Can I Travel Solo to Palestine as a Woman?

Can I Travel Solo to Palestine as a Woman? Everyone knows travel is more difficult as a woman than as a man, and women who travel solo are often concerned about their safety in foreign destinations. However, this alone should not stop any woman from travelling and discovering unique places around the world. Traveling alone in general actually has many advantages that will reflect on your personal character, and in fact these experiences will add something new to your life which were previously unimaginable.

Traveling solo to another country will mean you must rely on your own devices wherever you go, oftentimes in a completely new and unfamiliar place where customs and language differ from your own. Even prior to embarking on your journey, you will need to navigate uncertainty by booking your flights and accommodations, researching places to visit and creating an itinerary, and packing your bags as you ready yourself to fly.

All of this will bolster your self-confidence and make you more assertive in decision-making and problem-solving skills, allowing you to act without dependence on anyone else. These are lifelong skills that will teach you self-reliance which you might otherwise never gain without taking this first crucial step. Here you may find what this article will cover:

Is Palestine Safe for Women?	Traveling as a Woman to the West Bank,Palestine
Safety Tips for Women Traveling Solo	Experience Palestine Like Never Before!
What to wear as Women in Palestine	Alcohol in Hebron, Palestine
Is the West Bank really safe?	Tips for Women Travelers to Palestine

Is Palestine Safe for Women?

Travelling to the West Bank, Palestine is an exceptional opportunity for anybody, but women especially will be surprised how safe they feel traveling solo. While here you will have many opportunities to meet Palestinians, and locals are generally very friendly and helpful, often stopping foreigners in the street to welcome them and make conversation.

For those who have traveled here before, Palestine is well-known for being a welcoming and hospitable place for international visitors to explore. Palestinians are open-minded towards vastly different cultures and they are always eager to become acquainted with foreign nationals.

As a woman you will be welcomed by the people and should expect frequent invitations for tea and coffee, as per local tradition. Should you ever need assistance, you may not even need to ask; locals are very accustomed to foreign visitors and often offer their assistance unprompted and voluntarily.

Safety Tips for Women Traveling Solo

Despite Palestine’s welcoming and accommodating spirit, it’s common knowledge that travel for women in any country carries extra risks. Therefore, women visiting Palestine should keep the following safety tips in mind.

While Palestinians are surely very friendly, women should be hesitant when sharing their personal contact information with men they don’t personally know, a request that is actually quite common. Also generally speaking, walking late at night and especially by oneself is not recommended. Women in Palestine do not usually walk in the streets alone after dark, and doing so might attract unwanted attention. Therefore, in order to express caution and be safe, it’s best to take a taxi or get a ride from someone you personally know.

Keep in mind, in Palestine there are two main types of taxis: private and shared. Shared taxis operate similar to that of public transport in other countries in that they typically have a set route–in this case between specific cities–while private taxis will take you wherever your desired destination may be. Private taxis are more expensive but ideal and readily available for traveling short distances while shared taxis are best for longer journeys. You should also note that taxis are differentiated by their body color as well; Palestinian taxis are yellow with white plates while Israeli taxis are white with yellow plates. If you do decide to take a taxi, make sure it’s yellow to avoid any potential issues entering Hebron, as the taxi driver can decline your request.

Also be sure to remember the resources you have at your disposal. As a woman, you will more than likely be paired with a host family during your stay; Palestinian host families treat their international guests like their own family so do not hesitate to ask for assistance whenever you need. You will, of course, also have the staff at the Engage in Palestine if any issues should arise. Please message or speak to us directly during your stay if you run into any problems.

The Palestinian Culture Internship Program

What About the Conflict?

While in Palestine, you will have the chance to live as Palestinians have every day for the past 70 years. Here you will discover a different kind of life, one that exists under Israeli occupation, and witness first-hand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Simply put, you will experience a political reality you might otherwise will never encounter ever again anywhere in the world.

Jo Magpie, a woman who visited Palestine alone in December 2011, wrote on her blog about the advantages of traveling solo to this region. “Palestinian people are so desperate to explain their story. The first time I went to the West Bank I was invited to a Palestinian house. They even called someone who could speak Spanish to translate for me. I think being a woman made it easier. I felt quite safe in Palestine, actually.”

Though Hebron, West Bank is one of the epicenters for Israeli surveillance, the city itself is quite safe in regards to military intervention and settler harassment. However, visitors should express heightened awareness when visiting the Old City, as there is a sharp increase in military presence including checkpoints.

What to wear as Women in Palestine

A few extra considerations should be mentioned for women travelers. While it is perfectly acceptable to not wear any head coverings, there are some clothing articles that are not allowed or may be less common. Many Muslim women refrain from wearing tight-fitting clothes here.

While it is not forbidden, women should note that it is not common. Additionally, most women do not wear short-sleeved shirts.

Again, it is perfectly acceptable for foreign women to wear t-shirts, but you should be aware of the cultural norms that exist here. Shorts, however, are forbidden for both men and women. When alone with your homestay family, however, it is acceptable to wear whatever you want

Respect

Of course, their experiences in Palestine may differ from men, but this does not make their journey any less valuable nor should it be a cause of any concern. Like traveling anywhere in the world – simple common sense and respect for Palestinian society are all that is needed.

At the night hours

In the night hours, it is best for women to travel in a group or with a partner. However, this is not to say that you will not be singled out for your differences.

Alcohol in Hebron, Palestine

Of course, the absence of alcohol in Hebron (and in other cities such as Nablus) means there is never going to be drunk young men roaming the streets – in Ramallah this is different and some volunteers have expressed their preference in getting a taxi around at night time.

Crime?

However, like all Palestinians cities, crime is generally quite low and the preference to get a taxi around towns abuzz with bars and clubs like Ramallah is a reality that exists all over the world.

You can check out the latest crime statistics at the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics here.

Experience Palestine Like Never Before!

All in all, Palestine is relatively safe for international visitors including women to explore. Palestinians are very aware of the political reality which surrounds them, and they know international travelers find these circumstances intimidating. Therefore, Palestinians are often very accommodating and helpful, and cultural norms prohibit what might otherwise be commonplace behavior in other countries, such as street harassment. Women who travel to Palestine will more likely than not actually find themselves safeguarded should any problems arise.

Keeping the tips described above in mind, you should otherwise feel safe and welcome during your stay here. After all, we should each experience solo travel at least once in our lives, as this creates an entirely different experience from that of traveling as a couple or as part of a group. Travelling alone will undoubtedly give you the opportunity to explore, so take this chance to immerse yourself while here and you will surely have an enjoyable experience.

Final remark

Traveling to the West Bank, Palestine as a woman would offer a chance to learn and help others while making friends and picking up Arabic along the way. We hope you enjoyed reading the Can I Travel Solo to Palestine as a Woman article..