The seven small nations that make up the region of Central America are among the most interesting and vibrant places in the world to visit, but as well as being attractive destinations, they have also suffered many problems in the twentieth century and over recent years. The region is very varied in terms of the scenery and the people that you will meet, but if you are careful and respect the local situation, most people will find they enjoy their visit to the region.


Here are some useful safety tips to help make sure that your solo trip in Central America is enjoyable and exciting in a good way.

 

Research The Area You Will Be Visiting

The first step is to look into the different areas that you will be visiting during your trip, and understand what the potential problems that tourists can encounter, and how to overcome them. Some cities and countries will be more dangerous than others, so be prepared to check what the high crime areas are, and try to avoid these areas, or take steps to make yourself inconspicuous during your visit.

 

Looking After Valuables

When it comes to travel, it is always wise to consider which valuables you are really going to need during your visit, and then to be careful in showing off these items to others once you are traveling. Try to minimize any ostentatious or obviously expensive jewelery that you wear, and when it comes to gadgets such as cameras and tablets, take them out when you need to use them but otherwise keep them in a bag, or preferably in a pocket inside your clothing where possible.

 

Getting Around Safely

When it comes to transport in Central America, most people will be using the bus network in order to get around, and try your best to ensure that you traveling during the day where possible. Check on the routes that you are going to use and whether it is prone to crime, and try to keep your pack with you where possible, and to keep any valuables on your person rather than put them in a bag.

 

Common Scams In Central America

One of the issues to be aware of in Central America is the fake police scam, which will usually involve plain clothes people showing a fake ID, and then either insisting to see your passport and money, or taking you to their office for interview. Look for an uniformed police officer and do not get in any vehicle with them. When you are crossing the border, bear in mind which currency should be worth the most when you are exchanging your cash, as providing the reverse rate to cause you to lose money is also quite common.

 

Activities

When it comes to the sports and activities that you enjoy during your trip, make sure that you research them first. PADI qualified instructors are worth looking for when it comes to scuba diving, and if you are taking a mountain biking trip, carry out a safety check on the mountain bike before starting.

 

Keeping Your Documents Safe

Losing passports and travel documents can make traveling home a big problem, or even moving from country to country an issue if you are marooned in Central America. Carry a photocopy of your passport with you, and keep your real passport in a safe in the hotel if you have one. If not, make sure you carry these documents in an inside pocket, and if you are going to areas where crime is a problem, taking an old passport as a dummy, along with a dummy wallet to concede if you are mugged can be a good idea.

 

Travel Insurance

A good travel insurance policy is a must for travel to Central America, and although most people will not suffer crime, having a backup that will replace items will help you to ensure you can relax and enjoy your holiday. These policies should have an emergency helpline that you can call, so make sure you keep this number on you, and know what to do if the worst does happen while traveling in Central America.