Nothing's more important, anywhere in the world. Below are some best practices we've found helpful, plus how to keep tabs on what's happening on the ground where you're going.
General tips
General tips for whenever you're on the road. You can never have too many of these.
As a general rule: the place you're visiting is someone else's home. Locals often have a great sense of what's normal, what's unusual, and what to avoid. Ask them. Other travelers can help too. A little local intel can go a long way.
It depends on the destination, so do your research ahead of time. Hotels, hostels and local guides can often tell you which taxi companies, ride-hailing apps, and transport options are safe to use.
Be alert to common scams, including inflated fares, altered meters, unofficial payment methods, or drivers taking advantage of unfamiliar visitors. Before getting in a vehicle, make sure you know who you're traveling with, how the fare will be calculated, and where you're going. Be extra careful with vehicles hailed on the street, particularly at night, in unfamiliar areas, in places where this is unusual, or whenever you can't verify that the vehicle or driver is legitimate.
Research local advice on ATMs and payment methods. Other travelers are a great source of intel, particularly in places where it's difficult to use international cards. Be alert to scams when withdrawing or converting money, and keep some cash in local currency as a back-up.
For valuables, ask yourself whether you'd rather leave something behind than risk losing it. In places where the risk is higher, don't take anything with you that you'd really mind losing.
For solo travelers
Going solo is one of the best ways to travel. It means setting your own pace (and changing it on a whim!), meeting people you might never meet otherwise, and getting comfortable in your own company. It's a chance to experience a place entirely on your terms. Here are a few simple bits of advice, to help you make the most of going it alone.
When you're trying to make plans, check in with other travelers and your hosts for tips before heading out. Guides and other locals will usually have a view on what's worth seeing and how to do it too.
Tell someone your plans for the day and roughly when you'll be back. A friend at home works fine.
For first-time travelers
Congrats on taking the leap. You don't need to have everything figured out. A little prep means you get to spend more time diving in and less time worrying about the basics.
Leave room to change your mind. You don't need every hostel, bus and activity booked before you leave. Some of the best parts of traveling happen because your plans change. Weather, delays, cancellations and chance encounters mean your plans will change anyway - learn to roll with it.
Some things really are worth booking ahead of time, particularly if you're arriving late or traveling in a busy season.
This could be a long list. But a good starting point is how to get from the airport or station to where you're staying, how you'll pay for it, and how you'll get online. Once you're settled and connected, you can figure a lot of the rest out.
You don't need to know everything. Just don't leave Future You with an unnecessarily difficult first hour.
Check the real, current advice for where you're headed
Things change. Before you travel, check the latest advice from your own government. Check again before you leave, even while you're there. It can tell you about current safety issues, entry requirements, local restrictions, health advice and anything else that might affect your trip.
For Mexico in particular, don't just search "Is Mexico safe?". Official advice can vary by state and sometimes by specific areas within a state. Check the advice for the places you're actually visiting and traveling through.
A few places to start:
If your country isn't listed, search "[your country] travel advice Mexico."
Mexico City also runs its own tourist protection service through the Secretary of Citizen Security, with officers near major tourist areas. Check the city's official tourism site for current details.
And be sure to look up the local emergency number wherever you're headed.
How about Touri?
A few things we do, and some things we can't, to help keep Touri safe.
That a good local guide can be one of the best resources a traveler has. And that travelers looking out for each other matters too. An honest review, a reported problem, or someone flagging something that didn't feel right can help the next person.
That's why Touri isn't just about booking tours. It's about helping travelers have better, more connected experiences. And giving something back to the local guides and communities that make those experiences possible.
One last thing: none of this can guarantee your safety. Sometimes you're unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time, or something happens you couldn't have seen coming. You can try and make that less likely, but as in travel as in life, it can still happen. It's about giving yourself the best chance of dealing with whatever comes your way. The aim is to be prepared, not to be afraid.
This page shares general advice, not official guidance. For what's actually current where you're headed, your own government's travel advisory is still the best source.
Still have questions? We're back within 8 hours — usually less.
Contact support