How to Travel Safely in Dangerous Countries

It would be great if every country you ever visited was a safe place where you could leave your worries behind and just enjoy the moment. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. There are many regions in the world where danger is a real problem and should be taken into consideration if you’re planning a visit.

However, safety shouldn’t be a deterrent, unless of course, you’d like to visit a place in the middle of a civil war. Most of the time, if you take the right precautions, you’ll be able to visit many countries deemed dangerous without ever feeling unsafe.

But how do you do that? Read on to find out!

1. Do Research in Advance

The first step to enjoying a worry-free trip should start at home. If you know you might be traveling to a sensitive area, it’s important to do your homework and understand exactly what the real problems are.

Some quick research will tell you about the safest areas to find accommodations and probably areas you should completely avoid. You’ll also learn if you need any sort of vaccination or, in the worst-case scenario, if there’s an outbreak of a disease or the possibility of any imminent civil unrest.

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2. Talk to the Locals

Once you set foot in your destination, you should immediately start talking with the locals to learn if there’s something you should be worried about. Internet research can only give you so much information; you’ll get the best advice from the people living with the issues every day.

You might find out that it’s OK to visit a neighborhood in the morning by bus, but in the evening, you should get a taxi or maybe not go at all. Remember that locals don’t want you to get hurt or robbed, and they will go out of their way to make sure you’re safe.

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3. Don’t Flaunt Your Valuables

This might seem like an obvious piece of advice, but you’d be surprised by the number of tourists that travel around South America, for instance, as if it were Europe. Walking around with a camera around your neck will definitely bring unwanted attention.

You shouldn’t open your wallet in front of strangers, especially if you have lots of large denomination notes, and please, don’t leave it in your back pocket. Also, refrain from using expensive mobiles or electronics in risky areas, as you’ll quickly become a target.

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