It’s important that every traveler is aware of their surroundings –especially in a location they’ve never visited before. Here are 7 ways to travel safely this year:
Use Your Common Sense
The very first and most important tip I can give is to use common sense. Don’t leave the tourist areas and venture out on your own. Do not wander down dark alleys at night or buy drugs from someone off the street. Don’t drink an excessive amount of alcohol in an unfamiliar setting.
If you feel inclined to explore outside the resort area, use the buddy system and travel in groups. Work with your hotel or travel expert to recommend a reputable tour company or licensed cab service. Bottom line, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Be sure to use your intuition.
Consider Purchasing an International Phone Plan
Before you leave for your big trip, it might be a good idea to call your cell phone service provider to go over international plans and pricing. You’ll feel more comfortable should an emergency arise. Keep in mind, 911 only works in the U.S., as each country has its own emergency service number. Be sure to check what that is and program it into your cellphone before leaving for your trip. Another phone tip I’d recommend is to gather all your important contacts and confirmation numbers and store them in your phone ahead of time so they’re easily retrievable.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
The STEP Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It helps facilitate contact and dissemination of information during an emergency situation and is a great safety precaution to take when traveling or living abroad for a period of time.
Utilize Your In-Room Safe
I always suggest travelers utilize their hotel’s in-room safe or lockbox for things like electronics, jewelry, cash, credit cards, and travel documents when they’ll be left unattended. Do a double-check that your safe is in fact, locked when you leave the room. Be sure to grab everything in there before you check out of your hotel in a rush though. And as a general rule of thumb, if you’re truly worried about losing something –don’t bring it.
Divide Your Money
Whenever possible, divide your cash and credit cards into multiple safe spots so that a potential thief can’t wipe you out at once. Read more on this, here.
Make Copies of Your Passport
It’s a great idea to scan a copy of your passport and your passport picture in case you lose it along your journey. You can also take pictures of your passport information and store it on your smartphone if that’s easier! Just be sure that you store the copies separately from your actual passport. I’d also suggest leaving another copy of your passport at home with a family member for safekeeping.
Answering Your Hotel Door
If you’re alone in your hotel room, it’s best to not answer your door if you’re not expecting anyone. If you get a suspicious knock, check the peephole for a familiar face. If someone tells you they need access to your room for an emergency or maintenance issue, call the front desk to verify their story. If you’ve requested room service or attention from resort staff, be sure to keep the door open or stand by it while they’re attending to the matter.
These tips aren’t meant to deter you from traveling, but to encourage you to travel smarter and enjoy your vacation! Watch over your belongings, be respectful of your destination, and use intuition as your guide. So, go on and book the trip. Have fun and experience everything this wonderful world has to offer!
Looking for some expert guidance this time around? Then, contact me today for a complimentary vacation planning session. I can’t wait to work with you!
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