Safe Women-Friendly Travel Locations

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Posted in: Everything Else
October 31, 2008 by Amanda | Comments (2)

At CRAVE we are all about adventure and new experiences. We heart our hometown, but love escaping to exotic destinations whenever our schedules (and wallets) permit it! Traveling is a powerful and productive way to reconnect with girlfriends. Learning about different cultures, meeting new people, sampling curious shops, and noshing on colorful cuisine are our favorite aspects of explorations abroad.

Jessica Labrencis of USA Today compiled a fantastic article on safe, women-friendly travel destinations. Read her whole post here or selected highlights below.

Amsterdam
Most cities in Western Europe are considered safe for women to visit, either alone or with companions. Public transportation is generally safe, English is widely spoken, and European women have many of the same rights as American women.

SmarterTravel.com Editorial Assistant Kate Hamman took a month-long trip to Europe in the fall of 2005 that included three days in Amsterdam. It defied her dubious expectation of a city that revolved around sex and drugs. Hamman says, “I thought I might be harassed, but I actually found it to be an excellent place to wander around alone… I wouldn’t recommend wandering around the Red Light District alone at night, but there’s so many great areas that most people overlook.”

Costa Rica
Much of Latin America has a bad reputation as being unsafe for women, with tales of “forward” men, pick-pocketing, and harassment prevalent. However, Costa Rica has been increasingly popular with Americans, and it’s considered one of the safest Latin American destinations, particularly outside of San Jose, the capital.

Costa Ricans have adopted the motto “pura vida” or “pure life,” which has various meanings, but roughly translates to “living the good life.” Many locals with this attitude seem very laid-back, and go out of their way to help visitors.

Costa Rica is also a good destination for women on a budget. Comfortable, safe accommodations are available for less than $40 per night, and Costa Rica has plenty of ecotourism and luxury accommodations as well. Shared vans shuttle small groups of tourists around the country so you don’t have to rely on public buses or a rental car.

Vietnam
In 2005, Vietnam was named one of the world’s safest countries by Aon, a large insurance broker. In the past, Vietnam was considered an off-beat alternative to Thailand, but as more travelers discover the charms of Southeast Asia, it is becoming a popular destination in its own right.

Susan Cortell of Montauk, New York, traveled to Vietnam in May on a Gutsy Women Travel tour (in conjunction with Women’s Sacred Travel tours) that focused on sightseeing and shopping, and included emphasis on wellness (massage) and the metaphysical (a Buddhist cleansing ceremony).

When asked about her experiences in Vietnam, Cortell says, “I loved Vietnam… I not only felt safe there, but very, very welcomed. Especially in Hanoi and Hoi An.” Cortell also notes that she appreciated how far her dollars went in Vietnam. She remembers paying $3 per person for a three-course dinner in Hoi An, and buying silk scarves for less than $5. In fact, Cortell says “a group of us want to go back just for the shopping, as the savings will pay for the trip.”

Your turn! Dish about the best (or worst) trip you have gone on with your girlfriends.

2 Responses to “Safe Women-Friendly Travel Locations”

• Adventurous Wench women's travel Says:
  October 31st, 2008 at 5:29 pm

  For people thinking of staying closer to home, Santa Fe is one of my favorite cities for women. It has an artistic, multi-cultural, historic feel to it that appeals to many women. And its unique style makes it seem quite unlike any other city in the US. Almost like visiting another country, without leaving the US!

• Travel » One Post Away! Says:
  November 1st, 2008 at 10:27 pm

  [...] Safe Women-Friendly Travel LocationsSusan Cortell of Montauk, New York, traveled to Vietnam in May on a Gutsy Women Travel tour (in conjunction with Women’s Sacred Travel tours) that focused on sightseeing and shopping, and included emphasis on wellness (massage) and the … [...]

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