New Zealand, for me personally, is one of the best places in the world for solo female travellers. Not only does it have a huge range of natural beauty from mountain ranges to dense woodland forests and beautiful golden sandy beaches, but it also constantly ranks among the most beautiful and secure destinations in the world for female travellers, offering a network of backpackers, low crime rates and famously lovely and helpful locals.
If you’re looking for a place to solo travel, whether it’s your first time travelling on your own or you’re someone who wants to find a destination that has a mixture of beauty as well as the safety which all women want, especially when travelling on their own and you’re not yet connected. Here are 3 other reasons that you should put New Zealand next on your bucket list, from infrastructure to crime rates, so you can start your travelling adventure on a safe path.
- Low crime rates
What often puts many women off solo travelling and many destinations around the world are the crime rates, which disproportionately affect women. Safety is a top priority when travelling for women, as kidnapping and assault are very real issues which women have to face, especially in countries with high poverty rates. This can leave many travellers feeling uncomfortable on their trip and having a negative experience in countries. This is where New Zealand shines, as it is one of the safest countries on the Global Peace Index, meaning that violent crime rates against travellers are exceptionally low. However, you should still be careful of valuables such as travel money and personal belongings such as titanium jewelry.
- Established backpacking culture
As an established backpacking location, New Zealand has a massive and well-organised network of hostels and travel communities that are great for solo female travellers. Sometimes travelling can be lonely; therefore, having large groups of other travellers who you can spend time with and connect with can make you feel safe but also help you to create friends for life. Not being totally isolated is a small but important part of travelling, so you’re not spending your whole trip alone.
- Secure outdoor infrastructure
For thos who enjoy walks and exploring the outdoors when they travel, these spaces must be well maintained and also properly constructed to reduce the risk of falls and to make you feel safe. Most paths in national parks are clearly marked and well maintained, meaning that visibility is high. This can make you feel very safe when hiking alone and not in fear of enduring yourself or feeling unsafe. This is also further supported by the robust departments of conservation and safety codes, which are well implemented within New Zealand hiking culture.
Final thoughts
Travelling can be scary as a woman, with so much to think about when it comes to safety; it’s important to choose a place to travel to which is not only beautiful but also makes you feel safe and secure, and New Zealand is one of those places.