Our top 10 travel safety tips after visiting over 50 countries, from STEP registration to eSIMs, insurance, and smart awareness abroad. This is your guide to staying safe while traveling.
We Didn’t Sell Everything to Travel the World… to Be Careless
When Shayne and I sold our house, cars, and business to travel full-time, a lot of people assumed we had suddenly become fearless.
We haven’t.
We’ve become prepared.
After visiting more than 50 countries, from Bali to Spain to Sri Lanka, we’ve learned that safe travel isn’t about paranoia.
It’s about smart habits.
Here are the 10 things we do every single time we travel internationally.
1. We Register with the STEP Program
Before every international trip, we enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. State Department.
It’s free. It takes minutes. And it ensures:
- We receive real-time embassy alerts
- The U.S. government knows we’re in the country
- We can be contacted in an emergency
After getting caught off guard during a train strike in Spain years ago, we never skip this.
(If you missed it, read our full guide to the STEP program HERE.→ link to previous post.)
2. We Never Travel Without Insurance
Travel insurance is non-negotiable for us.
Not because we expect disaster.
Because we respect reality.
We look for coverage that includes:
- Emergency medical care
- Medical evacuation
- Trip interruption
- Lost luggage
Especially as travelers in our 50s, we know one unexpected hospital visit abroad could cost more than an entire year of travel. HERE is our blog post with all the details and the travel insurance plan we actually use!
3. We Use an eSIM or Local Data Plan Immediately
One of the first things we do when landing in a new country?
Make sure we have data.
We recommend that you always:
- Install an eSIM before departure or
- Buy a local SIM at the airport
Why this matters:
- We can check maps instantly
- We can order rideshares safely
- We can receive alerts
- We’re not wandering around looking lost
Having reliable data dramatically reduces vulnerability. We have tried several different eSIM providers and really love Airalo. They make it so easy. You can purchase a new eSIM card and have it installed and ready to use in just a few minutes.
HERE is everything you need to know about purchasing and using eSIM cards.
4. We Avoid Protests and Large Demonstrations
This one is simple.
If we see a protest forming, even if it looks peaceful, we walk the other direction.
We don’t stay to observe.
We don’t take photos.
We don’t “just watch for a minute.”
Crowds can shift quickly. Emotions can escalate. And as visitors, we don’t always understand the local context.
Avoiding protests is one of the easiest travel safety habits you can adopt.
5. We Stay Aware, But Not Anxious
There’s a difference between paranoia and awareness.
We:
- Keep phones zipped in secure bags
- Avoid walking while staring at Google Maps
- Pay attention to our surroundings
- Trust our instincts
If something feels off, we leave.
Travel has actually made us more observant, not more fearful.
6. We Share Our Itinerary with Family
Even though we’re empty nesters, our daughters always know:
- What country we’re in
- Where we’re staying
- When we’re moving locations
It takes seconds to text a hotel address.
And it gives everyone peace of mind.
7. We Choose Accommodations Carefully
We don’t just book the cheapest option.
We look for:
- Strong recent reviews
- Safe neighborhoods
- Good lighting
- Secure entry access
- Proximity to transportation
Location matters more than luxury. HERE are the exact things we look at when booking a place to stay.
8. We Arrive During Daylight When Possible
If we can control it, we try to arrive in new destinations during the day.
It’s easier to:
- Get oriented
- Identify transportation
- Find your accommodation
- Read your surroundings
Late-night arrivals aren’t unsafe by default, but daylight makes everything smoother. When we do arrive at night, I try to have transportation booked ahead of time, just to make our arrival as painless as possible. It’s just too easy to be taken advantage of when you arrive in a new country, especially when jet lag is hitting you hard.
9. We Keep Copies of Important Documents
We always have:
- Digital copies of passports
- Photos of visas
- Travel insurance information
- Emergency contacts
We take screenshots of everything and keep them stored securely in the cloud and on both of our phones.
If a passport were lost tomorrow, we’d know exactly what to do.
10. We Don’t Flash Wealth
This might be one of the most underrated safety tips.
We don’t:
- Wear flashy jewelry
- Carry large amounts of cash
- Leave phones sitting on café tables
- Announce expensive gear loudly
Blending in is powerful.
We aim to look like relaxed travelers, not distracted tourists.
Bonus: We Research Before We Go
Before every destination, we check:
- U.S. State Department travel advisories
- Local transportation updates
- Cultural norms
- Areas to avoid
Preparation reduces surprises.
And surprises are usually what create stress.
Is It Safe to Travel Right Now?
This is the question we get constantly.
And here’s our honest answer:
Most places in the world are far safer than the news makes them seem.
But informed travelers travel better.
Safety isn’t about canceling your dreams.
It’s about protecting them.
Our International Travel Safety Checklist
Before every trip, we confirm:
✔ STEP enrollment completed
✔ Travel insurance purchased
✔ eSIM installed
✔ Emergency contacts shared
✔ Documents backed up
✔ Local advisories checked
It takes maybe 30 minutes total.
And it gives us freedom to relax once we land.
Final Thoughts
We didn’t leave our comfortable life in the U.S. to live in fear.
We left to live fully.
And part of living fully is being smart.
These habits aren’t complicated.
They aren’t expensive.
They don’t require special skills.
They just require intention.
If you’re planning your first international trip, or your fiftieth, adopt a few of these habits.
Confidence follows preparation.
And prepared travelers enjoy the journey so much more.
