Travel Tips India: Safety Comes First

India has a lot to offer as a tourist destination. There are some wonderful Hindu temples, the Taj Mahal, and some great scenery too. The culture of India is a rich and fascinating one, and thousands of tourists come to learn more about the country each year.

However, like almost every part of the world, India is not without its problems. There is crime, disease, and even simple environmental hazards that could ruin a holiday for an unwary traveler. The following tips should help you stay safe and avoid illness or injury during your holiday.

Get Your Jabs!

There are lots of serious diseases in India that are less common in other parts of the world - including meningitis, dengue fever, dysentery, chorea, hepatitis, malaria, and typhoid. If you are visiting from the UK, Canada, or the United States you will not need a vaccination certificate to enter the country, but visitors from other parts of the world will need to show one. No matter where you are traveling from, it is wise to consult your doctor before you go and make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations ' these are serious illnesses, and it is not worth taking any risks.

Mosquitoes pose a significant threat. They can spread diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, so you should take along some mosquito spray and nets as a little extra protection.

Watch What You Eat

While in India you should avoid raw vegetables and meats such as pork. Be wary of eating anything from a street vendors, and make sure that all your food is cooked thoroughly.

Don't drink water unless it is bottled water ' avoid ice cubes too, unless you know they were made from bottled water. If you cannot avoid tap water, then use some water purification tablets before you drink it. These usually contain iodine or chlorine, and you should try not to use too many of them, but it is better to purify the water than to drink it as is.

Be Careful of The Sun!

India is very warm, especially from March until May. Perhaps you plan to travel during the hotter months. If so, then be sure to drink lots of water (preferably bottled water), and make full use of the shade when you can. Also, wear sunscreen and re-apply it frequently. Some people even carry a parasol around with them to keep the worst of the sun off them during the day.

Enjoy Your Holiday

It may seem boring to have to worry about vaccinations and sun cream, etc, but it is better to spend a few minutes making sure you are protected, than to get sick while you are on holiday. Sunburn or heat stroke at the start of a trip can leave you unable to have any fun for the entire stay, and illnesses like meningitis can be fatal.

A few simple precautions before the trip will mean that you can spend your time in India learning about the country, visiting some classic landmarks, and getting some spectacular photographs for your holiday collection.