietnamese words while traveling). Vietnam is an extremely beautiful country and also a place where you can feel safe traveling alone.
The scariest part of Vietnam, at least in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is crossing the street with all the motorbikes. On my first day in Vietnam, a hotel staff member went out with me and guided me through the traffic! Eventually I learned that things have a rhythm, and I found my moment to pull off the curb and into traffic, and no one hit me. Ho Chi Minh, however, was a different story. I found myself on the corner of a road with 10 lanes of traffic and felt paralyzed. Miraculously, a motorcycle pulled up next to me and signaled me to cross the road, using it as my traffic shield! No words were needed and I felt blessed to have their help.
I took buses and overnight trains from Sa Pa to Ho Chi Minh City, making stops along the way, and never once felt unsafe or worried about my bags. Sa Pa, Hạ Long Bay, Hoi An and Ba Na Hills were some of my favorite places.
Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Photo: Heather Markel
3. Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand
I wasn’t sure what to expect in Bangkok when I visited in October 2019, but I loved it and felt very safe on foot, on public transport and even walking in the more touristy areas. In other places I’ve been, crowds have made me worry about pickpockets. One of my tour guides in Chiang Mai explained that part of the reason it is so safe is that Buddhist values, such as good behavior, are important to people in Thailand. If you go, take a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River and visit all the amazing temples along the way. Floating markets are another must-do activity!
In Chiang Mai, you’ll want to see the elephants – just make sure you choose a reputable company. This is also a great place for a cooking class. Finally, don’t miss the White Temple in Chiang Rai.
Pro tip: There is a train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai which makes this trip very easy.
Edinburgh, Scotland during the day
Photo: Heather Markel
4. Edinburgh and the Highlands, Scotland
Scotland is another country where people go out of their way to be helpful. I spent 6 weeks traveling around Scotland in 2018 and just returned in October for a few weeks this year. On the trains, the staff are extremely helpful, even helping with putting bags on the overhead luggage rack!
What made me feel safe is that strangers were approachable, even talkative. From immigration agents to chivalrous men and friendly bystanders. Edinburgh also has evening ghost tours, so people are out in the city center later in the evening.
I hiked the Highlands, hiked the Cairngorms, sampled Scotland in Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Dalwhinnie, and even took boats to islands like Muck, Skye and the Isle of Arran. I highly recommend walking in the Cairngorms, driving to Glencoe for its stunning views and visiting the Orkney Islands.
Northern Lights, Iceland
Photo: Heather Markel,
5. Reykjavík, Iceland
The first time I went to Reykjavík, in 2015, I learned that it is difficult to find police anywhere, because there is practically no crime. Since then, I’ve been back three more times, most recently in September. People are friendly and because of the northern lights, there are people outside at all hours during the winter, making it feel even safer to walk later in the evening.
Iceland is a fascinating place and requires multiple visits to see everything. On this last trip, I went to Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon, which although tragic because their beauty comes from melting icebergs, are stunning. Must-do activities are the communal hot pools in Reykjavík (less crowded and more authentic than the Blue Lagoon), the black sand beach in Vik, and chasing the northern lights.
Pro tip: The northern lights can actually be seen whenever it’s dark, not just in winter. In Iceland, this is generally from late August to early April. Iceland’s location offers great views of the lights, but its unpredictable weather can get in the way.
Perito Moreno Glacier in El Calafate, Argentina
Photo: Heather Markel
6. El Calafate and Villa La Angostura, Argentina
While I am aware that there are places in Argentina that are considered dangerous, especially in Buenos Aires, I found another side of the country. During my trip, I met a couple of Argentinian women traveling together who took care of me. A pair of friends I made near Bariloche ended up in the town of Villa La Angostura at the same time as me and took me back to where I was staying.
I met another pair of women in El Calafate. They were from Buenos Aires and we met again when I went there. Even when I took a public bus to a beach, the others on the bus saw that I was alone and invited me to sit with them on the beach!
El Calafate is where you can hike the Perito Moreno Glacier and do some of the glacier cruises. It’s also a lovely tourist-friendly town and I felt very safe walking around and eating alone. I recommend trying the yerba mate at Elba’r. The staff are great and will teach you how to prepare and drink it.
Pro tip: Of all the places I’ve been in Argentina, the dogs in El Calafate were the friendliest I’ve ever encountered. Beware, if you pet one, it will follow you around for hours hoping for love and affection.
Rano Raraku quarry, Easter Island
Photo: Heather Markel
7. Easter Island, Chile
I had the pleasure of spending a week on Easter Island in 2019. It’s the only place in the world I’ve been to where, if you rent a car, you’re expected to pick up hitchhikers, and those hitchhikers are other tourists!
The scariest parts of the island were the giant cockroaches and some dark streets at night which were scary because wild horses roam the island. Be sure to carry a flashlight!
One of the most fascinating places I have ever seen is the Rano Raraku quarry, where the iconic Moai stones were made. I learned all the theories, which involved aliens, of how they were transported from that quarry to their current resting places. It’s not cheap to visit, but you’ll never forget it.
Pro tip: Take at least one guided tour. There are fascinating stories to learn about the island and its people that you won’t hear about on self-guided tours.
City center, Zagreb, Croatia
Photo: Heather Markel
8. Zagreb, Croatia
I stayed in Zagreb for a week this summer. I arrived at my hotel after 10pm and it felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. Nothing was open, the street was quiet, and the porter had stayed late to admit me to my room. The next day, I discovered that I had lucked into a residential area, away from the tourists, and that it was perfectly safe to walk at night. In fact, I felt so safe that I liked to have dinner downtown and take the tram back to my hotel.
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Zagreb, you might want to read more about my experience in Zagreb. The highlights for me were the free walking tour, the Museum of Illusions and the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Pro tip: Because Dubrovnik and Split are where most tourists go, you’ll find Zagreb less touristy and less expensive.
For more about the destinations mentioned in this article, read:
