( CNN ) -- Going to travel abroad ? Here 's a tip : Blend . Do n't stick out as a tourist because it 's like wearing a `` Mug me ! '' sign , travel experts say . The harrowing experience of an Arizona mother ending up in a Mexican border jail has prompted travel experts to renew some do 's and do n't 's for traveling . Every year , more than 2,500 Americans are arrested abroad , with 30 % of those cases related to illegal drugs , the U.S. State Department says . The experience of Yanira Maldonado of Arizona -- freed from jail Friday after being accused of drug possession -- seems a case of a person `` being in the wrong place at the wrong time , '' said travel expert Pauline Frommer , publisher of Frommers.com . A Mexican court determined that prosecutors did not provide evidence . Still , the incident calls for globe trotters to be reminded of a few basics , experts say . Do a little homework . The U.S. State Department publishes travel advisories online . So does the U.K. version of that agency , the Foreign & Commonwealth Office . In fact , Frommer likes the U.K. government 's travel advisories better because they are time-stamped and more detailed , such as giving the number of pickpockets over what period of time in a country . `` The State Department has very good announcements about what areas are safe and what are n't , '' Frommer said . `` There are certain parts of Mexico that are n't safe : there are border regions you do n't want to be a tourist in , and Acapulco -- that 's a problem . '' Still , many parts of Mexico remain enjoyable destinations for tourism , Frommer said . In fact , she 's visited the country three times in the past few years : Cancun , Cozumel and Mexico City . If a U.S. citizen is arrested abroad , he or she is subject to that country 's laws and may not enjoy the same protections as provided in the United States . The State Department stands `` ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international law , '' the agency says . If you are detained abroad and there is U.S. consular representation in that country , you have a right to a visit from a U.S. government official , said Alex Puig , regional security director of Americas for International SOS , a medical and security services firm operating in 70 countries . Be the gray man . This is a simple one : blend in . Do n't look like a tourist . It may make you an easy mark for muggers or thieves , Puig said . `` Most travelers the last thing they worry about is keeping a low profile , '' Puig said . `` The last thing you really think about is that I should dress in to fit in their local environment . Americans are quite casual in their dress . I land at a foreign airport , and I go into the immigration line and I can easily pick out the Americans by their dress . They like to wear jeans and white tennis shoes and they like to wear college shirts like Georgia Tech . `` You do n't want to raise your profile by the way you dress , '' he added . Think as if it 's going to be stolen . Do n't carry a lot of money . There 's no reason to in this age of connectivity . And leave the good jewelry at home . Take credit cards . `` The truth is that in all tourist destinations nowadays there are ATMs aplenty , '' Frommer said . `` You want to rely on your plastic because it can be replaced . '' And make sure you have a credit card with a sufficient cash advance in case you need to post bond to get out of jail , said Texas attorney Louis Lopez , who represented a man framed by drug cartels . Be aware of your surroundings . You can bet that Americans traveling in Mexico are now looking under their seat -- especially on buses -- before they sit down , Puig said . That 's because the Arizona mother was jailed after the Mexican military allegedly found marijuana under her bus seat . `` Out of this bad situation comes good learning , '' Puig said . `` You ca n't take anything for granted when you are outside of your normal environment . '' The Internet readily offers local news on the country you 'll be visiting . The U.S.-Mexico border , for example , is renowned for drug smuggling -- all heading into the United States . The bus carrying Maldonado and her husband was traveling to Arizona from Mexico . `` Just be aware of drugs going from south to north , and drug traffickers are going to use every means available to move their drugs , '' Puig said . `` So you have to be alert . ''
Check travel advisories on the State Department website , or UK website . Do n't make yourself a target by sticking out as a tourist . More than 2,500 Americans are arrested abroad every year . If you 're detained , you have a right to a visit with an official from U.S. consulate , expert says .