Tips To Stay Safe While Traveling

For the most part, the world is a pretty safe place for travelers.  However, it’s important to be prepared and informed about how to stay safe while traveling in order to minimize your chances of misfortune because there’s no such thing as a crime-free place in the world.

I have written these travel safety tips based on my experiences from traveling solo as a female in India, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, North Africa, the Middle East, Mexico, Australia, and Western and Eastern Europe.  Throughout all of my travels, I have never been mugged or pickpocketed (but I’m certain it’ll happen at some point, and that’s ok).  A small part of this is luck, but a huge part of this is being aware and educated on what to do and what not to do in order to stay safe while traveling.

 

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHILE TRAVELING

 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

 

GET TRAVEL INSURANCE 

Travel insurance is an absolute must for all international travel.  It also offers a lot more than just medical protection- it covers you if your flight gets cancelled, a family member becomes ill or passes away and you have to return home, or if something gets stolen, breaks or if you get mugged.  And if you do get seriously ill or injured, it can save you thousands of dollars.  Travel insurance isn’t cheap, but it’s also not that expensive, considering what it can do for you if you get in trouble.

I use and recommend World Nomads for travel insurance.  They’re an affordable and reputable company and you can buy and renew an insurance policy quickly and easily online.  As a Canadian, I find their policies cover a lot more than the other insurance companies in Canada and for a cheaper price.

BE INFORMED ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION(S) AND RESEARCH THE LAWS AND POPULAR SCAMS

Different cities and countries will have different laws that you must follow, as well as popular scams that are used to take advantage of tourists.  These scams could potentially scam you of a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.

MAKE SURE YOUR PHONE IS UNLOCKED

So you can get a local SIM card (or make sure you’ll have service from your home country’s provider).  It’s not just about having the luxury to be connected to social media 24/7; it’s about your safety too.  With local service, you can order an Uber instead of a random taxi and if you need help, you can call or message someone.

TAKE DUKORAL TO AVOID FOOD POISONING

Taking care of your health also plays a big roll in staying safe while traveling.  Take Dukoral (an over-the-counter oral vaccine that protects you for 3 months) before you travel to developing countries in order to avoid traveler’s diarrhea.

Surprisingly, many travelers haven’t heard of Dukoral, but I absolutely swear by it and I’ve never had any major stomach issues while backpacking places like South and Central America, India, Mexico, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where I regularly indulge in street meat, salad and fruit (while still using precautions).

When I traveled to Egypt and India, the people who had taken Dukoral did not have stomach issues, while the people who did not take it got very sick and the trip was a lot less enjoyable for them.  However, Dukoral cannot protect you against parasites, which have very different symptoms.

GET THE NECESSARY VACCINES

Research and get the necessary vaccines you need for traveling to certain regions.  For example, some countries won’t let you in without a Yellow Fever vaccine certificate if you are coming from a country with a risk Yellow Fever.

 

HOW TO NOT GET PICKPOCKETED AND ROBBED 101

 

ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR BELONGINGS

Pickpocketing is a common petty crime that can easily be avoided.  If you make it easy for someone, they could take advantage of that opportunity.

ONLY CARRY WHAT YOU NEED ON A DAY OR NIGHT OUT

Don’t bring your bank card, credit card, passport and all your money if you don’t need to.

LOCK UP YOUR VALUABLES AT YOUR HOTEL/HOSTEL

Bring a combination lock with you for lockers.

HANG YOUR PURSE ACROSS YOUR BODY

With the purse on the opposite side of traffic, in order to avoid drive-by snatchings.

BE EXTRA VIGILANT WITH YOUR THINGS IN CROWDED PLACES

Like in markets, public transport popular tourist sights.  These are hot spots for pickpocketing.

DON’T KEEP YOUR PHONE AND WALLET IN YOUR BACK POCKETS

Use the front pockets only and keep them guarded.  Pickpockets are professionals.

CONSIDER USING A MONEY BELT

Or split your money and cards between various pockets.

NEVER LET YOUR CARRY-ON BAG OUT OF YOUR SIGHT ON BUSES OR TRAINS

Keep it on your lap.  Do not put it overhead or under the seat.  If you sleep, use your bag as a pillow or hug it like a teddy bear.

KEEP ALL YOUR VALUABLES WITH YOU ON BUSES

Do not put them with your baggage under the bus.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS UNATTENDED AT THE BEACH

Or they may be gone when you get back.

ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Especially if you find yourself walking alone, especially at night.  Stay out of dark, empty streets and shadows, be aware of footsteps and people behind you, and pay attention to reflections in windows of buildings or cars, etc.

DO NOT WEAR FLASHY DESIGNER CLOTHES OR JEWELRY

Being a show off makes you a target.  Walking around with your expensive camera around your neck could be a problem in some places, especially if the value of your camera is 4x their average monthly income.  Back up your photos regularly.

DON’T BE A HERO

If you get mugged, follow their instructions rather than resist and risk further violence.  Your wallet, phone and camera are all replaceable.  Again, back up your photos regularly.

BE CAREFUL WITH TAXIS

In certain cities (like in Latin America), try to avoid random taxis off the street due to crime associated with fake taxis.  This is where using Uber and having a local SIM card come in very handy.  Or get your hostel or hotel to call you a taxi.

Agree on a price before you depart and keep an eye on Google maps or Maps.me (which works offline, when downloaded in advance) to make sure you’re headed in the right direction.

Do not allow the taxi to pick up anyone.

If you have luggage in the trunk, when exiting a taxi, leave from the curb side and leave the car door wide open while you get your bag from the trunk.  This prevents the driver from driving off with your luggage.  This isn’t common, but it can happen.

WITHDRAW MONEY FROM ATMS AT BANKS DURING BUSINESS HOURS

Skimming is common all over the world.  Withdraw money only from ATMs inside banks during the bank’s opening hours, when possible, because ATMs get skimmed mostly during off-peak hours, like late at night.  Put your money away quickly.  Don’t count it.  Then be extra aware as you make your way back to your accommodation to lock up your excess cash and cards.

KEEP YOUR CARD WITHDRAWAL LIMIT LOW

In the rare event that you’re a victim of an “express kidnapping” (when you’re taken to a variety of ATMs and forced to max out your card at each one), at least they’ll get less money from you.  This is why you need to be extra careful with taxis in certain countries (get an Uber), not carry all your cards on you, and not make yourself a target by being a show off and flaunting your expensive camera and phone and wearing expensive clothes and jewelry.

 

HOW TO STAY SAFE

 

USE YOUR COMMON SENSE

A lot of crime and accidents happen due to letting your guard down (pickpocketing) or being a little too carefree on vacation and letting go of your common sense.  There are far fewer rules in a lot of countries, which has major pros and cons.  For example, just because something doesn’t have a sign saying that it’s dangerous or unsafe to enter, does NOT mean that it’s safe.

LISTEN TO THE ADVICE FROM LOCALS

Ask hotel/hostel staff about where to go and how to get there, as well as where to NOT go.  This information isn’t as readily available at an Airbnb.

DRESS ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CUSTOMS

If you’re a female traveling, especially solo, in conservative places like India, North Africa or the Middle East, dress conservatively in looser clothing and cover your shoulders and knees, in order to help stay safe while traveling.  It’s more respectful of the culture and you’ll feel more comfortable because you’ll still stand out A LOT and receive a lot of attention.

“SAFETY IN NUMBERS” CAN EASILY TURN INTO STUPIDITY IN NUMBERS

Sometimes people make stupid decisions in a group because they become followers and they stop thinking for themselves.

DO NOT TRUST PEOPLE WHO APPROACH YOU AND WHO DON’T TAKE “NO” FOR AN ANSWER

Any nice, normal person with good intentions would leave once requested to.  Sometimes it turns out that the person is only aggressively trying to sell you something, but either way, you want to avoid getting yourself into an unsafe situation.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

If something feels weird or wrong, trust your instincts.

THE POLICE ARE EXTRA CORRUPT IN MANY COUNTRIES

Every country has corruption, but developing countries have way more than their fair share of corruption.  These police see tourists as an easy way to make extra money through bribes.  They will make up things that you’re doing wrong so they can demand a “fine”.  For example, this is very common if you have rented a scooter in the developing countries in Asia.  I met a couple motorbiking around Vietnam who said police demanding “fines” was a very common scam, but it stopped as soon as the guy attached a GoPro to his helmet.

TRY TO ARRIVE IN A NEW CITY IN DAYLIGHT 

This isn’t always possible, so if you are arriving very late at night or very early in the morning, make sure your accommodation has 24 hour reception, email them in advance so they know when to expect you, and know how to get to your hostel.

PEDESTRIANS DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY

Unlike many western countries, where pedestrians get away with a little too much sometimes, this habit and expectation needs to be forgotten in most countries.  Traffic is often a chaotic free-for-all, so you’ll need to exercise caution and common sense.

DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN

Crime also happens in places that are considered safe.  One of my friends traveled around South and Central America for 6 months without getting mugged or pickpocketed, but as soon as he came to Vancouver, Canada (my city, which is considered a very safe city), he got mugged, which was shocking.

NEVER GET TOO DRUNK OR HIGH

Especially if you’re traveling solo, and especially as a female.  Be aware of your drink and always be aware of your surroundings and always stay sober enough to remain in control.  Being too drunk makes you careless and vulnerable and many muggings happen late at night when travelers are in this state.

BE CAREFUL WITH DRUGS

Be aware of the laws and proceed with caution to avoid going to jail in a foreign country.  In some countries you can bribe police, but some countries have a prison sentence or the death penalty for trafficking drugs.

THE LGBT COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE DISCREET AND PRACTICE CAUTION

Unfortunately, in over 70 countries, homosexuality is illegal and the sometimes the punishment is prison.  And some countries have the death penalty, so do your research.

GET A LOCAL SIM CARD

Or make sure you’ll have service from your provider in your home country.  Then if you need help, you can call or message someone.  If you get a SIM card, make sure your phone is unlocked.

 

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY

 

WEAR SUNSCREEN

It protects from sunburn, skin cancer and wrinkles.  Crispy red skin is not a good look and it’s terrible for your health.

BE CAREFUL WITH STRAY ANIMALS

There are loads of cute stray dogs in developing countries, but as much as you might love dogs and want to pet them all, they can also carry diseases (like rabies).  If you can’t help petting some of them, make sure you wash and sanitize your hands after.

However, some of the street dogs can be very aggressive.  For example, street dogs in India and Sri Lanka are friendly during the day, but they can turn very aggressive and territorial at night.  If you encounter aggressive dogs at night, you need to remain calm and do not run, yell or try hit them, unless you’re legitimately about to get attacked.  This is much easier said than done, but this saved me when I was alone at night and nearly got attacked by a few different packs of dogs in Sri Lanka, which was one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

 

This information is meant to inform you on how to stay safe while traveling, rather than scare you off of traveling.  Again, it’s very important to be prepared and educated on how to stay safe while traveling in order to minimize your chances of misfortune because there’s no such thing as a crime-free place in the world.  Remember that the majority of people have good intentions and are happy to help.

 

Also see What To Expect While Traveling Developing Countries