Follow These 9 Rules to Better Pack Your Carry-on Bag

It’s illegal to wear camouflage in many countries, so leave the camo leggings, knapsack, handbag, and jacket at home. “No camo” in the Caribbean isn’t about being mistaken for a soldier but having respect for the soldiers and avoiding being arrested. 

When hiking through the rainforest or mountainous areas of Caribbean islands, resist the urge to have a refreshing swim at the base of the waterfalls or wade in the river to avoid picking up parasites.  For more information, read about the perils of parasites.

Where Not to Wear It: Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Zambia, or Zimbabwe

It’s very appealing when on holiday to go from beach to bar or to walk into stores. However, it’s illegal to wear bathing suits in the streets in some countries, so it is recommended to cover up. A cute coverup weighs nothing and allows you to go from sand or pool to shops in record time.

Where to Bring Your Swimsuit Cover Up: Spain (Barcelona and Mallorca), the beaches of the United Arab Emirates, Croatia (Hvar), Maldives, and Switzerland (Geneva)

Knock-off designer clothing and jewelry should be left at home because of legal implications. Sneaking fake Fendi, Prada, or Nikes through customs into Canada or the U.S. is illegal. When in doubt, leave it out. Sporting fake or real Gucci or Fendi can attract unwanted attention, so even if you have authentic goods, leave them at home.

Where to Avoid It: France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, and the U.S.

Wearing shorts is unacceptable for women in a long list of countries, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Brunei, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cyprus, East Timor, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates. Men should avoid wearing shorts except for on the beach in Algeria.

Wearing shoes when entering private homes, unless your host gives the okay, is considered very rude in several countries. In Greece, wearing high heels at archaeological sites is banned because of the damage they can cause. On the Isle of Capri, wearing flip-flops or “excessively noisy footwear” is banned. Tourists have been fined for ignoring the rule. It is forbidden to wear flip-flops while driving on Grand Canary Island, which makes sense.

In Cambodia, wearing shoes in most buildings is considered rude. It is also frowned upon to point your feet towards people and show the bottom of your feet, so no putting your feet on the seat beside you on buses or trains.

Where to Mind Your Shoes: Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Isle of Capri, and Grand Canary Island

In Japan, wearing black is closely associated with funerals. If you can, avoid wearing all black in Japan. For men, don’t wear a black tie for the same reason.

Covering up as much skin as possible and dressing conservatively in loose clothing is the respectful way to go in certain countries. For example, in Afghanistan, wear loose-fitting pants under your skirts, so the definition of your legs is not detectable. In Northern Afghanistan, makeup is forbidden as it “allegedly” leads to adultery.

Always pack long pants and a long sleeve light sweater to pop over a tank or sleeveless top, so you are ready for anything. In Cairo, shorts and sleeveless tops aren’t recommended. In Fiji, when away from resorts, all genders should avoid wearing shorts or skirts exposing their knees and tops that expose their shoulders.

Where Not to Wear It: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin. Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, China, Comoros, Congo, Cyprus, East Timor, Egypt, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, Eritrea,  Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji,

It’s strongly suggested to wear a headscarf in public in Afghanistan and Albania if you visit a mosque, it’s expected to wear a head scarf and cover your body.  A headscarf is required when visiting Orthodox churches in Belarus. As Bosnia and Herzegovina is mainly Muslim, women should cover their heads to be respectful when visiting religious buildings.

Face-covering garments such as burqas, niqabs, or a veil are banned in Austria as well as Belgium and France. In Bulgaria, face-covering garments were banned in government offices, schools, and cultural institutions. Germany has a law banning face-covering garments while driving. 

Where to Wear It: Afghanistan, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.

Avoid wearing hiking clothes as it will make you stand out as a tourist in Argentina, which would attract unwanted attention. In Estonia, there are only six hours of daylight in winter. Visibility can be difficult. Don’t leave your hotel when it’s dark without wearing a reflector. If caught without one, you can be fined.