Precautions when Traveling in India for First Timers

[Eminrac]

Hello everyone, I just wanted to talk about some precautions to take if traveling to India for the first time. I did some research and wanted to offer some more safety guidelines to follow when traveling to India. I mean in no way to give a bad name to the country with this post, just want to offer some helpful advice for those who are considering traveling there for a business trip or for a vacation.

First off, only drink bottled water. It's also a good idea to use bottled water when cleaning your teeth as well. There have been many cases of Westerners getting intestinal diseases from drinking the unfiltered tap water that non-native people are not used to. Some backpackers have claimed to drink tap water and experience no effects, which is curious, but I guess tolerance is everything.

Second thing I found is try to Avoid driving. From research I've done on the internet, and stories I've heard from close friends and colleagues, there is a very low standard of driving safety especially in the big crowded cities. The road code is very hard to comprehend, and you will encounter cars, trailers, and even livestock going any which way on the roads. There are also no lanes to be found apparently.

And finally, avoid the monkeys! Apparently India has a problem with mischievous monkeys in many places. Everywhere from jungles, to forts, and temples. However, monkeys in the jungles are not used to interactions with humans and therefore have less of a chance of harming you. Monkeys that have been fed by humans have more of a chance of becoming aggressive, especially when you run out of food, so be very careful.

These are the three biggest precautions I know of from what I've looked into. Hope this helps for anyone visiting anytime soon.

 

[PerhapsIndia]

I think if I go, I'll be bringing a lifesaver bottle or straw to not have to worry. Beyond that, let the monkies come for me. Let them. I have been dreaming of fighting off 40 monkies my whole life, that's basically being a god against an uprising. I'll come with armor. I'll punch their stupid little faces and throw them hundreds of feet. It will be glorious. I'll try not to kill any, but hey, if they really wanna come get some.

 

[CaptainOblivious]

My advice is rather simple: Keep some insect repellant. Mosquitoes are a nuisance and falling ill due to dengue or malaria on a trip abroad is not anyone's idea of fun. Apart from this keeping a supply of water from a trusted (clean) source is always a plus.

On an unrelated note, it may be cool to hang out with a local, you'll not get fleeced and get a better idea of how we interact.

 

[Bonzer]

@Eminrac : Well, that may not be the right way to look at it. India has some exotic places which you can't afford to miss. People are very warm and local delicacies are mouth-watering. I fully share your concerns and wish to clarify some of 'em.

Yes, carrying a bottle of protected water is always a wise thing not only in India but anywhere in the world. Flyovers are now coming up everywhere in big cities to ease traffic congestion. However, hiring a taxi or a cab is inexpensive and safe. Let the Indian drivers deal with the traffic.

With security guards everywhere, monkeys should not be a scare as well. In any case, a tourist has to be wary in a new place, let alone India. If you engage a tour guide, you should have a great time in India.

 

[Trevlr]

I live in a place where there are no monkeys. I think that I will enjoy playing with the monkeys. What about the weather there? Will I have to carry heavy clothes? I am usually concerned about the means of transport that I should use. Hope the taxi services there can be convenient for my travelling plans.

 

[cecejailer]

Thank you so much for this, I wouldn't never have thought about how I shouldn't drive in India... I was planning on renting a car, now you made me thought about it twice. The roads are so confusing and it seems like there are usually a lot of animals around, which would freak me out. My mother, who has visited India, has warned me about the monkeys too, haha. She said she was drinking in the hotel swimming pool one morning and a monkey came and snitched her glass right out of her hand!

 

[AnnaBanana]

I think I will avoid any car rentals and rely on the public forms of transportation. I'm not the best driver, especially in crowded areas. I tend to become distracted. I can think of nothing that could ruin a trip quicker than an awful traffic accident.

 

[hades_leae]

I have heard about the non-standard of driving out there, you're absolutely right about that. You can go watch many videos of people driving out there and see the current standard, the roads are so cluttered with vehicles but traffic violations like crazy if you were to compare them to what you see in America. Thanks for speaking about the Monkeys, I did not know anything about that, I can see how they could become aggressive if they are not consistently getting food to eat.

 

[Normad]

The tip about not driving in India is a great one. I also think that as a traveler you stand less of a chance of getting yourself into trouble and possibly ruining your entire life over something that you could have avoided. It's actually much better and less of a stress to let someone else drive you around that knows the area and the rules of the road, and they are used to the livestock that roam the streets as well.

 

[rootle]

Before going to the country you should know that you have about a 90% chance of getting sick, probably with diarrhea. It's unfortunate but unfortunately very true. Even if you do your best to avoid dirty food, you'll probably get sick at some point within the first few days. I would anticipate this and have a few free days to allow you time to rest.