The world of DayZ does not feature an in-game GPS or mini-map. You must navigate using environmental cues.
Town Signs: Look for the white signs at the entrances of settlements. They are written in Cyrillic; match these letters to the external iZurvive Map Tool to find your location.
Follow Roads Inland: Dirt tracks, hiking trails, and main roads leading away from the ocean guide you toward higher-tier loot zones.
Understand Tiered Loot: Civilian houses contain basic clothes and food. Police stations provide basic firearms and light armor. Military checkpoints, airfields, and medical centers contain top-tier weapons, ammunition, surgical supplies, and heavy armor.