Travel Safety Tips
Terrorism Alert While Travelling
Everybody is at risk against all forms of terrorism during transition and while on vacation. Cooperating with airport personnel to make our travel safer is very important. Some travellers may feel singled out or embarrassed by airport personnel as they are pulled from the lineup or searched thoroughly, whereas others are not. However, it’s very important to cooperate and be prepared that you may be checked and questioned. Furthermore, it’s very important to be prepared and be ready to present your passport and other picture ids to speed up the process and to make your passage safer. The most important thing is to stay calm and get through the process safely and don’t worry with what others in the lineup are thinking. You do your part to make our travel safer. However, if harassed by airport personnel, it’s necessary and very important to seek assistance immediately and to keep track of necessary information that will help you with your complaints and case. Harassment of any type should never be tolerated.
Danger of High Current and off limits swimming
Some areas of the beach and ocean are safer for swimming than other areas, therefore you must heed to all warnings of high current and off limits swimming. Swimming in high current areas are extremely dangerous. Often enough, high currents can easily pull you out to sea where there’s no return.
Crime Information
“Most visitors to the Caribbean have a relatively safe trip. However, thievery, purse snatching, and pick pocketing do happen, particularly in cities and at beaches. There has also been an increase in violent crimes, such as rape and assault against tourists. In some places, U.S. passports and identity documents are especially attractive to thieves. Robbery of yachts is a problem in some marinas.
Here are some precautions to keep in mind:
- Safety begins when you pack. Leave expensive jewelry, unnecessary credit cards, and anything you would hate to lose at home.
- Use a concealed money pouch or belt for passports, cash, and other valuables.
- To facilitate replacing a lost or stolen passport, carry two extra passport photos and a photocopy of your passport information page and other identity documents with you in a separate place from those items.
- Do not take valuables to the beach. When possible, use the hotel safe when you go to the beach or into town.
- When you enter a marina, register with the local government authorities.”
Water Safety
“Make certain that sports equipment, including scuba equipment, that you rent or buy meets international safety standards.
If you use a beach without a lifeguard, exercise extreme caution. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for tourists in the Caribbean.
Do not dive into unknown bodies of water because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. In some places, you may need to wear sneakers in the water for protection against sea urchins.”
Do’s and Don't’s
- Comfortable running shoes and sandals are great during this time, especially since there's lots of walking involved.
- On a bright, hot sunny day wear light colored clothes; it does not draw heat the way black colors do. Dress casual or comfortable. For example short pants, shorts, t shirts, cutoffs etc... Check for dress codes. Some carnivals on certain days almost anything goes.
- Don't forget to put on the sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Also remember that even people with dark skin can get sunburn under the rays.
- Drinking fluids helps prevent dehydration. You may want to carry a bottle of water.
- A pouch to keep your wallet and personal's may come in handy, being aware of pickpockets. In your pouch carry a couple bandages, some spending money, identification with your address and contact numbers in case of emergency.
- During carnival, there are lots of events. Get a hold of a schedule or check the news paper for events.
- Hats, sombreros, sunshades or even one of those colorful umbrellas can be used to protect you from the torturing sun.
- Don't walk alone in dark places, or isolated areas.
- Don't flash lots of money.
When packing don’t forget the following:
Passport and picture identifications, emergency numbers and contacts of where you are going, address, sun lotion ,clothes for the beach, sandals for the beach, evening clothes, a cap or small umbrella. Don’t over pack.
Safety
- While in the water pay attention to the colored flags. Normally the red flag signifies unsafe areas. The yellow and white flags signify safer areas.
- Get information on hurricanes, storms, water currents and the hours lifeguards are on duty.
- Check: Cancer and Skin Protection for Caribbean Travel