Spring break is a popular time to travel to new countries, meet new people and experience new cultures and cuisine. While there are plenty of opportunities for fun it's always a good idea to plan your trip ahead of time making note of place you want to visit, must see venues and budget accordingly. It's also super important to stay safe while traveling, so I've put together some useful tips to get you started.
Keep Your ID on You
Make sure you have a safe place to keep your state ID, driver’s license or passport at all times. Make a paper copy of your ID and keep it in the safe in your hotel in case something happens to the original.
Most hotels will require an ID to check in and if you plan on renting a car you’ll definitely need identification.
Travel in Groups of Pairs
Make sure to bring a friend along while venturing out in an unfamiliar area. Even if you’re just walking down the beach or taking a quick trip to the food mart, get a friend to tag along. Staying in groups is a good way to deter pickpockets and thieves.
Be Careful Near Water
If you are swimming in an ocean be mindful of the undertow and look out for any signals that the tide is not ideal for swimming. If swimming in a pool be mindful of those around you, always practice safety in the water. It’s best practice not to swim alone, especially after dark or while consuming alcohol.
Stay Safe with Code Words
Before heading out for the day or evening choose a code word with your friends. If you feel that a situation is becoming uncomfortable, dangerous or more than you can handle say your code word to signal to your friends that it’s time to head out without questions.
Leave Expensive Jewelry/Clothing at Home
Predators often look for people with expensive clothing or jewelry and target them for robbery. Leave any high value jewelry or clothing at home and enjoy touting it around town when you return home.
Drink Responsibly
If you choose to drink alcohol do so in moderation and responsibly. Be aware of the number of drinks you are consuming, you shouldn’t have more than one drink in an hour and no more than 2-4 drinks over the course of a night.
If you choose to drink eat a meal before you drink and after each alcoholic beverage you consume take a break and have a glass of water. This will help you stay hydrated and will help prevent binge drinking.
Be careful to keep your drink in sight at all times and do not leave your drink unattended. Do not drink out of open pitchers and do not take drinks from other people. Be responsible.
Be Careful with Money
Keep your money in a safe place and don’t make a practice of flaunting large sums of money and this will draw unwanted attention. Any cash that you don’t need for the outing you are taking should remain in the safe in the hotel. When using an ATM make sure you are with friends to avoid being followed or robbed. When using your credit card return it to its proper place after you pay.
Practice Safe Sex
If you choose to engage in sex do so safely, use protection and most of all make sure both you and the person you are engaging with give consent. People impaired by alcohol or drugs cannot legally give consent or agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.
Always use condoms, this helps prevent pregnancy and the spread of STDs. Be responsible.
Drive Safely
If you are driving be sure to know the rules of the road in the state or country where you are driving. Do not drink and drive, make sure to always have a designated driver or arrange for transportation ahead of time.
If taking a road trip make sure to alternate drivers so everyone can stay well rested and alert while driving. Assign someone to stay awake with the driver. Make sure you have an emergency number to call if something happens to the car, such as a flat tire.
Don’t Stay on the Ground Floor of a Hotel
When you check into a hotel request a room that is above ground level. Ground level rooms are more likely to be broken into.
Don’t be Reckless
If there is a drinking age, abide by it. Some drugs may be legal in one country and illegal in another, do not transport drugs from one to the next. Do not trespass or drive recklessly. The trouble that will follow you for engaging in these behaviors is not worth it.
Have fun, enjoy yourself, explore a new place and soak up the environment.
Be responsible.
For a great journal to help you remember these tips and keep track of the awesome vacation that you are having check out this Spring Break Planning Guide and Activity Book. Also, check out part II of this article for a great downloadable information sheet to make note arrival, departure, hotel and accommodations.
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