Solo Travel In Central America

Here is a story from Claire Saylor, the owner of Panama vacation :

My recent decision to move to Panama for four months sounded quite a bit like my decision to move to Costa Rica for six months, or to Chile for five. I made all the travel arrangements on my own, including a stopover in Costa Rica to see my boyfriend. But when it came time to say goodbye after spending three weeks with another human being at always by side, I felt a sudden unfamiliar anxiety about venturing off on my own to a new country.

Traveling alone comes with many ups and downs. In our daily lives we rely on friends, family and co-workers to get us through our days. We often overlook how interwoven our actions and accomplishments are, and how our surroundings define who we are.

As I was sitting alone at the bus terminal in San Jose during the two hours that the bus was delayed, I started having fears of crossing the border alone with my life packed away into two large pieces of luggage. I wondered how I would find my to-be-co-worker in an unfamiliar bus stop the next day; and how would I pass 16 hours on a bus alone? Longing to crawl back to the warm, protective arms of my boyfriend, I boarded that bus and watched as my decision to put 16 hours of time and space between us became a reality.

At the Albrook bus terminal in Panama City, Panama, I stared in awe at my surroundings, which stared right back at me. “What was this little American girl doing alone in such a big place?” they questioned. I was obviously not an intimidating sight, and found it quite simple to get help from others. A taxi driver dialed my friend’s phone number on a public phone for me, a guard watched my bags as I used the restroom, and a fellow passenger offered me a ride to my new home.

Luckily, I was able to decline that offer as my new boss rolled up, as if on cue, to where I was standing in his white ford explorer with a huge smile on his face despite the early morning hours. And I knew that everything was going to be okay.

Best friends or recent acquaintances, we are never on your own in this world unless we choose to be. Traveling “alone” may allow you to forge your own unique path, but there will always be someone nearby for you to fall back on. You just have to get used to accepting the varied forms in which these people come. You never know your own limits, until you take yourself out of the comfort zone, forge new paths and let yourself rely on a stranger.

33 Travel Safety Tips You Should Know

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let’s examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company’s address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you’ll suddenly be “in the dark” and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of ‘staged’ car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child’s name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend’s or relative’s contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

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Thanks for Matt, the owner of www.corporateflyer.net.