How Safe Is Tampa for Travel? (2019 Updated) ⋆ Travel Safe

Safety Index:

The city of Tampa is the county capital of Hillsborough County, as well as the largest in West Central Florida.

Tampa is a lively city: it offers pro football, baseball, and hockey; lots of live music venues and just about any activity on a national tour will pass through.

There’s plenty of clubs whether you’re looking to dance or hear a wide variety of live music, and the city is very diverse in many ways, whether ethnically, socially, culturally, or politically.

Tampa is one of the fastest-growing job markets in the nation and has robust growth in professional fields as well as blue-collar jobs.

Warnings & Dangers in Tampa

OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM

Overall, there isn't much to worry about in Tampa, when compared to other cities in America, though it does have some rough neighborhoods. It's best to be aware of your surroundings at all times.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW

The means of transport in Tampa are problematic as it tends to be scarce, but it's overall safe - as safe as it can get in a city of Tampa's size.

PICKPOCKETS RISK : LOW

Pickpockets aren't the biggest threat in Tampa, though you might encounter bag snatchers. Don't be too worried, but you should remain vigilant after dark and in crowded places.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM

Tampa's coastal location and topography make it significantly vulnerable to a wide array of hazards, including hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and sinkholes.

MUGGING RISK : LOW

Tampa is mostly safe when it comes to mugging and kidnapping, but it is recommended that you avoid poorly lit and deserted streets and dangerous areas known for street crime

TERRORISM RISK : LOW

Excluding isolated mass shootings, Tampa hasn't been the target of any terrorist attacks recently, but the attacks shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK : LOW

There aren't many scams in Tampa. Still, be wary of people trying to distract you to steal from you and of people overcharging you for various services. We advise you to be extremely careful when handling money and around ATMs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW

Tampa is somewhat safe for female solo travelers. There are no issues that would endanger females specifically but general caution is advised. Following basic precaution measures should minimize the chances of anything going wrong.

So... How Safe Is Tampa Really?

Tampa, like most mid to large cities has dangerous neighborhoods in addition to its safe neighborhoods.

Luckily for its residents, the dangerous areas in the city have been cleaned up greatly over the last decade.

It is feasible to live in a very safe neighborhood on a budget.

Such areas are, for example, the part of town surrounding Busch Gardens, USF and University Square Mall, as well as some rough areas of East Tampa, Sulphur Springs north of Seminole Heights, and Old West Tampa west of Downtown across the river.

When it comes to the safer areas, generally you can tell the neighborhood by driving around North Tampa, Carrollwood, Citrus Park.

Any neighborhood to the North of citrus Park is going to be safer, have great schools, low crime, better amenities.

There is a small part in South Tampa that has great older neighborhoods that are established but they’re surrounded by either the city or other neighborhoods that aren’t too safe.

As far as other dangers go, Tampa is particularly susceptible to hurricanes, so you have to be prepared if such a situation arises, and be ready to move as soon as you see the first lightning.

Useful Information

Visas - The US is famous for its harsh policy for acquiring a tourist, let alone a resident visa. The US embassies usually ask for interviews before granting tourist visas, and tourists usually have to pay up to 160 USD to get a visa. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local US embassy for further information.
Currency - The United States dollar is the official currency in Tampa. Credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and ATMs are widely available. The prices vary but you can plan on spending about 100 dollars per day.
Weather - Tampa has a humid subtropical climate characterized by summers that are characteristically hot and humid with recurrent thunderstorms and winters that are dry and mild with mostly clear skies.
Airports - Tampa International Airport is an international airport serving the city of Tampa. It is located some 9.7 km west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States.
Travel Insurance - Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Tampa, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

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