A short survival guide for safe travel
Reading travel guides and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website can quickly become frightening. Foreign countries all seem more dangerous than the next. “Be careful of everything,” “trust no one,” “be constantly on your guard”… You might almost think that independent travelers are easy prey! Yet, after our trip in 2026, we proved that wrong.
So how do you survive in these “hostile” lands as a white person, gringo, or any other kind of foreigner? Based on our experience and after devouring Ken Griffiths’ ” Little Guide to Survival ” (thanks, friends, for this gift before our departure!), we’re sharing our practical tips for ensuring your safety while traveling, without excessive paranoia. Travel safety is more a matter of common sense than luck!
1. Avoid sensitive areas-the ABCs of safe travel
It may seem obvious, but we all sometimes tend to forget the basics when we travel! To travel safely, there are a few golden rules that we ourselves have applied to the letter:
- Listen to the locals. If someone tells you that a certain neighborhood is dangerous at night, it’s not to spoil your fun!
- Trust your instincts: A deserted path that makes you feel uneasy? Turn back without hesitation.
- Stay vigilant: hat hat-friendly local who insists on showing you THE place you absolutely must see… might be better off keeping your distance. Besides, there are several scams common to all countries when traveling!
Before we delve deeper into our travel safety tips, let’s take a quick look at some of the most common scams: here are a few (neither tested nor approved ):
- The taxi and its mysterious meter: If the meter is “broken” or partially hidden, the final fare can become astronomical. → ALWAYS negotiate the price BEFORE getting in or make sure the meter is working properly.
- The famous “it’s closed, but…”: A local informs you that the site is closed (darn) due to a mysterious traditional festival (Buddha Day, for example), he then kindly offers to guide you to a “better place” → Go check for yourself and rely on the official times.
- ATM scam: Someone offers to help you with the ATM… Their goal is clearly to steal your banking information → NEVER let anyone approach you when you’re withdrawing money. This rule is universal
- The car rental scam: You discover mysterious damage to your vehicle overnight, followed by an excessive repair bill → Don’t forget to take before/after photos and above all, only rent from official agencies!
- Avoid overly insistent invitations. Also, avoid offers of tea/coffee/an “authentic” tour, which too often end with a hefty bill → In short, be wary of offers that are too tempting or insistent out of “kindness”.
It can’t be said enough: vigilance and common sense are your best allies! However, there’s no need to distrust everything and everyone; just keep your eyes open.
2. Blending into the background-the art of going unnoticed
To travel safely, discretion is your best ally! Here’s how to avoid attracting attention:
- Adopt the local look or a super state-of-the-art camera that costs 3 months of local salary? Keep it put away except when you’re using it.
- Smile, you’re on camera: A smile and a few words in the local language can defuse many situations
- Respect cultural norms, at’s normal where you’re from might be considered provocative elsewhere. Learn about local dress codes!