A lot of us make mistakes when it’s time to travel due to lack of information, this is why today we want to share with you some of our most important travel tips. We hope it helps and that you keep them in mind for your next trip.
Keep an open mind: Do yourself a favor and don’t compare with your country of origin. Things will be different wherever you go and and for sure they will not be like back home; they could be better or not so much, in the end the idea is to have a different experience so let go and enjoy.
Learn basic words of the local language: This is so important when traveling. In many countries you are liked better by the locals when they see you at least trying. This is a very simple way of showing respect and is very well accepted at any moment. You don’t have to become an expert, just learn the basics, how to say hi, how to say thank you, how to say goodbye, and 2 or 3 numbers. This is the first step to make contact with the local culture and at the same time can fun. It’s a great conversation starter that in case you are mispronouncing the words, they will always be willing to help you with a smile.
Pack as light as you possible can: No one generally considers this tip, but we invite you to at least read it and think about it one more time. Do I truly need everything I’m packing? More than likely no. It’s not only unnecessary clothing but also some personal products. Remember, you can always buy many personal items abroad. This will help you save weight and space in your suitcase to bring back souveniers and save on extra weight charges with airlines. Keep in mind that in some countries there are no elevators and you might end up carrying suitcases up stairs, in train stations, buses, etc., and its at that precise moment you will regret packing so much.
Ask the locals: It’s the local people who have the best recommendations the majority of the time. Almost always they will recommend places to eat, places to have a drink, go shopping, etc. Usually, locals will want you to have the best impression of their country and will give you the best ideas. This will also help you save some money since you will be avoiding the tourist areas and things tend to be cheaper.
Find the local food: If you want to live the real experience we recommend you not to look for big chain restaurants like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, etc. For many, these places are places you trust because you know what to expect, but most of the time the local experience is what is best. It’s through food that you also learn about the culture, additionally, you are helping families who benefit from you making a purchase from them and not from the big chain restaurants. Although tourist areas usually offer a good variety of local food, experience has shown us that the quality of food, hospitality, and price are not as authentic as they should be why not try something more local?, if you do not know the language even better, at the end there will be a story to tell. Be smart, pay very close attention when choosing your local place to eat, look at the menu before you enter any place, observe if it is clean, check their prices etc. the idea is to enjoy the experience and to not run any risks of getting sick or that you get overcharged.
Be flexible and make photocopies of important documents: Be ready for delays, cancelations, and last minute change of plans, be patient! It is always a good idea to make copies of all important documents (passport, travel insurance, etc.) in case of any emergency. Having copies in your email is also recommended; many countries will accept just a picture of your passport as form of identification.
Debit/Credit Cards and Cash: Most preferable when it is time to go out and explore around is for you to take only one debit card and one credit card (don’t store them in the same place). In any case that you lose one of them, you have the other as reserve. Same goes for cash, do not go out with all your cash stored in the same place or at least divide between you and your travel partner (if traveling with company). In case of theft this might help save you from a tough situation of not having any funds available at all. For the cards you will use make sure that they do not have international fees and you will avoid paying unnecessary costs per use.
Lodging: For some, hotels are not always the best option. If your plan is solely to go rest and relax then in this case hotels and resorts might be your first pick. On the other hand, if your idea is to go explore, learn about cultures, and save some money we recommend you use Airbnb and stay in an apartment or local house. With Airbnb it is very important you read reviews from previous visitors as it will be these previous visitors who through their experience will give you a better idea of what to expect. Throughout our travels we have met some of the most wonderful hosts that have helped us have unforgettable experiences.
Taxis: Do your research for each country. Some taxis are okay, but there are many places where taxis will try to charge you double the price. In this case the best is to negotiate your fare before getting into the taxi or use applications like Uber or Grab (the equivalent of Uber in many Asian countries). The applications are not only reliable but will help you have a general idea of the fares around.
Free walking tours: Due to tourism having grown so much in the last few years, there are many destiantions that now offer free tours. We recommend to do this tour in the first days of arriving as it is a way of meeting people, learn a little about the history and you’ll receive some local tips. Keep in mind that at the end you make a donation if you feel it was a good tour.
I hope this helps you a bit and don’t forget to share and visit our Instagram account @EVERYWHEREABROAD. That is where you will find all of our experiences in detail through our photos and highlights.
