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- Activate travel notices with your bank and credit cards; familiarize yourself with local currency and the closest banks and ATMs.
- Map out travel routes near the hotel or location you are staying and if available, view 360-degree images on Google Maps with Street View.
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
If you are a female traveler, research your travel destination(s) to familiarize yourself with local laws and customs, security and health issues, transportation and accommodations. Planning ahead can help make you a less desirable target for criminals and conmen.
As a woman, you need to understand these details before traveling because everyday activities and actions you do in your home country may be illegal for women in other countries. Many societies are male-dominated, which affects professional and social customs in many parts of the world. Not knowing or disrespecting local customs might cause you to be the recipient of aggressive behavior from locals.
- Consider learning martial arts or taking women’s self-defense classes as a preventative measure. Seek out travel safety training through your employer or other resources.
- Know the security risk level of your destination and be vigilant about your safety at all times, even if the destination’s risk level is low. Know how to say a few key words, such as “police” and “help,” in the language of the country you are visiting.
- In some countries, customs based on religious and moral beliefs strongly influence the way women dress, soit is important to research your destination and pack according to local dress codes.
- Some countries' religious customs require women to cover their head with a scarf.
- Some countries' customs consider it inappropriate to wear revealing swimwear, such as bikinis. If you plan on visiting beaches pack appropriate swimwear.
- Understand local customs and consider your actions.
- Know the acceptable personal space with women as well as men.
- Shaking hands with members of the opposite sex is not a universal custom.
- Avoid discussing issues that include religion, politics, salary, sexual preferences, health or other sensitive topics. Certain cultures consider discussions about these topics to be insulting.
- Prior to leaving for your trip check to see if your medical insurance covers where you are going and make sure you have been cleared by your doctor to travel.
- Carry at least a two-week supply of any medication you are taking in their original bottles with the prescription and any special medical ID bracelet or tags. Also, confirm if you need any vaccinations or treatments.
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant consult with your healthcare provider before traveling and consider postponing travel to any area where the health issues, such as Zika virus, is ongoing.
- Pack your preferred brands of sanitary items, since it may be difficult to find them in developing countries.
- Pack wisely and only bring the absolute essentials so you can move quickly. Whenever possible, try to avoid checking in a bag and only bring a carry-on.
- Wear modest clothing and avoid wearing expensive jewelry, watches, purses, luggage or other accessories. Generally, you don’t want to seem like you have valuables that someone could steal.
- Prepare a list of your emergency contacts including family, friends and coworkers, as well as contact information for insurance and emergency travel assistance, local hospitals, police and your local embassy; bank or credit card; and office, hotel and transportation.
- Carry a hard copy and e-mail the list to yourself and save the contacts on your cell phone.
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Coverage available to U.S. residents of the U.S. states and District of Columbia only. This plan provides insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc. (Travel Guard). California lic. no.0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482, travelguard.com. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP. This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 37th FL, New York, NY 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states. Your travel retailer may not be licensed to sell insurance, and cannot answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of this insurance and cannot evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance. The purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from the Travel Retailer.