Solo travel doesn’t just require courage, it requires strategy. In Part 1, I talked about holding your boundaries, trusting your instincts, and not performing politeness for strangers. Now I want to go even deeper into the tactical moves I’ve learned over time from being a traveler abroad, raising 3 children in Detroit and Los Vegas to writing a book over a decade ago called Confessions from a Las Vegas Hairstylist, where I met women who had been human trafficked. These are the habits that have kept me safe on the road, in cities, in markets, and even in remote landscapes.
This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being unapologetically aware.
1. Watch Who's Watching You Subtly
I’m always scanning. Not nervously intentionally.
When I’m moving around solo, I make it a habit to check who’s clocking me. And when I sense that someone might be following or watching too closely, I do something that throws them off:
👉🏽 I look in the opposite direction of where I actually plan to go.
Predators often try to “lead” you positioning themselves ahead to act like they were already going that way. But if you suddenly turn the other way or switch directions, you’ll catch their true intentions. I've seen the look of disappointment on a man’s face when I went the opposite direction. Good. He wasn’t getting a chance.
2. Don’t Ask Strangers Randomly for Directions
Let me be clear:
I don’t ask people on the street where anything is especially banks, ATMs, or hotels. That opens a window for being marked.
Instead, I’ll:
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Go into a restaurant, store, or hotel lobby and ask staff directly.
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Use a map or pre-download what I need before heading out.
Get Your Guide for unforgettable travel experiences, things to do and trip inspiration.
Someone once asked where the bank was out loud while we were walking and that was a hard no for me. That’s the kind of detail you don’t broadcast when you’re solo or even in a group to be honest . People are watching. And sometimes, that’s their job.
3. Control the Money Narrative
I keep my money broken down exact change in different pockets.
Why?
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If someone sees me counting large bills, it signals opportunity. Trust me, I've been through it.
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If I say “this is all I have” and show a small amount, they’re less likely to overcharge me, follow me, or assume I’m loaded.
Smart tips:
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Keep small bills in front or side pockets.
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Never pull out your whole wallet unless you trust the place.
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If bartering, show limited cash never let anyone see your full stash.
4. Hide the Real, Carry the Fake
My purse? That’s for snacks, receipts, lip gloss, and maybe a small umbrella.
My real valuables cash, ID, cards are on me. Usually in a zipped or hidden pocket close to my body, like in my front waistband or inside jacket pocket.
Why?
If someone snatches your bag, they get nothing real.
This habit gives me peace of mind. I can walk freely, knowing that even if someone tried something, they’d get decoys not my essentials.
5. Stay Calm, But Stay Calculated
The truth is, most solo trips go beautifully, I've had some wonderful ones in Central America you can read about in another blog but also concerning in Nigeria. But safety isn’t about fear it’s about respecting reality.
You can:
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Be friendly and cautious.
Be vibing with someone and still have non-negotiable boundaries.
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Be soft and unapproachable to people who feel off.
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Be beautiful and alert as hell.
Your safety comes first every time.
Final Word:
Solo travel is not just a vibe, it’s a skill and as women, we don't just travel. We navigate.
We calculate. We observe. We shift. We survive, and we thrive.
And no, we don’t have to be sweet, soft spoken, or open to every stranger. We also can say no to uncomfortable situations when do trust someone that we're traveling with too. We have to make it home.
If you learned some valuable tips from reading this vlog, please save, comment and check out Part 1 if you haven't seen it.
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