5 Strategies to Stay Safe on Your Vacation to Mombasa

Going on vacation is supposed to be a wonderful time for you and your family, but sometimes things can happen that put you in an unsafe situation. Any time that you travel to a city or country that you’ve never been to before, you will be unfamiliar with certain neighbors and risk factors. During your next vacation to Mombasa, it’s a good idea to plan ahead in order to remain safe.

Here are five strategies that you can use to help you and your family stay safe while traveling to Mombasa.

1. Understand the climate. One of the most significant risks to people traveling to Mombasa is the sun. At the equator, the sun is stronger than in northern or southern climates. Be sure to have plenty of sunscreen and use it regularly. You should also consider wearing a shirt or swim shirt when spending time snorkeling in the clear blue waters. It’s easy to lose track of time when snorkeling and you could be seriously burned as a result.

2. Only rely on legitimate taxis. The most common way to get around in Mombasa is by using taxi services. You may notice some services or ‘drivers’ offering to take you where you need to go, but if they are not licensed or legitimate, you could be putting yourself at risk.

3. Be prepared for the places you’re going to visit. Check a map and become somewhat familiar with the local areas that you’re going to be visiting. The more familiar you are with street names, the more you’ll avoid getting lost.

4. Ask for clarification. Most hotels and staff members will have a wealth of information about things to do in Mombasa. If you’re not sure about something, ask. It’s better to ask what you think is a ‘stupid’ question than to put yourself or your loved ones in danger.

5. Avoid strangers selling merchandise from a bag or the back of their car. While many of these individuals are hard working Kenyans just looking for some money, you never know who you’re dealing with. Stick to the legitimate markets and merchants for the souvenirs or other items you need.