1. Pack light and cheap: Carrying a huge amount of luggage or costly items can cause multiple problems–it can be hard to keep track of multiple bags and might grab the wrong kind of attention, making you susceptible to theft. It’s best to leave valuable things, like nice cameras, jewelry, and watches at home instead of running the risk of losing them.
2. Plan ahead and let others know where you are going: Planning beforehand not only reduces anxiety but keeps you out of dangerous situations as well. My colleagues and I planned a weekend trip to Mexico City the week before, making sure we had reservations and an address for a hostel known to be safe. We mapped out the subway system, jotting down where to get on and off, and figured out what parts of the city were safest. If we needed a taxi, we would ask the front desk worker at the hostel to call a reputable taxi service for us to avoid hailing an unregistered, unmonitored cab. Never travel alone- even with groups, it is best to let others outside the group know your exact travel plans in case of an emergency.
3. Keep your personal belongings close: While out dancing in Mexico, one of my colleagues left her bag containing her wallet and cellphone on a chair at a local hub. When she returned just a few minutes later to get her things, the bag was gone. Always remember that no matter how safe a place seems, it is better to be cautious than to run the risk of losing your belongings. For girls, hip bags with thick straps that loop around the opposite shoulder are a great travel option, because it is hard for thieves to cut the straps or pull the bag off your body. Just remember to carry as little cash as possible and store valuables in different pockets within the bag. Money belts are also a great option, especially when you need to carry a passport or credit/debit cards.
4. Obtain a cell phone and reliable contact information: Telcel and Movistar stores can be found throughout Mexico. You can purchase a relatively cheap phone, a Sim card, and a plan that meets your needs. Calls within Mexico are cheap if you get the right plan! Once you have a phone, input contact information for your host family, friends, and colleagues. Make sure they have your number as well.

Best wishes and safe travels!

As far as traveling is concerned, I would consider Costa Rica one of the safest options based on its stable government, low crime rates, and great health care system. That being said, my travel safety tips are focusing on choosing where you are going to travel, with what program you are going to travel, and planning for your trip before you leave. By doing this, you will have a more enjoyable trip, and will not have to worry as much about safety, allowing you to enjoy your experience more!
1. Where to go. In choosing where to travel, you first want to consider the overall safety in the country. Travel.state.gov is a great website where you can find information on the safety in other countries and specifically Costa Rica. Also, talk to people who have traveled out of the country before about their experiences, recommendations, and any warnings they have. Costa Rica is one of the safest countries I came across during my search. It is also important to consider your ability to speak another language. This will help you to ensure that you can get the information you need even if people do not speak English. If you cannot speak another language, it may be a good idea to consider countries that speak English as a first language or where a lot of people speak English as a second language. In Costa Rica, they speak Spanish. I can speak Spanish fairly well and I found that the more I tried to speak Spanish, even if it wasn’t perfect, the more people were willing to help and explain things to me. This will help make traveling easier and increase your comfort level.
2. Choosing a program. There a multitude of programs you can travel with in just about any country in the world, doing just about anything, so how do you choose? First, start by asking people who have traveled with the programs you may be interested in about them. Talk to the people who run the program and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions! My thoughts are that traveling with a small group of Americans (2-5 people) or even better, traveling with people from the country you are in are the safest options. When you are in large groups of Americans, you stick out and can be more easily targeted for theft and other crimes. Also, traveling with people from that country increases safety because they know where to avoid, what to expect, and how to interact with the people. I would say that established programs that work with the locals, or are run by the locals tend to be safer because you will know that they are supported by the community and that many other people have gone before you who can validate the safety of the program.
3. Planning before you leave. I would probably consider this the most important part of ensuring that you have a safe trip. Depending on the country you are going to it may differ but here are some general guidelines.
a. Organize all the information on: where you will be staying including addresses, phone numbers and emails where you can be reached while you are there and include those of the people in charge of the program. Have this information with you when you are traveling and leave it with a few family and friends before you leave.
b. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at this website http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_4789.html through the Department of State. Also, if you are a university student, most will have ways to register your trip with the university and will know where you are and be able to keep track of you. This is just another way to ensure that in case something happens, you will be able to get the help that you need.
c. Buy travel insurance. This is another good precaution in case something happens overseas. You will not have to worry about the cost of getting the health care or getting out of the country if need be. It’s inexpensive and will be really helpful if you end up needing it.
d. Get your vaccinations. Check on the CDC website http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ for information about the vaccinations you may need to get before traveling to that specific country. Many times your doctor’s office will not carry vaccinations as they are not given routinely in the US and you will have to go to a place like “Passport Health” to get them. For instance, you may also have to take malaria pills. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. It may also be a good idea to ask your doctor about taking a course of antibiotics with you in case you do get sick while overseas. Bring over the counter medications with you as well such as Pepto-Bismol, antihistamines, anti-diarrheal, and a pain reliever as these are the four essentials I would recommend.
e. Check with your phone company. The last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere without any way to contact someone. Many times your phone will work overseas, but the prices will be high. If your phone does work overseas, consider how much you plan on using it while there. If you are going to be using it a lot you may want to buy an international plan for the duration of your trip, or consider buying a cheap pay as you go phone when you get to your destination. If you do not plan on using your phone other than in case of emergency, just ensure that it will work overseas and carry it charged at all times. Always carry a spare power charge cord.

Prepare well for your trip and there won’t be much to worry about once you get there!

Firstly, review other Sara’s Wish safety tips! Jen Bishop wrote about educating yourself on where you’ll be traveling to, signing up with the State Department and maintaining contact with people in the US, getting vaccinated, purchasing a cell phone in your host country, using common sense, and having a safety plan in place in case of emergency. Of her tips, I identify especially strongly with purchasing a cell phone and using it to stay in touch with contacts both in the US and in your host country, so that someone knows your location at all times. Also, having an emergency safety plan is incredibly important; I assumed there was a system in place for me in Nicaragua, but I was wrong. I needed an 8-digit ambulance number, and my in-country director informed me that the local private clinic provides better care than the hospital in Rivas. Knowing these things could have made a huge difference in an emergency situation. Take the time to review past recipients’ tips in detail and prepare yourself as thoroughly as possible.
Hilary Robbins also brought up some very valuable points. Knowing your site, as she points out, is incredibly important. Locals can give you insider information on what is and isn’t safe for foreigners, and they also know the easiest travel routes to keep you from getting lost and in a potentially dangerous situation. By learning specifics about your site, and by learning the language, you’ll be more prepared and able to make educated decisions for your safety. Also, as Hilary points out, travel in Managua, Nicaragua requires high vigilance and should be avoided at night. I found buses, in the city and along rural dirt roads, to be safe and did not hear about any accidents or problems.
Here are a few more detailed tips to add on to what previous scholarship recipients have already written about!
Transportation: Although buses are generally safe, avoid taking the last bus of the day anywhere. If the bus breaks down, you could be left in the middle of nowhere without other transportation options. When getting in taxis, especially in Managua, check that the permit number on the front window matches the taxi’s license. Text this number to someone while you’re entering the cab— make it obvious that someone knows where you are! While getting in, make sure that the cab’s seatbelts function correctly. Call someone while in the taxi to let them know where you’re going and when you should arrive. If possible, ask someone you trust (a friend, program director, etc.) if they know of any safe taxi drivers you can call to take you. In rural communities, avoid biking after dark. Dogs tend to be spooked by bikes and are on high alert and ready to bite at night. Even locals walked their bikes past my house after dark. If you must bike after dark, carry a sizeable rock with you that you can throw in the direction of any dangerous animals. As a general rule, try to avoid motorcycles, especially at night and on paved city roads where drivers go fast and weave in and out of lanes. Motorcycle crashes and deaths are a huge problem in Nicaragua. Riding motorcycles, or driving any vehicle, is particularly dangerous at night because many drivers and motorcyclists don’t use headlights and will not see oncoming traffic.
You may experience pressure to ride on the back of a motorcycle to get places in rural communities. As Hilary emphasized, is to discuss safety ahead of time with the people you’ll be working with, and don’t ignore any gut feelings that tell you something is unsafe. There is always alternative transportation, even if it takes longer or is more costly, and it’s worth the conversation if it ends up making you feel more comfortable, or even saving your life.
Health: the sun is very strong in Nicaragua, so drink more water than you think you need to. Pack Gatorade powder to bring with you if you’re worried about dehydration. Wear sunscreen and protect your skin. In terms of food and water, be wary of ice in your drinks and make sure that milk products have been pasteurized. Before traveling, be aware that some things are very hard to get in Nicaragua, or are very expensive. Sunscreen, contact fluid, and tampons are all scarce and costly. Bring any prescription medications with you as well!
Emergency: It’s extremely important that you know where the nearest clinics and hospitals are, and that you have their phone numbers. Also recognize that the police can be unreliable and are particularly absent in rural communities. Your best option might not be to wait around for them to solve a situation for you!
Other: Recognize that the Pacific Ocean can be very, very dangerous. Make sure you consult with locals and knowledgeable individuals before swimming. Rip tides were very common in my community; a fellow intern who was a certified lifeguard admits he almost drowned after getting pulled out by the ocean. At the very least, avoid swimming alone! To avoid robbery, keep money in several different pockets and places. Never leave bags unattended! Have small change ready in one separate pocket to pay for transport. Consider carrying bigger bills and other valuables in a money belt worn around your waist. Generally try not to draw attention, especially in cities. Don’t be obvious about checking your map, plan routes out in advance, walk as though you know where you’re going, and dress inconspicuously.