4 Tips to Protecting Your Valuables While Traveling

Make it hard for pickpockets to get your stuff.

Traveling opens people to enriching and exciting experiences on adventures through new and unknown worlds. Although there is one experience you don’t want to have as a traveler; theft. While taking in all the sights of a new country tourists become the main attraction for pickpockets and thieves. Protect your stuff while traveling with these helpful tips.

Do not put valuable items in easily accessible pockets. Using pockets on the outside of suitcases or backpacks makes you a prime suspect for getting ripped off. Bury extra money, electronics and other treasures inside your luggage.

Electronics make travelers easy targets. If you decide to bring electronics such as cameras, laptops or tablets with you, store them in disguised bags. Carry your camera or laptop in a backpack, rather than a camera or laptop case.

Keep hard to replace valuables on you at all times.

When traveling by bus, shuttle, train, or plane put your valuable items in a small bag that you keep with you at all times. Important things to have on your person are credit cards, your I.D. and prescription medicine, as these will be the hardest to replace. Then think about keeping electronics such as cameras, tablets and laptops with you as well. Watch the people handling your luggage. While they may seem trustworthy, they have the easiest access to your luggage.

Most importantly always know where you are going. Being sure of your location will keep you from getting in dangerous situations. Pick up maps from locations all over the world at GPSTravel, and travel safely.

Before You Go... 

Pick up one of our high quality GPS Maps. These GPS maps will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from one of our GPS Maps

Screen Capture from one of our GPS Maps

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Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama; A Journey Through The Heart of Central America

Cerro Negro, Nicaragua

The joy of visiting Central America is in getting to experience so much diversity and uniformity all at once; the Spanish language that unites the region also changes subtly from Guatemala to Panama, the Caribbean cuisine prevalent across countries like Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, has its own distinct flavors in each country, while travel experiences also change dramatically from country to country.

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica

Nicaragua, the ‘Land of Lakes and Volcanoes’, is exactly as its nickname suggests; teeming with majestic volcanoes and quiet lakes. One of the most famous volcanoes is Cerro Negro, a looming black mass just 10km from Malpaisillo. Here, atop the crater of one of Nicaragua’s most active volcanoes, travelers tear down the ashy slopes on top of a rickety wooden board. Just make sure to hold on tight, as the boards can reach up to 90km per hour!

Bocas del Toro, Panama

Costa Rica offers its own host of intrigue, not least for the spectacular biodiversity within the country. The country is said to be home to over 5% of the world’s biodiversity; some of which can be enjoyed at Corcovado National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Visitors to Costa Rica can explore the many natural parks, reserves and wildlife refuges that make up more than 25% of the land. One ‘must-do’ includes climbing to the top of Mount Chirripó to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea at once.

Panama marks the end of Central America, and
has a lot more to offer than just its famous canal. Bocas del Toro is an archipelago in the north of the country that never fails to tempt travelers to extend their holidays and consider early retirement. The islands are ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing, making Panama the perfect destination in Central America for beach-loving adventurers.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Central America South GPS Mapset. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our Central America South GPS Mapset

Screen Capture from our Central America South GPS Mapset

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The Amazing History and Cuisine of Syria

Umayyad Mosque

From enormous Crusader castles to labyrinthine mosques, Syria is a country jam-packed with truly magnificent historical sites. How to choose the best of the best when visiting the fabulously historical country? A must on the tourist trail is the Umayyad Mosque, converted from a Byzantine Temple in 705 AD. Frequently dubbed the most beautiful mosque in Syria, the Umayyad Mosque is one of the holiest sites of worship in the world for Muslims. The enormous Citadel, constructed by the Seleucids in the 4th century BC, is also well worth a stop, as is the Great Colonnade. If you have the time, you will also want to pay a visit to the National Museum, Syria’s most important museum.

Syrian Street Food

The only thing that rivals Syria’s marvelous ancient architecture is its sublime modern cuisine. From kebabs and halabi, to hummus, tabbouleh, and fattoush, Syria offers some of the world’s best food. The best place to get a bite to eat? One of Syria’s many souqs, of course. Vendors in these traditional markets, some of which date back to the Middle Ages, serve up a variety of delectable dishes. If you’re looking for something a bit more formal, you would be well-advised to head to Damascus’ Naranj, situated right by the Roman Arc on Straight Street. This is a true gem of the Old City and by far one of the best restaurants in the country. For help locating some of the country’s best food, be sure to bring along a GPS Travel Map. With GPS Travel Maps, you will also know where you are and how to best get to where you are going.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our Syria maps. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our Syria GPS Map

Screen Capture from our Syria GPS Map

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Exploring Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Macaroni Beach

La Soufriere

In the Lesser Antilles, due west of Barbados, sits the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The topography of the country is quite interesting—Saint Vincent is a relatively large island which comprises most of the nation’s land mass, while the country’s territory in the Grenadines archipelago is spread over hundreds of islands but amounts to considerably less in terms of square mileage.


As far as beaches go, there is no shortage in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  Although it’s a small country, many are surprised to learn that it features both white and black sand beaches.  Two of the

Falls of Baleine

most famous white sand beaches are Macaroni Beach and Princess Margaret Beach, located on the islands of Mustique and Bequia respectively.  Though not on the main island of Saint Vincent, both of these beaches are located just a short trip away by boat or water taxi—making them popular with tourists due to a mix of exclusivity and accessibility.  The main island of Saint Vincent itself is where you will find the majority of the nation’s black sand beaches, this being due to the island’s volcanic history.  We certainly recommend you visiting a few while you drive around the island!

Natural beauty in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines goes beyond beaches, however.  For an incredible volcano hike, visit La Soufriere, and for a stunning waterfall swim, check out the Falls of Baleine.  By their very nature, these islands were made for exploring.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our St. Vincent & the Grenadines maps. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from our St. Vincent and the Grenadines GPS Map

Screen Capture from our St. Vincent and the Grenadines GPS Map

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The Culinary Delights of El Salvador

Surf all day on world class surf breaks, and dance
 into the night at El Tunco beach, El Salvador.

Enjoy fresh fish tacos with locally
caught fish at Taco Guanaco. 

Finding food in El Salvador is always an adventure. Whether you’re eating with the woman selling grilled corn from her house, or at an Indian restaurant in San Salvador, there are many food experiences to be had in the small country of El Salvador.

The best place for eclectic eats in El Salvador are the restaurants in El Tunco. This small surf town is becoming increasingly popular amongst travelers and surfers alike. Eating in El Tunco offers travelers a smorgasbord of delicious culinary
options. Pick up local El Salvadorian food like ceviche, fish tacos and breakfast tipico at Taco Guanaco or munch on international cuisine, at restaurants like the Asian style Take a Wok or the Italian style Pizzeria.

El Salvadoran typical breakfast or
"Tunco Ranchero" at Restarante Erika, in El Tunco. 

There’s more than just the eating in El Salvador to enjoy in this beautiful paradise. Work up an appetite by spending your days exploring surf spots, waterfalls and volcanoes. Find all these places and more by using our map of El Salvador at GPSTravelMaps.com.

While you can find food from all over the world, the national El Salvadoran dish is the pupusa. These handmade cheese stuffed tortillas, are delicious with spinach or the local greens loroco and chipilin. Douse the pupusa in homemade hot sauce, tomato sauce, and fermented cabbage and carrot toppings. There are many locations to pick up one of these cheesy delights, pupusa stands can be found on almost every corner in towns and cities across El Salvador.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our El Salvador maps. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

A Screen Capture from our El Salvador GPS Map

A Screen Capture from our El Salvador GPS Map

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You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.

Chile; A Land of Desert and Ice

Patagonia

Chile, the long, skinny country on the far edges of the South American continent could be described as a
geographically-enforced island; with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, the Atacama Desert to the North and the glaciers of Patagonia to the south enclosing the country in a natural and exquisitely beautiful cocoon.

With such unique geographical diversity in one country, it’s hard to believe that Chile is often overlooked by travelers threading the well-worn South American trail. Make sure to keep Chile on your radar if you want to experience some of the most beautiful and iconic natural landscapes in the world.

From trekking the breath-taking W-Trek through Patagonia’s Torres del Paine Natural Park, to star-gazing at the vast beauty of the Southern Hemisphere skies in the driest place on earth, Chile does not disappoint when it comes to epic travel experiences designed to make your jaw drop.

Atacama Desert

Santiago, the country’s capital is a bustling, sprawling metropolis, while Valparaiso on the coast is a uniquely bohemian city on the hills, enticing travelers to get lost in her colorful, narrow streets.

Chile is a great destination no matter what time of year you visit. A yearlong summer persists in the north of the country, while the icy peaks in Patagonia are always covered in snow.

No matter when or where you choose to go on your travels, make sure you visit Chile, one of the most geographically diverse countries in South America.

Before You Go... 

Pick up our GPS Travel Maps. This GPS map will give you turn by turn directions to your destination using a point of interest (POI), city point, and/or latitude and longitude, with the ability to preplan driving destinations before getting into your car.

The easy to follow instructions allow you to download and install the map into Garmin BaseCamp desktop software and transfer it to your Garmin GPS in minutes. This installable map is compatible with ALL Garmin GPS units .

It's like having your own personal travel guide with you on your trip!

Screen Capture from one of our GPS Maps

Screen Capture from one of our GPS Maps

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

You can also connect with us on Google Plus, see our travel guide pictures on Pinterest, and view some of our videos on YouTube.