Have a fun, safe & enjoyable holiday with our guide to staying safe in the USA.
1Cover’s U.S. Survival Guide is packed full of hot tips and good neighbourly advice to keep you safe on your next trip.
What Do We Know About Safety? Well, we’ve been working in the travel insurance industry for over 10 years so we’re the most up-to-date travelling buddy that you could ever wish for. We take safety seriously, but we won’t ever sound like your mother. We also like to have fun, because that’s what travel is all about!
You could describe the United States in one word, vast. It is the 3rd largest country in the world, and with a whopping population of approximately 321 million it’s no wonder people are drawn to visit the U.S. With its rich history, vibrant cities and breathtaking landscapes, it’s a fascinating place to visit. America has a total of 50 states, each very unique to the other making it one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Although a relatively safe travel destination it still has its fair share of dangers. From petty theft to gun violence, make sure you are aware of the risks so you can have a safe and worry free trip.
Before we go through all the things you might need to be careful of, here are some things that are not
to be missed while visiting the United States of America.
The U.S. has a number of iconic national parks if you’re looking to get back to nature and explore the beautiful outdoors. Head down south to the Grand Canyon or go west and visit the glaciers at Yosemite. There are tons of parks to choose from.
Check out some of the best parks in the USA.
No trip to the U.S. would be complete without visiting the city that never sleeps. New York City is one of the most popular spots in the U.S. that attracts more tourists than anywhere in the world. Immerse yourself in this vibrant, buzzing city, you won’t be disappointed.
More on NYC.
The U.S. is blessed with a wealth of gorgeous beaches. California, Florida and Hawaii are the number one spots for good surf and warm climate all year round. But don’t forget the east coast, home to some beautiful beaches that are especially gorgeous in the summer.
Check out the states top 10 beaches.
America has over 500 theme parks spread across the country! If you’re travelling with children then visiting a theme park can be a fun-filled, exciting experience for the whole family. Check out Orlando, Florida - the Theme Park Capital of the world!
More on theme parks.
One of the best ways to see a good chunk of the states is to hit the road with your best mates or family. A road trip is like your own personal hop on hop off bus except you get to make the rules. Try a scenic drive on California’s Pacific Highway 1!
America's best road trips.
The start of April means the start of Baseball season. If you get a chance, buy some tickets, drink some beer and grab a hot dog. It doesn’t get more American than that.
Check out the major league schedule.
Before you go booking your holiday to the U.S. make sure you are aware of what you need to get in.
If you are a New Zealand citizen you can enter the country without a visa if you register online 72 hours before you travel.
If you do not register online ahead of time you will need to apply for an entry visa. Visitors may spend up to 90 days in the U.S.A
To get up-to-date information on entry requirements click here.
Be careful what you bring into the country too – U.S. customs are very strict and you want to be prepared so there are no issues entering the country:
Declare all plant and animal products.
No more than 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars.
Only 1 litre of alcohol if you are over 21.
You can find more information of what you can and can’t bring to the U.S. here.
Calling home won’t be cheap from the U.S. but it won’t be hard to get your hand on a SIM card. The major national operators in the U.S. include:
011 + 64 + Area Code - Land phone number.
011 + 64 + Mobile phone number.
011 – Exit code for dialling International numbers from the U.S.
64 - Country Code of New Zealand.
For a full list of New Zealand area codes visit here.
0011 + 1 + Area Code - Land phone number.
0011 + 1 + Mobile number.
0011 - Exit code for New Zealand
1 - Country Code of the U.S.
For a full list of US area codes click here.
911 is the number for all emergency services including the police, ambulance, fire services and crime.
+1 (202) 328-4800 is the number for the New Zealand Embassy in the U.S.
U.S. airport security is extremely tight, so make sure you allow extra time for security checks when departing from the airport. After going through security there are several means of transportation available:
There are tons of car rental companies at your disposal at most airports, however, whether you are able to rent one or not will depend on your age and driver’s license.
Taxis are available on demand as you exit the airport. Most will have enough room for you to fit in all your luggage and get you safely to your next destination.
Most airports, especially the bigger ones, will have a shuttle bus service available from the airport that will take you to of the city centre.
This may be a suitable option if you don’t have too much luggage with you, however, double check that the airport you are flying into will have public transportation from the airport. Not all of them do.
The United States currency is the U.S. Dollar. The exchange rate between the U.S. and New Zealand dollar varies greatly, so its best to keep an eye on it for a few months before travelling to ensure you get a good rate.
The U.S. is home to sandy beaches and mountainous landscapes which means it’s a great destination for water and outdoor activities such as jet skiing, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing and many more. Always take the right precautions and make sure that you know what activities you’re covered for before you go.
Paddle
surfing
Yachting
Professional
sports
*Without a New Zealand licence.
The New Zealand Government issues travel warnings for destinations depending on the security issues at hand. You can find them at Safe Travel.
The U.S. is a relatively safe place but it does have a higher crime rate than New Zealand which means you should exercise caution at all times.
Mass shootings/gun violence have been more frequent in the last couple of years in the U.S.
Burglary is another very common occurrence with reports of more than 2 million a year. Lock those doors!
Larceny/theft is the most common criminal activity in the U.S. with more than 7 million reported cases each year.
The U.S. is a great place for a family adventure with loads of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here are a few family friendly tips.
Pick family friendly hotels or holiday parks. This will ensure there are plenty of things to keep the whole family entertained and some will offer kids clubs or crèches.
Save money on attractions by getting family tickets to places like theme parks and zoos. Check out Park Tickets for some great savings.
Visit museums, beaches and national parks with the kids. They will have a great time exploring and many are completely free!
Baby changing rooms are only available in female toilets.
Not all restaurants will have high chairs so it’s a good idea to bring a pram.
Childcare does not come cheap in the US. So if you are thinking of hiring a nanny expect to pay.
The U.S. is typically a safe and welcoming place for female travellers. As long as you use common sense and don’t take risks you wouldn’t at home your trip should be trouble free. We have put together a few tips for women when visiting the U.S.
Never get into an unlicensed taxi as there have been many incidences of sexual assaults. To make sure a taxi is licensed be familiar with how the state’s taxi or book your taxi in advance.
Drink spiking and sexual assaults can happen so make sure if you are out drinking to stay safe. Watch your drink, never leave it unattended and never accept a drink from strangers.
Don’t walk around alone late at night and stick to busier areas when exploring a new place.
Do not take public transport alone at night and opt for a licensed taxi instead. It may be more expensive but definitely worth the extra money to make sure you’re safe.
Our American friends on the other side of the world may appear similar to us in some of their culture and customs compared to other countries but there are still a lot of cultural differences. Make sure you are in the know to avoid any embarrassing situations.
Be warned some places add a service charge that can be either discretionary or mandatory (usually for larger parties). So make sure you check your receipt before leaving a big wad of cash for your waiter or waitress.
In the U.S. they drive on the other side of the road. This will get confusing if you decide to drive or even when crossing the road. Remember to get in the driver’s seat on the LEFT side.
Americans do not use the metric system which can cause a bit of confusion. You will most commonly notice this when driving that they use miles instead of kilometres. When telling temperature they use Fahrenheit instead of Celsius. Have your metric converter ready!
The terminology and slang (or lack thereof) is very different in the U.S. For the most part Kiwis will have no problem understanding an American, however, American’s may not understand you. Break down your slang for them as they don’t typically abbreviate words as much as us.
Getting scammed can happen anywhere, but when you’re a tourist in a new city you’re often a prime target for scams. Read up on the scams you need to know about and you should be A-OK!
Beggars are common throughout the US.
They can become quite aggressive and may
use sob stories to get you to hand over money. Be wary of anyone who approaches you, especially at night.
Credit card theft and fraud can be simple distraction techniques when you are using
your card to hidden electric devices that
steal your card information. Make sure
when using an ATM to always cover your pin.
Although the drinking age in the U.S. is higher than it is in New Zealand, the U.S. still has a high rate of crime involving intoxicated individuals and aggravated assaults. To minimize the risk, make sure you don’t hang around outside bars and clubs late at night.
As with any travel destination there are areas to be avoided as they can be unsafe especially for tourists. Inner cities areas can be dangerous with incidences of muggings and assaults.
Be wary of event spruikers. There is no guarantee that their tickets are real or that the event they are selling tickets for even exists. If the tickets don’t turn out to be legit the seller will be long gone along with your money.
Pickpockets are a problem anywhere you go but it’s especially a bigger risk in crowded areas in big cities like New York. Keep your valuables in a zipped pocket or purse.
If it’s one thing Kiwis know, it’s hot weather. Depending on where you’re heading to, you may get a nice break from the scorching sun, however you could still subject to sunburn and sun stroke, especially between June and August.
How to avoid sunburn:
If you’re planning a trip on the East Coast during the winter months (December - February) just remember it can get very cold and chances are it will snow. The roads can be extremely icy and be very hazardous in winter. Take these precautions:
Tap water in the U.S. is generally clean and safe to drink.
The U.S. is a huge country which means the weather will vary depending on where you are going and at what time of the year. The seasons in the U.S. are summer (June-August), fall (September-November), winter (December-February) and spring (March-May).
The U.S. is known to experience a range of natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, floods, blizzards, earthquakes and storms. Be sure to check the forecast before you leave as you will not want to get stuck in any of those weather conditions.
*For more information on how to prepare and plan for natural disasters in the U.S. click here.
There are plenty of amazing beaches all over the U.S. Be aware of the risks whenever you enter the water.
Be aware of flags that are posted up at the beach you are going to. They are there for a reason and if you want to have a fun and safe time at the beach you need to understand what the flags mean.
When red flags are posted up it means you should not enter the water. This means there are strong currents and rip tides that can be very dangerous.
This flag means the water conditions are rough but are not life-threatening and can be entered with extreme caution.
This means that the threat of danger is minimal and indicates that it is safe to swim in the water. Exercising caution is still required.
When you see blue and purple flags it means that potentially dangerous marine life such as sharks or jellyfish have been spotted and to either stay out of the water or swim with caution and keep an eye out.
Your passport is your ticket to ride so try not to lose it down the back of a couch, or leave it in the back of a taxi. Follow these handy steps if you do lose your passport.
Seems simple right? But sometimes your passport may have been left at the last place you stayed so call the hotel.
If you are unable to find it after searching far and wide (or you know for a fact it was stolen) then you need to report it to the government.
Things you will need to do to get a replacement passport include: an application form, photos and possibly booking an interview.
Of it occurring. Ensure you get a police report documenting the loss or theft. You will need this report to make a travel insurance claim.
To report the claim as soon as you can. That way you can confirm cover and seek advice.
Embassy of New Zealand
+1 (202) 328-4800
NZ Passport Information Service
0800 22 50 50
If something serious happens and you find yourself severely sick or injured you’re going to need to get to a hospital, and fast. Always make yourself aware of your nearest hospital, just in case.
New Zealand and the U.S. do not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement which means that you can’t use their health services, hospitals or GP services unless you pay.
If you are prescribed medicine you will also need to pay for it at a pharmacy.
Emergency
Local Directory Enquiries
411
Local Operator Assistance
0
John Hopkins Hospital
+1 410 955 5000
North-Western Memorial Hospital
+1 312 926 2000
Cleveland Clinic
+1 216 444 2200
Ronald Reagan University Of California Los Angeles Medical Centre +1 310 825 9111
University Of California San Francisco Medical Centre
+1 415 476 1000
Massachusetts General
Hospital
+1 617 726 2000
Don’t panic (and don’t fight back if you are aware of the robbery). Your camera isn’t worth as much as your life so best not to risk it.
Contact your embassy or high commission office to get assistance if needed, such as if you have troubles with the local police.
Report stolen keys to your hotel. Replacement keys and locks may need to be arranged.
Cancel all credit cards and report them stolen to your bank.
Find the nearest police station and report the incident, and obtain a police report within 24 hours.
If all your cash and access to money was stolen you can arrange for a money transfer from someone back home.
If you need to replace items such as your beloved camera speak to your insurance company to find out what is covered.
Last but not least stay positive. Theft can happen to even the savviest of travellers.
NZ
AU 