Those who think that only in Brazil tourists run risks are mistaken: even in the supposedly safest countries, tourist routes have a series of risks by nature, and to avoid them, it is important to be well informed about how not to be robbed abroad.
Safety tips for international travel
If being robbed in your home country already brings a lot of headaches and frustration, imagine going through this in a distant country, where you don't know the language, the laws and the people close to you.
Yes, the risk is multiplied, no matter where in the world. Therefore, being aware and informed will avoid many problems during your trip!
Luggage care
Let's start at the beginning: we've already talked here on the blog about luggage and how the ideal is to put everything of value in your handbag, but it's worth reiterating this tip: the checked bag is for clothes, shoes and other accessories of little value, which can be easily replaced.
Choose a good padlock and keep an eye on the contents of your suitcase
The ideal is to choose suitcases with locks in the standard approved by the TSA, otherwise immigration will break your lock and leave your suitcase open in case they need to check something.
An interesting tip for simpler suitcases is to wrap them in plenty of plastic, to avoid the action of gangs and ill-intentioned people.
To avoid problems with customs, know what to take in your international suitcase and what to avoid in order to avoid delays and headaches.
Always keep your bag close to you
If you go anywhere, take your luggage with you, always! No matter how "quick" it is, it is in this small interval that you can end up being robbed.
Study your route
Of course we always want to know the best of our itinerary, but knowing the reports of other travellers is fundamental to learn what to avoid.
Each region has a traditional type of scam, the ideal is to always be suspicious and follow your intuition, always distrusting what seems too easy and tempting.
Go with your trip prepared and avoid deviating from your route. Make a travel list and leave a copy with your family. Whenever possible, book everything in advance and check in on your mobile phone, always keeping 4G on with location active.
At each place you visit, send an online check-in to someone you trust. Hire a temporary internet chip before you even arrive on your tour, to ensure you won't spend a minute without internet.
Be suspicious and refuse
Beware of very charming people; avoid drinks from strangers and never walk alone or accompany unknown people; many gangs specialise in looking friendly in order to rob foreigners.
Refuse offers that seem too good to be true and, if at any time someone tries to extort you, look for a public place, with many people, inform them that you will look for the police and that you know your rights. If the extortion comes from the police themselves, insist that you know your rights and demand to be dealt with on the spot.
Be careful when using transport
Taxis tend to have a complicated reputation all over the world. If you are going to use a taxi, research which companies are safe.
Before choosing your route, research it on the mobile phone map and keep the GPS on during the trip so you know they're not extending the route for you to spend more.
When you get in the taxi, pretend you are talking on the phone and that someone is waiting for you on your route. If you can choose other licensed apps like Uber, give preference, so you know the profile of the driver, your route and the price in advance.
But between taxi, Uber and rent a car, the last one is always recommended if you are going to move around a lot, especially with family, the costs end up being lower and the safety is much better.
Take care with personal belongings
Never forget your personal belongings: always carry a backpack close to your body, preferably an anti-theft model.
Give preference to credit cards, but always have cash change with you and never keep cash and card in the same place, so if you lose one, you still have the other.
Have a fanny pack to keep next to your body, under your blouse, and wear your rucksack forward when travelling by metro. The more secret pockets you have, the less chance you have for thieves and scammers.
Protect your documents
Always carry certified copies of your documents, as we mentioned in our post about travelling abroad on business, and never trust your passport to anyone!
Have a special, well-secured folder for your documents and make copies of them to keep stored in the cloud in case you need them at any time.
Take out insurance
Mobile phones, clothes and cameras come and go, you can get them back, but your life is invaluable, and should be your primary care on any trip.
Don't try to invent ways to save money on this type of care: many countries have different health systems and a simple flu can come with a huge medical bill.
Besides health insurance, it is essential to contract car insurance in case you rent a vehicle, so you can travel with complete peace of mind and be well advised at all times.
Have you become more cautious with these tips? Caution is never too much. Knowing the right companies, your trip will have much more comfort and quality. Here on the Happy Tours blog you can find the best safety tips, itineraries and conveniences to have the best experiences!
