Travel Advice - Street smarts

When you are traveling, be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Avoid areas that appear seedy, run-down, or are graffiti ridden. If you would not walk around a similar area while in your hometown, do not do so when you are traveling.

When walking in cities, stay on well-traveled, well-lighted streets.

• Avoid alleys and short cuts.
• Avoid large dimly lit areas, train stations (unless you are catching a train), and empty streets.
• Ask the staff at your hotel if the area surrounding the hotel is safe for walking.
  • Ask them if there are areas of the city that you should avoid in the day or night.
• Pay attention to your surroundings and appear as if you know where you are going and have a purpose in doing so.
• Consult your map before you leave and stick to the path that you have chosen.
• Try to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention to yourself. You want to blend in and not appear a tourist or any easy target.

Have you mobile phone ready for emergencies or purchase a phone card and be familiar with how to use it.

• If you are traveling abroad, we recommend that one of your first purchases is a phone card.
• Make sure you know the local emergency numbers for the police (you can find this information in the Travel Information section of our Destination Guide for the country)
• In addition, you should know enough words in the local language to call for help or the police.

If you are accosted, do not fight back.

• Give them what they want. You are irreplaceable.
•  Losing your belongings is a monetary loss and an inconvenience but not a tragedy.

If you are robbed, be sure to file a report with the local police and obtain a copy of the report. If your passport is lost, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy.

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