Media Blog
Important Things to Remember While Spending Abroad
Today’s US currency exchange rate makes it easy for Americans to enjoy larger budgets during their vacations overseas. Vacationists can either choose to have their dollars exchanged at their local moneychangers before departure, or upon arriving at their destination. Any of the these two options is fine, so long as they are sure that the establishment can give the best possible currency exchange rates.
However, whenever traveling to another country, it’s important to keep in mind a few safety tips whenever carrying cash or cards on person in the open public. Although the tourist destination advertised on the Internet may seem like a dream-like island paradise, dwelling into the wrong areas may significantly increase anyone’s chances for getting mugged.
With that said, the first tip is to carry as much cash as needed whenever leaving the hotel. Thieves have trained-eyes that can spot any foreigner lugging around a money belt that’s loaded with cash. Trying to conceal it under the shirt won’t do much good either, as the bulge can easily be spotted from a distance.
Leaving the bulk of cash back at the hotel room is advisable. Keeping it in the room’s safe would be even better, as there’s always that chance thieves coordinate with the room keepers of certain hotels to rob customers upon leaving their rooms.
In the case of credit cards, vacationers are advised to bring the ones they need only. The last thing any vacationist would want to happen is having to make half-a-dozen phone calls to his or her card issuers to cancel the cards before the crooks start racking up fraudulent charges.
Establishments that allow foreign customers to pay using their local currency may have some hidden agenda behind the seemingly convenient option. There’s a possibility that the exchange rate offered by these businesses are highly unfavorable, which means the vacationist would be spending a whole lot more than what he actually has to.
Holiday trippers should keep in mind that planning a holiday takes much more than just leveraging the US currency exchange rate in countries wherein the dollar is strongest. Observing proper safety precautions should be made a priority.
Some areas in these value-friendly countries are teeming with hoodlums that intend to take whatever they can from defenseless and careless tourists, so maintaining a low-profile (e.g. not wearing expensive-looking jewelries, carrying a big pouch of money, etc.) would be in the best interest of the vacationer.