Oh, the Caribbean! What a delightful place to find yourself!
If you are gearing up for a solo excursion, there is nowhere better to go. Read on about the four essential tips solo female travelers going to Antigua and Barbuda must know.
1. Understand the safety situation.
For the most part, Antigua and Barbuda are some of the safest places in the world for solo females to travel (and anyone, for that matter). That being said, whenever you are traveling, there are some precautions you can take for safe and stress-free travel.
- First and foremost, avoid drinking to excess when traveling solo for obvious reasons. The Caribbean is a wonderful and safe place for holiday-goers, but it is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when in the company of strangers.
- Always carry a water bottle and travel safety whistle especially when trekking in unfamiliar places where you can easily get lost in the event you get separated from your party.
- Bring a travel charger fully charged wherever you may go. You never know when a trip can get delayed or canceled, and you may not have access to a charging dock or electrical outlet for your phone.
2. Consider joining a day tour.
If this is your first-time solo traveling and you want to see everything, or if you are a seasoned pro just looking for some company, joining a day tour like Hike Caribbean is a fantastic way to see all the sights while potentially making new friends. If you do a quick Google search, you will see more options that will introduce you to the area and take you to the main sightseeing spots.
Additionally, you could opt for one that is more aligned with your interests and is a specialty tour focused on aspects such as history, art, or cooking. You may find that many of these day tours offer you the chance to interact and engage with the locals which always makes for a fascinating experience.
3. Keep an eye on your budget.
One of the hardest parts for every traveler (no matter how long they have been doing it for), is making sure they stay on budget. After all, with so many experiences on offer, so many dishes to try, and places to go, it can be challenging to tell yourself “no.”
Luckily, when traveling in Antigua and Barbuda, there are a few strategies you can follow for stretching your budget.
First of all, maximize the time you spend on the beach. Antigua is known around the world for its stunning beaches, and the best part is that entrance to them is free! So, even if you are on the tightest budget, you can still fill up your days lounging by the water. For a small cost, you can also rent snorkeling equipment or a bicycle to add a little adventure to your beach time.
If you are a culture vulture, famous places such as Nelson’s Dockyard offer guided tours with a modest entrance fee.
4. Be open to all that the islands can offer you.
While it is crucial that you take steps to keep yourself feeling safe and secure (as you should do wherever you are), at the end of the day, the reason you are traveling is to experience another part of the world. To do this, you need to bring an open mind and a loving heart, and let the islands guide you to new experiences.
The people of Antigua and Barbuda are some of the most welcoming in the world, so don’t be surprised if you quickly make friends with some locals. Many travelers even end up falling in love with the lifestyle, climate, and friendliness of the islands which is why they then apply for Antigua citizenship. If you are ready to have the time of your life, then Antigua and Barbuda are waiting to provide the experience.
Have you ever solo travel? If so, do you have any must-know tips and tricks?
If not, what is holding you back?
Let us know your thoughts regarding this topic in the comments below!
Author Bio
Kal Kennard is a Partner at Citizens International, a white-glove specialist firm offering private client services necessary for citizenship investment into the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. Based in the Caribbean for the past 15 years, she is an experienced consultant who works directly with many professional partners and advises clients worldwide.