Uncertain Times, Unshakeable Plans: Why Black Women Are Still Traveling and How to Do It With Confidence
To say these are interesting times would be an understatement. Many of us joked in the first few years after the pandemic that these times were “unprecedented,” and yet with each passing day, we’re learning just how far back some would prefer us to go.
The first half of 2026 hasn’t been helpful toward that narrative either. America’s entire democracy is in shambles, the Trump administration is treating our tax dollars like their personal bank account, and we’re in the middle of a senseless war that’s impacting everything from airfare to gas prices. TSA workers were calling out in droves, and ICE agents were deployed “for security” as wait times and lines stretched for hours. Even more concerning, we’re watching an individual who is overwhelmingly underqualified for his role strip Black and brown US citizens of their rights, while unfairly punishing the nations he cannot directly control.
It’s psychological warfare — and I initially named it as such during the first term.
This second time around is much more calculated. Infinitely more chaotic. Undeniably more exhausting.
The noise is loud, and the urge to retreat into the spaces you consider safe is understandable.
Here’s the thing, though — Black women have always moved through uncertain worlds, and we’ve never let that stop us from claiming our space, our joy, and our right to explore. In the case of travel, it’s second nature to be cautious, especially when many of us are the first or second generation in our lineage to be “outside,” traveling abroad, and embodying lives that would have knocked our ancestors’ socks off ten times over.
Natina and I have heard the hesitation from a few people in our personal circles when the topic of international travel comes up. Plans pivoting to stay stateside until things “settle down.” The “aren’t you scared going by yourself” worry that keeps women who genuinely want to explore from going forward. Unable to get past all the ways it might go wrong. But we’re here to help you consider the very real possibility that not only will all be well, but it might actually change your life?
If we allow the “what ifs” to keep us from pursuing the places that keep calling us, I fear we’ve lost the plot of the whole point of living and moving through life faithfully. Travel becomes a lot less mysterious and a lot more manageable when you’re prepared and plugged in to what’s happening on the ground. Here’s how to travel smart, supported, and without apology.
P.S. — If you’re new here or just catching up, we’ve recently made some exciting changes to melanin muse.
Know Before You Go — Reading Advisories Without Fear
Being informed is power, not paranoia — which explains why all of my expat and immigrant friends haven’t slowed down on exploring just yet. We understand what’s really happening behind the scenes with travel advisories, which rarely, if ever, tell the full story.
On the surface, travel advisories are intended to provide travelers with timely, relevant information about conditions at a given destination — think crime rates, political climate, natural disaster risk, and health concerns. The U.S. Department of State issues them on a four-level scale: Level 1 means exercise normal precautions, Level 2 means be more alert, Level 3 means reconsider your travel, and Level 4 means do not travel. That’s a wide spectrum, and the difference between them matters enormously. A Level 1 and a Level 4 are not in the same conversation, but you’d be surprised how many people see any advisory and assume the worst.
The State Department’s advisories are a starting point, not the final word — and they shouldn’t be your only resource. The NAACP has issued travel advisories of its own that speak directly to the safety and dignity of Black travelers in ways that federal advisories simply don’t. If you haven’t bookmarked both, now’s the time.
Neither resource can fully capture what it actually feels like to move through a place as a Black woman. That’s where community comes in. Black travel groups on social media, forums, and platforms like Travel Noire or Nomadness Travel Tribe are full of people who’ve been exactly where you’re going and can tell you what the advisory left out — the neighborhoods that are actually walkable, the locals who are warm and welcoming, and the spots where you’ll feel most at home. Cross-reference everything. An advisory can tell you about a country’s crime statistics, but it can’t tell you about the restaurant owner in Cartagena who made sure you got home safe.
Read the full picture — advisories, community wisdom, and your own gut — and then make your move accordingly. That’s how we travel smart.
Protect Your Trip Before You Take It — Insurance & Flexible Booking
As someone who unapologetically loves traveling on a budget, believe me when I say you’re not alone in the thought that money spent on travel insurance might be better spent on your vacation. However, in these times? We can’t play those games, muses.
Travel insurance is non-negotiable right now because there are too many variables at play that could derail your plans. Without it, you’re often left with little recourse and, in some cases, hefty bills in a foreign destination that doesn’t accept credit cards. This isn’t just about trip delays or cancellations; it’s also about ensuring you’re covered for unexpected itinerary interruptions, medical emergencies abroad, and lost or stolen luggage.
When you’re comparing policies, don’t just skim the headline coverage — look for these line items specifically: emergency medical evacuation (the cost of being airlifted or medically transported home can run six figures and is rarely covered by your health insurance abroad), trip interruption coverage (which is different from cancellation — it applies once you’ve already departed and something forces you to cut the trip short), and baggage delay (separate from lost luggage coverage, this reimburses you for essentials when your bags arrive late, not just when they’re gone for good).
Which insurance company or policy is best for you depends entirely on where you’re going, the duration of your travels, and what’s personally important to include. You’ll want to ensure the destinations you’re visiting and any activities you’re participating in are covered — some activities, such as extreme sports, require additional riders that aren’t part of a standard policy.
Before you purchase, know what’s typically left out. Standard policies commonly exclude pre-existing medical conditions (unless you purchase a waiver), travel to destinations under a government-issued advisory at the time of booking, civil unrest or political instability already known or developing at the time of booking, and acts of war. Some pandemic-related disruptions also still fall into gray areas depending on the policy. Reading the fine print before purchasing isn’t optional — it’s the move.
That’s exactly why industry insiders recommend adding CFAR, Cancel For Any Reason, to any policy you get, if it’s not already included. It often extends a no-questions-asked reimbursement over the policy and cuts through the red tape you’d otherwise deal with, such as providing documentation to support your claim. Think of CFAR as the override — when nothing else covers your reason for canceling, this does.
Another smart planning strategy is booking refundable or no-penalty cancellation travel arrangements where you can. Whether I’m staying at a hotel or an Airbnb, I almost always limit my search to accommodations that offer flexibility without making me pay for it. On Booking.com or Expedia, that might look like filtering for the “Reserve Now, Pay Later” feature to show properties that don’t require immediate payment. Free cancellation is another way to keep your options open, especially when you’re price shopping and need to lock something in while you keep searching for your dream stay.
As for airlines, trains, and buses, avoid anything that resembles a “basic” tier. It’s great for savings but terrible for changes, cancellations, boarding priority, and carry-on eligibility. Before you hit that final buy button, make sure your itinerary has the flexibility you might need should your plans change.
Bottom line: the cheapest fare and the smartest fare aren’t always the same ticket. Factor flexibility into your budget from the start, and you won’t have to choose between saving money and saving your trip. Non-refundable bookings are best reserved for when the savings are significant and the trip is definitely happening.
You Don’t Have to Go Alone — The Case for Group Travel
For the muses that may come across this thinking, “I’ve never gone somewhere without my partner, family, or friends, but I want to… one day” — come to the front, please.
This is exactly what curated group travel experiences are made for (among other benefits). The plans are already set, you won’t be solo once you connect with the group, and all you have to do is complete the booking, make your payment(s), and pack your bags. Well, not quite that simple, but you get what I’m saying.
No more waiting on your friends to get out of the group chat and into real life. No more feeling unsafe and unsupported while traveling solo. No more, “Maybe one day.”
Think of group travel as a confidence on-ramp, not a compromise, which is usually where skeptics land. It’s the best entry point for exploring a destination without having to make every decision, coordinate every transfer, and scour the internet or social media for the best places to eat or experience nightlife. The best group travel itineraries — read: melanin muse journeys — should welcome you into destinations the way long-lost friends do: already plugged in and making new places feel like home.
And that’s before we get to the unique power of traveling with other Black women. If they could bottle up our shared instincts, joy, and situational awareness, I’m sure they would. But, luckily for us, it’s in us, not on us.
Natina and I have each been traveling for over 20 years, so we understand the variables that most impact our experience. Equally, we understand the moments of surprise and delight that can turn already transformative trips into unforgettable ones. As such, every melanin muse itinerary is unique — tailored by destination and always curated with Black women at the center of every decision.
Find Your People, Wherever You Land
Traveling solo doesn’t have to mean you’re traveling alone, and my current itinerary is proof of that. I met two Black women from Baltimore on a free city tour during a layover in Istanbul, Turkey, and now I’ve got two new aunties rooting for me (per their words). Discovered a jaw-dropping Black-owned guesthouse in Johannesburg, South Africa, thanks to my friend Jen, that has me reconsidering my entire life and current location. Still thinking of the newfound friends I met on my final night in the city and our plans for my return while The Gap Band’s “Outstanding” plays in the background.
The global Black travel community is real — you’ve just got to tap in before you touch down.
There are hundreds of niche travel communities out there — for women, certain age groups, and, of course, Black travelers — but Facebook is usually a great place to start if you’re already on the platform. Search for the type of group you want to build community with, and join a few of them well ahead of your trip. Many of these groups have thousands of members contributing to the conversation and years of post archives on nearly every destination you can think of. It’s also how a lot of us find diaspora communities, Black expat networks, and culturally affirming accommodations. Just make sure to read and follow the group’s rules around respect for other community members and searching within the group before posting questions that may already have been answered.
Some of the best online communities and resources for Black travelers include:
Blaxit Tribe — a group of 55,000+ members for Black Americans who want to exit the US and move abroad, and Black Americans who have already made the move and want to help others do the same.
Black Travel Alliance — a professional organization dedicated to ensuring that Black voices are seen, heard, and valued across the global travel industry. One of the top resources for those interested in exploring career opportunities in the travel industry.
melanin muse — our ever-growing community of Black women travelers, and your home base for curated journeys, honest guides, and the kind of travel intel that keeps you moving.
Nomadness Travel Tribe — an award-winning travel lifestyle brand and online global community of over 35,000 travelers.
Travel Noire — the leading media brand for Black travelers, sharing everything from curated city guides to breaking travel news.
Diaspora communities and Black expat networks can help you ease into a city, whether through recurring group meetups or by connecting directly with one or a few individuals in the group. Traveling abroad isn’t the time to be shy about wanting to connect with others, so drop a photo that shows your personality, tell the group when you’ll be there, and let people know you’re open to meeting up — people will almost always meet you halfway.
While not exactly online communities, Instagram and TikTok are helpful tools in travel planning. I’ve heard some say they get all of their recommendations from social media, but a healthy balance is key. Using these platforms to better understand where you’re heading is an excellent way to find things to do, places to eat, nightlife spots, cultural tours, and events that fit your travel window. Some of my most well-traveled, always-in-the-know friends consistently pay attention to what’s happening in the cities they visit. And while I’m not quite as on it as they are, I definitely lean on both platforms for discovery and itinerary planning before and during my trips.
The feeling of having a game plan — or people — waiting for you on the other side brings a calm, and even excitement, to the nervous system that’s hard to explain. Being seen in that way, often by people you would otherwise consider strangers, and welcomed somewhere new, makes you feel part of a larger story, a feel-good one. We want that for you, too, and a little research and outreach can really go a long way.
The Mental Game — Traveling With Intention, Not Anxiety
A common misconception about frequent travelers is that we’re somehow fearless and therefore better suited to foreign places and experiences. I’d offer up the possibility that we are, in fact, not fearless at all. Rather, we understand that the most fulfilling lives require facing uncertainty head-on. In travel, that typically looks like intentionally carving out time to prepare mentally and emotionally, like you do when it’s time to pack for the trip.
It’s okay to feel uncertain, which is why it’s important to 1) define your why before you go and 2) name any fears without amplifying them. Getting clear on why you’ve chosen this trip — whether it’s a mental health reset, a push outside your comfort zone, or a full dive into a new culture — anchors you when things feel rocky. Changing plans, losing or having items stolen along the way, or navigating cultural differences can naturally produce angsty feelings. Coming back to your intention in those moments is how you give less power to the unexpected — which, by the way, is an inevitable part of any journey.
Similarly, naming my fears is one of my favorite things about travel. It almost forces you to confront things you might never have at home because we surround ourselves with people and furnish our lives with things that make us comfortable. All too often, traveling to destinations where daily life and culture are different than yours induces the opposite of comfort. But once you can name it, the next move is to focus on what you can control. This is how you reclaim your power.
If you’re traveling somewhere that requires or recommends vaccinations, learn about them. Get a basic understanding of the illnesses you should be aware of, how they’re transmitted, and the symptoms to watch out for. Most importantly, look up the actual likelihood of contracting anything — that alone is usually enough to put your mind at ease. For example, I just happened to land in Uganda the same day the CDC and CBP announced a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory due to two confirmed cases of Ebola in Kampala, which I hadn’t been anywhere near. Once I actually read up on how you contract it, along with a few candid conversations on the ground, I knew I had nothing to worry about. And sometimes, taking those simple steps is all you need to travel confidently.
Our ancestors crossed oceans with nothing. They set out on road trips through unwelcoming regions with fried chicken in brown paper bags and the Negro Motorist’s Green Book as their only resource. Today, we cross these same oceans and roads — along with many more they could never imagine — with passports, insurance, and each other.
This isn’t about being overly positive to the point of toxicity. It’s about feeling the fear and arming yourself with the information to do it anyway — for you and the ancestors.
The world may be unpredictable, but you don’t have to be caught off guard by it. Read the advisories. Get the travel insurance. Find your people. And then go — boldly, intentionally, and on your own terms.
Traveling as a Black woman right now isn’t reckless. It’s resistance. It’s joy. It’s the very thing they’d prefer we put on hold indefinitely, and that’s exactly why we won’t.
We want to know — where are you headed next? Drop your destination in the comments, tag us in your next adventure, or share this with the friend who needs a nudge to finally book the trip. And if you’re ready to stop waiting and start exploring, our upcoming melanin muse journeys were made exactly for this moment. Your seat is waiting.
Sending you major “you’ve got this” energy from somewhere over Mozambique — see you out there.