Is Sharm El Sheikh safe for tourists? (food, marine life, mosquitoes, crime rumors)
Based on 2 discussions with 4 participants · Last activity: 5 days ago
Based on 2 discussions with 4 participants · Last activity: 5 days ago
TL;DR
Main risks are manageable: be careful of marine life in the water, use mosquito repellent, be selective with food and water — rumors of locals kidnapping children are unconfirmed and considered exaggerated fears.
Insect-related issues and infections can happen at resorts in other countries too (including Turkey), but travelers report they occur more often in Egypt — worth using repellent and covering up more.
You can't fully avoid infection risk when traveling to Egypt — it's part of the trip, so it's smarter to prepare (repellent, basic medicine kit) rather than cancel the trip out of fear.
If pre-trip anxiety is too strong, it may be better not to go — your peace of mind matters, especially since even familiar local vacation spots aren't always calmer.
Common fears about Egypt include: unfamiliar food, small venomous marine creatures (fish, crustaceans) near the shore, disease-carrying mosquitoes, and rumors of locals kidnapping children — travelers note these are mostly scary internet stories rather than widespread reality.