The short answer
Do carry small notes, drink bottled or purified water, agree on prices before taxis and tours, keep copies of documents, respect dress codes and customs, tip fairly, book through licensed operators, and keep a flexible schedule. Do plan rest time and eat freshly cooked food.
Do not drink tap water, buy wildlife products or antiques, feed monkeys, give money to begging children, hand your passport to strangers, drive hill roads at night or schedule tight connections. Do not photograph military sites or sacred ceremonies without permission.
Key facts
- Do
- Small notes, purified water, licensed operators
- Do not
- Tap water, wildlife products, tight schedules
- Money
- Agree prices first
- Respect
- Dress and customs
How it works
- Plan with licensed operatorsSafe booking.
- Agree prices firstBefore rides.
- Carry purified waterAlways.
- Respect customsDress and behaviour.
- Keep buffersFor delays.
A simple mindset
The best habits are easy: plan with a licensed operator, keep a flexible schedule, drink safe water, respect local customs and carry small notes for small purchases. These keep a trip smooth and reduce stress.
Leave room in the plan for delays from weather, traffic or flights. Rushing creates fatigue and risk, especially when you combine long drives with early flights.
Common things to avoid
Avoid drinking untreated tap water, carrying large cash, wearing revealing clothes at temples and buying wildlife products. Do not take photographs of military sites, airports or people without permission.
Keep copies of your passport and insurance, share your plan with your operator and know who to call if something goes wrong. Ask us if you want a printable checklist.
Insider tip
Keep a one-page list of emergency contacts.
Avoid this
Go to shops and hotels you chose yourself or that your operator arranged.
Related questions
Should I give to beggars?
Better to support local organisations than give directly.
What if someone offers a service on the street?
A polite "no thank you" and a smile is enough. Use the services your hotel or operator arranged.
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