Avoiding the Airplane Cold

independenttraveler.com

Many travelers would swear that they get sick after every trip or vacation. They wonder if it was the food, the water, the pina coladas -- or, like me, the airplane ride. While I don't think you can count out the pina coladas (or that burrito you bought on the street), it turns out you could be right about airplanes.

Airline carriers are also formidable carriers of the common cold. A recent study says that colds may be more than 100 times more likely to be transmitted on a plane than during normal daily life on the ground, according to the Journal of Environmental Health Research.

Why this is the case isn't perfectly clear, but the publishers of the study investigate a panoply of possible causes, including close quarters, shared air and, as I will explain, the most likely culprit: extremely low cabin humidity.

On to the Numbers

The study found that "When the scenarios of 6 days, 24 hours or 5 hours were taken as the relevant flight exposure times to colds, passenger transmission rates for colds of 5, 23 and 113 times the normal daily ground level transmission rate were obtained." (Ominously, transmission rates for tuberculosis were also found to be dramatically increased as well.)

Thus, the common perception that flying causes colds seems to be based in fact -- maybe even 113 times over.

The Culprit: Low Cabin Humidity

The study runs through several potential sources of higher transmission, but settles primarily on a single likely cause: extremely low cabin humidity caused by low humidity at high elevations. (A review of the study reveals the conclusion that aircraft that actively recirculated air actually showed slightly lower transmission rates than those that did not.)

Most commercial airlines fly in an elevation range of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where humidity typically runs at 10 percent or lower. At very low levels of humidity, the "natural defense system" of mucus in our noses and throats dries up and is crippled, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs to infect us.

This protective system, called the Mucociliary Clearance System, is your first line of defense against harmful germs and bacteria. To wit, if the common cold is pounced on by a sufficiently moist and percolating proboscis and throttled by your throat, you remain uninfected. Shut down those systems, and you'll be suffering within days.

Tips to Avoid the Airline Carrier Cold

1. Stay hydrated. It turns out that drinking plenty of water will not only counter the overall dehydrating effects of air travel, which can lead to headaches, stomach problems, cramps, fatigue and more, but can actually fortify your preemptive natural immune mechanisms to function considerably better. Of course, this is the case in normal daily life -- when exercising, during prolonged sun exposure, etc. Even caffeine and alcohol consumption can dry you out. However, in an airplane, where your nose and throat are on the front lines of the war with exceedingly dry air, these are the first places to suffer.

Sipping water or some other fluid regularly throughout the flight may be more effective than drinking a lot of water at one time before or during the flight; this will keep your protective system from long dry spells. (And we do mean to single out water here -- as noted above, alcohol and caffeinated drinks such as coffee or sodas can actually dehydrate you.)

Nasal mists have been found to be very effective in keeping this system working in your nose. Additionally, hot drinks are a good way to keep your protective mucous membranes working -- first, to assist in keeping you generally hydrated; second, by triggering the system into gear; and third, by directly providing moisture in the form of steam. Note that this is not a treatment per se. Rather, it just keeps your defenses strong and functioning.

2. Keep your hands clean. Your hands are the most consistent point of first contact with cold, flu and other germs. It is a direct line from armrest/ handshake/seat back to fingers to fork to mouth to full-blown fever a few days later. Scientists report that the viruses that cause colds and flu can survive for hours on your skin or on objects such as armrests, TV remote control handsets, tray tables and other similar surfaces. However, the simple act of washing your hands with hot water and soap is a formidable rampart against this transfer of harmful microorganisms.

Hand washing is not just for restaurant workers and travelers; health professionals and researchers working to combat communicable diseases in many developing countries are waging a fierce campaign to encourage residents to adopt this simple practice into their daily routines. If possible, wash your hands before any in-flight meals, and after your flight as well.

Of course, airplane cabins are tight places; getting out of your seat to wash up before and after every snack time can be almost impossible, as the flight attendants command the aisles, your seatmates are trying to eat, tray tables are down cabin-wide, and no one involved really wants to have folks getting up and down and roaming around the cabin. (Even on the ground, the water in many locations can carry water-borne bacteria that may not agree with all Western constitutions.) In these cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends alcohol-based products made specifically for washing hands.

3. Don't forget the dental hygiene. Just as keeping your hands clean can prevent transmission of germs, using a germ-killing mouthwash in-flight may add another layer of protection while simultaneously helping to keep your throat moist. Just make sure your mouthwash bottle is three ounces or smaller to comply with the latest carry-on rules for liquids and gels.


4. Take your vitamins. The rapid response effect of vitamins is unproven, but many travelers swear by them. Charles Westover, a retired VP of fleet management for a major shipping company, starts taking vitamins two days before flying. "I have no idea if it helps at all, but of the hundreds or thousands of flights I have taken, I rarely get colds," he said. "I just take a standard multivitamin, and it has never let me down." The NIH concurs, sort of, offering that no conclusive data has shown that large doses of vitamin C will prevent colds, although it may reduce the severity or duration of symptoms.

5. Wear a face mask. The NIH cites airborne germs as one of the top two sources of cold virus infection; some travelers have taken to wearing masks either to prevent infection, or when they themselves are already infected. Personally, I would not last more than a half-hour or so behind a hot mask, but this may be an effective prevention tactic nonetheless.

As the proverb goes, an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure -- or perhaps 113 cures.

ATMs Abroad

independenttraveler.com

Whether you need euros, shekels, pesos or pounds, making a withdrawal from an ATM is generally the easiest and cheapest way to get cash abroad. The biggest advantage of exchanging money with your ATM card is that all cash withdrawals, regardless of size, are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, which is usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges.

This rate is often significantly better than what you can get from exchanging money at a local exchange counter. In addition, local banks or money change bureaus will add on transaction fees, which can easily eat up another 2 percent of your money.

That's not to say there aren't any fees associated with international ATM withdrawals -- see below -- but if you need cash, you will still almost always get the best exchange rate at the lowest possible cost by using your ATM card.

Finding an ATM

 

If your ATM card is linked to the PLUS, Cirrus or Maestro networks, you have the option of using it to obtain cash virtually anywhere in the U.S. and in hundreds of countries worldwide. Each network has more than a million ATMs. The PLUS network is associated with Visa, so your Visa card will usually work at those ATMs. Likewise, the Cirrus and Maestro networks are associated with MasterCard, and so ATMs marked with these logos usually accept MasterCard for cash advances.

Before you leave home with just your ATM card, however, make sure that the Cirrus, Maestro or PLUS networks are readily available where you're going. While these networks are increasingly common overseas, they are still only available at a limited number of banks in selected countries. Each network has an online ATM locator:
MasterCard/Cirrus/Maestro ATM Locator
Visa/PLUS ATM Locator

Check the back of your card to see which networks your card is linked to. If your card is not a part of either Cirrus or PLUS, you may find it difficult to find ATMs to use abroad. Contact your bank for assistance.

Using Your Card Abroad

 

If you want to use your ATM card overseas, keep in mind that many ATMs abroad, particularly in Europe, do not accept PINs longer than four digits. If your PIN is longer, contact your bank to have it changed. Also, if your PIN is based on letters rather than numbers, translate the letters into numbers before leaving the country. Many ATMs only have numbers on the keypad. One more thing to keep in mind: Most ATMs abroad will only let you access the primary account on your ATM card.

Sudden changes in your account activity, such as frequent withdrawals in a foreign country using your ATM card, can sometimes trigger a fraud alert and cause your bank to freeze your account. To prevent being stranded overseas without a functioning ATM card, be sure to call your bank before you leave to let them know where and when you will be traveling. During the same phone call, ask for a number that you can call from overseas in case your card is lost or stolen -- often the 800 number listed on the back of your card will only work in the U.S. or Canada. Be sure to keep this number in a separate place from your card.

It's important to have a back-up plan in case your card is lost, stolen or eaten by an ATM machine; this could be in the form of a second ATM card (either your own or a travel companion's), cash, credit cards or traveler's checks.

Which Fees to Expect

 

At the very least you will probably be charged the same transaction fee, if any, that your bank charges you when using another bank's ATM. However, many banks charge higher fees for international ATM withdrawals -- either a flat rate (typically $1 - $6) or a set percentage of your total withdrawal (usually 1 - 3 percent). Check with your bank before each trip abroad, as these fees can change often and without warning. To add insult to injury, you may also be charged a fee by the owner of the foreign ATM.

Because these small fees can add up quickly, you will probably want to withdraw larger amounts than you might normally do at home -- so be sure you have a safe, well-concealed place to keep your cash. When deciding how much to withdraw, try to choose an uneven amount (180 euros rather than 200, for instance) so you don't wind up with huge bills that you'll have trouble breaking.

Tips for Using Public Wi-Fi Networks

consumer.ftc.gov

Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, libraries, airports, hotels, universities, and other public places are convenient, but often they’re not secure. If you connect to a Wi-Fi network, and send information through websites or mobile apps, it might be accessed by someone else.
To protect your information when using wireless hotspots, send information only to sites that are fully encrypted, and avoid using mobile apps that require personal or financial information.

How Encryption Works

Encryption is the key to keeping your personal information secure online. Encryption scrambles the information you send over the internet into a code so it’s not accessible to others. When you’re using wireless networks, it’s best to send personal information only if it’s encrypted — either by an encrypted website or a secure Wi-Fi network. An encrypted website protects only the information you send to and from that site. A secure wireless network encrypts all the information you send using that network.

How to Tell If a Website is Encrypted

If you send email, share digital photos and videos, use social networks, or bank online, you’re sending personal information over the internet. The information you share is stored on a server — a powerful computer that collects and delivers content. Many websites, like banking sites, use encryption to protect your information as it travels from your computer to their server.

To determine if a website is encrypted, look for https at the start of the web address (the “s” is for secure). Some websites use encryption only on the sign-in page, but if any part of your session isn’t encrypted, your entire account could be vulnerable. Look for https on every page you visit, not just when you sign in.

What About Mobile Apps?

Unlike websites, mobile apps don’t have a visible indicator like https. Researchers have found that many mobile apps don’t encrypt information properly, so it’s a bad idea to use certain types of mobile apps on unsecured Wi-Fi. If you plan to use a mobile app to conduct sensitive transactions — like filing your taxes, shopping with a credit card, or accessing your bank account ­— use a secure wireless network or your phone’s data network (often referred to as 3G or 4G).

If you must use an unsecured wireless network for transactions, use the company’s mobile website — where you can check for the https at the start of the web address — rather than the company’s mobile app.

Don’t Assume a Wi-Fi Hotspot is Secure

Most Wi-Fi hotspots don’t encrypt the information you send over the internet and aren’t secure. In fact, if a network doesn’t require a WPA or WPA2 password, it’s probably not secure.

If you use an unsecured network to log in to an unencrypted site — or a site that uses encryption only on the sign-in page — other users on the network can see what you see and what you send. They could hijack your session and log in as you. New hacking tools — available for free online — make this easy, even for users with limited technical know-how. Your personal information, private documents, contacts, family photos, and even your login credentials could be up for grabs.

An imposter could use your account to impersonate you and scam people in your contact lists. In addition, a hacker could test your username and password to try to gain access to other websites – including sites that store your financial information.

Protect Your Information When Using Public Wi-Fi

Here’s how you can protect your information when using Wi-Fi:

• When using a hotspot, log in or send personal information only to websites you know are fully encrypted. To be secure, your entire visit to each site should be encrypted – from the time you log in to the site until you log out. If you think you’re logged in to an encrypted site but find yourself on an unencrypted page, log out right away.
• Don’t stay permanently signed in to accounts. When you’ve finished using an account, log out.
• Do not use the same password on different websites. It could give someone who gains access to one of your accounts access to many of your accounts.
• Many web browsers alert users who try to visit fraudulent websites or download malicious programs. Pay attention to these warnings, and keep your browser and security software up-to-date.
• Consider changing the settings on your mobile device so it doesn’t automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi. That way, you have more control over when and how your device uses public Wi-Fi.
• If you regularly access online accounts through Wi-Fi hotspots, use a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs encrypt traffic between your computer and the internet, even on unsecured networks. You can get a personal VPN account from a VPN service provider. In addition, some organizations create VPNs to provide secure, remote access for their employees. What’s more, VPN options are available for mobile devices; they can encrypt information you send through mobile apps.
• Some Wi-Fi networks use encryption: WEP and WPA are common, but they might not protect you against all hacking programs. WPA2 is the strongest.
• Installing browser add-ons or plug-ins can help. For example, Force-TLS and HTTPS-Everywhere are free Firefox add-ons that force the browser to use encryption on popular websites that usually aren't encrypted. They don’t protect you on all websites — look for https in the URL to know a site is secure.
• Take steps to secure your home wireless network.

11 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft While Traveling

independenttraveler.com

Tips for avoiding scams and theft while traveling are a staple of the travel writing genre; pretty much every guidebook or travel Web site dedicates some space to the subject. Certainly we have our own capacious resources, most of which can be found at the following links:


But in the 21st century, you are as much at risk of having your identity stolen -- or more accurately your financial and digital identity -- as you are of getting "mugged," which almost sounds quaint these days (though I do not intend in any way to underplay the misery and danger of actually getting mugged).

Identity theft is a growing problem worldwide -- especially for travelers, who are very vulnerable, forced as they are to use unsecured Internet connections, carry extensive personal documentation with them at all times, and share their credit cards with merchants about whom they know nothing and whom they'll never see again.

Modern technology hasn't made it any easier for honest folks to avoid identity theft, either; witness the practice of Web sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, which often keep you logged in to the site, even after you close your browser or turn off your computer. Someone getting unfettered access to your closest friends on Facebook could definitely shake out some very "helpful" information before you knew it.

As time and technology advance, this problem is only going to affect more travelers. Here are 11 tips to avoid identity theft while traveling, right now.

1. "Unpack" Critical Documents Before Travel

If you carry some essential documents with you when you are not traveling -- the average wallet or purse might include a Social Security card, bank statements, medical documents, checkbook and the like -- remove them before you leave home. Essentially, when it comes to documentation, you want to "unpack" before traveling.

This can also be done further once you're on the road. If you're going to a location that is known for pickpocketing, or is going to be packed with people, or at which you will be distracted (big concerts, crowded squares, nightclubs, etc.), you can pare down the contents of your wallet even further before venturing out from your hotel room. You can put these in your hotel safe (but use caution), behind the hotel's front desk or in a money belt concealed on your person.

2. Guard Your Documents

This is one of the tips you will encounter in most travel safety articles, so I won't go into it at length here -- but suffice to say that if you leave any sensitive documents lying around in your hotel room while you are out, you are a lot more likely to experience identity theft than if you have them in a money belt, document protector, even an RFID-blocking wallet.


3. Be Very Careful About Shared and Insecure Internet Connections

This is one thing that I have found very difficult to do – when traveling, it is hard to find connections other than public ones at hotels, cafes, airports, you name it. To see the warning "this connection is unsecured and others may see your information" is almost a staple of the travel experience. The risk applies to anything you type into your keyboard while connected, such as e-mail passwords and Web site logins.

The best approach in this case is to be very careful when using these connections; logging into your bank account, work e-mail or other sensitive account should be avoided if at all possible. If you have no alternative, choose what you type over these open connections very carefully.

If you're traveling with your own laptop and using free Wi-Fi, it is important to make sure your connections are secure. Some Web sites let you log in over open networks; always try to use HTTPS://www.website.com instead of HTTP://www.website.com (the S stands for "secure" and indicates that the data is encrypted for more protection). You can also get a plug-in for your browser like HTTPS Everywhere, which will try this automatically. Another solution might be the USB-based product SurfEasy, which will help encrypt your data when you're using a public connection from your own computer.

If you want more security when using someone else's machine, such as at an Internet cafe, hotel lobby computer or other public terminal, you can try a service like Authentic8. Authentic8 runs the browser in a sandbox in the cloud, where all connections and data are kept secure. The service gives you a display on the local computer, and prevents things like key loggers from accessing your passwords.


4. Delete All Cookies and Browsing History on Public Terminals

If you find you must use a public computer, the last thing you should do is delete all cookies and browsing history before you log off. Many computers can cache quite a bit of significant information, and some Web sites are even set up to keep you logged in when you close the browser unless you specifically log off (such as Facebook and LinkedIn). Many public terminals will delete this type of data automatically, but doing it yourself offers much better peace of mind.

5. Use a Dedicated Travel E-mail Address

When I see messages arrive from overseas via work e-mail accounts, I shake my head every time. If someone gets access to your work e-mail account, the amount of damage they could do to your livelihood is inestimable. Certainly there are times when you need to log in to your work account, but you will want to use caution in the extreme at those times.

My suggestion in this case is to use a personal e-mail address when possible while traveling, one at which you store no sensitive information and at which a fake log-in won't be cataclysmic, and communicate from that e-mail address exclusively. On occasion you will see addresses like johndoetravelemail@gmail.com; this travel-exclusive e-mail approach can work very well.

6. Use Only Bank ATM's

A recent trend among identity thieves has been to install card readers in an ATM by which they can access your card number and PIN. This happens most often at non-bank, "generic" ATM's (in hotels, convenience stores, etc.), which have less oversight and are therefore more vulnerable than bank-run and hosted ATM's. Stick with the ones at banks; these can still be compromised, but tend to be targeted by thieves much less often.

7. Check Your Credit Card Statements on Occasion

At times when you are confident in the security of your connection -- perhaps in a friend's home, or when connecting using a smartphone app over a regular cell 3G or 4G connection (which tend to be more secure than public Wi-Fi) -- check your credit card statement for suspicious activity.

Identity thieves like picking travelers as victims, as they rely to some extent on the delay in being found out that is inherent to travel; most travelers don't check bank and credit card information until well after they have returned home, giving thieves a solid head start. As a rule, the sooner you can shut down an identity thief, the better, so consider checking in now and then to make sure things look normal.

8. Keep Your Cell Phone Secure

We think a lot about how vulnerable our computers are, but cell phones are potentially even more so: you have them on you at all times, they're almost always turned on and logged in, they typically have apps on them that give access to personal information, and folks leave them lying around quite a bit. If there is anything you might lose or have stolen, it is a small, compact smartphone. Some things you can do to protect yourself:

- Set a password on the phone so someone who finds or steals it can't use it.

- Before traveling, consider deleting any especially sensitive apps, such as banking apps, social networks, etc. There are easy to reinstall when you get home.

- Specifically log out of all apps before going out and about. As above with some Web sites, many apps keep you logged in by default (Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, you name it).

- Remain wary of suspicious e-mails and Web sites. Studies indicate folks are much more likely to click on malware links on their cell phone than on their computer.

- All of the foregoing cautions about public Wi-Fi spots go for your cell phone as well.


9. Protect Your Children Too

A recent development in identity theft crimes is the use of a child's name and identity to open bank accounts and credit cards, apply for government benefits, and more. In most cases, criminals use a child's Social Security number to get started.

When traveling, document requirements vary widely for children -- sometimes you need ID, sometimes you don't, sometimes you can fudge it either way -- but many parents travel with some form of identification just in case. Often, these are very sensitive documents like birth certificates and Social Security cards.

My advice is to get a passport for your child, and travel with that instead of any other forms of identification. Then protect your child's passport in the same way you would your own.


If anyone requests your child's Social Security number for any reason, ask if they can accept another form of ID, or simply refuse to surrender the number. If you suspect your child's identity may have been compromised, in most cases a credit check is the quickest way to find out; your child should have no substantive credit rating whatsoever. For more on the topic, see the FTC's information on Child Identity Theft.

10. Change Passwords and PIN's

You may want to change your passwords after a trip; identity thieves are thought to be very patient criminals, and often wait until you are less likely to pay attention after a few weeks at home. If you really like your password or PIN, one approach might be to change them right before you leave, use a new password while traveling and then change them back to your preferred passwords when you get home.


11. Follow Up After Your Trip

When you get home, check bank activity, credit card activity and even medical insurance claim activity to see if there is anything you do not recognize. These are often the first places you'll see indications of identity theft. Some thieves will purposely use your information in situations where the paper and digital trail will only appear slowly -- establishments that submit charges and claims manually (or at least not in real time) -- so it is a good idea to check again after a couple of weeks to make sure nothing has shown up in the meantime.

The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas

independenttraveler.com

Before you leave for your next trip abroad, take a moment to think dollars and cents -- or should we say pounds and pesos? Get the most for your money when traveling internationally by doing a little homework first.

The most important step is to know your options. In days of yore, traveler's checks were the most popular way to carry money overseas -- but today's travelers are much more likely to rely on credit cards and ATM withdrawals, which usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees.
What's the best option for you? And how can you avoid those pesky currency conversion fees when making purchases abroad? Read on for answers to these questions and a comprehensive roundup of all your currency conversion options when you're traveling overseas.

Credit Cards

 

Best for: Large purchases such as airline tickets, hotel bills, car rentals and restaurant meals.

Pros: The biggest advantage to using credit cards while traveling overseas is that credit card purchases are exchanged at the interbank exchange rate, usually the best rate you can get for currency exchange. While most credit card issuers charge currency conversion fees each time you make a purchase in a foreign currency (generally 1 percent from Visa or MasterCard plus an additional 1 - 2 percent for themselves), these fees are typically lower than those you'd pay to convert your own currency at a change bureau. And there are a few cards out there (many from Capital One) that do not charge any foreign transaction fees at all, not even the ones from Visa or MasterCard. Check out CardHub.com for a list.

Cons: Some restaurants, stores and even hotels won't take credit cards, so you'll need to have cash on hand at all times. While you can use credit cards to get cash advances at ATMs, bear in mind that they'll be subject to any finance charges your credit card company imposes -- which can add up very quickly. Plus, if you're not home by the time the bills come in and you haven't made arrangements to pay them, you'll be hit with hefty finance charges on these advances.

One problem for U.S. travelers is the growing prevalence of "chip-and-PIN" credit cards in Europe, Asia and South America. Designed to reduce fraud, these cards rely on an embedded chip that transmits information to a merchant, which the consumer then verifies by entering a PIN. While U.S. cards with magnetic stripes will still work as long as there's someone to swipe them, many travelers report problems using their cards in ticket vending kiosks, at gas stations or in other places featuring automated payment machines. If you find yourself in this dilemma, your only alternatives are to find an attendant to scan your card or to use cash instead.

These cards are not yet widely available in the U.S. However, several banks, including Citi, Bank of America and Chase, have begun issuing dual credit cards that use both the magnetic stripe and the embedded chip, and Travelex has introduced a prepaid chip-and-PIN MasterCard that works like a hybrid between a credit card and a traveler's check. (See the Traveler's Checks and Check Cards section of this story to learn more.)

What You Need to Know: The first thing you should do if you are traveling abroad with a credit card, even if you only plan to use it in case of an emergency, is to call the issuer and ask which fees will apply to your purchases, both in local currency and in U.S. dollars. We recommend calling before each trip, as these policies may change without notice.

While you're on the phone, you'll also want to let your credit card issuer know when and where you will be traveling -- that way the sudden international activity on your account won't trigger your issuer's fraud alert system. As a precaution, we recommend bringing two credit cards on your trip in case one stops working. Finally, get a phone number that you can use to call the company from overseas if your card is lost or stolen. (The 800 number on the back of your card typically will only work in the U.S. or Canada.)

Some merchants (particularly in Europe) offer what's known as dynamic currency conversion, which means that they'll charge you in dollars rather than the local currency. Because some card issuers will waive the currency conversion fee if your overseas purchase is made in dollars, dynamic currency conversion could help you save a few coins. However, keep in mind you'll almost always get hit by a conversion fee from the merchant instead -- sometimes up to 5 percent -- so you may end up losing out on the deal. Be sure you know which fees apply to either option before deciding which currency to use.

A few other caveats to bear in mind: Some hotels and car rental companies may put holds on your credit card for the amount of your total expected bill. This can use up your credit line before you've actually incurred and paid for the charges. All merchants are supposed to inform you if they do put a hold or "deposit" on your card. If they do, make sure you clarify that the hold has been removed when you've paid your bill in full.

Keep in mind that you may not have as much protection overseas as you do at home when problems arise over inaccurate charges. Incidents are always being reported of travelers being charged twice for the same item or for items they never purchased, and credit card companies have been unwilling or unable to intercede on their behalf. Always watch merchants imprinting your card and keep your receipts. After you get home, check your credit card statement. If you see charges you didn't make, call your creditor and ask them to dispute the charges.

Debit and ATM Cards

 

Best for: Getting cash in local currency.

Pros: You'll get the same great interbank exchange rate when you make cash withdrawals with your debit or ATM card as you do when you make a credit card purchase. With ATMs available in major cities and airports all over the world, this is generally the cheapest and most convenient way to get cash in the local currency.

Cons: Each cash withdrawal you make will usually be subject to currency conversion fees, foreign ATM fees or other charges from your bank and/or the local bank that maintains the ATM. For more information, see ATMs Abroad. Debit cards work pretty much the same as regular credit cards for purchases, but if your card is lost or stolen you may not have the same protection. By U.S. law, as long as you report your card missing within two business days, your maximum liability for use of that card will be $50 -- the same as for a credit card. However, if you wait any longer, you could be responsible for hundreds of dollars in unauthorized charges.

What You Need to Know: If the ATM card from your home bank isn't connected to the worldwide Cirrus or PLUS networks, you may want to look into getting a MasterCard or Visa debit card. While they look and can be used like regular charge cards, they actually debit your checking account the same way your ATM card does.

If you are renting a car, you should be aware that while you can use a debit card to pay for the rental charges, you might not be able to reserve the car with this type of card.

Finally, don't forget to call your bank and make it aware of your travel plans; as with credit cards, sudden international activity using your debit card could cause your account to be frozen.

Cash

 

Best for: The first 24 hours of your trip -- to tide you over until you can find the nearest ATM.

Pros: It's often a good idea to get some foreign currency before you leave home so that you have cash on hand to handle your immediate expenses -- like buying a meal at the airport or taking a cab to your hotel. This way you're not stranded without cash if the airport ATM isn't working or you arrive after the local exchange bureau has closed.

Cons: You typically won't get a great conversion rate from your home bank, and you may also have to pay fees or commissions. If you're traveling to a major international airport in a large city, which will likely have multiple ATMs and change counters, getting currency beforehand probably isn't necessary.

What You Need to Know: You can get foreign currency from your local bank, online or at the airport. Try your local bank first, as they may waive fees for certain accountholders. We recommend bringing $100 - $150 worth of foreign currency.

Traveler's Checks and Check Cards

 

Best for: Emergency backup if you can't find a functioning ATM (checks) or a secure alternative to cash (checks and check cards).

Pros: Traveler's checks and check cards provide more security than cash because they can be replaced (usually within 24 hours) if lost or stolen. While traditional traveler's checks have largely gone the way of the dinosaur, Visa and Travelex offer travel cards that are prepaid like traveler's checks but work like credit cards for purchases and ATM withdrawals. To avoid the aforementioned problems that U.S. travelers have at overseas chip-and-PIN machines, Travelex even offers a chip-and-PIN card (available in several different currencies). Traditional checks are still sometimes useful as currency if you can't find a functioning ATM.

Cons: The exchange rate for traveler's checks is not as favorable as the interbank rate you'll get when using a credit or debit card, and very few merchants accept the checks for purchases these days. You'll also have to pay commissions, shipping charges and/or conversion fees to purchase and cash the checks. The prepaid cards give you better exchange rates, but there are plenty of fees here too -- look out for activation fees, charges for reloading the card, ATM charges or inactivity fees. In most cases, you're probably better off using your own debit card.

What You Need to Know: Keep your checks' serial numbers in a secure but separate place from the checks themselves in case they're lost or stolen.

Sending Money Abroad

 

Best for: Emergencies when you need money sent overseas in a hurry.

Pros: If you find yourself stranded overseas without cash, someone at home can wire money to you and you'll have it within a day -- or even a few minutes.

Cons: Fees for sending money abroad can run anywhere from 1 to 10 percent or more; the faster you need the money, the more expensive it will be.

What You Need to Know: The best-known companies for sending money are Western Union and MoneyGram. Both charge variable fees depending on how much money you're sending and where you're sending it. The slower the service you choose, the more economical the price.

Other choices for sending money abroad include bank wire transfers or international postal money orders from the post office. While less expensive, these methods may take more time.

From Pat-Downs to Full Body Scanners: The TSA Firestorm

independenttraveler.com


Editor's Note: Since this story was published, the TSA announced that pilots and flight attendants in uniform will be exempt from going through the new full body scanners at the airport. They will still need to go through a metal detector and present two forms of photo ID. Pilots and flight attendants who are not in uniform or on official business will have to go through the same security procedures as all other travelers. These procedures are described below.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) certainly has a firestorm on its hands as the agency continues to roll out its full body scanning machines (which are now labeled with the bureaucratically neutral name Advanced Imaging Technology machines). The use of these scanners has precipitated extremely aggressive pat-downs for those travelers who choose not to go through the machines, whether for health or privacy reasons.

These past couple of weeks, it seems like it is almost every day that a traveler has another bruising encounter with the TSA. On November 6, John Tyner was kicked out of the San Diego airport for refusing both the full body scanner and a pat-down. Tyner's blog post and film of his experience have turned into a media sensation.

It's one thing when uber-privacy advocates, bloggers and even regular (if deservedly) recalcitrant travelers refuse to go through the scanners, filming their experience the whole way -- but it is another thing entirely when a growing number of professional pilots refuse to submit to the scans.

• First, ExpressJet/Continental Express pilot Michael Roberts refused to go through a scanner; he quickly became the poster man for the issue, and garnered considerable support from other pilots.
  
  
• Last week, Continental pilot Ann Poe refused to be subjected to the new pat-downs; Poe has an artificial hip that always trips the metal detectors, so she ould have to undergo a mandatory pat-down for every single flight she flies. With the pat-downs now much more invasive, she refused.
  
  
• In somewhat less dramatic but no less disconcerting fashion, author/pilot Patrick Smith of Salon's Ask the Pilot also refused to enter the scanning machines this month, and wrote about it here, the punch line being that there were no actual body scanning machines at the airport -- the agents seemed just to be practicing on Smith.

As red flags go, the refusal of the very people flying the planes to submit to the new security procedure is a pretty big one. That the TSA has a problem with pilots edges into the absurd -- you have to think that if a person who is driving a plane wants to take it down, he or she is going to figure out a way to do so. And with more than all due respect to the countless very professional TSA and other government security agents doing their jobs well and correctly, nearly every casual traveler has encountered agents who are not so professional in one way or another -- whether in their demeanor, comments, abuse of power or even just wearing a bad mood on their sleeves. So it's not hard to imagine not wanting to subject yourself to the whole thing every day just to be able to go do your job.

On the other hand, the flying public is reasonable in feeling that what is good for the goose is good for the gander: if the current system is good enough for us mere tax-paying citizen travelers, it should be good enough for pilots, and airport workers, and everyone, really. If the system were in fact safe and respectful of folks, the pilots wouldn't have a beef.

For the record, I have no problem with scanning machines (and have gone on record saying as much), as long as they do not pose a health problem -- which is still under debate, as I will show below. On a privacy basis, I really don't care if some security guard sees me quasi-naked; people see each other in various states of disrobe all the time, not only in hospitals and doctors' offices 24 hours a day, but in non-medical situations at the local pool, the gym and public restrooms. Trust me, I am no exhibitionist; I just couldn't really care less if one more person happens to see me sort of in my birthday suit, especially if the person in question is in a separate booth and can't actually associate my face with the body on the screen.

Currently, TSA has 385 imaging technology machines at 68 airports and plans to deploy approximately 500 units this year. TSA plans to purchase and deploy an additional 500 units in 2011. Unless pilot and traveler complaints really gain traction, these machines are not going away, so in hopes of cutting through the media noise and rising anger on the subject, I have tried to address most of the major issues below, with comments and clarifications from Sarah Horowitz of the Transportation Security Administration.

The Machines
The TSA currently uses two different scanning machines; the first uses a millimeter wave technology, which Horowitz of the TSA writes "bounces harmless electromagnetic waves off of the human body to create an image resembling a fuzzy photo negative."

The other uses backscatter X-ray technology: "Backscatter technology projects an ionizing X-ray beam over the body surface to produce an image that resembles a chalk-etching."

Radiation
Irrespective of your position on privacy issues, radiation risks are and should be of serious concern to everyone.

I asked the TSA about the risks, and received the following from Horowitz, which I reproduce here in full:

Imaging technology is safe for passengers, and the technology meets all national safety and health standards. Backscatter technology was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). All results confirmed that the radiation doses for the individuals being screened, operators, and bystanders were well below the dose limits specified by the American National Standards Institute. Each full body scan with backscatter produces less than 10 microREM of emission, the equivalent to the exposure each person receives in about 2 minutes of airplane flight at altitude. The energy emitted by millimeter wave technology is thousands of times less than what is permitted for a cell phone.

Before TSA purchases technology, the technology is validated by manufacturers to ensure it meets national safety standards. TSA also conducts site acceptance testing of [Advanced Imaging Technology] to ensure individual AIT units meet safety standards. Once installed, TSA ensures the required manufacturer's preventive maintenance is performed by qualified personnel. Certified Health Physicists with the U.S. Army Public Health Command (Provisional) are performing additional radiation safety surveys and area dosimetry studies to ensure continued compliance with radiation safety standards.

Having extensively reviewed both scientific statements and utter rants about this issue, I would say that the jury is still out to some extent. For a look at some of the facts and concerns, which lack of space and my own lack of expertise will not permit me to address at length here, I suggest starting with the Wikipedia articles about the technologies, which will point you to a number of resources (with the standard caveat that Wikipedia is an open source encyclopedia, and is not necessarily vetted by experts).

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backscatter_X-ray#Health_effects
  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millimeter_wave_scanner#Possible_health_effects

It does appear that the backscatter machines are more of a cause for concern, at least so far, so if you are really worried, you might ask what kind of machine is in use before you walk through. Note that some travelers have reported that TSA agents on site did not know which kind of machine was in use at their own security stations, so have been unable to answer the question.

Privacy: The Scanners


The privacy issue is proving to be a thicket of problems for the TSA, to the extent that the ACLU is involved. Concerns arise due both to the images displayed by the scanning machines and seen by TSA agents, and to the new aggressive pat-down procedures.

To address the scanned images, as I suggest elsewhere in this report, the scanner images do show travelers in a sort of quasi-naked state. The image at right is an example from one of the backscatter machines.

It is clear that specific body parts can be detected, if in a sort of "line drawing" rendering; the TSA describes these as a "fuzzy photo negative" for the millimeter wave machine, and resembling a "chalk etching" for the backscatter machine. Both types of machines do apply filters to attempt to enhance privacy; the millimeter wave machine blurs facial features, and the backscatter machine has a privacy filter applied to the entire body.

Editor's Note: Since the publication of this article, the TSA has changed the way images are captured so that threats are shown on a generic gray outline of a body. See Are the TSA's New Body Scans Less Embarrassing?

As for storing the images, Horowitz writes, "Imaging technology cannot store, export, print or transmit images. All images are deleted from the system after they are reviewed by the remotely located operator. All machines have zero storage capability because they are disabled by the vendor before they reach airports. No cameras, cellular telephones or any device capable of capturing an image is permitted in the resolution room." Also, it is my understanding that the images are deleted before the next passenger can be scanned.

The public's confidence that the images are being deleted are not helped by reports that a courthouse in Florida, which used extremely similar machines and made similar claims that nothing was being saved, was discovered earlier this year to have archived thousands of these images. The TSA says its machines are different, but many travelers remain skeptical.

Privacy: Pat-Downs
The new procedures now allow TSA agents doing pat-downs to use the front of their hands and to conduct what turn out in practice to be unarguably intimate searches of travelers' entire bodies. For some revealing video of how aggressive these pat-downs can be, see this video from a recent Today Show. As many have reported, agents really are touching folks' "private" parts.

Unfortunately, this pat-down is the only alternative to the full body scanner. If there is a scanner in your security lane and you prefer to opt out, you are in for a very aggressive pat-down. Herein lies the problem for many travelers -- potentially unsafe X-rays or a full groping are now part of the cost of taking a flight to attend a bat mitzvah or beach vacation these days.

Also, going through the full body scanner is no guarantee that you won't have to go through a pat-down as well. If any anomalies are detected during the scan, officers may take you aside for a pat-down; the same applies if you are selected for random screening.

Pat-downs are conducted by officers of your gender, and you have the right to request a private screening at any point. And for worried parents, Horowitz tells us, "After a thorough risk assessment and after hearing concerns from parents, TSA made the decision that a modified pat-down would be used for children 12 years old and under who require extra screening."

Editor's Note: In September 2011, the TSA announced further changes to the screening procedure for children 12 or younger. They will no longer have to remove their shoes before going through the checkpoint, and if the metal detector or full body scanner detects any anomalies, the child may be able to go through the machine again in lieu of a pat-down. The screener may also choose to swab the child's hands for explosives before resorting to a pat-down.

For disabled travelers who are unable to stand unassisted for five to seven seconds in a full body scanning machine with their hands raised above shoulder level, a pat-down will be required, Horowitz tells us. "Passengers who can neither walk nor stand are ineligible for advanced imaging technology screening and receive alternative screening using a pat-down procedure while passengers remain in the wheelchair," she says. "Regardless of the degree of mobility, passengers' wheelchairs are thoroughly inspected and any removable items are required to undergo X-ray screening. As with all passengers, travelers with special needs, or their caregivers, can request private screening at any point during the screening process."

Security: Do The Machines and Procedures Make Us More Secure?

I don't consider myself a TSA apologist by any means, but I have to admit that I buy into the notion that careful passenger screening is a deterrent to terrorist activities. It will not work all the time, and the TSA has definitely not done a great job of explaining themselves either on a macro policy level, or when face-to-face with travelers. They seem to dither on silly stuff (iPad out of bag or not?), and overreach egregiously on important stuff -- threatening to lock up people who do not want to be groped is the stuff of police states, not of safety enhancement.

One of the most persuasive elements of pilot objection to the procedures derives from the fact that while pilots must go through the scanners, potentially hundreds of other airport employees, from food vendors to maintenance crew, apparently may not. If the whole point of the process is that anyone who is on the airplane side of the security checks is considered safe, it is hardly reassuring that cleaners, caterers, fuelers and other people with full access do not have to go through the same scanners as do pilots, flight attendants and passengers, according to Patrick Smith. I asked the TSA about this, and Horowitz said only that "all airport vendors are subject to the TSA approved airport security screening plan," but did not say specifically one way or the other if they had to go through the scanners.

Conclusion
There are a lot of reasons why the TSA is having a particularly rough time at the moment. To outline a few -- first, the machines are very new and far from ubiquitous, so travelers on an outbound flight might do the usual shoes- and sweaters-off routine, and on the way home find themselves being roughed up by someone wearing blue latex gloves, with little or no warning about what to expect where, when or why.

Second, it appears that the TSA has not truly completed its due diligence -- or very importantly marketing -- on the safety of the machines.

Third, regular travelers and airline professionals alike are tiring of the machinations of an inefficient, impersonal and bullying bureaucracy, particularly one where the people applying the rules so often don't even know the rules, or seem to make them up as they go along.

In truth, a backlash on this issue has been brewing for nearly a decade. I don't think many honest commentators would disagree that the TSA has bumbled and bungled its way to this impasse, even if those same folks would agree that the efforts of the TSA almost certainly have foiled or at the very least discouraged some form of terrorist activities in airports.

The TSA's obligation is to the safety of the public who employs them -- but this must extend not only to keeping terrorists off of planes, but also to keeping travelers safe from potentially harmful X-rays and extremely invasive pat-downs by sometimes unprofessional agents. The word that keeps coming up on all sides of the debate is "balance" -- in the links above you will find that pilots, aggrieved travelers and the head of the TSA alike all use the word to support their very much opposing positions. Everyone agrees that balance is what we need -- but they are standing on opposite ends of the beam.

Stranded motorists: police to the rescue

Mexico's police: good apples and bad.

Mexico News Daily | Friday, January 2, 2015

Stories about Mexico’s police aren’t all bad.

A Canadian couple traveling through Mexico in their RV had a mechanical problem near Ciudad Obregón yesterday: a spring broke. But they weren’t stuck for long.

Murray Ruehlen of Campbell River, B.C., said the first help arrived in the form of a young man, who was followed a couple of minutes later by a police vehicle.

One officer got on his cell phone to call a mechanic. Ten minutes later and the mechanic arrives, but he’s not just any mechanic: he works for the police department.
 

Ruehlen had a spare spring, tools and a jack on hand so the mechanic and the young man had the broken spring replaced within an hour. Meanwhile, the police remained on the scene with emergency lights flashing for protection.

The Canadian travelers tipped the two men who did the work and gave the two police officers chocolates and candy for their children — they wouldn’t accept cash.

“Where else but in Mexico!” wrote Ruehlen in a post describing the experience on the page of the Facebook group, On the Road in Mexico.

Mexico News Daily

 

- See more at: http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/stranded-motorists-police-rescue/#sthash.R8HJEo23.dpuf

Nine Things to Do When No One Speaks English

independenttraveler.com

You've always gotten by with your high school French or Spanish overseas, but what if you're in a place so remote no one speaks anything but the local language and you haven't taken the time to learn more than "hello" and "thank you"?

English is a common second language in many countries, particularly those that see lots of tourists or international businesspeople. But go off the beaten track, and English speakers aren't as easy to find. In the jungles of Ecuador you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who spoke anything other than Spanish. What if you're in rural China or Russia, or even a major city in Asia like Tokyo that has very few signs in English?
Below are nine tips that can help.

1. Don't panic.

 

Logic and composure are your best friends. You might fret if it's getting late and you can't find an ATM or your hotel. Don't worry; eventually someone will help. Stay positive.

2. Write it down.

 

Before you leave for the day, ask the front desk or concierge to write down the name of your hotel in the local language, or get a business card with the hotel's details on it. That way if you get lost, anyone can point you in the right direction, and a taxi (your safest bet at night) will return you to the front door in a heartbeat.

3. Get an app.

 

If you'll be using your smartphone abroad, download a translation app. Our favorite is Google Translate, which covers approximately 70 languages. You can have a local speak into the phone or even take a picture of written text, and the app will translate it into English for you. The app will work offline if there's no 4G or Wi-Fi available. It's free for iPhone and Android.

4. Buy a phrasebook.

 

Remember that your smartphone may not work everywhere in the world -- and if your battery dies, you may need a backup plan. If you're headed to a place where power is limited and English speakers are hard to find, it's worth investing in a phrasebook. Even if you can't pronounce the words, you can show a local the page of the book with the phrase you're trying to convey. Many guidebooks also have a list of common words if you don't want to carry a separate phrasebook.

5. Go to a hotel.

 

Wherever you are, look for the nearest lodging, preferably a luxury or business hotel (which will be most accustomed to international guests). Hotels almost always have a person on staff that can speak English or will find someone for you who can. In the worst case, you can rest in the lobby and gather your thoughts.

 

6. Find a tourist office.

 

As with hotels, tourist offices are used to interacting with international visitors and will likely have multilingual people on staff.

7. Look for familiar franchises.

 

IndependentTraveler.com Editor at Large Dori Saltzman offers an unexpected tip: "Go to McDonald's or another chain that you recognize from home. Because these places attract Americans, the staff often will know a little English -- and even if they don't, some of the diners might."

8. Look for young people.

 

IndependentTraveler.com Senior Editor Sarah Schlichter recommends reaching out to younger locals: "I've found that people in their 20s tend to be more likely to remember the English they studied in school than older folks who haven't practiced their second language in a few decades."

9. Draw a picture or sign it out.

 

Hand gestures, sketches or even just pointing to a map can all get your point across if words fail. Be careful, though; seemingly innocent hand gestures in your own culture could prove offensive elsewhere in the world. We recommend reading up on taboos and hand gestures before your trip at CultureCrossing.net.

The main thing to remember is that people worldwide are generally helpful. Remember your charades and try to act out what you need. If nothing else, it will give the locals a good laugh, and when they are laughing they will be more inclined to help.

What strategies have you tried in a situation when no one spoke your language? Post your suggestions in the comments below.

Mazatlán Exempt from US Tourist Alert Again

by Maureen Dietrich
29 Dec 14
mazmessenger.com

 

 

For the sixth year in a row, the United States State Department has evaluated the municipality of Mazatlán as being safe for American tourists and residents.

 

The department once again recommended Americans in Mazatlán take precautions if travelling in the municipality late at night or early morning and stated the Zona Dorada, Centro Historico and highway to the airport are the most secure.

However, the alert warned US citizens to avoid non-essential travel in State of Sinaloa.

In a travel alert issued on the government website on December 24, 2014, the State Department stated it considered Sinaloa a precautionary area for travel for Americans as Sinaloa is home to one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico and criminal activities remain high throughout most of the State. Travel outside highway toll roads and in remote areas is dangerous and should be avoided, the alert warned.

As well, Americans were advised to take precautions travelling in neighbouring States such as Durango, Nayarit, Sonora and Baja California Sur.

Of Durango, the alert stated criminal activity on highways is a security problem and recommended travel outside the capital city only during the daytime.

With respect to Nayarit, the State department warned against non-essential travel in the border area of Sinaloa and Durango and all rural zones and secondary highways.

The December 24 alert stated Sonora is a region of drug and human trafficking and could be extremely dangerous for travellers. It also recommended caution when travelling in La Paz, BCS pointing out that in 2013 that State registered its highest murder rate since 1997.

(from Noroeste)

Tourism Grows in Mexico

theyucatantimes.com

Tourism in Mexico
Photo: Google

MEXICO (Notimex).-

Despite the insecurity in certain areas of the country, the number of foreign visitors to the Mexico increased by 10.1 percent from January to October of this year, with the arrival of 10.5 million tourists.

The Ministry of Tourism said that, according to the National Migration Institute (INM), this figure exceeds 9.6 million international passengers during the same period in 2013. The foreign exchange earnings from international visitors showed a positive development, reaching the tenth month of this year 13, 034 million dollars, the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) said.

This, said the Central Bank, is equivalent to 16.7 percent compared to 11 thousand 254 million US dollars in the same period last year.

In October this year, 1,096 million entered the country, of which $ 818 million are from tourists who arrived by air, which means an increase of 13 percent compared to October 2013.

Cancun Mexico

 Average Spending

Tourism Minister stated that the average expenditure of travelers who entered airway was $ 949.1 USD, a figure 10.1% higher than achieved from January to October last year. Therefore, in the first ten months of 2014  23.2 million tourists were admitted, a figure 18.6 percent higher than those who entered the country in the same period of 2013.

According to the Migration Policy Unit of the Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB), the main source of tourists to Mexico is the United States, with 5.9 million visitors from January to October. After that, Canadian visitors follow, with 1.3 million, and the UK, with 389,000 tourist arrivals.

As for the entry of travelers from emerging economies, the Tourism Ministry also noted that passengers from Colombia rose 24.7%, China 24.4%, Venezuela 9.1%, while Brazil reached 13.7% over the January-October period of 2013.

JJ. Argáez/The Yucatan Times

5 Reasons Mexico Can Be Better Outside of a Resort

travelpulse.com

Mexico is a fantastic country with delicious cuisine, friendly people and some of the world's most amazing historical sites. People love going on vacation to Mexico, and why wouldn't they? A resort allows you to enjoy a beautiful beach, have waiters refill your margarita before you even notice it's empty, and enjoy a selection of 10 different international restaurants all without even leaving the resort!

But what if we were to tell you that your vacation could be even better? Try venturing outside of the all-inclusives and experience the real Mexico!

Here are five reasons why Mexico can be even better outside of the resort:

1. The Cost

With prices like $1500 / week for a five-star, all-inclusive holiday, you may think that you could never enjoy Mexico for less if you did it independently. But believe us, you can. Mexico is a country of incredible value and you could easily spend three weeks here, staying in an apartment, eating local food and drinking at local bars, and you wouldn't spend more than $1,500 in three weeks!

But, you don't have to stay in an apartment or a hotel, you can still stay in your resort and experience Mexico. Just hop on a local bus or taxi and take a day-trip to a nearby town. You'll love the vibe of the local life in this incredible country.

2. Meeting Local People

One of the most fascinating aspects of travel is having the opportunity to meet and mingle with the local people in whatever countries you visit. It's amazing when you get the opportunity to learn about the culture, day-to-day life, and beliefs first hand, from a new local friend.

Of course, the employees at your resort will be Mexican, and it's great to be able to sit and chat with them for a while, but they're busy and you don't often get into deep conversations with them. 

If you have the opportunity to meet Mexicans at a bar, at a restaurant or on the streets, outside of a work environment, it will be easier to forge lasting friendships and really get to know them. Who knows, you may even get invited into their homes... a prospect that is less likely if you're staying at a resort.

3. Tasting Real Mexican Food

Of course your resort will have amazing Mexican restaurants on-site, but let's be honest. How many meals do you actually end up eating there? With so many amazing international restaurants around, you may just end up eating every type of food except Mexican!

If you stay in a small local town like Valladolid in the Yucatan, you'll have more options for Mexican food than you could dream of. You'll learn about local specialties, ingredients and preparation methods. Best of all, you'll probably be sharing the restaurant with mostly locals, which is a great way to mingle and make new Mexican friends.

4. Learning Some Spanish

This may not be a top priority for you when you're planning your vacation to Mexico, but it can be a lot of fun to learn Spanish while you're there! If you take a tip from No. 1 in this post, you may be hanging around for three weeks or more. That means you'll have plenty of time to learn and practice some of the local language. Mexicans are always friendly to tourists, but they love it whengringos take the time to learn a bit of their native tongue. Not only will you enjoy the new skill, but your Mexican friends will appreciate it.

5. Being IN Mexico:

Of course if you go to Mexico and stay in a resort, you'll have been to Mexico... but venture away from your gated all-inclusive community and head into the cities to get a real feel for this amazing nation, its unique culture and its welcoming people. There's nothing like walking down a back road in quiet village, or strolling through the city centro in the late afternoon. Mexico is a great place to be, so get out there and see it!

Photo: Beautiful Valladolid town in the Yucatan State

While staying in a resort is a fun experience and the ultimate way to relax on your holiday, you may want to consider this alternative way of travelling in Mexico. Even if you still stay in a resort, you can enhance your trip by leaving the grounds once in a while and taking a local bus into town.

Mexico is out there, waiting to be explored, and despite what the news says, it's safe. You won't be venturing into dangerous border towns, or walking down dark alleys at night, so you can be sure that in major tourist towns like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen, you'll have no issues. So why not head out into the real Mexico? Give it a try to see what it's like.

Millions of Americans and Canadians drive down the roads of Mexico every year. Are they Safe?

 theyucatantimes.com

Bill and Dot Bell have traveled extensively throughout Mexico for over two decades.  Their website www.ontheroadin.com is the most comprehensive Road guide on travel in México on the internet. This what they have to say regarding safe traveling down the Mexican Highways.

The hot sun, the rolling waves crashing against palmed lined beaches and the friendly people of Mexico can lull you into a sense of tranquility and that elusive dream world of “paradise found.”  But is Mexico truly safe for the average American and Canadian traveler? Specifically is it safe for those visitors who travel outside of the tourist resorts by car, bus, and RV; the traveler who wants to experience the “real Mexico.”

What about the stories of kidnappings, roadside hijackings, crooked cops and the ever infamous bandidos?   After 20 years of exploring all 31 states in Mexico via bus, car, train and RV, we would be lying if we said that there wasn’t anything to be concerned about.  After all, in Mexico the average yearly wage of the Mexican would not even make the first down payment not to mention the worth of the cameras, computers, stereos and other equipment that is contained in the average mobile house.  When you drive across the border, no matter how modest your motor home is, it is ostentatious in the Mexican environment and it stands out, sending a signal to all who see it, that you are wealthy.

Much like Canada and the United States, 99 per cent of the Mexican population will look and perhaps be envious of the apparent wealth, but would never dream of robbing you or causing any harm. In our experience, the average Mexican is much more a Good Samaritan and will go out of their way to assist you than is the case north of the border. It is that one per cent or less of the population, which is a concern and requires you to use your common sense and take the necessary precautions. Staying alert is essential to keeping your journey happy and safe.

Merida Downtown

Crime happens in all three countries, but there are cultural and economic differences. Many victims are those who are on holiday and are lulled into a false sense of security.  They forget to put away valuables outside of their rigs at night; something most of us would never dream of doing back home. RVers and campers boon dock by themselves on a deserted beach or they don’t plan their trips wisely and fail to reach their destination well before night fall.  Some tourists not knowing the value of the foreign currency will foolishly open their wallets, fat with pesos, to a clerk and ask how much do they owe them?  Others end a night of drinking Tequila at a disco and decide they want to walk back to their hotel even though they are not familiar with the neighborhood.

*

As a former chair and member of the RCMP Liaison committee back in our home town of North Vancouver, we shudder every time we see a tourist leave a camera or a purse on the restaurant table unattended as they head for the washroom. What are they thinking? Vigilance when one travels anywhere in the world is necessary, even when camping in State and Provincial Parks close to home.

Lets be clear about one thing, there are varying degrees of precaution one should take while traveling Mexico.  The U S State Department’s warnings about travel to Mexican border towns such Juarez, Tijuana and Matamoras should be taken seriously and we certainly recommend that you drive through these border towns early in morning and get through as quickly as possible.   Extra precautions have to be taken in larger metropolitan areas such Mexico City where urban crime is as great if not greater than traveling to New York in the early 1990’s.  Pickpockets here are as numerous as those who ply the Paris Metro and the taxis you take in any large city should only be those recommended by the hotel where you stay.

Mexico on the Road In Website

This is not the case in tourist destinations and small and mid sized communities throughout Mexico where crime rates are similar to those in the same size communities back home. One notable and perplexing difference between cultures is the acceptance in Mexico that police can be bribed, called Mordida, or “the little bite.”  After almost two decades of road travel in Mexico and talking and writing to drivers we find that this practice is getting less and less common. Both State and Federal governments of Mexico are making earnest attempts to stop it but the practice still exists.

If you are pulled over by the police for a real or sometimes imaginary traffic violation; speeding, making an illegal turn or driving through a red, you will likely be faced with two options. You will be faced with your drivers license taken away by the police, having your vehicle impounded and waiting at least 24 hours before being able to pay the fine at the “Ministerio Público or Transito.”  The other option, although abhorrent in our gringo eyes, is to have the policeman do the favor of paying the fine for you. Likely the price of this invisible ticket will be less than the official police station price. While “the little bite” is repugnant to us, it has a long tradition in Mexico. We personally do not agree with this practice but it does occur and many “Norte Americanos” happily pay the officer because it is cheap and expedient and therefore perpetuate the practice.

In the small communities and in the colonial heart land of Mexico, we have rarely felt the need to add up restaurant bills or double check a charge at a grocery store.  Many times waiters and or cashiers have chased after us insisting that they had given the wrong change…too little.   This has not been our experience in major tourist areas where over charging almost seems the norm rather than exception.  When asking a Mexican amigo that spent his earlier days as a waiter in Cancun why this was occurring, his response was simple. “If you can afford to not check your bill, then you can obviously afford to pay the waiter a little extra.”  But that’s stealing we insisted. “No. Stealing would be not correcting the bill when it is pointed out be incorrect,” said our friend. This is an unacceptable rationale for theft most would say, but a little sympathy must go out to the waiter who is serving a table of patrons that individually spends more in one sitting than he or she earns in a month. Check your bills and if you don’t understand a charge ask.

Beach House in Yucatan (Photo: yucatan.quebarato)

Kidnappings in some parts of Mexico do occur and perhaps to us is the most disturbing aspect of the safety question. To date the vast majority of kidnapping has occurred in major centers such as Mexico City and the bulk of those cases have been inflicted on rich Mexicans. As parents of three children, two of whom live us, and who works and lives in Mexico City, this by far creates the most fear. “What if they should change targets?  What if they go after the “gringo community?” Mexico has made every effort to catch these criminals and dispatched special squads to interview victims and those threatened with kidnapping. It is difficult however to apprehend the perpetrators when they use pay or cell phones.

There lies the rub of traveling in today’s world. 9/1l, the London Tube bombings and the disappearance of the American high school girl in Aruba, all prove one thing. There is some inherent danger when traveling abroad and some that you cannot avoid. An event of such enormity is unlikely and should not deter you from travel and adventure. The key to the majority of petty crimes or crimes without violence is to be prepared, never let your guard down and apply basic common sense to your actions.

Lessen the possibility of crime by always taking note of your surroundings and acting appropriately. Don’t flaunt your wealth by wearing a gold bracelet while jogging on a beach or openly carry an expensive digital camera while sauntering through an impoverished village or neighborhood. When visiting or staying in a foreign country, register with your consulate. They will inform you by email if there is a major problem such as a hurricane or other threat that would possibly impede your stay. Read the State Departments warnings on travel to that country and take steps to minimize any potential peril. Report any crime to your consulate so that other travelers can be forewarned.

If you drive, start early and plan your trip daily to give yourself ample time to reach your destination before sunset allowing for extra time in case you have a mishap such as breakdown or flat tire. You shouldn’t drive at night.  We say this not so much because of crime on the road, but because the cattle, horses, pigs and goats free range in the countryside and can wander aimlessly on the roadside, even on the toll highways.

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Mexico is a fabulous country, filled with superb contrasts, palmed lined beaches, colonial cities, ancient Mayan and Aztec pre-Hispanic treasures. Experiencing it can be a highlight in your life. Traveling carefully can save your life.

Here’s list of some things you should do to avoid being a victim of crime while traveling in Mexico

• After a evening at a restaurant, bar or disco always take a cab back to your room or RV park
• Never walk on a beach late at night
• If you are at a disco or party, never be enticed to leave the establishment for fresh air or a romantic walk with someone you have just met
• If there are drugs present, leave immediately – even if it is in a reputable establishment
• Check with your consulate or go on line to read State Department warnings on criminal activities in the area that you are visiting
• Never give out personal information to strangers (room #, address, phone numbers, etc)
• Do your homework and know the value of the currency you are using
• Only carry the money that is needed for the day (use the hotel safety deposit box to keep your bank and credit cards)
• Never wear valuable jewelry or carry expensive cameras openly
• Travel in pairs or groups whenever possible
• If you are camping or RVing, never boondock on deserted beaches or back country unless you are familiar with the locals in the area or there our other RV’s  parked there as well
• When confronted by a thief with a weapon, never put up a struggle. Your life is far more valuable than anything they could take.
• Never leave anything of value outside of your RV or tent, overnight or when visiting a neighbor, restaurant or even a facility onsite.
• If you find yourself in any situation where you feel uncomfortable for whatever reasons, trust your judgment and leave.

We think this list could be applied to anywhere we have traveled in the world. Mexico is no different. Your responsibility as a traveler is to travel wisely. Ensure you pack your common sense along with your bathing suit and sunscreen.

Source: http://ontheroadin.com/