Traveling in Iraq can feel dangerous to unadventurous travelers. However, as long as you know what to expect you should be able to survive your travel experiences in Iraq. Here are a few pointers on how to stay safe and alive while traveling in Iraq.

Make sure to keep your passport with you at all times. The United States military and Iraqi police may ask to check your passport at any time and will not hesitate to arrest you if you do not have a passport. However, if you have your passport and the valid papers you will be sent on your way.

Use extreme caution if you are a woman. Women are still going to have numerous problems if they are traveling alone in Iraq. Many Iraqis find it shameful for a woman to be out in public without a man who is related to her. Also, women may be constantly ridiculed and physically abused by Iraqi men, avoid highly religious areas and you should avoid any problems.

Keep in contact. Make sure you keep in contact with someone outside Iraq. This is especially crucial if you go missing. Someone needs to be looking out for you, otherwise you may just be lost in Iraq. Another person who did not follow common sense and make sure that they stayed safe.

Try to travel in groups. If you travel in a group of at least five people, you are more likely to be left alone. People like to target people who stand out and are mostly by themselves. The common safety tip remains true, there still is safety in numbers. While you may find it difficult to rent a vehicle that can accommodate that many people, you should still try to stay together at as many times as possible.

As long as you keep your passport with you, keep in contact and use due caution you can stay safe in Iraq. There are very few extremely violent areas of Iraq left. You should not have any problems if you are traveling to an area controlled by the Iraqi people or the United States military.