Is Your Vacation Destination Safe?

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

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.