Do you know that a lot of young and single men love to travel solo, too? Yes, women are not the only ones who want to “find themselves” by going on an “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure. Men love to know a little bit more about themselves by discovering the world. In fact, surveys showed that more than 30% of tourists are men who travel solo. You wouldn’t think the percentage is that high when you read travel websites and magazines, all of which are primarily focused on giving tips to women who want to see the world by themselves.
Traveling solo is something you have to experience at least once in your life. Men do it as a rite of passage. Many of them take a gap year between graduating from college and starting as a freshman in college to travel the world. Some use their summer vacation to build houses in Africa or other obscure parts of the world.
While there is certainly safety in number, that doesn’t mean you cannot travel by yourself. You just have to be smart and practical about your itinerary. And like women, you don’t need to be overconfident when traveling. Accepting the fact that the world is full of dark places and bad people is the first step to ensuring your safety.
Take Care of Your Health Always
Men tend to be too complacent about their health. Don’t be. Check with your doctor before embarking on an extended trip. Know the health cautions in your destination country before buying your plane tickets. Traveling to the Amazon jungle, for example, will require you to update your vaccine shots against hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, and even malaria and dengue. You can, of course, bring all-natural mosquito and tick solutions with you at all times (not just when you’re visiting the Amazon) to prevent mosquito bites from being more than what they are.
Think About Things First
Men tend to rush in without thinking. They are in for the moment and the experience. However, certain cultures may not be as welcoming as your host country. Make sure to sit back and observe first before attending a party or talking with a woman or offering someone a drink. Remember that in many countries in the Middle East, strangers—especially men—are not allowed to talk with an unmarried woman.
Keep Drinking in Check
If you do visit a bar to grab a bottle of beer, remember not to overdrink no matter how good another bottle sounds like. You may get into a fight or you may get too drunk and pass out. The point is that it is not a good look for a foreigner to be lie down spread like an eagle on a bar because you had too much to drink. You might find yourself facing police authorities, or you may get yourself barred from the pub.
Don’t Take on Too Many Dangerous Activities
Life can be pretty boring if you’re always keeping yourself in check. However, it can also be fatal if you take risks without thinking. Scuba diving in Australia sounds like a lot of fun. However, if it is your first time, don’t go too deep or far because you may end up in a situation you can’t get out of. It’s the same thing with riding a motorcycle in Vietnam. If this is your first time, you might want to skip it and let someone else drive you to your destination.
Leave Your Itinerary to Someone Back Home
Men are not known for admitting that they need help, too. They want to look tough in front of everybody. But when it comes to traveling solo, this is not the time to act tough. You have to let someone you trust know about your itinerary. Backpacking across Europe presents a lot of danger both for solo men and women. Let someone know where you plan to stay, where you plan to go, and what flights you are going to take. As much as possible, leave all the details of your flight to this person, so your loved ones know how to find you in case something happens.
You have to be practical when it comes to traveling solo. Men face a lot of dangers on the road, too. This is not a reason for you to let your guard down. Make sure that you follow this safety guide if you plan to take on an adventure by yourself. And remember, don’t be too overconfident because a lot of strange and bad things can happen if you are complacent.
