Unfortunately Southeast Asia tends to make the media spotlight only when something bad happens. Natural disasters and political turmoil make more sensational news than happy travelers enjoying good food and generally having the times of their lives.
Staying safe in Southeast Asia is a no-brainer; use these safety tips to come home happy and healthy.
Scams and Ripoffs
With poverty a major issue throughout much of Southeast Asia, Westerners are often viewed as walking cash machines. Travelers are often unaware of local prices and customs -- making them an easy target. Try not to let a few unscrupulous hustlers jade you with an unfair bias against normally genuine people.
- Read more about avoiding popular scams in Southeast Asia.
- Save money; learn how to negotiate prices.
Alcohol and Drugs
Unsurprisingly, drugs or excessive alcohol usually play a part in many trips gone wrong. Despite being readily available in seemingly lawless places such as Vang Vieng, Laos and the Gili Islands, drugs are illegal in Southeast Asia. Getting caught carrying drugs is actually punishable by death!
- Read more about drug laws in Southeast Asia.
Advice for Female Travelers
In places where dark skin is the norm, fair skin is viewed as exotic and sexy. While generally harmless, female travelers can get their fair share of attention from local men.
The same commonsense rules apply both at home and in Southeast Asia:
- Cover Up: Cover yourself when coming off the beach. Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu cultures found in the islands are generally conservative. Topless sunbathing is looked down upon by both local men and women.
- Watch your Drink: Putting drugs into untended drinks is still commonplace on many of the islands. Do not accept drinks from strangers.
- Watch for Miscommunication: Seemingly harmless gestures such as putting an arm around someone of the opposite sex can be interpreted differently across cultural divides.
Political Situations
Political turmoil can pop up unexpectedly even in tourist places. While these feuds usually do not target foreigners, try not be be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even peaceful protests have sometimes turned violent without warning.
Register your trip with the US State Department in case the situation deteriorates to the point of evacuation. After registering your itinerary, travel warnings for your destinations will be sent via email.
Staying Healthy
While tsunamis and earthquakes dominate the news, less-obvious threats such as fevers, bad stomachs and severe sunburn often ruin more trips to Southeast Asia.
An abundance of exotic -- and often spicy -- food can be a shock to unsuspecting Western stomachs. While not a show-stopper, no one wants to spend unnecessary time in squat toilets.
- Learn how to control your stomach and avoid traveler's diarrhea.
With much of Southeast Asia situated near the equator, the sun is much less forgiving than at home.
- Read about avoiding sunburn in Southeast Asia.
Avoiding Things that Bite
Unfortunately, beautiful scenery and tropical weather come with a price: More things want to bite you in Southeast Asia! From surprise monkey attacks while hiking to bedbugs silently making you into dinner, use these tips to avoid becoming food for the local wildlife.
Dengue fever is prevalent throughout Southeast Asia; no vaccination exists. The best way to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses such as Japanese encephalitis and malaria is not to be bitten in the first place!
- Read about how to avoid mosquito bites.
Bedbugs were once only a nightmare for budget travelers; now, they can be found even in luxury hotels.
- Read about avoiding bedbugs in Southeast Asia.
Mischievous macaque monkeys make great subjects for photographs, but a single bite or scratch could send you to the local clinic for injections.
- Read about avoiding monkey attacks.
Hiking and Trekking Safety
No trip to Southeast Asia is complete without spending some time in the beautiful rainforests or jungle. National parks and trails abound; outdoorsy travelers with a serious appetite for adventure may even choose to climb some active volcanoes in Indonesia.
Surprise weather, loose volcanic shale, and other threats have sometimes turned fun adventures into survival situations.
- Read some hiking safety tips for Southeast Asia.