Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
A solo travel content creator has revealed her candid opinions on destinations where she felt unsafe as a woman, including one extremely favored European spot. This raises important considerations for solo female travel safety and travel destinations. Knowing potential risks and sharing experiences can help others make informed decisions about their solo adventures.
Solo Traveler’s Unsafe Destinations: France, Mexico, and Nicaragua
Savanna Crowell, who manages the TikTok account @solowithsav, identifies herself as ‘your go-to solo travel girlie.’ In a recent popular video, viewed nearly 500,000 times, the New York-based traveler disclosed three locations where she experienced feelings of insecurity. She emphasizes the importance of being aware of potential dangers and taking necessary precautions when traveling alone.
France: A Popular Destination with Hidden Risks
France, the world’s most frequented country, receiving 102 million international tourists in 2024, was her first flagged locale. Speaking to her 54,000 followers, she mentioned encountering ‘a few awkward situations in the country’ across several different places.
LIGE Mens Smart Watch with Wireless Calls, Wireless, Monitor, Step Counter, Stopwatch, Multi-Sport Mode, ...
🎉 Exclusive deal [$22.39]
Mens Sporty Hooded Sweatshirt - Navy Blue with Copper Bow Accents, Regular Fit, Machine Washable ...
🎉 Exclusive deal [$0.77]
Mens Lightweight Breathable Basketball Running Gym Shoes - Stability Support, EVA Cushioned Sole, Vi...
🎉 Exclusive deal [$0.79]
Parisian Scams and Aggressive Encounters
- ‘On my first solo trip to Paris, I almost got scammed by the ‘petition scammers’ at the Louvre,’ she recounted.
- These scammers frequently pose as charity workers, approaching tourists with supposed worthy causes, only to pressure them for money.
- ‘When I attempted to leave, they turned aggressive… thankfully, I managed to escape because of the surrounding crowd.’
Unpleasant Incident in Nice
Savanna also faced issues in Nice, a picturesque city on the French Riviera. While walking alone, a man ‘jumped out from the bushes with a pointy stick.’ He then ‘began chasing me down the street, eventually throwing the stick at me while laughing.’
Corroborating Experiences from Other Travelers
Despite France’s popularity, numerous commenters shared comparable negative experiences.
- Alexandra Priscilla noted, ‘Facts! A man followed me into the girls’ restroom in Paris, and there’s a section of Nice that’s super unsafe for women.’
- Another user, @katieter01, described a frightening incident in Nice, where a routine pharmacy visit turned into an accusation of theft and a tense encounter with security guards.
One person said she ‘had a dude harass me in France’, though another wrote they ‘felt super safe in France traveling solo’.
Mexico: Intrusive Encounters on the Beach
Mexico was the second country that made Savanna feel unsafe, although she loves traveling there. ‘I did have an uncomfortable situation with a man once at a beach,’ she explained.
- ‘I was sitting, minding my own business, when he approached me, placed his towel right next to mine, and began asking intrusive questions – such as where I was staying and how long I planned to stay.’
- ‘The questions felt intrusive, and my gut told me, “I need to leave this situation.”’
Savanna waited for the man to enter the ocean, then quickly gathered her belongings and left the beach.
Nicaragua: Unwanted Attention and Catcalling
The third country Savanna cautioned about is Nicaragua, the Central American country nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Sadly, this was where she faced the most catcalling.
- ‘It seemed that everywhere I walked, any passing man felt the need to say something or make a noise – actions that made me feel uncomfortable.’
- The situation was so severe that Savanna preferred walking only on busy streets.
Returning Despite the Risks
Despite these experiences, the travel enthusiast admitted she would return to all of those countries.