Your first time doing solo travel can be somewhat daunting.
When planning my first solo travel trip to Mexico, I didn’t have a clue what I was getting myself into, nor did I have a page like this to learn from.
However, after 10+ years of traveling solo around Latin America, I want to share some of the most basic things I managed to learn along the way.
Mistakes to avoid as a solo traveler
On this page, you will find five solo travel mistakes to avoid, which in turn will make your own solo travel experiences run much more smoothly.
Imagine it’s pitch black. There’s no-one around, and you’ve got no local currency to get to your accommodation, which is almost 10 miles away.
Well, that happened to me in Nicaragua on my first time backpacking Central America, which is a place that I suggest all beginners travel to.
Solo travel as a beginner means making some blunders along the way, but if you can avoid the travel mistakes below, you’ll be ahead of the game.
1. Leaving without travel insurance
You see, many travel articles that say if you can’t afford decent travel insurance, you probably shouldn’t be traveling in the first place.
When going on a trip, most beginner backpacking destinations will require you to take out insurance, especially if you are traveling in Latin America.
This is an absolute must and has to be the most important document needed in crucial times. I feel like it’s my duty to say this.
Luckily, I’ve not needed to use my travel insurance in an emergency, but I can travel in peace knowing that I’m always covered.
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2. Arriving in new location after dark
I usually book all my travel so I can arrive at my destination early. Like the rest of the tips for traveling alone for the first time in this article, you’ll have to test them and see how they work for you.
For me, arriving either the following morning or by the afternoon is the best. Getting dropped off in the middle of the night is always riskier.
If you’re traveling by bus, make sure to carry one of your favorite books or even a Kindle to keep you company for those long haul trips.
In Nicaragua, I was lucky because I got a free ride to the local town. However, I recommend scheduling any new arrivals well before dark.
In Latin America, I prefer to take overnight buses; that way, I can save money I’d spend on accommodation by arriving the following morning.
3. Packing heavy items
This is a backpacking basic but a tall order for most. Why? Because most will end up carrying much more than what they actually need.
I used to have a rule where I’d pack everything that I’d like to take, then split it by 50 percent, which helps me to reassess what I am carrying.
Having said that, there are many creative hacks you can do around packing electronic items like laptops, cameras, and tablets to help you save space.
Traveling with high value items? Invest in a decent luggage tracker, if you’re worried about getting your bag stolen or misplacing it while on the road.
You can buy most things on the road, which makes much more sense, especially when doing slow travel. Then, if you’re lucky, you may even find those everyday items at a fraction of the price you’d normally pay.
Be careful not get mixed up with the hiking vs. backpacking debate because you can easily end up carrying too many things.
4. Arriving without access to local currency
This is one of my less exciting tips for solo travel but equally important. Make sure you’ve always got at least $20 of local currency in case you have to get a taxi outside the airport or need to grab an emergency meal.
If not, always carry a fist full of dollars, especially if traveling in the Americas. The lower the bill domination the better in my opinion.
Always check credit card fees with your bank before you travel, and avoid using airport exchange kiosks like crazy, because you’ll pay higher rate and commission. The fees and commissions add up over the weeks, trust me.
5. Traveling without a smartphone
When backpacking for the first time, technology is critical, especially if you’re working online as a Travelpreneur or digital nomad.
Traveling with a smartphone will definitely enhance your travel experience if you know how to use it effectively.
It can be tricky to know what to bring backpacking but don’t forget or lose your smartphone. Learn to utilize basic apps first, e.g., Google Maps.
I created a page to show you the apps I use when traveling. For example, I use Google Maps to track everywhere I’ve been.
Mistakes to avoid as a solo traveler
These are the types of things that can impact the duration of your trip so avoiding these 5 travel mistakes will help you graduate to a pro backpacker.
You can also check out Eli’s tips on solo travel in South America for even more ideas. He’s got some great insights and tips on traveling alone.
If looking for new ideas on how to travel, or, if you have a friend that is thinking of doing the same, share one of my tips from this page with them.
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