Freebies to improve your spanish
11 March 2025
Traveling to Montanita, Ecuador: The Safest Routes & Tips
27 May 2025
10 Genius Travel Hacks Every Solo Female Traveler Wishes She Knew Sooner
From a Spanish teacher who’s helped hundreds of women explore South America with confidence 🌎💃🏽
Let’s be honest—solo travel as a woman is empowering, exciting, and just a little bit nerve-wracking, right?
Hi, I’m Gaby Estrella—a Spanish teacher based in Montañita, Ecuador (yes, the sunny surf town where every sunset looks like a postcard 🏄🏽♀️🌅). Over the past few years, I’ve had the joy of teaching and supporting women from all over the world who came here to learn Spanish, explore Latin America, and dive into life on their own terms.I have been so bless to call many of them friends, and actually after 18 years, still be in touch!
And you know what? They’ve told me everything—what made them feel free, what scared the heck out of them, what saved their butts, and what they really wish they’d known before hopping on that plane.
Are you a female solo traveler? here the 10 best Travel hacks!
So whether you're dreaming of dancing Karol G in the streets, haggling at local markets, or ordering empanadas without pointing at the menu—this list is for you, amiga.
These are the 10 travel hacks every solo female traveler wishes she knew sooner—from women who’ve been there, done that, and left with sand in their backpacks and stories in their hearts.
Ready? Let’s make your trip to South America unforgettable and a whole lot smoother
1. Learn Travel-Ready Spanish Before You Land
You don’t need to be fluent—but really, trust me, knowing a few key phrases can totally change your experience. I am not trying to sell you my programs, of course that would be nice. But the reality is that I’ve seen women go from shy and overwhelmed to confident queens of communication after just a few lessons. Phrases like:
- “¿Cuánto cuesta?” (How much does it cost?)
- “¿Dónde está el baño?” (Where’s the bathroom?)
- “No, gracias.” (No, thank you.)
- “Estoy bien, pero gracias.” (I’m okay, but thank you for someone selling something persistently) …can make you feel so much more independent and safe. Plus, locals truly light up when you make the effort—it’s a fast-track to connection and respect.
👩🏽🏫 Pro tip from your Spanish teacher: If you’re heading to Montañita or anywhere in South America, consider joining a short immersion course when you arrive. Here, we don’t just teach classroom grammar—we teach you how to order your favorite beach cocktail, chat with your Airbnb host, and navigate the bus system without breaking a sweat. But as a gift I have for you a free Ebook “survival guide in 10 days” and some flashcards, feel free to download them!
2. Choose a Town That’s Solo-Female Friendly
Not all destinations are created equal—Big cities can be overwhelming, but Buenos Aires, Medellin in Colombia, Cuenca and Montañita in Ecuador are some of those woman-friendly for traveling in South America that can be magical little towns or cities where you’ll feel both safe and at home.
Montañita for instance, It’s walkable, social, and packed with other solo travelers but friendly locals. There’s a laid-back vibe, endless beach views, and a friendly community of locals and expats. Many of my students arrive nervous and leave wishing they could stay forever (some actually do 😄).
You’ll find yoga studios, open-air cafés, restaurants, and surf lessons that make it easy to meet people without pressure.
3. Pack Light… But Smart
You don’t need five pairs of shoes, I promise. What you do need:
- A sarong – beach towel, scarf, picnic blanket, cover-up… this thing does it all, but if you dont have one, here mandalas are so pretty and you can easily can by one for 15$.
- A padlock – for lockers in hostels or shared spaces
- Flip-flops and decent walking shoes – because cobblestones and sandy streets both exist, I also saw many of my students wearing these famous birkenstock sandals and they assure those are comfortable and nice, maybe is a good investment for you, but in my opinion a simple havaianas are the best!
- A small crossbody bag – safer than backpacks and easier to manage, go to the gym, for party or traveling on the buses.
- Quick-dry underwear – don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Also sportswear is the best to look nice, be comfortable and cute at the same time, here in our town we have lots of sports activities, so it's good to have the outfits for it.
And yes, you can buy cool local clothes here if you need a wardrobe refresh. I can give you tips, if you want it!
4. Use Spanish to Connect—Not Just Communicate
This one’s huge. Again, when you speak even a little Spanish, you stop being just another tourist—and start becoming part of the community.
I’ve seen my students score free mangoes at the market, get invited to family dinners, or discover hidden local spots just because they said “hola” with confidence and kindness.
💬 Want to make friends fast? Learn how to say:
- “¿Cómo te llamas?” (What’s your name?)
- “¿De dónde eres?” (Where are you from?)
- “¡Qué rico!” (Delicious!) – say it at lunch, win hearts forever.
Here’s the truth: the best way to really learn Spanish is to live it. But we can prepare you for that in our online spanish courses.
5. Stay Where You Can Build Community
Choose places where other solo women go—especially if you’re traveling for the first time. Hostels, eco-lodges, or language schools like ours often attract kind, curious, like-minded women.
Some of my students have met their future travel buddies, their adventure friends because they are sharing an unique experience.
6. Create Your Own “Safety Ritual”
No matter where you are in the world, having a personal safety routine gives you peace of mind—and confidence. You don’t need to be paranoid, just prepared.
Here’s what many of my students do (and what I always recommend):
- Share your location with a trusted friend or family member.
- Download offline maps before traveling (Maps.me or Google Maps).
- Avoid walking alone late at night, especially on isolated beaches or streets.
- Say not to drugs and alcohol for strangers, this might sounds obvious but its not, people might sound friendly offering you drink here, because everyone is friendly around, but you can say “no”.
- Learn how to say “no” politely but firmly in Spanish:
- “No, gracias. you can add a no gesture with your hand, please don't use a smile when saying it, unfortunately men consider a smile here, as they can insist that you might be just being shy.
- “Estoy esperando a una amiga.” (I’m waiting for a friend.)
Remember, it’s not about fear—it’s about freedom with boundaries. You deserve to explore boldly and safely.
7. Trust the Local Women
One of the best-kept secrets of traveling in South America? The incredible support you can find from local women.
I’ve seen my students bond with café owners, get advice from grandmothers on the bus, and be welcomed like daughters by local host families.
Here in Ecuador, people are warm and open—especially when you show respect and interest in their culture. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, accept help, or just share a smile.
Bonus: chatting with local women is a fantastic way to practice your Spanish in a safe, supportive setting.
8. Say Yes to New Things—But Protect Your Energy
Solo travel opens the door to amazing experiences: impromptu salsa classes, hikes to hidden waterfalls, beach bonfires with strangers who feel like friends, Temazcal experiences, Ayahuasca ceremonies.
Say yes to the moments that make your heart skip, but always make sure you are surrounded by good people and professionals in case of alternative therapies and if you feel like something is not for you. Don’t feel guilty for saying no.
Your time is yours. If you’re tired, overwhelmed, or just not feeling the vibe—stay in, journal, take yourself to dinner, or binge a show. You don’t have to prove anything, you dont need to do everything while traveling, is an experience not an experiment.
You’re not “missing out”—you’re honoring yourself.
9. Use the Right Travel Tools
Tech can be your best friend on the road. Here are a few apps and tools I always recommend to my students:
- 📲 Google Translate – download Spanish offline!
- 🗺️ Maps.me – great for walking directions when you don’t have Wi-Fi.
- 🛏️ Hostelworld or Booking.com – for finding well-reviewed, solo-traveler friendly places. If you come to Montañita: www.balsasurfcamp.com
- 💬 WhatsApp – how locals communicate (yes, even businesses
- 🚨 TripWhistle or Noonlight – safety apps to share your location or contact help.
10. Don’t Just Travel Through — Belong Somewhere
It’s one thing to visit a place. It’s another thing to feel like you belong there.
And that’s exactly what happens when you slow down, stay a while, and get involved in the rhythm of local life. Whether it’s chatting with the fruit lady at the market, joining a weekly yoga class, or learning how to surf with locals — your trip becomes something more than just sightseeing.
I’ve seen it so many times: when women stop rushing from one destination to the next and actually root themselves in a place like Montañita, everything changes. They make real friends. They fall in love with the culture, sometimes with the locals. They discover confidence they didn’t know they had.
Want the real magic? Stick around long enough to be recognized at your café, say hi to your neighbors, and feel like part of the community — not just a visitor.
That’s where transformation happens. That’s the kind of travel you’ll never forget.
Final Thoughts: Your Journey Starts Now
Solo travel isn’t just about where you go—it’s about who you become.
You’ll build confidence, resilience, independence… and maybe even pick up a new language along the way 😉.
So if you’re dreaming of South America, craving sunshine, or just need a reset—Montañita is calling. Come for the beach, stay for the people, the language, the growth, and the unforgettable memories.
And if you ever want someone to help you navigate it all (with Spanish, smiles, and maybe some coffee too), I’ve got you in my online lessons, I can prepare you for your next life adventure! or if you prefer my help to organice all, I can offer you a customized female solo traveler program. More info here!
Nos vemos pronto, amiga 💬☀️🌊
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