Local Laws

New countries are invigorating. Travelling teaches patience, open mindedness and perspective.

Once you are an experienced traveller, you learn how much you don’t know about foreign laws and customs, and (hopefully) are mindful enough to keep out of any trouble.

If you have young adults in your family who are planning to explore this wonderful world of ours, it is worth imparting your knowledge with them. Feeling ‘bulletproof’ and excited about travelling is terrific, but flouting certain laws in some countries can result in more than a great story and a fine.

Make sure they understand that while switching into relaxation/adventure mode is ideal for most trips, it is important not to switch off common sense. Research the crucial information about your destination. Ask seasoned travellers, search official websites or check with your travel agent whether they have any tips. Your must-not-do list might include the following:

Leave your booze and dirty magazines at home if you are travelling to the Maldives

A primarily Islamic country, many people think the Maldives bans non-Muslim religious material like the Bible. This isn’t true: Only religious icons like statuettes are banned by customs.

But the country does impose a ban on bringing in pornographic material and alcohol. That includes sex toys and liquor sold duty-free past airport security, so leave those items behind unless you want to risk an embarrassing bag search and possible fine.

No gambling in India

In the majority of the country, gambling is banned, and playing cards for money could be considered a form of gambling.

If you come across or engage in a harmless game of Black Jack or poker while visiting, be sure not to wager any money or anything that could be a stand-in for currency, like marked poker chips.

Or the game could cost you a hefty fine or up to three months of jail time.

No camouflage in Barbados

Only members of the military are permitted to wear camouflage in Barbados – since 1980s, it has been a no-no, designed to prevent gang members from impersonating soldiers and robbing people. While it is  not a major problem these days, the law still remains and offenders can be fined.

Keep your metro ticket in cities like Paris and Madrid

Tourists — especially those who don’t speak the local language and can’t read posted warnings — sometimes report finding themselves in trouble with metro police and unable to exit public transit stations without paying a fine.

Why? Because they threw out the single-trip ticket that gained them access, thinking they wouldn’t need it to exit the underground.

While that little ticket may seem useless after it gains you access to the train, you may need it to exit or to prove you didn’t hop a turnstile.

To prevent this, it may be easier to buy a weekend-long metro card or a multi-trip ticket. The exit fine for not keeping or losing your single-trip slip could break your budget if you’re busted, and multi-ride cards usually end up saving you money anyway.

Leave out the PDA in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Tourists visiting the United Arab Emirates should be aware that the nation’s public decency laws differ greatly from those of Western countries.

Publicly kissing and/or touching your significant other can land you in jail. Hefty fines can also be imposed, so make sure you remember to keep your hands and lips to yourself while exploring Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

No gum in Singapore

The importation of chewing gum has been illegal in Singapore since 1992 due to the damage it caused to the public transit system.

Some gum is now permitted for “therapeutic” purposes, i.e. nicotine gum and sugar-free gum with dental health benefits, but sugary bubblegum is still a no-go.

Please don’t feed the pigeons in Venice

Some people do still feed the birds, but the practice is punishable by a fine since the pigeons damage statues and require a clean-up.

Keep your opinion of the government in China to yourself

China is a beautiful destination, and it also has a government that differs greatly from many Western nations in terms of privacy and public knowledge. There is far less tolerance for expressing your opinion of officialdom there than we are used to.

Remember to research the government and legal structure of your destination, and know a little bit about its history to avoid offending people who have the power to ruin your trip.

‘Togs Togs Undies’ in Barcelona

Going out in public wearing only a bathing suit-bikini or swim trunks is illegal, and could result in a fine as well as lots of looks from offended locals. Make sure to cover up before you leave the beach.

A good trip preparation will result in far more fun that fines!