As a general rule, world travel is quite safe. Most countries have a U.S. Embassy that can help you if you run into any real trouble, and the Department of State keeps a running list of any potential issues that might affect Americans traveling to different areas of the world. Still, we’ve all heard horror stories, some of which may be urban legends, about people who were arrested, mugged or worse in foreign countries. Most of the tips for staying safe abroad are the same as those for staying safe in the United States, and could be chalked up to common sense. For example, it’s good to let someone know where you’ll be, and to not flash your valuables around. Here are some additional travel safety tips that you might consider the next time you venture overseas in order to increase your chances of staying safe and having a great time:
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Do what the locals do. You’ve heard the adage about what to do when in Rome, and this applies everywhere. The best way to avoid being targeted as a good crime victim is to blend in. Obviously, this is easier in some areas than in others. For example, if you are a member of a race that does not typically live in your vacation destination, then you will stick out. In general, though, do as the locals do. If they dress conservatively, then you dress conservatively as well. If they avoid certain areas after dark, that’s what you need to do. One way to be sure that you’re acting appropriately is to arrange to meet some locals and spend some time with them during the first few days of your trip. With the Internet making the world so small, you can surely find someone to have coffee with or even to stay with through Meetup.com or Couchsurfing.org.
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Do some research. Aside from checking the government’s warnings, it’s good to be abreast of the situation in the area that you are planning to visit. This does not apply only to areas of political unrest, though that is important. Know how far from the airport your hotel or hostel is, and know what arrangements are available to get there. Find out where the nearest bank is to your hotel, and what their hours are. Also, look into any common scams that are prevalent in the country or city that you are visiting. Your travel agent might be able to advise you on this if it’s something well-known, otherwise an Internet search should turn up some results if there is anything you must know.
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Don’t be too over-confident. You have to remember that if you are out of your element, you won’t be able to discern all of the cultural cues that you’re presented with. Things like body language and choppy English can lead to misunderstandings that you wouldn’t encounter at home. If you’re not sure what someone is saying to you, or if you aren’t sure what they mean, be sure to ask for clarification. If someone seems aggressive or over-assertive, don’t be afraid to back down, lest you be the one breaking the unwritten rules of culture.
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Don’t do anything stupid. As an American, you are bound by certain laws when you are in the United States, but you are not exempt from following the law of the land that you are visiting. Find out what the laws are and follow them to the letter. The embassy in your destination will have limited resources to help you if you were breaking the laws in the first place and find yourself in hot water.
Don’t let any of these travel safety tips dissuade you from traveling! Visiting other countries is a wonderful way to expand your horizons, meet other people and have a great time while on vacation. Simply use common sense and look into local customs before you go, and you’ll be sure to have a great time.
