Tourists always stick out from the crowd. No matter how confident you are or conversant with the local language, most people around you will always be able to tell you’re not from there. This fact alone puts you at the mercy of criminals and other not-so-good individuals who may want to steal from you or take advantage of your situation.
Besides the obvious threat of mugging and falling prey to con artists, there’s always the chance of getting lost or doing something you may end up regretting later. That’s why it’s always important to plan ahead.
If you’re planning to travel to a new place, check out this comprehensive list of simple, straightforward tips that will keep you out of harm’s way so you’ll enjoy your vacation.
Do a Little Research Before Leaving the House
What’s the nature of your destination? Everything from the political situation to social and cultural norms and security can give you a good idea of where you’re headed. This way, you’ll know about the safest places for travelers, places to avoid, safe accommodations, and some of the best tourist attraction sites in the area.
Blend In
There’s a big chance you might get recognized as a tourist, especially if you don’t necessarily look like the local population. But moving around with a huge backpack and a confused look on your face only makes things worse.
You need to attract the least amount of attention. So, if you’re going to a place like the Middle East where people dress in a certain way, try to dress like them. Also, try not to offend anyone or get into confrontations that may attract attention.
Don’t Wear Flashy Jewelry
Flashing your wealth, either in the form of expensive jewelry or clothing, only makes you a target to pickpockets and con artists. There are certain places where you might want to wear something flashy, like in a high-end restaurant or party, but you don’t need to flash your wealth when walking down the streets or in the local markets.
Find a Safe Place to Store Your Luggage
When you’re traveling, your luggage is basically all you have. Lose it, and you might even get stranded there. When looking for hotels, prioritize options that offer secure storage options. If that’s not feasible, find a place to safely store your luggage, preferably in a lockable cabinet in your room.
And, since you’re going to be moving around a lot and need something to carry essentials, invest in a small, exploration-ready bag. Crossbody bags are typically safer than handbags and shoulder bags since they can prevent muggers from attempting to access the contents while you’re unaware.
Be Careful With Your Money
By being careful with your money, we don’t mean you shouldn’t spend a lot. After all, you’re there to have a good time, right? But you shouldn’t carry huge wads of cash. If possible, open an international bank account and use credit cards while in your travel destination. But if you find yourself in a situation where you have to withdraw it all at once, try leaving most of it in a safe place, like in a safe in your hotel room.
Also, when moving around, don’t put all your money in one place. This way, even if you get robbed, you’ll have some left to carry on or take you back to your hotel.
Have All Necessary Emergency Info at Hand
No matter how hard you try, you can’t prevent emergencies. And when they come, you need to find a way to get help. Before you leave, you should first look up the emergency service numbers of your travel destination. If it’s a foreign country, you should also have the number to your country’s nearest embassy.
Keep Digital Copies of Important Documents
Your passport is the most important document when traveling to a foreign country. If you lost it, that would be a bummer. The process of finding an alternative would leave you stranded there for a few days or even weeks. That’s why it is important to keep a digital copy to make the process of getting a replacement much easier.
Use Reputable Travel Agencies
Travel scams are some of the biggest challenges for tourists. Even before you leave home, some travel companies may want to overcharge you or take away your money altogether without offering the service.
There’s also the issue of taxi scams. A typical taxi scam involves the driver saying the meter is broken, so they can charge you an obscene amount of money for a short distance. Some drivers may even claim your hotel is overbooked, so they can take you to a more expensive place and collect a commission.
To avoid these scams, you should only choose reputable travel agencies. And once you get to your destination, use ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. They’re much safer since you can track the meter on your smartphone. You should also verify the driver’s information before getting into the car with them.
Ask Locals for Advice
Nobody knows your travel destination better than the people who live there. But that doesn’t mean you should ask the first person you meet. For this, you need to talk to a reliable person, say the staff at your hotel. They can give you important advice, including some of the places to avoid and the best places to visit.
Keep in Touch With Your Friends and Family
Make sure you tell someone close to you about your travel plans before you leave. And once you get there, check in with them regularly, preferably every day. This way, if something were to happen to you while you’re there, they can notice something is off and notify the authorities sooner.
The Bottom Line
Traveling to a new place can be an exciting, life-changing experience. But it could also go the other way. Therefore, you need to prepare for any challenges that may arise so you know how to handle them. You can use the tips above to help you stay safe in your next travel destination.
