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20 Safety Tips for Budget Travelers

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1) When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, travel inthe more expensive airport taxis and ensure that the drivershave official identification. Never take a taxi waiting outsidethe airport grounds. I know this sounds extreme, but it is by far better to be safethen sorry. 2) When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go with a taxirecommended by the hotel. Again, taxi's can be very dangerous. I can't express that enough. 3) Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night. This can just go wrong in a number of ways. It is much easiergetting checked in during the day time and security at night incertain areas is just horrendous. 4) Travel in a group if possible. Since when is traveling in numbers not a good idea? 5) Learn the basics in the local language before you arrive.Don't expect that people will speak English. English is becoming more widely spoken these days, but you wantto be sure. You should always check on these things before yourarrival. 6) Keep your valuables hidden. A money belt is great if it is an option that you willing tolook into. There are many different styles of money belt. One ofthe most popular is an "over the shoulder" style wallet on astrap that you were underneath your top. This makes it verydifficult for a thief to make off with your valuables. 7) Avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where touristwould be expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide. 8) Read the guide books and talk with other tourists to find outwhich areas are best avoided. 9) When leaving discos late at night take a taxi home no matterhow close your hostel is. Outside most discos you'll find astreet vendor selling cigarettes. Usually these people know allthe taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one. 10) When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan andstay in the hostel that you have decided on. Don't let the taxidriver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that heknows a cheaper and better one. He'll be working on commissionand the hostel probably won't be in a safe part of town. 11) Even better, when arriving lane/train in a new city, try toreserve your hotel in advance, preferably with a hotel that hasan airport/station collection service. 12) Don't wear expensive looking jewelry. 13) On public transport have


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your day pack close to you at alltimes, preferably with the straps around your legs or padlockedto the luggage rack. On buses your backpack will normally gooutside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggagecompartments. On long distance buses ask for a receipt for yourbags. On short rides just keep a careful eye out each time thebus stops to off-load bags. In the event of having your bagsstolen, stay with the bus - you will probably require adeclaration from the bus company accepting responsibility forthe loss in order to claim any money from your insurancecompany. 14) Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making daytrips or longer tours. Obtain a receipt not just for your moneybelt/wallet etc. but for its contents, with each item listed. 15) If you have to leave your passport and credits cardstogether, place the credit card in a sealed envelope and signyour name across the flap. This way when you return you willknow that nothing has been tampered with. 16) If planning on going to market areas, crowded streets,fiestas etc. don't go with all your valuables. Leave them in thehotel. If you're planning on buying something expensive keepyour money safely in a money belt. Try to be discreet whenopening it! To protect small change in your pockets you canstuff a handkerchief in after. 17) If the pavements are really crowded, especially in marketareas, walk in the road. 18) If you suspect someone is following you, stop and stare themin the eye until they go. If you really get a bad feeling abouta place, go with your first instincts and leave. Bag slashing israre nowadays but for added safety you can wear your day pack onyour chest. 19) If it's on your back try to walk without stopping. If youneed to stop, sway your pack gently from side to side so thatyou can feel if anyone is tampering with it. 20) When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo orjust to sit in a café, remember to put your foot through thestrap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also won'tforget it! This is the most common type of theft - touristsforgetting bags in cafes and on returning to ask if anyone hasseen it, you've guessed it, it's gone. About the author: Eric Odom is an avid backpacker who runs student travel websitesfor a living. His latest site can be found athttp://www.backpackearth.com

Written by: Eric Odom

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