Visiting Bulgaria for the first time? Bulgaria is a safe country and you won’t have too many problems there. Even so, it is important to make sure that you stay safe and take a few basic precautions as well. The very first thing to do is to find a decent hotel in Bulgaria, one that is clean and hygienic, has good food, fast internet and where your belongings are safe.

Now, Bulgaria is a very safe country. There is no risk of terrorist attacks here and crime rate is pretty low. So you don’t have much to worry about. There are a few risks that you should be wary of, which we are going to talk about. Let’s begin with a basic question every tourist wants to know.

 Do You Need a Vaccination to Visit Bulgaria?

No, you don’t really need a vaccination to visit Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a European country; there is no risk of getting a contagious disease here. The food is generally safe and food poising happens in the rarest of rare cases. Tap water in Bulgaria is safe too. So you don’t need any vaccination and you don’t have to worry about your health when visiting Bulgaria.

How to Avoid Crime in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has a very low crime rate compared to many countries around the world, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be careful enough.  You must take adequate precautions when visiting Bulgaria. You shouldn’t visit the ghettos in the city. All cities have ghettoes, you can recognize them instantly. Just stay out of them, especially at night.

You should be careful in nightclubs and bars in Bulgaria and avoid getting into a fight with anyone. It’s really not worth the trouble. You should be on guard in railway stations and bus stations, as there are many criminal elements afoot in these places.

You will enjoy watching football matches in Bulgaria, but don’t mock or laugh at any of the teams, that might anger some of the supporters.

When travelling on public transport, keep an eye out for pickpockets. Bulgarian pickpockets are known to be very stealthy and slippery.

 Also, avoid dealing with shady people or anyone you do not trust. Stay away from drugs and other banned substances. Getting caught with them could land you in jail.

Don’t gamble in Bulgaria. Bulgarian gambling dens are full of nefarious characters. You don’t want to get involved with them.

 Dealing with the Begging Problem

Begging is a serious issue in Bulgaria and some beggars can be quite persistent. Just stay away from them and don’t pay them anything. That will only encourage them. Most of the beggars in Bulgaria are in the profession by choice. You don’t have to worry about them hurting you in anyway, so this is not a safety issue, but don’t encourage them.

How to Handle the Crazy Bulgarian Traffic?

Be very careful when driving in Bulgaria. Bulgarians do not always follow the traffic rules and drive too fast. Watch out for vehicles that are being driven too fast. The drivers can be very aggressive here.

The Weather

Be sure to check the weather forecasts and have enough warm clothes with you, not matter where you are in Bulgaria. Of course, you should be fine in summer. There are many weather apps for iPhone and Android that you can use, just be sure to install a couple of them on your phone.

Stray Dogs

Stray dogs are a constant menace in Bulgaria. While they are harmless for the most part, don’t get too close to them and don’t stroke them. They can so easily turn vicious as they are not used to human contact. Be sure to get the right medication for rabies if you get bitten by a stray dog.

Hope you liked the safety tips for travellers to Bulgaria given here. We are sure you will have a lovely time in Bulgaria, just be sensible and follow the advice given here.