{"id":7732,"date":"2018-04-25T18:35:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T16:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/?p=7732"},"modified":"2026-10-28T07:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T07:42:11","slug":"backpacking-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/backpacking-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacking Safely – Tips and Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Do you feel safe when you travel? And when you’re alone, aren’t you afraid?” These are just some of the questions I get asked when people find out that I love traveling, alone and to faraway places.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I’ve met people from every corner of the world who share this same passion of mine. Lots of them are women who set off on their own, backpack on, to discover the world. Many of them have confessed to me that they often felt safer in places most people consider “dangerous” than in their own country.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yes, it’s possible to travel and be safe<\/strong>. Even if you sleep in places that aren’t five-star. In developing countries. Even if you don’t speak the local language and you’re alone.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Of course, there are countries that are strongly advised against because of the political situations they’re going through, and there you won’t feel safe, and you won’t be safe at all. If you decided to leave for Syria tomorrow, I’d call you crazy too. Choosing where to go also takes a bit of research and reading up on the corner of the world you want to explore. Never leave unprepared, and always follow a few rules to travel safely.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I travel independently and with a backpack, so some of the tips you’ll read below are aimed at people who prefer this way of getting around, but many of the tips you’re about to read apply to any kind of trip.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

BEFORE LEAVING<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

1. Visit your Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel portal<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

In most countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a portal (for example, in the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office runs Foreign travel advice<\/a>) where you can find up-to-date information about the safety of every country. By opening a specific country’s page, you can also access really useful information, such as recommended or mandatory vaccinations, areas to avoid, visa requirements, the embassy’s phone number, currency and language spoken.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

2. Register your trip with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Many foreign ministries also offer a service (for Italians, the Farnesina’s Dove siamo nel mondo<\/a>) that lets you register your trip so that, in case of natural disasters, political crises or other situations, the Ministry can give you all the assistance you need.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"Taking<\/h3>\r\n

3. Take out travel insurance<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Having good travel insurance is essential for getting around safely. Choose one that, in addition to offering medical coverage, also covers personal liability, and check that all the activities you’re going to do are included (diving, trekking above a certain altitude, winter sports).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Here<\/a> you can find an extremely detailed article on how to choose comprehensive and cheap travel insurance. My favorite is World Nomads.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

4. Make sure you’re healthy and get the necessary vaccinations<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Especially for long trips, it’s a good idea to give yourself a “little checkup.” Get your blood work done, get that knee that’s been bothering you for a while looked at, etc., etc. Traveling can be extremely exhausting physically, so make sure you’re at 100 percent!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Even more important are vaccinations. For many developing countries, it’s advisable to get the hepatitis A and B vaccines. Some countries also require mandatory vaccinations, such as the yellow fever vaccine. It’s a good idea to find out before you leave.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In any case, I recommend bringing a first-aid kit. Buy a ready-made one or put one together yourself. Here<\/a> you can find the complete list of things to bring on a trip.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

5. Outsmart the thieves<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Too often I’ve seen travelers walking around with the classic money belt<\/a> hidden under their pants that everyone knows about\u2014yes, really everyone! Use alternative methods like a belt with a secret pocket<\/a> that isn’t so well known yet!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Never keep all your money in one place, and consider carrying a second wallet with a little cash and an expired credit card\u2014to keep up appearances\u2014while you store the rest of your cash safely somewhere else.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Ideally, you should keep your cash in at least two or three different places.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

6. Carry at least two cards and some emergency cash<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

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 international currency par excellence, but euros are fine too.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The best travel cards<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"To<\/h3>\r\n

7. Leave your valuables at home<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Don’t bring valuable necklaces, rings or watches. Even here in Italy, you hear about people having necklaces snatched from their necks. The odds of this happening to a white, clearly foreign person walking the streets of some developing country are obviously higher.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In general, avoid carrying anything that might attract the attention of people with bad intentions, and travel as light as possible.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

8. Save your documents online<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Make a copy of all your documents\u2014passport or ID card, health insurance card, and credit or debit cards\u2014and save it online in a cloud service: Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud, CamScanner (it’s available for both Android and iOS, it’s completely free and it does a great job).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I also recommend creating a note in Google Keep (you can also access it from a browser, without needing the app) with all the useful numbers you might need; for example, the numbers to call to block your cards or the one for your travel insurance.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

9. Visit the ‘stay safe’ section of Wikitravel<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Wikitravel<\/a> is undoubtedly my favorite site when it comes to gathering 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 much more. Take a look and come prepared.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

DURING THE TRIP<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

10. Leave everything you can somewhere safe<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

If you stay in hotels, you’ll have a private room that you can lock. If you stay in hostels<\/a>, use the lockers where you can safely leave documents, cash, cards, electronic devices and any valuables, and make sure you bring a padlock<\/a> (preferably a combination one).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As soon as you arrive at your destination, put everything you don’t need inside the locker and take with you only the little cash you’ll need during the day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Basically, never walk around with a lot of money in your pocket; take only the bare minimum so that, if the worst happens, your losses will be minimal.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

11. Never leave your luggage unattended<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

I always travel with a large backpack<\/a>\u2014where I mainly keep my clothes\u2014and a small one<\/a> where, when I’m on the move, I keep all my valuables and which I never lose sight of.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

You’ll often get separated from your large backpack, on the bus for example, when you have to stow it separately, but never hand your small backpack to anyone. Always keep it with you, and when you’re walking in crowded areas or you’re on the subway, wear it on your front.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"To<\/p>\r\n\r\n

12. Be careful when withdrawing cash<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Avoid withdrawing money at night and in sketchy areas; it’s better if the ATM is inside a bank or a shopping mall, where security is always higher.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Some people\u2014perhaps a little too paranoid!\u2014have advised me to fake frustration on the way out of the bank, so that, in case someone’s watching you, it’ll look as if your transaction didn’t go through.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

13. Beware of scams<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Be especially careful with 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.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

My advice is to use apps like Uber<\/a> or GrabCar, or have the staff at your accommodation call a taxi for you directly, or, if you’re out, ask restaurant owners or shopkeepers to do it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

There’s often some kind of system to recognize official taxis, so find out about it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Two tips to travel safely in South America and avoid scams:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n