Solo female traveler safety?

[teresab]

Hi - this is a great site, btw! Thanks for all this great info!

I've planned a trip to Nica in March for 2 weeks (very excited for it!!) and will be traveling solo.  I like traveling on my own but i've never been to Central America.  This winter i'll be learning spanish (and hopefully will be a quick learner) but i wont be fluent.  I plan to do some tours - like quetzaltrekkers, etc., but, i'm wonder how safe it is to travel the "chicken" buses, walk through cities or country roads, and spend time on "deserted" beaches by myself.  Is this something advisable if i'm a fairly street savvy gal?  Or, will i be better off to spend more $$ for safer transportation/tour options? I'd prefer not to be stuck with tours so that i can have flexible plans in case i want to spend more/less time somewhere.  If this question was asked before, please point me towards the post - i couldnt find anything else.  Thanks!

thank you!  i've got a little time to change my ticket - dont want to make any changes, but i dont want to end up being paranoid the whole trip either.

cheers,
teresa

[Randall Wood]

Teresa - Glad you are finding this site useful.  We are not aware of many other forums where you can bounce your questions directly off the authors themselves!

Your street saviness will work in your favor and your lack of Spanish will work against you.  In general you can expect minor harrassment as a single female traveler, but not much worse than that.  There are a couple of beaches where you should not travel alone - the Corn Islands are now among the places you may run the risk of violence.  Rather than go with a tour, if you want flexibility, just meet up with other travelers as you go from place to place.  On the gringo trail there are lots of other travelers who will probably be headed to the same places you are.  We mention in the book the hotels that are most popular with travelers; these are probably your best bet for meeting up with adventure companions.

Meanwhile, use your street saviness to your advantage - no coming home late at night, no flashy jewelry, be aware of your surroundings, don't flash money around, and similar.  You are probably safer in Nicaragua, over all, than you would be in Detroit/Washington DC/NYC/Miami.

Also have a look at this thread: http://www.gotonicaragua.com/forum/index.php/topic,38.0.html

[trapper]

I've been twice now to Nica as a solo female, and agree if you use the basic precautions that you would anywhere else, it is not dangerous.  I traveled solo on chicken buses without worry, and no concerns out of the ordinary going through cities or smaller villages (again using basic precautions). I've not been to Corn Islands, but spent time on the beach at Las Penitas which again- using precautions is fine.  I did spend several hours each morning walking, sunning, and swimming solo on the uninhabited, deserted strip of Las Penitas and only twice in 6 days did I see anyone else and felt safe.  Quetzaltrekkers is great and I did an overnight hike with them.  In some areas there is some minor harassment from local males but not on the scale of other places I've been.  And--my Spanish is very minimal.  Enjoy your trip

[AtoZ]

Great advice thankyou

[erik nelson]

Check your copy of Moon Nicaragua for excellent advice on this subject.  As the authors point out, most of the unwanted attention comes from immature young men with "struggling moustaches."