Have you considered traveling to a certain location but worried the area may not be safe? Are you planning on traveling with your family and worry for their safety? Are you traveling solo and fear you may be a target? This article will discuss five safety tips for traveling to use whether traveling domestically or internationally.

Vacation Safety Tips for 2020

I have spent 25 years working in local law enforcement. I have interviewed hundreds of criminals during my career. Criminals will travel the path of least resistance. Admittedly, most criminals will only commit a crime if they feel the victim is an easy mark or if the crime is uncomplicated.   Burglars wait until the victim goes to work. Those who break into a cars, usually only enter the cars where the victim left the doors unlocked. Robbers will choose an elderly man or a female who they feel cannot fight back.   The truth is, a law breaker would prefer to take advantage of a tourist using the least amount of effort possible. They will not go out of their way, call attention to themselves, and in most cases are only looking for those travelers who are lackadaisical in how they carry themselves and how they act.

Here are a five safety tips for traveling to implement into your vacation routine to avoid becoming a victim while traveling:

Safety Tips For Traveling Domestically or Internationally

Always be aware of your surroundings.

It can be very easy to get caught up in the beauty, scenery, and relaxation while on vacation. However, it is very important to not let your guard down. You should always be aware of your surroundings, but this is never more true when you are visiting a place you are unfamiliar with.  Do not wander from your group. Do not get left behind.  Make sure you have at least a  general idea of where you are even if you are in a foreign country.

Criminals are looking for the person who looks lost or seems to not be aware of what is going on.  They are looking for the person who is not paying attention so they can easily sneak up behind them. If you are with a group, you will less likely be exploited.  Even when traveling solo, make sure you only frequent areas that are inhabited by people.  In addition, should you be victimized, it is very important to be able to tell law enforcement where you are when you call for help. 

Wear a backpack instead of a purse.  

It is recommended to wear a backpack should you need to carry a bag with you while vacationing. A backpack is worn over both arms and some have straps which also clip across the chest.  This will prevent a would-be theft from grabbing the bag off your shoulder.  Furthermore, the extra strap makes it harder for the strap to be broken when grabbed.

A purse, on the other hand, has one strap and is only worn on one shoulder. This allows a thief to more easily grab and pull it from the victim. Most cases when pulled forcibly from a woman’s shoulder, the purse strap will break or rip making it very easy to abscond with the purse.

Be aware should you use a backpack to not put any items of valuable in the outer pocket. Because the pack is on your back, you will not be as aware if someone attempts to unzip the pocket while walking behind you.

Carry your ID, cash, and important documents in your front pants pocket or hidden around your neck.

I recommend carrying your important documents such as your identification and travel identification as well as money separate from your backpack if at all possible. It is a good idea to have it hidden in a small compartment hanging from around your neck and tucked within your shirt out of sight.  If not around your neck, you may wish to purchase a travel pouch that pins inside your clothing or your bra. As a last resort, the next best place is your front pants pocket. Never put it in your back pocket as this is an easy place for a pickpocket to remove it. On the contrary, it is less likely for a thief to take something from your front pocket without you knowing it.

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Never carry a large amount of money in public.

It is never a good idea to pull out money while in public in order to sift through the bills to find the right amount to pay a vendor.  This allows a would-be thief to see you are fair game.  Do not allow anyone to know you have money on your person. In addition, if you have paid for an item and you are given change back, do not walk out of the store still holding the money.  Take the time,  at the register, to place the change back into your wallet before exiting the store.

As already stated, do not let a potential thief know you could be their next victim. Try not to bring a large amount of cash on a trip, however if you must, do not carry it all on your person.  Instead, split the money and carry it in different locations.

If you are traveling with someone else, divide the cash you brought and both carry it hidden around your neck or in your front pants pocket. If necessary, have a small amount in the inner pocket of your backpack. You may have an additional amount in your wallet.  It is always a good idea to have the hidden location of money as well as your travel identification in different locations.  If you are victimized, you will not have lost all of your money and you will still have your identification.

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Check the Department of State’s Travel Advisories before traveling

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Trust your gut. 

If something feels wrong, it is normally wrong. If something is too good to be true, it normally, is. Trust your gut.  This is the most important tip of all. Many times we do not want to offend someone, we second guess ourselves, or we do not want to cause a scene.  The reality is you must stand up for yourself to stay safe. 

If you feel something is off, take some action.  Maybe you have a gut feeling the man standing next to you on the bus is creepy.  Move to the other side of the bus or get off at the next stop.  You can always catch the next bus.  If you feel as if someone is following you, do not go back to your hotel. Instead, go into a restaurant or a coffee shop that is well lit and occupied. Take action! You are the one who can prevent being victimized.

In summary

Before you leave for vacation, have a plan. If you are going as a group, plan how you will be traveling from one location to another.  Are you traveling solo? Make plans with tour companies you trust and avoid being alone. 

If you implement these five easy safety tips for traveling you can avoid being an easy mark for offenders. Do not become a victim!  Most importantly, if your gut tells you something is wrong take action!

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About the Author:

Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.

Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).