Safety Tips for Budget Travelers

1) Learn the basics in the local dialect before you arrive. Don't expect that people will speak the language that you are familar. English is becoming more widely spoken these days, but you need to be sure. You should always get a few "common local words" in mind before your arrival. "Hello", "Please" and "Thank you" won't take more than five minutes to learn, no matter what language.

2) When arriving to a new destination, keep to your original plan and stay in the boarding house that you have decided on. Don't let the taxi driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he knows a cheaper and better one. He'll be working on commission and the hostel probably won't be in a safe part of town.

3) When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, travel in the more exclusive airport taxis and be certain that the drivers have official identification. Never take a taxi waiting at the road side.

4) When traveling from your lodge to the airport, recommended get a taxi recommended by the hotel.

5) Study the guide books and talk with other tourists to find out which areas are best avoided.

6) Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night. This can just go harm in a number of ways. It is much easier getting checked in during the day time and safety measures at night in certain areas is just horrendous.

7) Travel with company with someone if possible. Since when is traveling in numbers not a good idea?
8) Keep your valuables out of the sight. A money belt is great if it is an option that you willing to look into. One of the most popular is an “over the shoulder” style wallet on a strap that you were underneath your top. This makes it very arduous for a thief to make off with your valuables.

9) Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day trips or longer tours. In most of the hotel, there is a safe deposit box to allow the guest to keep their valuable belongings.

10) Stay away from going on your own to remote areas/ruins where tourist is unfamilar with. Seek local advice or take a guide.

11) If planning on going to market districts, crowded streets, celebrations etc. don't go with all your valuables. Leave them in the hotel. If you’re planning on buying something pricey keep your money safely in a money belt. Try to be cautious when opening it! To protect small change in your pockets you can stuff a handkerchief in after.

12) When leaving places late at night take a taxi home no matter how close your lodging is. Outside most tourism places you'll find a street vendor selling groceries. Usually these people know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.

13) Don't wear expensive looking jewelry and necklace.

14) If you have to leave your passport and credits cards together, place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name across the flap, and place it in the safety place. Please make sure the envelope should not be tempered when you are back.

15) When putting your bag down on the floor, for a drink or taking a short rest, bear in mind to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, you also put this belonging in your mind! This is nothing new and special - tourists tend to forget their belongings in the shop and on returning to ask if anyone has seen it, in most of the time, it's gone!

16) If the pavements are really congested, especially in the night, walk in the road.