Travel tip #113: Staying safe in a protest when traveling

Hi Reader,

How are you today?

I am in my beautiful hometown of Sitges.

I spent the day with our guests on the Barcelona & Beyond tour in the prettiest fishing village yesterday. We also had lunch at the sister restaurant of the 2024 World's Best Restaurant, Compartir (it was a food orgasm!).

Tomorrow, we will sadly say goodbye to this super nice group of women here in Sitges, where the tour ends.

We have one spot left on this tour starting on 28th June if you need a last minute escape to sunny Catalonia (pot closing today). DETAILS HERE.

Or join us in 2026.

This trip is curated with extra love ❤️ since it is in my home, and is designed for food lovers and those who want to spend time in the Mediterranean Sea, with plenty of opportunities to jump in the water!

On this week's travel tip I wanted to focus on staying safe if there are demonstrations or protests where you are when traveling solo.

This is not only inspired by the recent protests in the US, but also by the many demonstrations I see all the time in Barcelona (there were two this last weekend) and across Europe, and the ones that have happened where I am when traveling solo.

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Staying safe in a protest when traveling

First of all, I want to specify that this week's tips is not about violent demonstrations or war, but rather about peaceful demonstrations, rallies or marches like the ones that are a common occurrence in most European cities.

In Spain, we like to express our opinions, peacefully, and publicly, by taking to the streets, and do so all the time. But not all countries are the same, and it is important to be prepared.

Understand the local laws

Every country is different and has its own laws, rights and obligations that may differ from the country you live in.

In many countries, protesting is still illegal, or you may need a permit, and joining in as a foreigner may result in detention and deportation, plus a lifelong ban from re-entering the country.

If you are found nearby, taking photos or observing, you may be considered as a protester by the authorities, and risk the same consequences.

Avoid taking photos or videos as this may be seen as provocation, and never join an illegal protest, even if you agree with the cause.

There may also be curfews, or specific exclusion zones where protesting is banned, so understanding the local laws is paramount.

The right of peaceful assembly is considered a fundamental human right, however, many countries are not participant to the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 21 of which governs this right.

Here are some countries that are not participant and which may surprise you:

In Singapore, public gatherings require express authorisation by the Government and most are banned. Where authorised, foreigners cannot join. For example, an annual Pink Dot LGBTQI+ event has been held for several years but only nationals can participate. Even foreign residents are excluded.
It is illegal for foreign nationals to participate in political activities in Mexico and South Korea (among other) and, if caught, you will be detained and deported.

To check local requirements, The Right of Peaceful Assembly website has country profiles.

Stay up to date

If you are in a country, or region, where protests are happening, make sure you stay up to date with the developments and understand the background of the protests.

For example, some protests occur every year around an anniversary, or when elections are due or when a political development has taken place.

Even if the country you are visiting is not part of the protest, regional events can spill over.

The Global Protest Tracker website by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a good place to find anti-government protests around the world. The tracker has been following events since 2017.

Register with your government embassy at the destination if you fear protests could take place. Both the Australian Government and the US Government have systems you can register for alerts, your country may have others.

Avoid being caught in the middle

While it may be tempting to join in the locals and participate in a peaceful demonstration, showing your support and empathy, most government advisories will recommend against doing so for several reasons.

Firstly, even the most peaceful of demonstrations can turn violent when external agents take advantage of the crowds to agitate, create chaos or promote their own agenda.

If that happens, you don't want to be caught in the middle and, in the worst case scenario, end up being detained in the mess.

Secondly, any medical emergency caused by protests or riots is likely an exclusion from your travel insurance so, if anything happened, you would be out of pocket. This will also apply to your car insurance if you rented a car and it gets damaged by riots, so avoid having it parked in the vicinity of the protest.

Prepare yourself

If you choose to participate in a protest or demonstration, the Human Rights Campaign has a few suggestions to stay safe here.

Below are theirs and other tips:

Stay anonymous and unidentifiable.
Stay hydrated and dress for the expected weather. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you can move in easily.
Bring any needed supplies including water, meds, and cash.
Fully charge your cell phone and bring a battery pack.
Protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
Take supplies to protect from and safely remove chemical irritants (face covering, milk of magnesia, towelettes).
Know emergency contact numbers written on your body or paper (don’t rely on your phone).
Leave your plan with a trusted person. Where you will be when, where you will go if something happens and when you plan to be back, so they can check in. Keep them updated of your whereabouts and progress.
Be alert to anything suspicious and keep situational awareness.
Stay low-key, avoid confrontation and de-escalate any potential conflict. Respect other protesters space and safety.
Have an offline map of the protest and a way out in case of emergency.
Don't bring anything valuable, or anything that could be taken as a weapon.

It is common for the authorities to cut off communication networks to control crowds and the spread of information so your phone may not work. Don't plan to rely on it, and expect to have to walk far from the epicenter of the protest to get signal.

Have you ever participated in a demonstration or protest when traveling? I'd love to hear about it.

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