Travel safety
Suggestions include:
- Keep your travel plans, including accommodation details, to yourself.
- Don't hitch hike.
- Try not to travel at night.
- Keep a photocopy of your passport and all other important documents in a safe place.
- Use ATMs during the day, when there are people around.
- Try to rely more on credit cards and travellers cheques than cash.
- If you are mugged, don't fight back. It is better to lose a few dollars and a wristwatch than get injured.
Even if you're not sure where you're going, walk like you've got a purpose.
Match your dress style to that of the locals. Don't wear an obvious 'tourist' outfit like a loud shirt with a camera slung around your neck.
Be discreet when map reading.
Notice the people around you. Be wary if someone seems to be taking more than a passing interest.
Don't make yourself an attractive target when travelling
Suggestions include:
- Don't wear expensive jewellery on obvious display.
- Wear valuables (such as traveller's cheques and credit cards) on a belt worn under the clothes and next to the skin.
- If feeling particularly vulnerable, wear your money belt somewhere other than around your waist. Thieves know all about money belts too.
- Consider carrying a 'dummy' wallet holding a small amount of cash. If you are directly confronted by a mugger, you can hand over the dummy wallet and avoid further distress.
- Beware of scams when travelling
Thieves devise inventive ways to rob you. Some of these may include:
Posing as a police officer and asking to check your money for counterfeit bills.
Posing as a tour guide and offering to show you the sights of the city.
Where to get help
Local police - 10111
Local security company - SECMA - 0860 111 911
