https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/oceania/tuvaluTuvaluhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/oceania/tuvalu/tuvalu-beauty-spot-in-the-pacificTuvalu is an almost crime-free gem in the Pacific. But what do you do when you hear a siren? Find out how to stay safe on your vacation.2019-12-04T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/oceania/tuvalu/tuvalu-beauty-spot-in-the-pacifichttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Tuvalu is a group of nine low-lying coral atolls with a surface area of just 16mi&sup2; (26km&sup2;) dispersed over 807,700 mi (1,300,000km) in the Central Pacific.</p> <p>This small section of paradise is maybe, just maybe, one of the last great untouched destinations in the world. Fewer than a thousand tourists visit each year, so facilities are basic to say the very least.</p> <h2>Is there any crime to worry about?</h2> <p>While basic, Tuvalu has to be one of the safest places in the world to visit. There is hardly anything for a traveler to worry about as violent crime is virtually non-existent, and when it does happen it usually involves alcohol and family disputes.</p> <p>Much of the capital's island life takes place on the largest strip of land &ndash; the airport runway. Don't worry, a man with a megaphone or siren will tell you when it's time to get out of the way of the landing aircraft.</p> <h2>Natural dangers in Tuvalu</h2> <p>As a low-lying coral atoll, the greatest threat is of natural causes, such as changes in sea level that have a great affect on Tuvalu and the affects of climate change, which can be seen on an almost month to month basis.</p> <p>Cyclones are also a threat. Cyclone season falls between November and April, so perhaps avoid these months to avoid the threat of severe weather.</p> <h2>LGBTQ safety in Tuvalu</h2> <p>Male homosexuality is illegal in Tuvalu, and if you are caught, you may serve jail time.</p> <p>The transgender population (pinapinaaine) traditionally played part in many roles of society, however since the arrival of Christianity and Europeans, LGBTQ attitudes have changed.</p> <p>To be on the safe side, keep public displays of affection to a minimum while traveling here.</p> <h2>Fun fact about the economy</h2> <p>Tuvalu's economy doesn't rely on tourism dollars to keep it afloat. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/the-island-nation-of-tuvalu-is-being-kept-afloat-by-its-domain-name/news-story/9af6c78e14c071013ddd7fa9ac64aa7f" target="_blank" title="News.com.au">Internet domain name ".tv"</a> for $50 million in royalties, which has increased the country&rsquo;s gross domestic product by 50%, and is one of the country's largest sources of income.</p> <h3>If you've been to Tuvalu, what safety tips do you have to share? Tell us in the comments below.</h3>Getty Images/Dmitry Malov 11066253904 Getty Images Tuvalu under the wing of an airplane