Traveling abroad can be an exciting and eye-opening experience, but it’s important to be aware of the risks. While researching your travel plans, read traveler reviews and ask locals about safety tips. You can also enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive updates about the country you’re visiting.
Before traveling, make sure you have someone who can contact you in an emergency. Leave a copy of your itinerary and contact information with a close friend or family member. While it may seem like a hassle, it will help emergency responders find you in case of an emergency. If possible, try to stay in hotels that are located in safe neighborhoods. Be especially aware of traffic patterns and cross streets carefully.
Having several people to travel with can help protect you from being a victim of crime. A large group of people can be intimidating for an assailant. Likewise, a lone predator is unlikely to target a group. By traveling with other people, you’ll also have more eyes and ears to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
While it can be exciting to meet new people, it’s also important to be cautious about sharing your location online. Sharing a room with another person may be a good idea, but don’t reveal your location until you feel comfortable with them. Even if it’s a hotel, don’t share your location with a stranger until you’re sure they’re trustworthy.
Having some cash on hand can also help protect you. Keep your cash separate from your credit cards. It’s best to leave some cash with a hotel or hostel if you’re arriving late. You should also avoid showing off large amounts of cash while paying. You should also make sure you’re aware of any potential pickpockets, particularly on trains.
While drinking can be fun, it can impair your judgment and make you more susceptible to dangerous situations. Drinking is not a good idea when traveling overseas because it can make you more vulnerable to a predator, and it increases your risk of passing out. Drinking also lowers your inhibitions, making you less aware of what you’re doing.
There are many scams that target tourists abroad, so it’s important to learn about these scams in advance. Be wary of these scams and be prepared to avoid them altogether. Remember to read travel blogs, ask other travelers, and read travel safety tips posted by government bodies. You can also ask your hotel or lodge staff for advice.
