Uploaded June 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Someone tried to break in to my bungalow in the Philippines.
My bungalow was almost broken into in the middle of the night. Thankfully, as soon as they realized there was a person inside, they ran away. I was not hurt nor robbed, but was certainly shaken.
This incident also woke me up and made me realize a few things about safety as a solo female traveler:
1. Know that it can happen anywhere: It was certainly not the country’s fault - bad things happen anywhere and everywhere. The same precautions should be taken wherever you travel to. I have always been relatively alert and only had 2 bad things happen to me in the last 7 years of traveling around the world mostly solo.
2. It’s usually done out of desperation: While this does not excuse the action, I can imagine that these things are usually done out of desperation - poverty is usually the main drive. I don’t know what I would do if I am in a desperate position. Putting this perspective in the picture helped me handle the situation with empathy and kindness.
3. Avoid unnecessary delays: I will not sleep with no clothes on when I travel solo anymore. I had to grab some clothes and put them, which really delayed any opportunity to protect myself. If you need glasses to see, I suggest putting them within reach as well.
4. Travel with a personal alarm / door jam: Have something that would help you make loud noises to let others know that you are in distress, or pack a door jam with you in your travels.
5. Whenever possible, stay off the ground: It’s much more difficult to try to break into a room that’s high up! If you are staying in a hotel, try to ask for a room that’s above the 2nd level. This will make you a less likely target.
6. Self defense: Pick up self defense skills and PRACTICE them! You will never know when skills like this would come in handy. There are many tutorials available online. The one I watched in this video is from:
7. Adhere to your own rules: the both times bad things (sexual assault and snatch theft) happened to me, were when I broke my own rules by walking alone at night and by not clasping my bag to secure my belongings. I'm not totally victim blaming myself here, but am saying to always watch out for yourself and avoid getting into a risky situation!
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Solo female travel resources: bemytravelmuse.com/solo-female-travel
31 Solo Travel Safety Tips from 31 Solo Female Travelers: bemytravelmuse.com/solo-female-travel-safety
Someone tried to break in to my bungalow in the Philippines.
My bungalow was almost broken into in the middle of the night. Thankfully, as soon as they realized there was a person inside, they ran away. I was not hurt nor robbed, but was certainly shaken.
This incident also woke me up and made me realize a few things about safety as a solo female traveler:
1. Know that it can happen anywhere: It was certainly not the country’s fault - bad things happen anywhere and everywhere. The same precautions should be taken wherever you travel to. I have always been relatively alert and only had 2 bad things happen to me in the last 7 years of traveling around the world mostly solo.
2. It’s usually done out of desperation: While this does not excuse the action, I can imagine that these things are usually done out of desperation - poverty is usually the main drive. I don’t know what I would do if I am in a desperate position. Putting this perspective in the picture helped me handle the situation with empathy and kindness.
3. Avoid unnecessary delays: I will not sleep with no clothes on when I travel solo anymore. I had to grab some clothes and put them, which really delayed any opportunity to protect myself. If you need glasses to see, I suggest putting them within reach as well.
4. Travel with a personal alarm / door jam: Have something that would help you make loud noises to let others know that you are in distress, or pack a door jam with you in your travels.
5. Whenever possible, stay off the ground: It’s much more difficult to try to break into a room that’s high up! If you are staying in a hotel, try to ask for a room that’s above the 2nd level. This will make you a less likely target.
6. Self defense: Pick up self defense skills and PRACTICE them! You will never know when skills like this would come in handy. There are many tutorials available online. The one I watched in this video is from:
7. Adhere to your own rules: the both times bad things (sexual assault and snatch theft) happened to me, were when I broke my own rules by walking alone at night and by not clasping my bag to secure my belongings. I'm not totally victim blaming myself here, but am saying to always watch out for yourself and avoid getting into a risky situation!
↠ SUBSCRIBE for solo travel advice around the world ↠ youtube.com/bemytravelmuse
↠ CONNECT WITH ME:
bemytravelmuse.com
Instagram: instagram.com/bemytravelmuse
Facebook: facebook.com/bemytravelmuse
↠MORE RESOURCES:
Solo female travel resources: bemytravelmuse.com/solo-female-travel
31 Solo Travel Safety Tips from 31 Solo Female Travelers: bemytravelmuse.com/solo-female-travel-safety
