10 Travel Safety Tips Every North American Should Know

Here's the honest truth about travel safety: the vast majority of trips go off without a hitch. But the small percentage that doesn't tend to go wrong in the same predictable ways. After five years reviewing travel incidents for the State Department and another three advising North American travelers heading abroad, I've seen the same mistakes play out dozens of times. These ten tips address the risks that actually happen — not the movie-style emergencies — and they're all within your control before you leave home.

1. Research Your Destination Before You Book

Many travelers wait until after booking to look up safety information. That's backwards. The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains up-to-date advisories for every country, with specific guidance for LGBTQ+ travelers, women travelers, and those with medical conditions. Canada's Global Affairs and the UK's Foreign Office publish similar resources. I recommend checking three sources: the State Department advisory, the CDC's travel health notices, and recent news from local English-language outlets. If a destination has a Level 3 advisory (reconsider travel), understand what that means for your specific itinerary. A beach resort in a Level 3 country might be perfectly safe while the capital city is not — the advisory often covers an entire country when conditions are localized.

Use our free Travel Safety Calculator to assess your destination's risk level and get a personalized checklist of safeguards based on your trip type, duration, and activities planned.

2. Purchase the Right Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not one-size-fits-all, and buying the cheapest policy is a common mistake. Here's what to look for:

• Medical evacuation coverage: This is the component most people overlook. A medical evacuation from a remote area can cost $50,000–$200,000. Your regular health insurance almost certainly won't cover this overseas. Look for a minimum of $100,000 in evacuation coverage.
• Trip interruption coverage: Covers non-refundable expenses if you must cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason (illness, injury, death in the family, natural disaster).
• Baggage and personal effects: Most airlines cover $1,500–$3,500 for lost bags, but policies often provide more comprehensive coverage, especially for electronics.
• Adventure sports: If you plan to scuba dive, bungee jump, or rent a motorbike, read the fine print. Many standard policies exclude these activities unless you purchase a rider.

A good policy for a one-week international trip typically runs $40–$80 per traveler. Annual multi-trip policies make more sense if you travel more than twice per year — they usually cost $200–$350 and cover all trips within a 12-month period.

3. Register with Your Embassy or Consulate

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service run by the State Department. Registering takes about five minutes online, and it allows the embassy to contact you in case of an emergency — a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency at home. It also helps authorities locate you if you're involved in an incident. Canadians can register with Global Affairs' Registration of Canadians Abroad, and UK citizens with the Foreign Office's LOCATE service. I've had travelers tell me this feels paranoid until a volcano erupted in their destination and the embassy sent evacuation instructions directly to their phone.

4. Make Copies of Critical Documents

Before you leave, scan or photograph the following and store them in a secure cloud service (Google Drive, iCloud, or a password manager): the photo page of your passport, your visa, travel insurance policy, itinerary, hotel bookings, and emergency contacts. Keep physical copies separate from the originals — I tuck a copy of my passport in my luggage and leave another with a trusted friend at home. The rule is simple: if your phone dies and your bag gets lost, you still need to prove who you are and where you're supposed to be.

5. Secure Your Money and Valuables

Petty theft is the most common crime affecting travelers, according to a 2023 report from the World Tourism Organization. The strategies that work:

• Use a money belt or concealed pouch under your clothing for passports, large cash, and credit cards. Keep one card and a small amount of cash in your wallet or bag for daily use.
• Spread your money across multiple locations: a hotel safe, a bag, and on your person. If one gets stolen, you still have access to funds.
• Use a hotel safe for passports and valuables — never leave them unattended in your room. Many travelers leave passports in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy when exploring.
• Purchase a cheap door alarm ($15–$25) for your hotel room. It emits a loud 120dB siren if someone opens the door while you're sleeping.

6. Protect Yourself Against Scams

Travel scams are remarkably consistent across destinations. The State Department's consular offices see the same patterns everywhere. Here are the ones to watch for:

Pickpocketing distractions: A group of people surrounds you — one asks for directions, another drops something at your feet, a third spills a drink — while a fourth takes your wallet. This is the most common scam in crowded areas like train stations and tourist plazas. Keep valuables in front pockets or a money belt and stay alert if strangers approach.

Fake police officers: In some countries, scam artists pose as police and ask to see your passport or wallet. Never hand over your passport to anyone who approaches you — a real officer will accept a photocopy and will never demand to see your wallet or cash.

Overpriced "friend" services: A friendly local offers to show you around, then demands an exorbitant fee at the end. Politely decline and use licensed tour operators or taxi apps.

ATM tampering: Skimmers attach to ATMs and capture your card data. Use ATMs inside banks or hotels rather than standalone machines on the street. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

7. Stay Connected Safely

Staying connected abroad gets easier every year, but the security risks are real. Public Wi-Fi in airports, cafes, and hotels is often unencrypted. A 2024 study by the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky found that 34% of public Wi-Fi networks in popular tourist destinations lacked basic encryption protections. The solution is simple: use a VPN for any activity involving passwords, financial transactions, or private communications. I recommend downloading and testing your VPN before you leave home — some services work better in certain regions than others.

8. Know the Local Emergency Numbers

Most travelers know 911 or 112, but emergency numbers vary by country. The International Association of Emergency Managers provides a country-by-country list, and your embassy can also provide this information. Beyond the number, you should know the local equivalent of "police station" and "hospital" in the local language or have them saved in a translation app. In non-English-speaking countries, emergency responders may have limited English proficiency.

9. Be Situationally Aware

Situational awareness means paying attention to your surroundings and identifying potential risks before they materialize. It sounds obvious, but most travelers focus on taking photos or checking their phones instead of watching what's happening around them. Practice the "360 scan" every few minutes: glance over your shoulder, check who's nearby, notice if anyone is paying unusual attention to you. Trust your instincts — if a situation feels wrong, it probably is. Remove yourself and find a crowded, well-lit area.

10. Have a Communication Plan

Your phone will likely work abroad, but battery life and connectivity can be unreliable. Before you leave, establish a check-in schedule with a trusted contact at home. I recommend a "safe arrival" text when you reach your destination, a mid-trip check-in, and a final message when you return. Share your itinerary with your contact, including hotel names and rough daily plans. If something happens and you can't reach them, they'll have a baseline for when to worry. Also, save the number for your embassy or consulate in your phone — it's often easier to reach than local police in a crisis.

Planning Your Next Trip

Travel safety isn't about eliminating all risk — it's about managing the risks you can control. These ten tips will address the most common issues travelers face. For a personalized assessment based on your specific itinerary, destination, and activities, use our free Travel Safety Calculator. It takes about 5 minutes and generates a tailored checklist plus an estimated budget for safety supplies and insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions