Know the location of the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to your destination.

Country information pages on travel.state.gov have specific information for every country in the world. These include unique information on adventure travel in your destination country. They also include information on visa requirements, safety and security conditions, crime, health and medical concerns, local laws, areas to avoid, and more.

Adventure travel laws and regulations differ from place to place. Spend time researching the local conditions. Also, look into safety requirements. Make sure to follow and obey any posted regulations and instructions.

Before participating in an activity, research the organization that offers it. Individual entities or groups often set their own security procedures. The local government may not regulate these procedures. Organizations may require you to sign a form releasing them from any responsibility in case of an accident. To ensure your safety, gather information from various sources. Consult your hotel or host, local authorities, tourism officials, and online travel forums.

Also, be aware of any extreme local weather conditions that can affect the safety of the activity. Check the weather forecast before participating.

People have died or been hurt as a result of adventure travel all over the world. Check if there is gear, equipment, and training available to keep you safe. Before you do any activities, talk to your doctor to make sure you're healthy enough.

• Medical care in other countries can be different. It may be hard for first responders and other medical professionals to get to remote areas. In emergencies, a medical evacuation may be needed. Evacuation for medical treatment can cost more than $100,000. We strongly suggest that travelers get medical evacuation insurance.
• The U.S. government does not provide insurance for U.S. citizens overseas. We do not pay medical bills or unexpected costs. U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not provide coverage outside the United States.  Check your health care policy to see if it will cover you overseas.  If not, consider buying supplemental insurance.  Make sure the insurance you purchase covers any special medical needs or risks you anticipate on your trip.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for U.S. citizens abroad.

• Enter information about your upcoming time abroad and we will send you Travel Advisories and Alerts.
• Include an email address or phone number where we can reach you when traveling in case of emergency.