Quito, Ecuador and packing for South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ:” Let’s quickly address how to pack for South America. If you are in the winter, it's summer, so you don’t need many clothes; pack light. I only took a personal item, but I had to wash it often, and I had only one pair of sneakers. No laptop. It helped me travel quickly and efficiently on planes, trains, and buses. In their winter, our summer, you should have many layers and a raincoat. I was able to buy what I needed or forgot while I was there, and the dollar was strong. On my first trip to South America, about 30 years ago, I went skiing in Chile, and I had to bring...
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Niagara Falls, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is Dr. Mary Travelbest, and we'll be talking about Niagara Falls, Canada. See Book A for guidance on saving money on airline tickets and more. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: “A Day at Niagara Falls – Solo, Soaked & Spectacular” Today, we're diving into the thundering wonder that is Niagara Falls, from a solo female traveler’s lens — and yes, I got a little wet. On the Road to the Falls I took the FlixBus from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The ride is scenic and comfortable, even with a bit of drama—my Toronto Metro train broke down this morning. I had to get...
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Best of Dr. Mary Travelbest - Dr. Travelbest History plus solo vs group travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This episode aired in 2022, so if you missed it, find out more about the origins of the Dr. Mary Travelbest story. We are now on episode 350 and counting, so let us hear from you. @drmarytravelbest Give a gift of solo travel to a loved one. Find out more.... Thanks for Connecting further with Dr. Travelbest
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Lima Peru and airport luxury lounges
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is Dr. Mary Travelbest. I help you travel. The 60-second confidence challenge is on getting access to the airport lounges. It will take some experience, but it’s worth it. Check the fine print, too. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, my book series dives deeper into best practices while traveling solo—link in description.” See Book A for addressing this challenge. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Lima, Peru. Hello, solo travelers—especially my sisters 50 and up. Today I’m...
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Cartagena, Colombia and safety in South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Cartagena, Colombia. Today, we're heading to Cartagena, Colombia —a vibrant and touristy Caribbean city bursting with color, music, and history. It's one of the most popular destinations on South America's northern coast — and I'll share my experiences and a few lessons learned for solo travelers like you. Get ready to immerse yourself in a culture that's as lively as it is rich. Let's start with the setting. Cartagena's Walled City — La Ciudad Amurallada — is the heart of it all. I recommend exploring early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the heat. You...
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Lincoln Square, Chicago, using AI on the road and staying healthy tips
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Lincoln Square, Chicago. The FAQ is about using AI while traveling. How do I get the best responses to my prompts when I have a question? Is there a platform you recommend? There are thousands of platforms, and new ones are popping up every day. For travelers seeking the most current answers to their travel questions, you are in luck. You can navigate the territory solo better today than ever because you can ask the right questions. Practice is the best way to use them. 60-second confidence challenge If you like today’s...
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Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today, talking about Cape Breton, Canada . Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, world traveler, professor, marketing expert, and all-around fun person. And I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share our experiences. Quick-fire FAQ: Your mom, grandmother, or even your daughter told you to be careful when traveling solo. But did they ever do it? You are on your way. The question I get asked is: What should I tell someone who discourages me from traveling? Answer: You can turn it around and ask for specific information...
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Machu Picchu, Peru including lessons learned about Step 5 travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Machu Picchu Are there any tips to help me avoid being cheated or robbed while traveling? Yes, you can take precautions like removing your expensive jewelry before traveling and not carrying expensive purses or shoes. Don't look like a target. Look like you belong, and try not to stand out from the usual crowd. Check reviews of any Airbnb or turo car rentals you book. Be careful not to walk alone in the dark at night, as much as possible. Think of the odds whenever you go out. Please put them in your favor, not a criminal. If you like...
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Medellin Colombia Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia.Part 2 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Quick-Fire FAQ: Drying Out Wet Clothing. How do you do that on the road? How do you dry your wet belongings while traveling, especially when you're solo? Especially in a humid area, it’s hard to get things dry. When you solo travel, you have more control over your time constraints, so plan to let things dry. When it’s damp, the best way to dry your clothes is by maximizing water removal before drying. Try the towel roll trick. First, lay the clothes flat on a towel, roll them up, and twist to ring out...
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Medellin, Colombia Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia 60-second confidence challenge: The confidence challenge is to meet someone new today. You might stop by the mailbox to say “hi,” or visit a park where people are less in a hurry. Start a conversation with someone new today. If you like, then get their name and phone number and give them a call. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapters of my book dive deeper into how to build confidence using it—link in description.” See Book A for addressing the challenge of meeting new people Find it on our website at or on...
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Medellin, Colombia.Part 2
Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide
Quick-Fire FAQ: Drying Out Wet Clothing. How do you do that on the road?
How do you dry your wet belongings while traveling, especially when you're solo? Especially in a humid area, it’s hard to get things dry. When you solo travel, you have more control over your time constraints, so plan to let things dry.
When it’s damp, the best way to dry your clothes is by maximizing water removal before drying.
Try the towel roll trick. First, lay the clothes flat on a towel, roll them up, and twist to ring out the moisture. Use strong airflow and ventilation, such as fans or dehumidifiers, and space clothes out for even evaporative drying indoors.
If safe, place clothes near a heater or radiator, but not directly on it, for fire safety.
Use a dryer if possible.
Store thoroughly dried clothes in airtight containers or use moisture absorbers if needed. Sometimes, you will have to pack a wet garment, but you have some control over it if you are solo.
60-second confidence challenge: Travel Navigation apps 2025
Travel apps to use regularly before you leave:
Make your own list of about 5 of them.
My favorites are Google Maps and Rome to Rio.
Apple has a map, and several others are decent.
Select a destination and research the transportation options and associated costs.
If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, an entire Chapter on Maps of my A book dives deeper into how to build confidence using maps—link in description.”
See Book A for addressing this challenge of using travel apps for directions.
Find it on the website at 5StepsToSoloTravel.com or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series.
Destination Deep‑Dive
Today’s special destination is Medellin, Colombia. Part 2
This is part 2 of my visit to Medellin, Colombia.
Colombia was the first country on my trip, and I really enjoyed Medellin, even though it was raining a lot of the time I was there. For the most part, I felt safe. Part 1 discussed the changes since the 1990s and a few of the attractions I suggested. There have also been some problems.
Drug Trafficking Today
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Colombia remains the world’s leading cocaine producer, and armed groups and organized crime still participate in the trade, according to InSight Crime.
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While the infamous Medellín Cartel no longer operates, its historical legacy persists.
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In neighborhoods with tourist traffic, drugs may still be present—but such activity tends to occur behind the scenes.
https://colombiareports.com/manufacturing-colombian-fascism-story-gomez-family/
Where should you stay? Try the Poblano neighborhood. I swam in the rooftop pool at the Los Patios Suites hostel, which provided a relaxing soak, and it offered views of the surrounding neighborhoods. It rained a lot in this city in May, which was during the fall season. One of the drawbacks of the rain and humidity was the presence of mosquitoes. My shoes got wet and never really dried.
Final Thoughts on Medellin
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Safety: Medellín is significantly safer than it was in the past, but it's still advisable to avoid risky situations, such as unplanned nightlife excursions or meetups through dating apps.
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Drug Trafficking: Still present at broader levels, but doesn't dominate everyday tourist life—unless one seeks it out.
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Itinerary Picks: For women over 50, I'd highlight coffee tours, Comuna 13 storytelling, parks like Arví, cultural sites like Nutibara and Palacio de la Cultura, and the bike-share system—each offering memorable, relaxed experiences with minimal risk.
Smart Move and Slip-up pairing:
I got hit by the caffeine in Colombia. Too much. I had a hard time falling asleep. So don’t order a full cup, or only drink half. I had trouble sleeping due to the coffee I had at noon. Hyped up all day! Cut out caffeine if you’re not accustomed to the buzz and want to sleep well.
Take away mantra and goodbye.
In Medellin, I got lost and turned around to go back, frustrated and weary. It was raining. I was soaked. Dejected and upset, I was mad at myself and felt bad. But then something changed. The next thing I saw was a Christian church that was just about to start its service, so I stayed for two hours. God was with me on that journey. A woman in the church had her Uber driver drop me off near the metro, so I could then continue on my journey. The day turned out better than expected. I’m leaving you today with the hope that your next trip will have a positive impact on you and others as well.