How To Stay Safe Away From Home

I love travelling. I have visited many countries in Africa, Europe, North and Central America. I had a wonderful experience in all those places and I will keep travelling. I love to discover new people, new cultures, new places. Travelling is a kind of school where you learn to be a citizen of the World. If you lose your luggage, you get robbed, you are harassed by Immigration Officers, don’t be discouraged. The rewards are by far greater. But before you go, prepare yourself.

This advice is shared by our friend Bonnie Hamre, a South America Travel Expert.

Bonnie Hamre, Common Sense Safe Travel in South America-Traveling, exploring new places, discovering ourselves is a joy and a learning experience not to be missed. Being open to adventure and off-the-beaten-path travel is part of the experience. And yet, it’s only common sense to know what to expect and take some cautionary steps. Some of these suggestions apply to travel anywhere, and some only to South America. Enjoy your travels, but be safe!

When away from home, there are some basic safety tips:

Documents and Visas:

• Carry them with you. If you are stopped or detained by the police, you will need to prove who you are. If you’re worried about having your passport stolen, carry it in a hidden pouch under your clothes.
• Copy all your documents and leave a copy at home.

• Email all your details, itinerary, passport number, name of embassy and visa, to your own email address, so if you lose anything, you can visit an internet café, log in, and get your details.
  

  Travel:

• Travel light! Unless you are going on a cruise and will unpack once for the entire duration, you are better off with a smaller amount of baggage.
• Pack what you can carry yourself.
• Pack with the expectation that you will acquire more during your journey.
• Pack your own luggage and do not let it out of your sight.
• Do not ask other people to watch your luggage or agree to watch someone else’s.
• Never, never, never carry packages for someone else.
• Make sure you know what you’ve packed in each piece of luggage. Place your name, address and telephone number inside each piece.
• Use luggage tags, but make sure they are covered.
• Invest in travel insurance. You may not like the cost, but if you need it, you’ll be glad to have it.
• Consider using one or more of these

• Leave most of your credit cards at home.
• Know your credit card numbers: whom to call if lost or stolen.
• Use traveler’s checks.
• Carry your cash in different pockets, or in a hidden wallet on your body. A money belt is a good investment.
• Do not put your wallet in a fanny pack, a backpack, or in a purse hung over a shoulder. These are very popular with pickpockets.
• Don’t count your money in public. Have a small amount in a convenient pocket for cab fare, bus fare, tips, etc.
• Be cautious when using automatic teller machines. If you use an ATM in a public area, pick a well-lit machine and be aware of anyone who may be watching you.
  

  Keeping in Touch:

• Decide on an itinerary in advance and leave a copy with family and friends.
• US citizens can register their travel plans with the embassy or consulate. If a search is needed to find you, this will be the place authorities contact.
• Keep in touch along the way. Let people know of changes to your itinerary.
• Use email, text messaging and the telephone.
• If on an overnight or longer stay away from your hotel, let the front desk know your stops, expected time of arrival and departures.
  

  Arrivals and Departures:

• Try to arrive in daytime.
• Choose your own taxi. Do not be cajoled into accepting a ride from an unmarked cab.
• In an airport, where possible, check in, go through whatever security measures and go to your boarding area.
  

  Staying in Hotels and Hostels:

• Your choice depends on your budget and personal preferences, but choose sensibly.
• Take a rubber doorstop to use on your side of the locked door.
• Ask for a room near the elevator or stairs.
• Check for fire detectors in public areas, hallways and sleeping rooms.
  

  Valuables:

• Keep them hidden.
• Leave your good jewelry at home.
• If you must take some, check it into the hotel safe. Don’t wear it while touring.
  

  Medications and Prescriptions:

• If you take prescription medicine, get a note from your doctor stating the medication, doses and a refill prescription.
• If you are diabetic, make sure you carry a note on your person with instructions should you need help.
• Do not try to take extra with you. Many customs and police officials might consider this drug trafficking.
• Take your own first aid kit. In addition to bandages, topical ointments, sanitary needs, condoms, etc. painkillers, antiseptic wipes, etc., take along motion sickness remedies.Read page 2 for Personal Safety Suggestions.
  Read page 3 for Specific Country Information

• Drugs and Unlawful Substances:

• Don’t! The penalties for possession of/or trafficking in drugs in some countries can include long prison sentences or even death.
• Check out these Hard Facts.
  

  Cameras:

• Take it with you. Use it, and put it away, out of sight. Something that doesn’t look like a camera case is useful.
• Don’t hang it around your neck.
• Take some film with you. It’s readily available in most places.
  

  Personal Behavior:

• Please try not to look and act like a tourist. Be a traveler, a visitor, but not an unwary tourist.
• Wear appropriate clothing for the locale and situation. Dress like the locals as much as possible. Don’t flaunt your affluent status. Even if you are not wealthy, to the poorer people, or con and scam artists, you are a target.
• Respect local taboos, traditions and customs.
• Study ahead. Know your destination. Study your local map and guidebook before you head out on a tour, either alone or with a group.
• Know your way back to your hotel.
• Walk with a purpose. Know where you are going.
• Do not walk alone at night, particularly down dark streets.
• When in a bar or nightclub, do not accept drinks from strangers. Do not leave your drink unattended. If you must leave it, order a fresh drink. Do not take a chance with any of the “date rape” drugs. Keep your hand over your glass. It is very easy for someone to drop something in.
• If you smoke, do not accept cigarettes or food from strangers. These may also be drugged.
• Get the cheapest Cruise Deals! Find & Compare Prices on Cruises.
• Intimacy with a hot-blooded Latin lover, of either sex, may be on your agenda, but take precautions.
  

  Criminal Activity:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Stay alert to what is going on around you when you are out in public.
• Muggers look for people who look unaware.
• Keep your money, passport in a hidden bag next to your skin.
• Pickpockets often work in pairs, or groups. One or more will distract you while the pickpocket does his or her job.
• Learn and practice the Spanish words for assistance in Spanish and/or Portuguese. In an emergency, you might not have time to consult your phrasebook or dictinary.
• Learn the laws and regulations of the area you’re visiting. Ignorance of the law is never an acceptable excuse.
• Whatever you’ve heard about bribing your way out of trouble or police custody, forget it.
• Be especially aware of unmarked or otherwise suspicious motorcycles. Motorcycle robbers approach from behind on unlicensed or unamrked motorcycles, snatch your purse or other valuables and disappear into traffic.
• If confronted with an attempted robbery, do not resist. Remember that possessions can be replaced, but lives cannot.
  

  Women Travelers:

• Don’t be a victim! Use your street smarts.
• Walk with a purpose. Know where you are going. Confident and aware people are less a target for muggers and pickpockets.
• If you are attracting unwelcome male attention, conceal your knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese.
• Wear a “wedding” ring if you are single.
• Have a picture of your “husband” ready to display.
• Sit with or near other women travelers on public transportation.
• Walk with or near other women in public markets, on the streets, etc.
• Don’t give out the name of your hotel, your room number, or display your room key.
  

  Political Issues:

• Be aware that in many countries of Latin America, US citizens may be welcome even while political stress exists.
• Don’t allow yourself to be caught up in political demonstrations.
• Stay out of riots and large massed gatherings.
• Be cautious. Before you travel, find out what’s been happening where you’re going.
• Read or watch the news.
• Talk to other travelers. Share your own experiences.