Five tips for a solo woman traveller in Kerala
So, you have decided to travel to Kerala. It is but normal to be apprehensive about how safe it will be for you. You just have to keep these simple tips in mind.
Do your research
Kerala is very different from the rest of India. It has hills, wildlife parks, valleys, a rich cultural heritage and beaches. So, it is good to do a bit of research and decide on the places you would like to visit. The second step would be meticulous planning and making reservations before you start out. It is also ideal to let your close friends and family know about your itinerary and where you will be on a particular day.
Carry your mobile phonesThey serve a couple of purposes, the most basic being that you can be connected with the world and you will be able to make and receive calls from wherever you are. Talking loudly about where you are, what you are doing and where you are going to on the phone while you are in a cab or an autorickshaw will scare off the driver if he has some nasty intentions.
There are travel friendly apps, which allow you to find nearby places to eat, shows train timing and allow you to book tickets. And last but not the least, you can take innumerable selfies.
Going out after night
If you are travelling solo, it is ideal you plan your outings so that you are back in your place of stay before it is dark. If you are going out, make sure that you are with people you know. Avoid travelling long distances by bus after nightfall.
How you relate to people
You have to be careful when you travel alone – be it in Kerala or any other part of the world. Every place throws you a challenge. Do not be naive. Trust your instincts, they are seldom wrong. Be very careful about your credit cards/atm cards, their passwords and who you share it with. It is ideal you keep your documents safe. If you are staying in a hostel, be careful about your belongings. Lock everything valuable.
Be careful about how you behave with men. Be friendly, confident and smile a lot. You have to draw a line if you feel your male friends are crossing the limits that you have kept for yourself.
Dress modestly
This applies for the whole of India. A tank top teamed with shorts will bring you the stares. Kerala is a bit more traditional and is just getting used to jeans and tshirts. It tends to get humid in the state, but still try and cover up. This rule does not necessarily apply at some popular beaches in Kerala.