Know Before You Go: Laws & Culture Tips to Stay Safe While Traveling
Understanding laws could be the difference between enjoying your well-deserved vacation or being locked up abroad.
Traveling soon? Research your destination’s laws and customs and protect your passport when traveling.
Reports indicate that tourists are breaking the law and getting arrested in popular travel destinations around the world. Violations range from possessing satellite devices, time-share disputes, wearing camouflage clothing, and carrying ammunition and vape cartridges to cannabis-infused gummy products and ADHD medications. In 2025, we started the list of arrested and detained American tourists.
The latest individuals detained include an American couple arrested in Cancun, Mexico, due to a timeshare dispute. Another individual, Kalob Byers, was also detained but subsequently released. He was arrested and charged with drug smuggling for traveling to Russia with gummies. His mom described in a Facebook post that her son was carrying cannabis-laced gummies because he suffered from seizures.
The most important takeaway from this article is that what is legal in the United States may not be legal in other countries. It is up to travelers to be informed about the laws, culture, and the State Department advisory levels; there are four. Additionally, there are nine risk indicators. Travelers should be especially aware of the risk indicator “D” for wrongful detention from the State Department before traveling. You must know before you go to avoid being locked up abroad. Entering a country without knowledge of the local laws can result in travelers spending thousands of dollars and wasting years trapped in a country with no way out.
Kalob Byers was lucky to be released after spending only weeks in Russian custody. His release comes less than a week after Marc Fogel, an American teacher who had been arrested and detained for over three years in Russia after traveling to the country with cannabis. Marc was freed following U.S. negotiations.
A female traveler was arrested and detained at a Delhi airport for carrying a common GPS device, which is banned in India. The traveler was on her way to the northern city of Rishikesh when security guards at Indira Gandhi International Airport handed her over to the police for traveling with a Garmin inReach device. According to the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933, possessing wireless telegraphy equipment without a proper license is prohibited. A few months earlier, another woman was arrested for the same offense. The ban includes satellite technology, which is part of the Garmin inReach Mini device, described on the company’s website as a ‘go-to connec’ion for maintaining off-the-grid contact.' This type of technology is excellent for staying in contact with family and friends while hiking. Still, when traveling outside the United States, travelers need to take the extra step and check to see if it is legal to take it when traveling to new countries. On the Garmin website, it is noted (NOTICE: Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communications devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.)
Drugs that may be legal in the United States could lead to imprisonment in other countries. ADHD medications and medical cannabis are two examples. Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher, was arrested in August 2021 by Russian authorities for attempting to enter Russia with a small amount of medical cannabis and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Fortunately for him, he was released early from Russia on February 11, 2025.
Turks and Caicos
Americans detained for possessing ammunition. The Turks and Caicos have strict gun laws, and anyone possessing a firearm or ammunition faces a potential 12-year mandatory minimum sentence.
There have been several arrest cases involving Americans traveling to Turks and Caicos. These travelers reported unknowingly having ammunition in their luggage, which was discovered as they were leaving the country. https://abcnews.go.com/International/american-woman-charged-after-ammunition-found-baggage-turks/story?id=110276888
An arrest was reported by police that a 45-year-old from Orlando was visiting Turks and Caicos with her daughter for Mother's Day when, during a routine search at the Howard Hamilton International Airport, officials claimed to have found two rounds of ammunition in her bag.
Michael Evans pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition. Read more about these stories here. https://www.ksbw.com/article/americans-detained-for-taking-ammo-to-turks-and-caicos-sentenced/61571570
All these travelers, who arrived in Turks and Caicos from the U.S., entered without issues. However, they were unaware of local laws and failed to thoroughly check their luggage for ammunition while packing. Additionally, U.S. airport and cruise ship security did not detect the ammunition. As a result, they faced potential mandatory minimum sentences of 12 years in prison for unintentionally bringing ammunition into the country.
Don’t get trapped in paradise! Know the laws to avoid being locked up abroad. Families can spend more than $100,000 on an extended stay, bail money, and attorney fees. Strategize your safety before you go. Know the laws!
Review travel.state.gov for advisory levels and risk indicators.
Unacceptable Behaviors
A 21-year-old New York college student was detained in Dubai for 5 months after airport staffers accused her of “assaulting and insulting” airport employees. The incident happened when the traveler had a 10-hour layover in Dubai and had to go through security. Another woman from Texas was detained after being accused of yelling, which her accusers said violated the nation’s obscenity law. She was released after paying a fine to lift the travel ban against her. Both women were forced to remain in the country for months while their court cases were adjudicated. In both these cases, the women had to pay for months of unexpected costs for lodging, food, and fines.
Several behaviors are considered unacceptable in other countries, including jumping into public fountains, vandalizing historic buildings, driving in forbidden city zones, and making derogatory comments about locals on social media, while still in the country. Some of these crimes have been caught on camera, making it easier for the police to find the lawbreakers. It is recommended that tourists worldwide gain a comprehensive understanding of the laws and culture of their destination before embarking on their travels.
Two Brazilian tourists injured themselves while attempting to break into the Colosseum at night. Another issue in Italy and other countries around the world is the numerous visitors trying to steal bricks and other fragments as souvenirs from the Colosseum and other historic places.
Bad Behavior Continues
Once again, the hunt is on for an unidentified tourist who visited the Colosseum in Rome and was filmed carving his and his friend's names into a wall. The video has gained significant attention on social media. A clear image of the culprit's face has been captured, making it only a matter of time before the police can speak with the pair directly. The Minister of Culture in Italy, Gennaro Sangiuliano, tweeted about the incident and the graffiti left behind.
https://twitter.com/g_sangiuliano/status/1673318742057525248?s=20
Pro travel tip: Know the laws of where you are traveling.
Do you know the consequences of swimming in fountains or damaging historical sites in Italy? Recently, the country has implemented a new law that imposes fines ranging from €10,000 to €60,000 for those who vandalize or damage cultural sites or monuments. This may also result in criminal charges being filed. In 2016, a new bill was introduced, which increased the maximum penalty for specific offenses, such as defacing or damaging cultural heritage or landscapes, to five years imprisonment. Additionally, tourists caught taking a dip in the Trevi Fountain or other public fountains can face a fine of up to 450 euros fine.
Here are a few other laws and recommendations to be aware of when traveling to Italy and other countries.
Wearing Improper Footwear in Cinque Terre:
One issue arises when people wear flip-flops on hiking trails and mountain paths, causing avoidable accidents and leading to multiple tourists seeking emergency rescue services. To ensure the safety of tourists, people are not allowed to wear flip-flops, sandals, or pumps when walking on the steep and hilly terrain that links the five villages. Those who disregard this advice may receive a fine ranging from €50 to €2,500, depending on the extent of their impact on rescue teams.
Eating in public:
Florence has an issue with too many tourists, causing disruptions in pedestrian traffic. To tackle this problem, the city has banned snacking on its most famous streets in the historic district, such as Via de' Neri, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano, and Via della Ninna. Those who violate the ban can be fined from €150 to €500.
Vandalism: https://twitter.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1646057866095206405?s=20
Translated Tweet: Approved in the CDM a bill to counter the increasingly frequent vandalism phenomena that affect cultural and landscape assets, adding administrative sanctions to criminal ones. Anyone who damages our artistic heritage cannot and must not get away with it.
More examples of tourist misbehaving include two American tourists who were fined and briefly banned from Rome's historic city center after damaging the city's Spanish Steps with electric scooters, and a Saudi man was arrested for allegedly driving a rented Maserati sports car down the 18th-century landmark, also causing damage.
Lèse-majesté laws
There are many countries that forbid insults, including Thailand's lese-majeste law, which forbids the insult of the monarchy, which is among the strictest in the world. The following map indicates some other countries that have this type of law.
Map showing the countries which have lèse-majesté laws. Know before you go.
Attribution: M.Bitton, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Tip: Do not post defamatory comments on social media about a country you are visiting. In Thailand, they arrested a 16-year-old girl for posting defamatory comments on Facebook two years before when she was 14. Article 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code makes insulting the monarch, his immediate family, and the regent punishable by three to 15 years in prison.
Thai police arrest 2nd teenager for defaming monarchy amid renewed debate over rigorous...
In Egypt, a female tourist named Mona el-Mazbouh was arrested and detained for producing and posting a ten-minute video on Facebook that insulted the local community. This occurred while she was waiting for her departing flight at the Egypt airport, and as a result, her freedom was taken away. In her video, she stated she was sexually harassed during her visit, and while angry at the airport, she proceeded to say things including, "Egyptians are the dirtiest people" and other insulting statements. When the Egyptian government learned about the video, it took it as an insult to the entire country. The police arrived at the airport and arrested her before she could depart. She was charged with "deliberately broadcasting false rumors which aim to undermine society and attack religions." The Egyptian government quickly sentenced her to 11 years. It was subsequently reduced to eight years. She was fortunate because after she spent a few months in jail, the government decided to give her a suspended one-year sentence, ordered her deported, and fined her $598. After being released from prison, she filmed an apology post video stating, "I definitely didn't mean to offend all Egyptians."
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, "Freedom of expression is the right of every individual to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." This is a beautiful idea, and I hope we can inspire more people to think this way. However, we still face significant human rights challenges globally. And it is up to you to know before you go!
There is much more to learn about customs, culture, and laws.
Respecting local laws and culture isn’t just about avoiding trouble—it’s about being a responsible and thoughtful traveler. When you step into a new place, you’re stepping into someone else’s way of life. So, embrace the experience, honor the traditions, and always do your homework before you go. The best souvenirs aren’t things—they’re the memories you make. Travel smart, respect the rules, and leave only footprints behind. The most important safety tip is to research your destination. Start with the Five C’s: country, city, culture, climate, and crime. Attend a personalized briefing, and check the reports at Travel.State.gov for the latest information, alerts, and more.
https://twitter.com/glosecresources/status/847102826186706950?s=20
Be proactive, prepared, and protected. Respect the culture, customs, and laws of your destination. Stay safe and have fun. Avoid getting jailed for actions or words deemed unacceptable according to the customs or laws of the country you are visiting.
Happy travels, and enjoy your well-deserved vacation!
Carrie Pasquarello is the CEO and Co-Founder of Global Secure Resources Inc. She is a victim advocate who leveraged her overseas experience with the State Department to create a platform that helps others navigate safety. Carrie oversees the development of security standards, emergency action plans, safety protocols, and crisis intervention strategies for businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual consumers. She directs the analytical preparation of the Individual Threat Assessment Plan (ITAP) and Safe Student Abroad Assessments (SSA). Carrie hosts Solo, student, and business Travel programs and delivers private and group briefings. Carrie is a nationally recognized safety speaker dedicated to enhancing safety at home, in the workplace, and while traveling. She was invited to the White House to discuss safety initiatives and is a passionate advocate for legislation that protects travelers.
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