Traveling, even when strictly for pleasure, can be a risky business. Who among us, after all, did not learn a lesson or two from Liam Neeson’s spell-binding performance in the 2008 documentary Taken regarding the risks of handsome strangers with foreign accents and dishonorable intentions? It’s critical to strike a balance between enjoying yourself in the pursuit of complete relaxation, and focusing on staying safe when traveling, particularly for solo travelers without the benefit of an extra set of eyes. Though common sense and experience certainly go a long way towards ensuring the average traveler’s safety, check out the below safety tips for a little extra peace of mind on the go.
Carry a doorstop. The common doorstop is compact, light-weight, inexpensive, widely-available, and not subject to any TSA restrictions. It is wildly unremarkable while at the same time a critical component of the safe traveler’s tool box. I have stayed, a time or two, in some less-than-reputable hostels, as has any budget-conscious traveler. I have occasionally felt compelled to move a desk or a chest of drawers in front of the door, which lacked a lock and did not appear to latch completely. A sturdy doorstop accomplishes the same goal, preventing a door from being forced open from the outside, without the concern that all the furniture in your room will be bolted to the floor. There is a certain level of risk you accept when you agree to spend $12/night on a room in central Madrid. Strategically jamming a doorstop under the door at night is very effective in managing that risk.
That delicate balance between carrying all of your valuables and none of them. Every traveler has their own carefully calculated system, developed over years of traveling to varied locations and re-calibrated for every journey, regarding The Things They Carry and The Things They Leave At The Hotel. Hundreds of variables factor in to these calculations, from the relative security of the hotel to local crime rates to the projected itinerary. While every experience certainly calls for its own set of security protocols, here are a few best practices I’ve picked up along the way:
– Wallets. Carry enough cash in your wallet to see you through to the end of the day, somewhere between $20 and $200. Also include a photocopy of relevant passport pages (usually the facing page and the page with your entry stamp or visa) and one credit card. Carry your wallet in a secure place, like a front pocket or the inside pocket of a jacket.
– Money belts. Carry the majority of your cash in a money belt, along with the rest of your credit cards and your actual passport. Distributing your money in this fashion means that nothing is left in the hotel, but the majority of your valuables are safe from pickpockets and muggers, who will usually be satisfied with your wallet. Please do not access your money belt in public; if I or anyone else see your money belt ever, you’re using it wrong.
Looking like a tourist. I am very familiar with the travel wisdom that suggests blending in is the best way to stay safe. No one wants to be the tourist with the giant camera and guide book and sunscreen and socks under their sandals. However, the common mantra that one should avoid looking like a tourist is a little shortsighted. It assumes that the primary factor preventing me from assimilating into the local culture is my need to occasionally consult a map. The truth is that in most locations outside of the United States and Western Europe, no one is going to mistake me for a local, no matter how confident I look, or how much purpose I walk with.
The goal is not to avoid looking like a tourist; it’s to avoid looking like a target. That means being aware of your environment, especially when traveling in more remote locations alone. Know where you’re going, and how to get there, in advance of leaving your hotel. Know which neighborhoods to avoid after dark. And please don’t take stock of your belongings or count your money in public.
Register with the your embassy. I am the first to be deeply suspicious of any government program that requires I submit personal information (all of them). However, most embassies are responsible for their citizens abroad, especially in the event of a national disaster or political unrest. The US Embassy, for example, sends out travel alerts based on your itinerary through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. During the earthquake in Haiti, they evacuated over 16,000 Americans. This is especially useful for solo travelers, who may not have the benefit of safety in numbers.
Use ATMs with caution. ATMs pose two types of danger. First, that of identity theft. Try and avoid using ATMs outside of international airports and major hotel chains, if at all possible. This is of course also location-dependent; there’s a world of difference between using an ATM in London, and using one in Nairobi. The risk of identity theft is naturally higher in less-developed places, particularly those known for fraud and corruption. The second type of danger is physical; the only reason anyone uses an ATM is to withdraw cash. Be alert when using an ATM in a public place. Take note of anyone loitering in the vicinity of the ATM or paying unusual attention to those patronizing it. Frequently, exhibiting a high degree of situational awareness will be enough to deter any potential muggers, who will move on to easier prey.
Listen to your instincts. When situations feel wrong, they usually are. You are an experienced traveler, and more importantly, you know a thing or two about human nature. Trust yourself to recognize the difference between situations that are uncomfortable because they are unfamiliar, and uncomfortable because they are dangerous. You know that saying, “curiosity killed the cat?” Don’t be the person who walks towards the protests, or towards the gunfire. You don’t want to serve as a lesson to others.
Listen to the locals. A few years ago, during a vacation in Panama City, I was strolling along the neighborhood streets a few blocks north of my hostel. I didn’t have a destination in mind, but was out to explore the city. As I started to turn down one road, a few men who had been lounging near a store front jumped up to block my path. They explained through a mix of hand gestures and broken English that I did not want to go that way, that it was very dangerous, and that I should turn around and go back the way I came immediately. There was nothing remarkable about the area, no indications or outward manifestations of the risk it seemed to pose, and it was the middle of the day. Sometimes there won’t be any hints, no matter how subtle, as to the relative safety of a given location. Rely on the kindness of strangers, and heed their advice.
Let’s be fearless,
Jen
Photo 1 courtesy of Adrien Mogenet
Photo 2 courtesy of Ryan Joy
Photo 3 courtesy of Pedro Ribeiro Simoes
Photo 4 Courtesy of Marcin Szala