Whether you are planning an extended vacation to California or are planning on relocating south of the border in Mexico, the following list of travel safety tips will help to keep you safe no matter where your plans take you:

• Do Your Research- While some of us may prefer to ‘fly by the seat of our pants,’ it is usually a good idea to research where it is you are heading ahead of time. This is especially true if you are traveling to a country or area that you are not familiar with. Knowing a thing or two about the customs of a particular country can also help you to stay out of trouble and/or harm’s way.
• Don’t Travel Alone-There’s nothing wrong with vacationing by yourself; however, there is something to be said about safety in numbers- especially if you are a female. Even if you are single, try to pair up with other singles or find a group outing to go with.
• Blend Into the Crowd-When visiting a foreign country, it is better not to call attention to yourself as it will only make you a target. For this reason, keep all valuables (i.e. cash, ID, etc.) hidden under your clothes or locked in a safe back at your hotel. Also, try to exercise a little discretion when using maps and taking pictures as these will be dead giveaways that you’re not familiar with the area.
• Be Wary of Taxis-When traveling in Mexico, it is better to call taxis ahead of time versus hailing one on the street. Smart Travel recommends calling Taxis Autorizados, which can be found at authorized stands throughout the country.
• Ask the Locals-Instead of breaking out the map, why not ask a local instead? Locals can be great and valuable sources of information, from everything such as which neighborhoods to avoid to what restaurants you should try.

(Via: Smarter Travel)

Tags: advice/tips // Add Comment »