Any major city in the world has the potential for crime, and this potential is increased by factors such as location, time of day and mode of transport.  For those visitors who use COMMON SENSE and visit the common tourist sites, steering clear of crime ridden areas, avoiding venturing late night and use official recognized transportation modes, the likelihood of being a victim of crime is no more than any other major city. 

TIPS:

  • Use the taxis company that your hotel offers.

  • If you must flag down a taxi, do so only during day light hours. At night, you can ask restaurants and bars to call reputable companies for you.

  • If you use a taxi, check to see that the taxi is legally registered

  • If you take the bus or the trolley, take as few belongings as possible and travel with a group if possible.

  • Use a purse with a strap that can be worn across your body making it more difficult for a snatch and grab.

  • Use backpacks and/or purses made of sturdy materials that are difficult to slash with a knife (cutting the bottom of a backpack and having the belongings drop into another bag is a common trick of thieves during rush hour)

  • If you’re traveling with a camera, find a way to camouflage it. A bag that isn’t a camera bag can be helpful. If weather allows, you can wear your camera strap over one shoulder and wear a jacket making it very difficult for someone to grab your camera and run. Make sure your camera strap is sturdy and not easy to cut. And if at all possible, don’t ride the bus with a camera.

  • Don’t keep your wallet in your back pocket. Wrap an elastic band over the wallet.

  • Don’t flash cash.

  • If you are going to use an ATM, make sure it is in a protected location like inside a large hotel or bank and look to see if anyone is watching you get cash. If they follow you out or are talking on a phone, change your direction and/or tell the nearby a guard or policeman of your concern.

  • Keep small change easily accessible so you don’t have to pull out the wallet with the bills for every purchase.

  • Keep your cash in multiple locations so that you have an emergency fund.

  • If you plan on going somewhere that is known for robbery on the streets, take a throw-away-wallet. That’s one with some old cards that are of no value and are not connected to current accounts and enough money inside to fool a thief into thinking it’s the real thing. This is especially true for those planning to go out on the town at night.

  • Don’t wear expensive or faux expensive jewelry, watches, or sunglasses.

  • Don’t use an iPhone or expensive Android on the streets. If you use them in restaurants or bars, keep them out of view as much as possible.