Be sure to check travel warnings before you finalize any itinerary. The U.S. State Department maintains a list of security alerts and travel warnings for all countries (click here to search countries). Much of staying safe comes down to common sense. That said, there are things you can do to enhance your personal safety while traveling. The first is to ask locals (i.e., a hotel desk clerk) if there are areas of a city that should be avoided. If you aren’t fluent in the local language, pick up the hotel’s business card or write down its name and address to show cab drivers.
If you are a U.S. citizens or permanent residents, consider taking advantage of a SMART, a free service offered by the U.S. State Department. SMART stands for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. By enrolling, U.S. embassies and consulates will be notified about your travel plans and will get in touch with you in the event of threats such as civil unrest or a natural disaster.
You may be approached by a person on the street who will ask for something. The majority of such requests are harmless (i.e., a street vendor, independent tour guide, panhandler). A polite but firm “no thank you” is all you need to say. Be wary of someone trying to give you something free because there’s almost always something expected in return. Also, say ‘no’ to offers of other services such as carrying your luggage at the airport. Travel writer Rick Steves offers excellent advice about tricks and scams to avoid (click here).
Before leaving on an international trip, I remove nonessentials from my wallet. I do carry my driver’s license (needed for renting a car) and copies of medical/insurance cards. Unless there’s a reason (i.e., required for entry into an attraction), I don’t carry my passport while away from my hotel or Airbnb. If there is no room safe available, my passport stays in a locked section of my suitcase. Note that some hostels have lockers where you can store valuables if you bring your own lock. If I must carry my passport, it goes in a money belt along with reserve cash and one credit card.
I carry cash needed for cab fare and incidentals in a front pants pocket. Use care about where you store valuables in your backpack or purse and avoid outside pockets. Also, pay attention to where you put your purse or backpack on buses, trains, and while seated in coffee shops, bars, and restaurants.
