It’s fun to visit exotic locations but some extra precautions can give you peace of mind while you’re having fun.
Here are some tips for traveling safely when abroad.
1. Get travel insurance
Many people view this as unnecessary, but from canceled flights to hospital stays, there are many situations in which you might find yourself wishing you had travel insurance.
2. Research your accommodations
Stay at a well-known hotel chain or check resources such as Yelp and TripAdvisor for reviews of local establishments. When using a service such as Airbnb, reserve places with several reviews and a well-established host.
3. Get in touch with other travelers
Be it an informal survey of your Facebook friends or a dedicated travel forum, consult those who have been where you’re going for recommendations.
4. Share your itinerary and documents
Give a family member or close friend access to your itinerary and copies of your travel documents. Keep them updated with itinerary changes and new information as you go.
5. Stay on the grid
Even if the Internet is scarce or you want to unplug from a constant barrage of emails while traveling, try to contact someone at least every few days. In a worst-case scenario, someone will know to get help if they don’t hear from you.
6. Leave luxury items at home
Displaying clear signs of wealth, including expensive jewelry, watches and designer handbags, can make you a target.
7. Don’t carry too much cash
If you carry a large amount of cash to pay for your trip, your vacation can be ruined in one fell swoop if you’re pickpocketed, mugged or simply misplace your wallet.
8. Don’t opt for empty locations
While large crowds can make for easy pickpocketing, empty stores and back alleys leaves you vulnerable to becoming the victim of a crime without witnesses.
9. Document your taxi
Take a photo of the plates or driver’s information and send it to someone outside the taxi immediately. Don’t be afraid of letting the driver see what you’re doing–they’ll know that if something happens, it can be tied back to them.
10. Only use bank ATMs
While it may be more convenient to use an ATM inside a store or at another public location, you are more likely to be robbed or to have your information stolen by a reader on the machine.
11. Learn language basics
You don’t need to be fluent, or even conversational, before a trip, but know how to ask for simple directions, how to ask for someone speaks English and how to reach emergency services. Have a translation app, or a pocket dictionary, at hand.
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