Take Care of Yourself While Traveling
During your travels, it is important to keep personal safety in mind, and to respect nature and people.
Inform Others of Your Plans. It’s not just about posting selfies on social media: by notifying someone in advance of your plans, you protect yourself in case of unforeseen circumstances. If you can't stay in touch, your last conversation with someone can provide a clue as to where to look for you if you need help. Always leave a copy of your passport and tickets with this person to facilitate searches.
Registering with the national embassy in the country you are visiting is never a bad idea.
Bring a broad-spectrum medication in your first aid kit. You never know what might happen to you.
Navigation. You should always have the ability to orient yourself in the area. Use a navigator and electronic maps on your smartphone (for this, you need a local SIM card) and always have a backup paper map in case your phone runs out of battery.
Take a portable charger with you on your trip. This way, you will always stay connected, even if there is no electricity near you for a whole week.
Food. Don’t rush to indulge in local delicacies right after you arrive, trying to taste everything at once. Start gradually, and be especially cautious with street food - although we understand how hard it is to resist, for example, in Bangkok or Hanoi, where food is everywhere. If you decide to embrace local traditions, choose places where food is prepared right in front of you. In cities, look for cafes where locals eat, not tourists.
During your travels, you will meet a large number of kind people. Most of them will genuinely be happy to help a tourist, but remember there are also those who want to make a little money off travelers. It’s better to avoid private taxis and people offering cheap tours, accommodation, or car rentals on the street.
Talk to local women if you are a female tourist. If you are a girl who prefers to travel alone, it’s better to reach out to local women, such as hotel staff, guides, or waitresses, to learn about dangerous neighborhoods and how to ensure the safety of female tourists. Studies have shown that women are attacked and robbed while traveling much more often than men. Additionally, you can ask about travel nuances from members of special Facebook groups, as well as purchase a pepper spray in the country you are visiting.
Dangerous Areas. Find out in advance which places in the city or resort are considered unsafe. Try to avoid them. If you couldn’t settle in a safe area of the city, carry fewer valuables and don’t return to your hotel alone in the dark. Use taxis and steer clear of noisy groups.
Appearance. Dress modestly while traveling: wear less jewelry, valuable items, and revealing clothing (for girls). The less you look like a tourist, the smoother your vacation will be.
Street Unrest. News of frequent street unrest comes from everywhere: students hold marches, workers and dispatchers go on strike, and various groups of people advocate for their rights in demonstrations. It’s best to stay away from all this and leave places with aggressively minded people as quickly as possible.
If a dangerous situation does occur, remember that you have medical insurance (it’s advisable to have a photo of the policy on your phone or in cloud storage). Call your insurance company if you have medical issues. Write down and keep with you the emergency service numbers of the country you are traveling in, as well as the numbers and addresses of your consulate and embassy.
Don't Play the Hero. If you unfortunately become a victim of robbery, do not attempt to fight the criminal. As unpleasant as it may be, it’s better to hand over money, credit cards, or documents. Resistance can lead to injury or death. Once the danger has passed, report the incident to law enforcement.
Dangerous Animals. This refers to inhabitants of beaches, jungles, and ancient ruins - various jellyfish, scorpions, centipedes, venomous snakes, and common mosquitoes that transmit malaria and dengue fever. Before traveling, thoroughly research the dangerous fauna of the area you are going to, be cautious, and don’t forget about repellents. If someone does bite you, try to remember the enemy’s face - this information will help doctors.
Do not feed wild animals. One of the reasons people feed wild animals is the desire to take a memorable photo with them.
However, it’s important to remember that the animal may behave aggressively and even attack. Moreover, your food may be harmful to them.
Do Not Degrade People. While traveling, treat all the people you encounter with respect. And even if you are resting in one of the poorest places in the world – this is no reason to treat locals as exhibits. ```