I have over 100 tips. I wrote them all out recently and it’s mind boggling how much I’ve learned in my travels. But here are the things you CAN’T forget to do before you head out on an international vacation!
10. Tell your banks
Let your banks know you’re traveling so they don’t shut off your cards when you make a purchase! Trust me, it’s difficult to get ahold of banks once your card shuts off and sometimes they need to send you a new card, and the time difference and it’s a whole thing! So just remember to do this. It’s often a toggle in your banking app now 🙂
9. Write down or memorize the safety # and look up the embassy
This may seem excessive, but you never know. Also, you probably don’t know that 911 is not the same in every country! So make sure you’re looking up the emergency number. Mark the embassy on your map in case you need to get there. I hope you don’t need either of these but it’s best to have them!
8. Look up the exchange rate before you arrive
For some reason, I always forget to do this and even when I do look it up, it doesn’t mean much to me! What I have to do is look up the note denominations that are used in the country and compare them to USD. So when I have a 200 peso note in my hand, I can think “this is about $5”. This helps me from getting scammed. I’m not a math guy, so maybe you aren’t either.
7. If the language is foreign to you, download Google Translate
This is a game changer. You can do so many things with google translate but it will help you feel more secure in places you don’t speak the language. After you download the app, make sure you download the language to your phone so you can use it offline!
6. Screen shot your documents/Take a picture of your passport
A cautious precaution, Alex style. There are a lot of times that wifi stops working or you can’t get data in other countries. There’s no panic like the panic of waiting in the immigration line and not being able to load your accommodation address or your visa, etc. And heaven forbid you lose your passport, you should at least have a picture of it saved in a private album on your phone. I used to print out a picture of my passport (in the olden days) and stick a copy in my checked luggage and keep one in my journal. You can’t be too safe! And if your passport gets stolen, that’s going to put a massive damper on your trip!
5. Download offline maps
It’s super easy. Go to your google maps app and click around where there are options. Find “offline maps” and then choose the map you want to download. Then you’ll be able to navigate in other countries without wifi or data. This is a great tool and necessary if you don’t want to get lost!
4. Take a picture of your luggage before it leaves you
No one wants to lose their luggage but it happens all the time. I know some people put those “tiles” in them so they can track it. I don’t have that capacity yet, but I do take a picture so I can prove exactly what’s in the suitcase and what the suitcase looks like. It can’t hurt and it takes 4 seconds 🙂
3. Check the weather/elevation
The weather can switch quickly but it’s good to know if you should put a coat in your bag for landing or not. Or sunglasses. And remember that elevation can really create a different vibe with the weather. 76* in Los Angeles at sea level feels different than 76* in Quito Ecuador at 9,000 feet. It’s always good to mentally prepare!
2. Check the drinking water rules
Avoid Montezuma’s revenge if you can! And generally, we aren’t used to the tap water in other countries so I prefer bottled everywhere I go. I hear other places are safe and it’s always good to check and choose caution if you’re unsure. Don’t be a risk taker and ruin the rest of your trip, it’s not worth it.
- Share your location & your itinerary with family/friend
Especially if you’re traveling alone, but even if you’re not! Always share your location with someone, you can do this on whatsapp, google maps, or other various ways through your phone. And then on top of that, share your itinerary with a friend or family member. Just so someone knows where you are. I don’t want to believe in the bad things out there, but they exist and we should take precautions if we can!
Are these things you already do? Is there anything to add? If you didn’t know these, you should absolutely consider hiring a travel designer to help you plan!! Contact me with any questions! (at the bottom of this site there’s an email button).
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Happy travels!
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