Backpacking Safely – Tips and Tricks
“Do you feel safe when you travel? And when you’re alone, aren’t you afraid?” These are common questions I get when people discover my passion for solo travel.
I’ve met individuals from all corners of the globe who share this same passion. Many are women who have ventured out alone, backpacking to explore new horizons. Interestingly, many have told me that they often felt safer in destinations deemed “dangerous” by most than in their own countries. Indeed, it is possible to travel safely, even when backpacking in developing countries, not speaking the local language, or traveling alone.
Undoubtedly, certain countries are strongly discouraged due to their political instability, and in those places, you most likely wouldn’t feel safe at all. If you were planning a trip to Syria tomorrow, I’d consider it ill-advised. Choosing a destination requires a degree of research and preparation. Never embark on a journey unprepared, and always adhere to a few safety guidelines.
BEFORE LEAVING
Visit your Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel portal
In most countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a portal with up-to-date information regarding the safety of each country. By opening the tab for a specific country, normally you can also access really useful information, such as recommended or mandatory vaccinations, areas to avoid, visa conditions, embassy numbers etc.
Take it with a pinch of salt
Authorities tend to dramatize situations. For example, the Italian Foreign Ministry warns travelers to exercise caution when visiting France because of the risk of terrorist attacks. Most travelers wouldn’t even consider this a major concern, and even if they did, the actual risk is extremely low. To put it in perspective, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be involved in a terrorist attack while traveling in France.
Take out travel insurance
Having good travel insurance is essential for safe travel. Choose one that, in addition to offering health care, also covers liability, and check that all the activities you plan to do are included (diving, trekking above a certain altitude, winter sports etc). You can find a detailed article on how to choose comprehensive and inexpensive travel insurance here.
Make sure you are healthy and get the proper vaccinations
Especially for long-duration travel, it is good to give yourself a “little checkup.” Get your blood work done, get that knee that has been bothering you for some time looked at, etc. Traveling can be physically exhausting, so make sure you are 100 percent!
Even more important are vaccinations. For many developing countries, it is advisable to get hepatitis A and B vaccinations. Some countries also require mandatory vaccinations, such as the yellow fever vaccine. It is good to find out before you leave.
In any case, I recommend taking a first aid kit with you. Buy one ready-made or make it up yourself. Here you can find the complete list of things to bring on your trip.
Outsmart the thieves
Too often I have seen travelers walking around with the classic fanny pack hidden under their pants that everyone knows about—yes, everyone! Use alternative methods such as a secret pocket belt not yet widely known.
Never keep all your money in one place. Consider carrying a second wallet with a little cash in it and an expired credit card—to maintain appearances—while storing the rest of the cash safely somewhere else. Ideally, you should have your cash in at least two or three different places.
Carry at least two cards and emergency cash
Carry at least two cards and keep them in separate places. Preferably choose one Visa and one Mastercard, and be sure to enable them for use abroad. Always try to have some emergency cash. Remember that U.S. dollars are the ultimate international currency, but euros are fine too. Here you can find the best travel cards.
Leave valuables at home
Do not take valuable necklaces, rings, and watches with you. It happens even in developed countries that people have necklaces snatched from their necks. The odds of this happening to an overtly foreign person walking the streets of some developing country are obviously higher.
In general, avoid carrying anything that might attract the attention of ill-intentioned people.
Save your documents online
Create a copy of all your documents and save it online in a cloud service. I also recommend that you create a note where you can enter any useful numbers you might need; for example, numbers to call to block cards or the one for your travel insurance.
Visit the ‘stay safe’ section of Wikitravel
Wikitravel is one of my favorite sites when it comes to accumulating information about a particular country. Each country’s ‘stay safe’ section is always packed with tips on areas to avoid, laws you should be aware of, common types of scams, and more. Take a look and come prepared.
DURING THE TRIP
Leave everything you can safe
If you sleep in hotels, you will have a private room that you can lock. If you sleep in hostels, use lockers where you can safely leave documents, cash, cards, electronic devices, and any valuables.
As soon as you arrive at your destination, put everything you don’t need inside your locker and take with you only the little cash you will need during the day. Basically, never walk around with a lot of money in your pocket, but take only the bare minimum so that if the irreparable happens, the losses will be minimal.
Be careful when withdrawing
Avoid withdrawing money at night and in sketchy areas. Preferably use ATMs inside a bank or shopping mall where security is higher.
Some people—perhaps a little too paranoid!—have advised me to feign frustration on the way out of the bank. So, in case someone is watching you, it will look as if your transaction failed.
Never leave your luggage unattended
I always travel with a large backpack—where I mainly keep my clothes—and a small one where, when I move, I keep all my valuable things and never lose sight of them.
You will often get separated from the large backpack, for example, on the bus when you have to load it separately. But never give your small backpack to anyone. Keep it with you at all times, and when you are walking in crowded areas or are inside a subway, place it at the front.
Beware of scams
Be especially careful of unofficial taxis because they may take you to areas where someone is waiting to rob you of everything you have or even force you to withdraw money and then leave you in the middle of nowhere.
My advice is to use apps such as Uber or GrabCar, or have the staff of the accommodation where you are staying, or if you are out, caterers or shopkeepers, call the cab directly. There is often a way to recognize official taxis, inform yourself.
“Common” scams i heard of while traveling through South America:
On the bus, be wary of anyone who asks you to move the small backpack you keep with you out of your sight.
If while you are walking down the street someone offers to clean your backpack after something slimy and smelly has magically fallen on it, hold on tight because it is almost certainly a scam!
Another scam that an Austrian friend of mine fell victim to is that of plainclothes police. If you are approached by people claiming to be police officers, refuse to follow them unless an official patrol is sent. Pretend you don’t understand, make something up, but be on the lookout—plainclothes police are unlikely to be interested in tourists.
Trekking and hiking
Always try to be accompanied by someone when you venture into isolated areas. A simple fall without anyone to help you could be really lethal. Always let someone know your intentions so if you do not return in the evening, this person can direct help in the right direction.
One last piece of advice I can give you is to download organic maps. This app, which is entirely free, allows you to download maps and use them offline on your smartphone. The maps are constantly being updated, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of trails plotted. As long as you have battery left on your smartphone, you won’t get lost.
Watch out for tap water
In many countries, tap water is not safe to drink. Ask locals if it is advisable to drink it or alternatively buy bottled water.
For those who like to travel while spending the bare minimum, I recommend bringing a water bottle with a filter. Despite the initial investment, you will save quite a bit of money in the long run. Hostels and hotels often provide drinking water.
When you go out at night
Unfortunately, when you are in a foreign country, you are a favorite target for all kinds of crimes precisely because you are a tourist. Being drunk or on drugs exponentially increases the risk, so don’t overdo it.
If you go out alone, try to walk within walking distance of other passersby. Avoid finding yourself alone in a completely deserted area, and consider taking a taxi if you feel unsafe.
If you think you are being followed, go into a bar or store, wait, and if the feeling remains, have a taxi called. In any case, when you go out at night, bring only a little cash and no important documents. Leave the wallet in your room and perhaps bring only a copy of the documents.
Respect local laws and culture
It is good to document yourself in advance regarding laws and customs. Besides being unpleasant, ending up in a foreign jail can be really dangerous. For example, in many countries in Southeast Asia, smoking marijuana is punishable by years in jail.
Laws should always be respected, but it is equally important to respect the local culture and religion, both out of common sense and to avoid unfortunate situations.
Do not resist a theft
If you ever get robbed, don’t be a hero and try to fight back. It might be tough, especially if someone’s trying to snatch your backpack, but remember, your safety is way more important than any stuff. These robbers often carry knives or even guns, so don’t risk your life for anything.
Once it’s over, report the theft to the police and your consulate. If you have travel insurance, don’t forget to contact them too.
Use common sense and trust your instincts
Traveling safely is mostly a matter of common sense. If you are offered a strange tour and the deal is too good to be true, do not go. If you are asked to follow someone, do not do so. If someone appears overly friendly, beware.
I hope this article doesn’t frighten you. While there are many scams and dangers, it’s equally true that with the right information and preparation, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip. Most of the situations described above are highly unlikely, and with experience, you’ll learn what precautions are necessary depending on the country you’re in. Your confidence will grow over time. Don’t let fear of the unknown hinder you from exploring and embarking on fantastic adventures around the world!
Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!
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