Is India Safe To Travel?

Boasting with rich culture, delicious food, beautiful nature and being a land of spirituality, India has been attracting more and more tourists from all over the globe. But there are still issues of safety which are an issue of debate among travelers whenever they are planning to visit India. Although one is to not downplay the risks that are present in some regions of the country, the majority of visitors who are cautious end up having quite a wonderful time in the India.

General Safety and Crime Risks

As with many other developing countries, India does have its share of crime problems especially minor pick pocketing and stealing, particularly in areas where there are many people such as markets, railway stations and famous tourist attractions. Although the violent crime is not high, women in particular should avoid taking a taxi alone or within the night. Some common-sense measures that should be taken include not taking valuable items along, dressing appropriately, not attracting attention to one’s self, not flaunting jewelry or money, and not accepting food and/or beverages from strangers. Also ensure that you are aware of regions that experience political instabilities or regions that are more prone to incidences of terror attacks so that you do not take avoidable risks.

A major danger that any tourist may encounter especially when in India for the first time is touts and cons who are known to prey on foreigners with the aim of conning them. Some of the common frauds include bogus guides, claims of the monuments being closed when in real sense they are open for business with an aim of selling expensive tours, unscrupulous taxi drivers who lie to their clients that their hotels have been shut down or fully booked when in real sense they are partners to the crooks in their bid to take you to their own accommodation with a commission fee, kids creating a distraction while their partners in crime snatch Do not talk to strangers, avoid those who offer to show you something, be wise when choosing transportation means, and you will not have to deal with most of the tourist scams.

Sanitation and Medical Care Risks

There is some truth in this as health and sanitation questions do add to the risk element in India for the tourists, especially those who are planning to tour other parts of the country than the metros. Contaminated food and water bring about water borne diseases such as “Delhi belly” while those diseases transmitted by insects such as malaria are also present. There is a shortage of medical facilities in many parts of India, particularly in rural areas, which significantly reduces the amount of emergency services that can be provided in those locations. They should ensure that they take all the necessary measures to ensure that they do not fall sick as they are far from any good hospital.

However, due to a relatively less developed infrastructure as compared to the developed countries, most of the time the risks are higher in India compared to developed nations, but if travelers use appropriate caution, they should not have any problems. Only drink bottled water, only eat fully cooked food, and fruit/vegetables that you peel yourself, check for recommended immunizations before traveling, and carry basic first aid kit and medicines for self-treatment of minor ailments. Sleep in clean accommodation, do not use tap water to brush teeth, and only consume cooked food even if eating in quality restaurants. By paying attention and doing a little bit of planning, you should be able to eat tasty Indian food without getting sick and ruining your trip.

Safety of Single Women Travelers in India

For the female traveler, India is not nearly as easy to navigate from a safety perspective. Crime and violence, including rape and sexual assault, are above the average compared to many places; however, authorities have attempted to curb groping and harassment in public transportation. A lot of women realize lewd remarks and unwanted attention is still rife, especially when they are traveling alone. Moving around with a friend offers some buffer to this attention.

However, attacks or threats specifically against foreign women are few and far between and are limited to specific areas which women tourists should not venture into, like any other country. Some rules remain the same for any corner of the world – don’t walk in deserted streets in the night, stay in areas that are crowded and touristic, use only licensed taxi or tuc-tuc services instead of illicit ones, don’t follow a man you don’t know if he invites you to a quiet place. Although solo women tourists can visit India safely every day, women being a little cautious are more comfortable while traveling in India due to the social structure of the country.

Is India safe for tourists to visit now?

Except for specific areas experiencing some forms of civil disturbances or temporary rise in terrorist activities, safety standards in most parts of India are reasonably good and should not pose a big challenge to the average traveler. India is a popular tourist attraction with millions of international tourists visiting the country every year, and the cases of violence towards tourists are exceptionally rare. Criminals are indeed much more active in India than in many Western countries, but they also stay away from areas which attract lots of foreigners because police intensively patrols areas popular among tourists, which is vital for India’s economy.

Even if a few simple preventative measures are being aimed at minimizing the health hazards and petty crimes against the foreign visitors, India remains generally safe for the foreigners to travel across. With more caution, even the single woman can deal with the peculiarities India offers to enjoy the country. Although not without its completely reasonable issues increasing its risk factor to a level that may not be ideal, any tourist who takes the necessary precautions should not hesitate to add India to their must-visit list as the country holds a world of stunning experiences for travelers who do not shy away from the country’s vibrant energy.

Therefore, besides being careful to prevent such accidents, let the exotic culture of India embrace you on a trip that will create dazzling memories throughout your lifetime.