Recently I had a chance to appear in one of the most well known TV shows in Latvia “Bez Tabu” where I provided expert commentary on how to stay safe when travelling. You can see the full episode here (in Latvian).
As there is always limited airtime and it is impossible to share all the tips, here is a more detailed breakdown of what to keep in mind:
Before purchasing tickets to a country, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website for travel warnings for that specific destination. Inform someone from your friends or family about your trip, agree on how you will stay in touch, and establish an emergency plan in case they don’t hear from you!
Be sure to read reviews from other travelers about the country, city, and different neighborhoods—is it safe to walk there at night? Are there areas you should avoid or only visit with a local or a guide?
Make sure to get a good travel insurance policy! If something is stolen during your trip (such as a bag, laptop, etc.), there are cases where home insurance might also cover the lost item.
Remember that belongings can be stolen even during a flight—so when going to the restroom or are sleeping, always think about where your valuables are. If you plan to sleep during the flight, keep the most important items close to you—like in a waist pouch. It’s also a good idea to place your carry-on luggage on the opposite side of the aisle, so you can see if someone opens the compartment during the flight.
Think about how you dress and what you bring along—leave flashy, large, expensive jewelry and watches at home. Observe how the locals dress and assess whether your outfit stands out as a typical “tourist uniform.”
In some places, it’s not even safe to carry a handbag or backpack, and using a simple shopping bag might be a better option. Some travelers even carry a fake wallet and phone to hand over in case of an attack.
If you are threatened and asked to hand over your belongings, it’s better to comply rather than provoke the attacker—no matter how valuable or sentimental your items are, your life is irreplaceable.
Don’t give your phone or camera to strangers who offer to take your photo.
Never leave your belongings on the ground unattended. Likewise, a car trunk is not a safe place, and neither is a hotel room for storing your most valuable possessions. Use a safe if available, but be aware that even safes can be broken into or stolen entirely.
Don’t keep all your money, documents, and bank cards in one place. For trips, prepare at least two bank cards and store them separately. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Upload copies of important documents to cloud storage that you can access even without two-factor authentication or your phone. Ensure you have backup copies of your photos and other crucial information from your phone.
If you do get robbed, always report it to the police to obtain an official record of the incident, as insurance providers will require it.
Zane Eniņa and I have covered these and many other tips in detail in our new book “Atklāj pasauli. Kā sākt ceļot patstāvīgi” (currently only available in Latvian, the approximate translation would be “Discover the World: How to Start Traveling Independently”), a practical guide useful for both beginner travelers and experienced adventurers!