Although cheaptravel options such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, cheapdeals, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages all canhelp make a trip affordable, tourists can find themselves in trouble with thelocals or law enforcement if ignorant of the law or cultural norms at theirdestinations.
Sometimes such ignorance is embarrassing, other times itcan result in inadvertent illegal activity. Savvy overseas travelers make a must not do list in addition to theirto do lists before visiting new destinations. Chewing gum is illegal in some locals, while throwing out your metroticket likewise can break the law in certain cities.
The following are a few weird laws to watch out for,according to Shannon McMahon:
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Feedingpigeons in Venice is against the law. The practice is punishable by a fine since pigeons damage statues and theirpoop requires constant cleanup.
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Bringingchewing gum into Singapore has been illegal since 1992 because of the damage itcaused to the public transit system. Singapore spent $106,000 per year cleaning up gum litter and dealingwith gum damage prior to the ban. Peoplecaught with gum can be fined or even jailed.
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Transportingpornographic material, sex toys, and/or alcohol to the Maldives, which isprimarily an Islamic country, is illegal and can result in seizure of propertyand fines.
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Gamblingin India is illegal in India. If youwager any money or anything of value, such as marked poker chips, you couldface an expensive fine and/or up to three months in jail.
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Carryingdrugs in Southeast Asia (in countries including Bali, Malaysia, thePhilippines, and Singapore) is strictly forbidden. Harsh drug laws are common. The Golden Triangle, an area borderingThailand, Laos, and Myanmar, produces the worlds biggest amount of illegalopiate drugs.
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Touristshave been arrested whether carrying drugs intentionally or even accidentally. An Australian model faced 15 years of prisontime in 2005 after purchasing two ecstasy tablets in a Bali club. Avoid unknowingly becoming a drug mule by notcarrying things for strangers or allowing your bags to be out of your sight.
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Throwingout Metro tickets in Paris and Madrid can result in you unable to exit publictransit stations without first paying a fine. Metro tickets are required in these cities to exit and sometimes to provethat you did not hop a turnstile.
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Certaincountries, including China, take a very dim view of anyone watching orparticipating in any way in anti-government propaganda. Tourists would be wise to research thegovernment and legal structure of their destinations and familiarize themselveswith its history to avoid offending people who have the power to ruin theirtrips.
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Airbnb,and other similar businesses, are largely illegal in some cities, including NewYork, Santa Monica, and Paris. Hosts arerequired to obtain permits to house travelers in those cities, which meanslegal Airbnb availability could be low or almost non-existent. Do not count on readily accessible lastminute lodgings, particularly if you are on a budget.
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Wearingcamouflage in Barbados was banned in the 1980s to prevent gang members fromimpersonating soldiers and robbing people. Offenders can be fined.
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Publiclykissing and/or touching your significant other can land you in jail in Dubaiand Abu Dhabi. Large fines can be imposed. Tourists visiting the United Arab Emiratesneed to keep in mind that the nations public decency laws differ significantlyfrom those of Western countries.
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Walkingaround Barcelona in a bathing suit, be it a bikini or swim trunks, is illegalin Barcelona and can result in a fine as well as attention from offendedlocals. You need to cover up beforeheading to or returning from a beach.
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