It is very difficult for those who desire to travel like us to evaluate which destinations are good or not for the women to travel.
Throughout the world, there are many cities as well as countries which are safe and reliable enough for women to travel. These destinations listed below may be considered safe, but we cannot measure all the risks when you get there; because no one know what would happen. Therefore, whether you are in a safe place, you cannot lose vigilance and wise when go sightseeing, shopping, or dining.
We did not want to give prominence to any places, bu what we mention here are drawn from many stories, and advices of the readers sent to our blog.
Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Almost all the cities in Western Europe are acknowledge to be safe for women who go there for traveling; even you go alone or in a group. The transportation means are also secure. All people can speak English so it is very convenient when you want to communicate with the. In addition, in Europe, women are treated equally. Among those city, we recommend Amsterdam - Netherlands.
Evelyn Hannon - an editor of Journeywoman website - has many experiences of traveling - said: "Amsterdam is a very safe place for women to travel because everybody there communicate by English. The Dutch follow realism and they believe that women have the right of freedom, independence, and have to be treated equally as men. Rarely did I see women harassed by men in this city".
Phyllis Stoller - chairman of Women Travel Club - also a tour provider for tourists - agreed with Hannon's opinion: "The Dutch and Amsterdam are the most friendly in the world because they all communicate with each other by English".
Kate Hamman of SmaterTravel website had spent a month to travel around Europe in Autumn 2005, in which she spent 3 days in Amsterdam. As you may know, Amsterdam is well-known for drugs; and prostitution is admitted as an official industry in this city; so you may think different if you have never been here. Hamman said: "I thought I might be disturbed when I got there, but I was wrong. I do not advice you to take a walk alone in the evening around Red Light District; except for that place, you can go anywhere you like".
Ireland
Ireland is the next destination in the list, and of course it is also a secure place for women to travel. This place is famous for friendly people, the beautiful views of countrysides, and the traditional taverns which attract a lot of tourists and guests all day and night.
When asked about the friendly countries for women, traveling executive Pauline Frommer said: "A safe country for women ? Of course it is Ireland! Coming to there, you will be welcomed very warmly, which create a feeling of being at home. And the traditional bars/ taverns are not noisy and crowded like at the other places but close and friendly". Moreover, Mrs. Frommer continued to emphasize that many families in Ireland allow tourists to stay at their homes and live with them; therefore, you can understand more about the culture of this beautiful country. It is a very effective way for you to communicate and get acquainted with local people, or tourists come from different countries around the world. People can share and exchange the traveling experiences such as where to eat delicious food, or which places worth visiting, etc.
Assistant editor of SmaterTravel website - Ms. Molly Feltner also agree with Mrs. Frommer's point. According to her experience, both Ireland's women and men have the preference of communicating with friends, and women do not feel like changing the outfit or pretend to be shy in front of the men. They are treated fairly, so they chat and act very naturally with even men in the bars, or women can even request for a date. Here, there are no discrimination when women drink wine; unlike in other countries, women drinking wine can be considered as bad women. In Ireland, women can drink freely without being judged or commented by anybody.
Costa Rica
Many countries in Latin America Region are having reputations as unsafe countries for women, because of many stories about thief, disturbance, temptations. However, Costa Rica is different; this country is more developing than other countries in the same region, and is considered one of the most secure destinations in Latin America region, especially on the suburbs of capital San Jose.
The journal of TravelGirl magazine, Stephanie Oswald, who had been to Costa Rica twice, introduced this country for us. Before she and her friend traveled to Costa Rica, her friends had been all worried about the two girls traveling alone without anyone to guide and protect. However, their trip took place very smoothly and successful without any problems. Oswald and her friend drove to Quepos city, across the winding mountain roads, but nothing happened.
Oswald said that the local people there are very friendly with the tourist, which is so different with some countries that she had traveled before. Once time at the public toilet, she dropped her wallet which contained at least 100 USD and her passport. When she contacted to the U.S Embassy, she got back her wallet with a hand-made hanging item by the picker sending to her. Ms Oswald said: "I am hanging that gift in my kitchen to remind me of how nice and kind of the people there"
The people in Costa Rica have the motto "Pura Vida", which has many different meanings, but the common meaning that people often referred to as "living and honest life". The local people live by their motto, so that they always look leisurely, and they always find ways to help the guests and tourist. "In August 2005, I had been to Costa Rica once and had a memory that I still remember until now. In La Fortuna, while I and my friend were walking down an abrupt mountain slope, suddenly, there was a man riding his lorry stopped and give us a lift through that slope. In America, to have a ride like this is not easy, but in a small country like Costa Rica, we were given a ride like this. In addition, the man also took us directly to our hotel.
Costa Rica is really a good traveling destination for women, especially for those who travel on a budget. It is very convenient, secure, and well-equipment; one night in a hotel costs less than 40 USD. If you want, Costa Rica still has many luxurious hotel for you.
India
India has become a familiar name for the backpacker in recent year; however, recently, the business and tourism in India has been likely broken out. Many airlines open flight route to India, besides, there are many cheap flight airlines which help you to travel easier than ever.
India is always crowded, and there are many spectacular places such as Taj Mahal. Many tourists are discouraged by the difficulties to travel to India, but most have acknowledged that "Once you come to India, you can go anywhere you like". It may sound threatening to women, especially those who have never been there before. However, there are many women I have talked with admitted that India is the safe place where women can travel without any problems
Ms Phyllis Stoller, member of Women Travel Club, immediately suggested India when we asked about the safe traveling destinations for women. She had been there before and had many experiences about this place. She said that the people there are very lovely. In India, women are respected, and they can do some significant jobs for Indian tourism industry like hotel management for instance. Almost all the people can speak English so it is very convenient for tourists to exchange and communicate something.
Ms. Stephanie Oswald of TravelGirl magazine said: "People often think that India is a underdeveloped country, but in recent years, this country has become a very luxurious country". According to Ms. Oswald, the best way to travel in India is to contact with a tour agent or tour company before coming here; they will guide and introduce the accommodation as well as driver for you. Ms Stoller and Oswald both suggest you to stay in the 3 - 4 star hotels when coming there.
Ms Oswald told that she was noticed by everybody because she is an American with blond hair and traveled alone. All the Indian travelers wanted to take photos with her. When coming to some shopping places, everything was sold expensively, but it was not because they thought she was a foreigner or traveled alone, it was because they did it for earning their living.
Vietnam
In 2005, a big Insurance Company AON announced that Vietnam is one of the most secure places in the world. In the past, Vietnam was not known by the tourists like Thailand; however, nowadays, when there are more and more tourists who want to investigate the beauty of South East Asia, Vietnam is a popular destination that you should not miss.
A tour provider Viet Value said: "Tourists who travel alone or women often says that they feel comfortable without worrying about disturbance or fear when traveling in Vietnam". While there are more and more tourists speaking English come to Vietnam, the tourism infrastructure in this country has been developed and improve more than that in the past. Traveling to Vietnam is also a topic in an article of BBC News. Mr Claire Boobyer - a newspaper reporter of Footprints traveling journal - said: "Vietnam has good conditions in services industry, and they know how to use it. There are many types of service for guests, from luxurious hotels to hostels for backpackers who want to travel on a budget. And I am really surprise while traveling on a budget but the quality is not bad".
Ms Susan Cortell who lives in New York and traveled to Vietnam in a group in May 2008 really like the scenes as well as shopping and relaxing in Vietnam. When asking about the experiences of traveling to Vietnam, Ms Cortell said "I love Vietnam! I felt safe and welcomed, especially in Hanoi and Hoi An". She emphasized that the prices in Vietnam were quite cheap, about 3 USD you could have a considerate evening in Hoi An. Ms Cortell also said that she would come back to Vietnam, besides traveling, she would go shopping.
South Africa
