Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Safe
Travel
Iran is a safe place to travel, so much so that many travellers describe it as the 'safest coun-
try I've ever been to', or 'much safer than travelling in Europe'. Violent crime against for-
eigners is extremely rare and, indeed, if you do your best to fit in with local customs, you
are unlikely to be treated with anything but courtesy and friendliness - that applies to
Americans, too.
Western embassies (
Click here
)
advise their nationals to register on arrival, especially if
you will be in Iran for 10 or more days, or plan to visit remote places.
Crime
While we have heard of very few assaults and thefts, it pays to take the usual precautions.
It makes sense, too, that if the economic situation worsens crime will rise. Basic things to
be aware of:
»
»On transport keep valuables, including your passport, money and camera, with you at all
times.
»
»Hotels are quite safe but locking your bags prevents hotel staff going through them and,
perhaps, 'sampling' your toiletries.
»
»There is a black market in stolen foreign passports so, unless it's with your hotel recep-
tion, keep yours strapped to your body.
»
»If you are to encounter a pickpocket, it will be in a crowded bazaar.
Kidnapping & Terror
Several tourists were kidnapped in the southeastern provinces of Sistan va Baluchestan and
Kerman between 1999 and 2007. All were eventually released unharmed and the drug deal-
ers responsible are understood to have been dealt with.
A low-scale insurgency has seen several attacks on military and civilians in Sistan va
Baluchestan province since 2005. Tourists have not been targeted, but it pays to keep a low
profile when travelling between Bam and the Pakistan border. See the boxed text,
Click
here
for more details.
