Is Your Vacation Destination Safe?

Check out travel advisories before you book to get the real scoop on the risks you’ll face.

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News reports about terrorist attacks, rampant crime or an unsettling string of deaths in an idyllic destination such as the Dominican Republic may give you pause when selecting a vacation spot—or make you wonder if the place you chose is safe to visit at all.

Before deciding you may be better off with a staycation, keep in mind that for most travelers “the actual risks are more mundane,” says Matthew Bradley, of International SOS, a medical and travel security services company. In most places, you’re likelier to experience petty theft, traffic accidents or gastrointestinal problems than a terrorist attack. Instead of writing off certain places because of bad press, use these strategies to judge a destination.

Check government advisories.