I ain’t gonna tell you to quit your job and embark on a long term travel, nor will I tell you to hate your job. I don’t think I have the credibility yet to urge you to do that, unless I am a full-time traveler, blogger, travel writer or entrepreneur maybe. I don’t like to eat my words because sooner or later I may have to go back to work. So I say, don’t curse your work, use your salary to save money for your travels! 😉
I don't wanna be alone. I wanna be left alone. -Audrey Hepburn-
When I started posting photos of my solo travel back in 2008 on my Facebook account, I expected some people to raise their eyebrows.
It wasn’t until I started to blog about my solo travels that my family and friends realize that I am not alone. In the context of Philippine society, female solo travel is not well-known, or should I say, considered against the norms. So it doesn’t really surprise me that people usually ask me, “why are you traveling alone?” In our country they find it weird or crazy! I tell you, it can get a bit annoying to answer the same question overtime.
It wasn’t until I embarked on my 1st solo travel outside the Philippines when I learned to take “pride” in being a solo female traveler, thanks to the foreigner solo female travelers I met on the road. There’s just a lot of them out there, and mind you, they don’t travel for days or weeks, but for months or even years! Now if in the Philippines people ask me why I travel alone, outside the country people are surprised as well as to why a poor Filipina, an Asian from a 3rd world country is traveling alone. As we all know, they’re so used to Filipinos going abroad to work but it’s very rare for them to encounter Filipino solo tourists. Sadly, we’re one of the most highly discriminated race, I could attest to that , I’ve experienced it a couple of times whenever I’m entering a foreign border alone. One of my greatest agony is convincing the immigration officers that I am visiting their country as a tourist and not to work there illegally. They should be proud to have Filipinos in their workforce!
Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone. -Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now
I dream that one day, when you type the word “Pinay” or “Filipina” in Google, travel blogs and Philippines travels will come up on the 1st page instead of some porn sites or mail order brides for foreigners. (That said, please keep visiting my site to help me get into Google page 1! haha ) Seriously, I know somewhere out there, under the same sky, there are Filipina girls who wants to travel but are just too scared to go against the society’s norms. I am no solo female travel expert, nor am I a feminist activist, but when I started this blog, my goal is to help encourage and inspire fellow Filipinas to travel and so long as I’m here, I shall stick to that goal.
I’ve had received e-mails, and personal messages about solo female travel, and those messages inspire me to keep on going. Now the usual question is, “how do I start traveling solo, can you give me some tips?”. I’ll attempt to answer this question based on my experience, if you feel like I missed something or you wanna add something that would be of help, please feel free to comment, do leave a mark on this site. I’d highly appreciate your feedbacks. 🙂
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. -Helen Keller-
Tips on Starting Your First Female Solo Travel:
1. Plan. It’s only one word yet the most powerful when it comes to embarking on your first solo trip. Plan your destination, your budget, how to get there, where you’re staying, etc. I suggest choose a domestic destination, choose Philippines for your 1st solo trip! I am no big fan of planning travels, but looking back at my misadventures, the wasted time and wasted money, it would’ve been avoided if I had done one important thing – and that is pre–plan my travels. And when you plan, please make sure there’s always Plan B!
2. Bring a map. When people ask me what’s my secret in my solo travels, I only have one answer–>I have a map. I’m a big fan of EZ Map for my local travels. I know it’s a bit old school, but I find it safer than consulting Google Earth in your travel gadget. Besides you won’t risk loosing your expensive gadgets to thieves. But of course, it’s all up to you, if you don’t wanna spend Php99 on each province for EZ Maps, they have a bigger book for Php600+ which covers the entire Philippines but if you wanna use Google Earth , go ahead! I find it comprehensive as well. Nowadays, GPS is fast becoming the latest gadget, but since I can’t afford that, I’ll stick with the map for now. But please, when you use your map, be a little discreet if possible, you don’t wanna attract unwanted attention by flaunting your a tourist.
3. Ask the locals. Preferably ask women or girls. Ask 3 or more people, if you get the same answers, then most likely that’s correct!
4. Tell at least one person that you trust (a family member or a friend maybe) about your travel plan, where you are going, your route, your departure and estimated arrival. Write it down and hand it to them, or e-mail it to them, do not display it in public places. Avoid live status updates on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter for security purposes, unless you wanna be stalked! 😉
5. Keep a mobile phone with you and store important phone numbers like police station #, embassy #, hospitals, etc. This is really helpful during emergencies.
6. Photocopy your passport and other travel documents. Keep the original in your locker at your hostel. That way for when a suspicious person ask you for your ID with the intent of stealing it, your documents are secure.
7. Dress appropriately and wear the right shoes or sandals. Avoid showing off or letting everyone notice you’re a tourists for your own security. Respect differences, research about cultural & religious outfit taboos on your destination.
8. Bring a tripod rather than keep asking strangers to take your photo, be careful, they might run away with your expensive camera! If you badly need someone to take your photo, then ask a fellow tourist, they will most likely understand. What I do when someone asks me to take their photo (usually couples or family), I use it as an opportunity to ask them to take my photo as well.
10. As humanly as possible, pack light. Remember you’ll carry your backpack or luggage on your own. Recently I stayed in a mixed dorms and most women complain, “I have a lot of stuff! I don’t know why?”. One of them even sent 5 KG of her luggage back home but still she’s got like 15 KG with her! So, do bring only the essential stuff, leave your jewelry at home to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
11. Keep your money in a security waist wallet or secret body wallet. Hide them in separate places. Always count your money when making transactions at money exchange centers and ask for receipt.
12. Trust your instinct! If you think you’ll be in trouble or you think you’re talking with a suspicious stranger, then leave! Avoid dark places or walking alone in remote places at night. Avoid drinking booze or juices or whatever drinks offered by strangers.
13. Bring a whistle to attract attention when you’re in trouble or a pepper spray (take note though that some countries like Singapore prohibit bringing in pepper spray).
14. Promote the Philippines. As a Filipina, be a good example. So start traveling in our country so you can brag how beautiful the Philippines is when you start traveling abroad. I just noticed that some Filipino travelers get too ecstatic traveling the world but has forgotten to explore their own country, so when the foreign tourists asks them about the best destinations in the Philippines, they don’t know what to say. There’s nothing wrong in exploring the world but please never forget your roots.
15. Avoid disclosing your alone and not married. I usually say, I’ll meet my friends there or someone is waiting for me. If a suspicious guy asks if your married, say yes to avoid unwanted attention. You can buy a fake ring to flaunt as your wedding ring. 😉
16. Lastly, bring an open mind and a big heart! 🙂
Spend some time alone every day. - Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama-
Nothing is as hard as it first appears, same goes with embarking on your 1st solo travel. I have one favor though..if you happen to push through with your 1st solo travel, please let me know by leaving a mark on this post. I don’t mean to be ethnocentric or gender centric in this post, but there’s a lot of solo female travel sites out there mainly concentrated to the Western female solo travelers, I’ll leave it to the experts. I wanna write something for the Filipinas from the point of view of a local, that’s the least I can do to show my sincere appreciation for nurturing my desire to keep on exploring despite all the uncertainty.
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Hi, Gael!
I’ll never get tired of reading this post of yours. 🙂 Very inspiring. You and Chyng Reyes have inspired me to travel and explore more. I earned the courage to travel solo just this year and have travelled to several local destinations already. And this 2014, I’me celebrating my bday abroad solo. It’s gonna be my first time to travel solo abroad and this post is very helpful. Thank you always, Gael! Have fun in your Journey!
Regards,
Riz
And I was inspired by your words Ms. Gael. I’ll definitely push through with my plan to travel solo within this year. Yey! I can now feel the excitement. God bless to all your journeys. 🙂
I’ve been wanting to travel solo but don’t have the guts (always thinking what would I do, how will I get there alone, budget, etc). I usually travel with a group of friends and I use some of your ITs for reference. But after reading this, you inspired me to go push through with my solo plans within the year. Hopefully I can add to the Pinay soloists out there 🙂
Hi! I am planning to travel alone. this June 7 to June 9 or June 10.
but is uncertain where I can travel..
any suggestions?
my birthday gift for myself 🙂
good job, this will be my guide soon. Im planning to travel alone or with atleast one friend.
That feeling of nervous and excited to travel alone.. Hope I conquer. Thanks for this educational post for every filipina solo traveller! Hope to join your solo trip soon!
Loves lots!
Wish you luck!
Hi! Thanks for this post. Me and a girl friend will travel outside pinas tomorrow. ..vietnam-cambodia-thailand…
Glad to have read this before the trip..:)
Hi!
I read ur blog and it really caught my attention. I just got my passport and im wanting to travel abroad probably in Malaysia or Thailand. I already asked my friends to come and join me its just that no one seems to show interest. So i was thinking to travel by myself since i read ur blog. The only thing is that its my first time and i’ve heard some people getting declined by our own immigration because they would think that these people travelling alone will probably be a TnT as they say, but my intensions are pure and i just really want to travel. Im a transgender too so im not sure if that will be an issue and thats one more thing that i want to discuss with you. Some countries might be too sensitive regarding this issue. I hope to hear it from you soon.
More Power!
Jaimee
Hi Jaimee, being a transgender should not be an issue, you, like every Filipino has the right to travel. I will ask my uncle who works that next time. But I would advise you to bring company ID, employee certificate and maybe ITR to prove that you have ties with the Philippines. I believe Thailand doesn’t have an issue with transgender people. Malaysia is quite conservative but they’re tourist friendly. 🙂
Hi Jaime, I just confirmed with my Malaysian friend. He said it’s okay so long as you don’t get involved in anything illegal like prostitution, etc. He said you can be a Queen in Malaysia but don’t just overdo it! 😉 Have fun!
Hi!
I really like your blog and you’ve given great tips here as well. Do you have a list of provinces in Luzon that really struck you which you can recommend for first time female solo travelers? Cheers!
This article made me love my work. Hahaha. I need my work so that I will have a source to finance my dream to make gala alone.
I really really like this! God bless you!
First solo travel next month somewhere in Northern Mindanao. AJA! Thanks for the tips! 🙂
hi! Thank you for this travel guide. It’ll be a big help for me in the near future. Hehe. There are some questions I want to ask. I’m 14 years old, will I be able to travel alone? I mean, will the airlines allow me to travel alone? Well, I’m planning to start travelling after I graduated high school, I’ll be 16 that time. And what are the places should I visit first? I hope to get a response. God Bless! 😀
First solo travel now happening! I’m in a dorm at Kalibo and planning to travel to Estancia then Bantayan Island! Wish me luck!
congrats! safe travels!
Hi! I just want to say that you are really inspiring!
Can I ask you something? What are the best provinces in the Philippines to visit for a solo female traveler?
Thanks!
Hi ate Gael! Your blog really inspires me to travel! Surely many pinays will open their mind to experience the adventure of travelling. Great Job! Congrats!
Hi! You inspire me to push my plan to travel alone. Magttravel ako on my 23th Birthday this coming May. I’m planning for Sagada trip. naexperience mo ba magtravel alone going to Sagada. My friends keep on asking me why do you want to be alone? Hehehehe. I think it’s kinda weird but seeing your blog hindi pala ako nag iisa. Hingi sana ako ng advise, kasi I’m planning kasi na mag avail nung sa Travel Agency joiners ako sa group or it will be beter if mag communte ako alone going to Sagada? Thank youuuuuuuuu. 🙂
yep. I did Sagada alone back in 2009. I just visited Sagada a few weeks ago. You can join the tours but I think Sat and Sunday lang yun and mejo crowded ang Sagada during weekends because of these tours. Mas pleasant ma-experience ang Sagada on weekdays, sobrang tahimik at konte lang ang turista. Anyway, Php 500 lang naman ang guide to Sumaguing + Echo Valley, and you can also drop by sa Lumiang Cave (near Sumaguing).
Thank you for this! For years I’ve been searching for a “travel buddy” but can’t find one since most of my friends have different priorities now that we’re all working in different fields and most already have their own families. So I’ve been considering to push through in travelling alone.. and thank God I found a motivation through your message. Thank you for being an inspiration. 🙂
Hello gael! Your blog really inspire me to travel alone. Im planning for Sagada trip on my 24th Birthday, this coming july. It’s my first time to travel solo.. 😉
Hi!
Your blog came up while I was searching about places to travel solo in the Philippines. Im from Iloilo and it would be nice if you can give me any suggestions where I can go to? thank you… nice blog btw…
Im following your blog since then but just this week when I had the guts to travel solo. I went to Manaoag-Baguio-Sagada-Bontoc-Banaue. I am planning to stay in Batad but was bit disappointed in the rate going there, good thing I met friends and went there but I was not able to sleep there. Just a picture of the wonderful terraces. Thank you for your blog! I am inspired more to travel alone.
Hi! Your blog is such an inspiration. I just came back from a my first solo back packing trip in South Korea last week. I had such an amazing experience despite the language barrier that I couldn’t wait for another chance to go on leave from work and explore another country again. Just like you said, travelling solo for Filipinos, regardless of your gender, is uncommon as compared to other nationalities.I’m glad that I’ve stumbled across your blog and realize that the concept that travelling is a mere luxury for Filipinos seems to be changing into something more positive like exploring other people’s culture or embarking on an adventure. Thanks for inspiring me and our kababayans, especially the younger generation. Keep it up!
Hi Lorie, I appreciate you dropping by. Thanks for such kind words. I’m so happy to hear about your adventure. Feel free to share your next story here ha. Bute ka pa nga,nag-Korea ka na eh, ako wala pang budget jan! hihi 🙂 Happy travels, dear! 🙂
Thank you so much for the helpful tips.it really helps a lot, I’m planning my first solo travel as a birthday gift to myself. 🙂
Good thing I open this page coz I’m planning to have my first solo travel next month in Cebu.I always wanted to try solo backpacking but afraid how to start and this inspire me a lot.
thank you for your tips..it inspires me to start travelling alone.
Hi! I was surfing the net for the tips of traveling solo. I find your blog helpful. Thank you. I always remember to bring a map. I am planning to take my first solo trip and I want to ask what would you recommend the best place for a female travel like me, to visit first? I preferred to travel by land first. I really appreciate your insight. Thank you.
This is a big help for me as I am planning to start a solo travel. I’ll keep these in mind and will let you know how it worked for me. Thank you, Gail! More travels to come! 😀
Yey! Happy that I’m able to inspire you! Hope to hear from you again re your solo travels! 🙂
I see that this was written a few years back but exactly what I’m looking for. Every time I would tell my brothers I’m planning on travelling alone, they would say I’m baliw. Can you suggest which is the best place to go first?
I really like your goal about the googling filipina part. I’m 20 years old, filipina, already working, be able to travel the world is my only dream. I really want to do it solo most of the time as I cannot find a companion who has as much same interest than mine. I found your blog looking for hope that I will find answer in google about how my parents don’t really want me to travel alone 🙁
It would be helpful.. thanks for this tips..im planning to have my first solo travel in Cebu this december, and i am feeling excited yet scared at this moment.. hoping that everything would be okay in my stays there…(“,)
After 2 years, I get to travel alone again 🙂 excited. I loved the tip about being married and fake ring.
Hi,
I’m planning to travel alone (for the first time ever) on my coming 30th birthday. A little too old for having a first time huh. But I’m actually thinking twice if I should push thru..or if I should bring my two best buddies along. So undecided…but i reaaly want to try doing this…and i really want to do something different…since this is my 30th and I kinda feel like it’s something special. Haha.
Hi, i really would like to travel alone..planned fw times already but hindi natutuloy coz i get scared. This time Im really going to try, will start off in somewhere near, still deciding tho between taal or pinatubo. I was searching for travel tips for pinay sol travellers and im just really glad to find your blog. It really inspires me to really pursue on my travl plan. Medyo nakakabawas ng kaba 😉
Glad to hear that. Stay safe and happy travels, Edna! Lemme know about it. 🙂
Hi, I did it!!! Yey, i tried pinatubo trekking last feb 6. It was really fun, i get a lot of questions why im travelling solo tho, but didnt mind at all :)met new friends too. I’m trying to explore Manila, started off Marikina, found old resto, and some spanish filipino style houses and went to shoe museum. Planning to look for interesting new places within Manila every weekend whenever i cant afford to travel a little bit farther hehe. I think it’s addicting helps me unwind after a stressful week at work.. Saving for my next solo travel, probably laguna or this time trek Taal 🙂 really thankful for your blog… Keep writing, keep inspiring 🙂 ???
Glad was able to help. Will keep posting more. Thank you so much for your comment, I’m very delighted to read it. Happy travels, dear! 🙂
Hi there,
I was inspired by your blog, I will be travelling alone for the first time in jan, i am middle age, pinay and would like to visit Enchanted River in Butuan, Tinuy-an Falls . Is it safe to visit that place alone? I will also going to do island hopping in Britannia, I worried about the cost if there wont be anyone to do it with me. Could you please advise what you normally do in this situation. Thank you in advance.
Hi Marriane, yes, very safe naman. For Britannia, you can charter a boat for Php 1,500. Have fun!