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When planning a trip, safety while visiting a destination is important for all tourists, but it is especially important for Black people, especially Black women traveling alone. We must consider the experiences of those who have patronized the business or area in the past to determine whether discrimination, abuse, or harassment is an isolated incident or a real atmosphere. For some frequent travelers, these concerns, along with instances of bias and microaggressions that exist around the world, can make them wonder what safety looks like or It has nothing to do with where they choose to spend their black dollars. But for others, it’s something they keep in mind when making important decisions about where in the world they’ll land next. We spoke to his seven Black travel writers, influencers and experts to find out what safety looks like to them, how they feel, the destinations they suggest, I gained insight into places that don’t feel safe.
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Beauty editor, travel writer, creative producer
I travel exclusively solo, so as a woman, I keep my guard up. As a Black woman traveling, safety is a real feeling for me. What gives me peace of mind is feeling a sense of community, even in a new place.
Porto, Portugal quickly became my favorite because I could see myself everywhere I went. As I was walking down the street with my beaded braids, a beautiful black Portuguese woman told me how much she loved my hair. Even if there was a language barrier, there was still a sense of belonging and it was so beautiful to see how embracing our roots transcended the diaspora.
Little things like being followed, stared at, or not being helped by staff while watching them jump through hoops to help others make me feel unsafe. Masu. It may be a misconception that these things only exist in America, but anti-Blackness is everywhere. In Seville, Spain, the host was told not to talk about Christopher Columbus’ contribution to the slave trade. When he tried to sponsor a local salon, everyone stopped talking when I entered and no one helped me. My experience of not feeling safe comes from all the microaggressions.
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freelance travel writer
To me, safety means feeling comfortable in a space. I always pay attention to my surroundings and trust my intuition. I don’t identify as LGBTQIA+, but seeing expressions of pride make me feel like the place is accepting of everyone.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida comes to mind as a place where I felt safe. Havana, Cuba. New York City; Cleveland, Ohio; And Belize. As a solo black woman, the place that really caught my attention was Lower Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. The excessive drinking early in the morning, combined with the high-rise music venues and bars, makes me feel extremely vulnerable as an African American.
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journalist
For me, the basis of safety while traveling is awareness. I have strong intuition. If you feel unwell, do not stay or continue your trip. I also use a group for black women travelers. There you’ll receive suggestions, warnings, safety tips, and a great sense of community.
El Salvador was amazing. It’s a very family-oriented and welcoming country. The men I met there were very polite. I didn’t feel objectified or fetishized because I was a black woman.
Unfortunately, I felt unsafe throughout my trip to America. When you travel abroad, you may be stared at because you are a foreigner. we can have a conversation. In the United States, something as simple as my Southern accent often reveals that I’m not from the region and makes me a target.
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Lawyer, Journalist, Content Creator
For me, peace of mind is arriving at a place and feeling as if you have stepped into your own home away from home. I usually feel safest at home, so I try to get as close to that feeling as possible when I travel. That feeling comes from seeing people who look like you around you, knowing that there are people in the area who can come to your rescue if you find yourself in a dangerous situation, and knowing that you are always in a place that is easy to get around to. It comes from knowing that there is. Day. I read blogs and summaries to get a general understanding of other women’s global experiences. Social media can also be helpful. But everyone’s experience may be different, so I wouldn’t make it the only factor.
One of the places I felt safest was Havana, Cuba. I was there alone but never felt unsafe. The people were always warm and welcoming and willing to help with anything. I also felt safe in Paris, Lisbon and Grenada.
The only time I felt in immediate danger was when, on the train to Rome, a local man started shouting derogatory remarks over my seat on the train. It culminated in him punching my friend in the face, but no one on the train defended us because we were foreign black women.
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travel lifestyle blogger
The essence of safety for me is being able to freely explore and wander through different parts of a strange land without the threat of an imminent targeted attack by the skin I embody. Reading about a destination’s historical background can help you paint a picture of its social dynamics and give you an idea of how you will be perceived. Digging into travel blogs, videos, and online forums is my go-to for personal details and experiences of other Black women who share similar characteristics. However, I take this with a grain of salt as I understand that due to a variety of factors when traveling, someone else’s experience is not necessarily your own.
The top destination I felt was safe was Bali, Indonesia. La Fortuna, Costa Rica. and Kigali, Rwanda. In all these destinations, there was never a single moment when I felt unsafe. Fortunately, we haven’t had any safety issues on our trip so far. As a naturally observant person, I always try to stay alert and alert when traveling in case my life is in danger.
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digital creator
Take the same precautions when traveling as you would at home. Avoid walking around with your hood up or leaving luxury items behind. Another safety measure I take is to add another name to the hotel reservation. It prevents people from knowing I’m alone. Checking travel advisories at travel.state.gov can also be helpful. We also take political climate and crime rates into account.
Places I have felt safe include Iceland, Curacao, and South Africa. I felt unsafe in Morocco. Because the men at the market were so aggressive that I was nervous about traveling alone again.
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Travel writer and on-air host
It can be difficult to determine whether an entire destination is considered “safe.” You can’t pinpoint exactly what safety looks like, but you know when you don’t feel completely safe. It’s how people interact with me, how the hotel staff communicates with me. Some places I love, others have horror stories. I try to follow a combination of common sense and foresight to determine if I’m safe.
I’ve always had great experiences in Mexico, whether it’s Cancun or Tequila. I can’t speak for the entire destination, but there were incidents in Florida and upstate New York where people were racist and had no problem making it clear.
No matter where you go, always stay alert, let others know about your plans, share your experiences with other travelers, and be aware of both the fun and potentially dangerous parts of your trip. please.
