Be aware (prior to travel) of any existing political or civil unrest or issues. Pay attention while in country in case things go sideway.
Take advantage of available U.S. resources:
Study up - take advantage of information sites run by the Department of State www.state.gov/travel
- CIA factbook www.cia.gov
- The CDC for travel health concerns wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
- The State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov
- Identify the locations/contact details for local US Embassies or Consulates…in the event of a robbery or crime, report it immediately to the Embassy or Consulate…in times of trouble overseas they can be an invaluable resource and support mechanism.
- Identify the best hospitals/medical facilities where you’ll be traveling…think about what you might do in a medical emergency…how would you notify your family…again, the US Embassy or local Consulate can be very helpful in case of an emergency…
- Embassy vs Consulate (Embassy is primary service – 1 in country. Consulates in every city)
- Smart Layers: Phone, Where Staying, Register with State Dept., Hospital
- Dress appropriately if you are a woman, wear respectful clothing; pay attention to your decorum
- Is crime a problem where you’re going? Study up on current scams…(I can run thru a handful of typical street scams used to target tourists/travelers)
- Know what areas/neighborhoods to avoid
- Plan/organize their travel… use trusted/vetted car services, avoid random street cabs, don’t accept rides from the airport, avoid local buses and commuter trains
- Refrain from displaying personal wealth, looking or acting flashy… you want to blend in, not stand out…
- Don’t use ATMs at night or in under-populated areas… don’t carry large amounts of cash
- Travel with photocopies of your passport and other vital documents in case of theft
- Refrain from displays of wealth; blend in, not stand out
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash or use ATMs at night
- Travel with photocopies of your passport and other vital documents
- Get safe travel information at state.gov/travel
- Download the CIA Factbook CIA.gov
- Register in the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEPS); step.state.gov
- Locate: U.S. Embassy, Consulate and hospitals/medical facilities
- Always let someone know where you are and plan to travel
- Visit the U.S. State Dept. travel website to view alerts and warnings
- http://travel.state.gov/
- Familiarize yourself with the current environment, culture, and political climate
- Locate the nearest American embassy before traveling
- Know which neighborhoods to avoid
- Don’t look like a tourist; criminals in Mexico and throughout the world, look for the soft targets… don’t make yourself an obvious target. You want to walk around like you’re aware, not like you’re in a bubble lost in your own thoughts…
- Avoid displays of wealth…avoid ATMS at night…stick to ATMS in the major hotels and banks…
- If you are a victim…cooperate in a non confrontational manner and report the crime immediately after to the US Embassy or Consulate. If one of your travel companions, or a family member is kidnapped, report it immediately to the FBI…
- Specialized “threat assessment” companies can advise your travel plans
- Report kidnapping to the FBI; crimes to the U.S. Embassy then local authorities
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