New Zealand Travel Guide: Safety Tips in New Zealand. Travel Safety Tips.

When traveling to another country a well-planned itinerary will ensure that you get the best out of your trip. It is also of utmost importance that you are aware of certain conditions and regulations in the country that pertain to your health and safety so that everything runs as expected on your planned holiday. An important travel safety tip before traveling to another country is to secure travel insurance so that you will be assured that any loss or medical expense you might incur while traveling will be taken care of by your insurance company. Our New Zealand Travel Guide gives you a sneak peek on places to visit and things to do and a list of travel safety tips to help ensure that your dream visit to this land of stunning and diverse tourist attractions will be a truly unforgettable experience.

New Zealand has a relatively low crime rate with theft as the most frequent type of crime committed. Incidences of theft from unattended vehicles especially hired cars or camper vans in some tourist destinations are common. Don’t leave your valuables in unattended vehicles even if the vehicle is locked. You should always be on guard and also take precautions by keeping your personal belongings in a secure place all the time even if you are sightseeing in a seemingly remote and safe place. It is always best to leave your passport and valuables in the hotel when you go out. Violent crimes committed in public places are almost always associated with drug use or excessive alcohol consumption. When going out at night an important travel safety tip would be to avoid rowdy bars with drunken crowds. New Zealanders are known for their nationalism. Some fights start when New Zealanders get peeved by intoxicated tourists who mock their country or sporting teams.

If there is something that you should be prepared for when you visit this amazing country it is its weather. Weather conditions can change abruptly during the day so you should be prepared for those extreme changes. When sightseeing it is always best to bring several types of clothing from casual shirts, to sweaters and jackets. Layering would be the best option to cope with unexpected weather changes. Wear something light when it is bright and sunny then don a sweater and even a jacket over it when the temperature suddenly drops. To protect yourself from the rain, which might just come when least expected, always bring a rain gear. Umbrellas are not recommended to protect you from the rain or sun for they might just be blown away by the strong winds that always blow in and out of this country. Waterproof jackets are preferable to umbrellas as well as leather hats. New Zealand is located in the area where the ozone layer is thinnest. An important travel safety tip to protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun is to wear sunglasses, hats and use sunscreens with the highest SPF as protection.

You can visit tourist destinations on a bike. Riding bikes is a fun thing to do in New Zealand. You can bring your own bike or hire one. Remember to always wear a helmet when biking to avoid being fined. Also remember to bike on the left side of the road. When biking in the country side, be aware of the long distances between towns. There might be no bike lanes and the road might be narrow in certain highways so watch out for big buses and trucks that ply the highways.

If you are travelling to New Zealand with your family or with a group, renting a car or a camper would be an enjoyable way to go around the country and witness its splendor. Before driving around the country however an important safety tip is for you to first read the New Zealand Road Code paying attention to the part on right of way rules which are different from those of other countries. If you are used to right hand driving you might need some time to adjust to left hand driving. New Zealand has generally good roads but some main highways may be narrow with just two lanes. Some highways are hilly, winding and with sharp curves so you should drive with extreme caution. When driving always comply with the speed limits imposed and watch out for animals on the road especially when you get to the remote areas.

Another important travel safety tip you should not forget when trekking in the alpine areas is to always seek advice from the Department of Conservation before proceeding. It would be extremely dangerous to venture into the alpine areas without their advice. Each year there are fatalities of both New Zealanders and foreigners who were caught unaware by sudden changes in the weather in the area. Remember to wear adequate clothing when going to these areas so that your body is kept warm. Long exposure to the cold might lead to hypothermia, which could be fatal.

New Zealand offers a number of extreme adventure sports like sky diving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking in alpine areas. You should always exercise extreme caution when participating in these sports. Make sure that the company offering the activity is established in the industry. For those who are confident that they can take the excitement and the thrill, never join these activities alone and always carry an identification card or document with you. Before going to an outdoor adventure especially in a remote area always make sure to inform someone else where you’re headed. If you do not have family or friends with you on your trip you can leave your details with a Visitor Information Center. When hiking, camping, climbing or rappelling always make sure you have or are wearing the right safety or protective gear. Always bring a first aid kit with you and always make sure you know where the nearest rescue center is located.

Before starting your adventure in this awesome Pacific paradise jot down all the important numbers that you might need, like that of the police, hospital, your country’s embassy, the Visitor Information Center or even the Department of Conservation. In New Zealand the number to call for any emergency is 111.

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