Traveling to the Caribbean
By Anna Lynn Sibal
No one can really say that staying at home is safer than going on a trip. Whether you remain within the four walls of your room or you go abroad, there is always an amount of risk and danger to face. The only difference is that when you stay at home, you will know where to look for help. When overseas, you will not be as certain even if you did your research, unless it is not your first time to visit the place.
But why let the fear of danger ruin the prospect of fun in a foreign place like the Caribbean? You can travel to the Caribbean and enjoy yourself to the fullest for the duration of your stay there and still remain safe.
How do you do that? You do that by making adequate preparations prior to your journey and exercising simple precautions when you get there. Before you leave for any island in the Caribbean Sea, make it a point to check the travel advisory section of the US State Department’s official website. The US State Department has consular information that travelers to a certain place would need to know. If the place is not safe for foreigners, the State Department will have travel warnings about it.
Another place on the Internet where you can find information on your desired Caribbean destination would be websites like TripAdvisor.com, Gadling.com and Tripso.com. Websites such as these ones are chock-full of advice and information for travelers that are certainly useful, such as where to stay, what to see and do, and places to avoid.
When you get to your preferred Caribbean destination, make sure you ask your concierge as to what places are considered safe and what places you should avoid. Your concierge will be the best person to ask this because it is his duty to look out for the safety of the guests of his establishment.
You may also want to hire a local guide who will help you avoid common traveler pitfalls like paying too much for local purchases or being targeted by conmen and pickpockets. English is widely spoken in the Caribbean islands, but it would still be helpful to find someone who speaks the local language and who can help you get around.
Lock your doors before you go to sleep and keep your valuables stored in the hotel’s safe. This is standard procedure for travelers, but some travelers sometimes forget to do this. Also, because rental cars are frequent targets of local thieves, make sure that you do not leave any valuables in your rented car.
Speaking of valuables, only bring what you need, such as a few bills and just one credit card, whenever you go to the beach or see the sights or go clubbing. You are liable to leave your stuff unattended when you go for a swim, so it is best that you have only a little on you. When you go to a club or a street party, do not get yourself too drunk or you might find yourself a target for rogues.
Make it a point to have fun when you travel to the Caribbean islands, but make sure you get home in one piece.
Caribbean Travel
|