Things to know for International Travel
Things To Know for Preparing to Travel Internationally is Part 1 of 2 - Tips for Traveling to Yucatan & Quanta Roo, Mexico
Research & Preparation for International Travel
The Basics:
Passport: Check your passport to confirm its in good shape and not worn down and the expiration date is more than 6 months from the expiration date. Plus, make sure that you have enough pages that can be stamped. If not, you should replace it.
Travel Requirements: When traveling internationally – check EACH country’s requirements and rules, including vaccination requirement and travel bans depending on where you’re traveling. Having a specific vaccination may be required, even for going through the airport or the countries government can hold you in isolation for health observations. Requirements around this can change frequently. Example - Yellow Fever in South Africa and some South American Countries.
Other things that can impact travel: weather, current special events, concerts, sporting events, political climate, war, strikes, global health concerns, etc. You want to be aware of anything that could make it so you don’t get to your destination
Optional, but recommended - Travel Insurance, Travel Health Insurance, Travel Banking, International Phone Plan, WIFI, Travel Apps for Accommodations, Airlines, Excursions, etc. Traveling with a peace of mind and modern conveniences has become a necessity.
Stay updated and research local tourist scams. Look up your country’s Consulate contact information and add it to your emergency contacts list. Know how each country handles an emergency and the locations that you should stay clear of. Example: Barbados - they say to avoid a few streets in the shopping district, full area of a specific town, and don’t walk on any isolated beaches.
Practice safety awareness everywhere. Watch YouTube for updated information on the channels that talk about nothing but tourist scams and safety awareness. Here are just a few, since there are too many to mention -
Alcohol/Drugged scams are on the rise again. Don’t drink anything that has been out of your sight or alcohol that tastes funny.
Ignore everyone that says that they recognize you.
If someone hands you something, don’t touch it or grab it. Walk away.
Pick pocketers are everywhere. Accidently bumping into you. Spilling things on you and ‘helping’ you clean up. Don’t let anyone help you at an ATM.
Preparation:
Recommended setting up before traveling. Below are some popular options to choose from.
APPS:
Download Google Translate.
Download Maps to use offline.
Download Airline Apps.
Download Accommodations Apps.
Banking Apps for quick access in case cards are stolen.
ITINERARY & CONFORMATION INFORMATION:
Have a system in place with all of your information you’ll need for your trip.
Have in a: notebook, journal, emailed to yourself, travel app, Notes on your iPhone - somewhere!
Have a paper copy of all your Confirmation Numbers, Contact Information, Addresses, Ticket information, emergency contact information, etc.
PHONE:
Download WhatsApp. It’s used everywhere and very useful.
Don’t forget to use Google Lens and the Calculator for money conversion.
Check to make sure that you will have service and make adjustments as needed.
You may need to update your phone or add a phone/data service.
Have a Lanyard for safety from dropping, thieves and convenience.
WIFI:
Saily
Airalo
Holafly
VPN:
NordVPN
ExpressVPN
SurfShark
Money/Banking:
Travel Debit Card:
Charles Scwab Free Checking account
Fidelity Cash Management Account
Travel Checking accounts, keeps your money separate from your main accounts and you can add money to them as needed. Look for free ATM’s withdrawals or reimbursements. Exchange Rates, Conversion Fees.
Cash Management Accounts - Fidelity has a travel account similar to Charles Schwab.
Debit Card to use at ATMs without transaction fees and have them separated from your main accounts. Transfer money when needed.
Adding Wise – Is a great back up and has multi-currency for a great option to add to your Travel Banking System, along with ones above.
Money Transfer Account with Multi - Currency:
Wise
Revolut
These are multi-currency accounts to add money to your Travel Banking System. You can transfer money when needed, use as a debit card.
Don’t use as a credit card to use as a security deposit, because it will hold your money on the card. Have limits on ATM withdrawals.
If you need cash fast, you can use the old-fashioned Western Union or new company’s like Remitly. I haven’t tried them, but sounds like it works like a Western Union. According to the website, this is a money transfer account that allows you or someone else to transfer money to you for pickup at certain designated locations. For pickup, you will need an official government issued photo ID, reference number, sender’s full name and transfer amount. So, if you don’t have your ID, you’ll not be able to use these.
Credit Cards:
Chase Sapphire
Capital One
Citi
American Express
Airline Cards
Hotel Brand Cards
HSBC - International Travel - One of the most popular Travel Credit Cards for International Travel.
Travel friendly credit cards for the best points! Choose ones that have zero international transaction fees or ones that reimburse.
Review limits, fees and available balance on each card.
Set up 2FA by email and confirm your banks will accept a virtual phone if you’re using one to travel with.
Visa and Mastercard logos are the most widely accepted.
Discover - Limited travel area, but has merged with Capital One.
American Express has a high limit and is good to have for medical emergencies in some countries.
Having multiple credits cards in separate locations for emergencies while traveling.
When using your credit cards, don’t have the merchant do the exchange rate. Let your bank/card do it for a better rate.
Cash:
Order some local currency before you leave, if you will be arriving late at night and don’t want to worry about finding a safe AM.
Cash Conversion:
Go to the calculator in your iPhone and hit the calculator icon in the top right corner and hit convert. For an Android phone, download an app or google search.
From your camera – open up your camera on a menu or price tag and hit the icon in the lower right with the brackets. It will pop up TRANSLATE and show you the menu in your chosen language including the price conversion.
Another option - open the camera and hit the 6 buttons icon on the top right-hand side of the phone, hit the Live Text icon then hit the Convert icon.
ATMs:
Use a Travel Debit Card for best rates
Decline ATM Conversion when withdrawing money at the ATMs
Know your PIN number & daily limit
Use ATMs attached to local banks for safer and possible a better exchange rate
Avoid using ATMs at the Airport & Cash Exchange StoresAvoid using credit cards at any ATM
Carry 2-3 credit cards. Keep one card separate from the others for emergencies, in case of trouble using one or if the others get lost or stolen
WISE is widely used to transfer funds to your chosen debit card as needed
Wise, also can issue you a debit card
Don’t let anyone help you use an ATM
Travel Insurance:
Check with your credit card companies to see if Travel Insurance is included and what is covered and where.
Health Insurance:
Check to see if you are covered and what is covered before traveling internationally. If you’re going to do water sports, I recommend:
Travel & Divers Alert Network Insurance – DAN for Travel, Assistance Services, Baggage, Medical Coverage, Hyperbaric Cambers, Evacuation, Search & Rescue and more that regular insurances don’t cover.
Research healthcare information before you need it. Different countries have different ways of handling emergencies, from hospitals, pharmacies, doctor’s, etc. Have your health records available for easy access, especially if you have a complicated medical history.
Emergency Contact List:
Include all emergency contacts, including credit card information and phone numbers.
Research hospitals and doctors covered by your health insurance in the area you will be traveling in.
Having a credit card just for health emergencies that has a high available credit is something to consider.
International Healthcare, credit card with a high limit in case of an emergency. Look into Where and Who is covered by your health insurance. Store this information so it’s available on and offline. In the NOTES app or similar and in an email sent to a friend or family member. Have it stored in the cloud or on a piece of paper in case you need it. Same with your itinerary, ID’s and emergency contacts - easily accessible and multiple places.
Having DAN Insurance, they will do the work for you and can answer your questions over the phone without issues. My friends love the personal care that they have received from them.
Legal:
Most of us postpone this, but it’s a good idea to have your WILL and LIVING WILL and any other legal documents setup before you start traveling. If anything should happen, it will be harder on your family to get things taken care of if you don’t have all your legal papers set up without a power of attorney.
Emergency Preparation:
Having sensitive information available to you in case of an emergency is something to consider. Sharing your itinerary, emergency contact information, medical, legal, banking information with a trusted family member or friend will give you access to it if the need arises. Having it emailed to you and in the cloud is a great way to store information you may need if you don’t want to share it, but it’s smart to have it shared with one other person to have access to it in case you’re not able to.
ID safety:
When you travel, have a photo copy of your Passport & ID inside and outside of your wallet, along with a digital copy in the cloud or hidden in your photos on your phone.
Have a great ATTITUDE!
Don’t forget to stay healthy by protecting yourself from the hot sun and humidity. Drink water and electrolytes to stay hydrated, using reef safe sunscreen for protecting yourself from the UV rays and it helps keeps your skin moisturized. Dress in layers for mixed weather and cover up with UPF 50+ clothing, hats and sun glasses.
Traveling takes a lot out of us and we get “hangry”, tired and confused with the constant changes and unfamiliar protocols, procedures.
To keep up with all of the changes and decisions, keep snacks handy and eat a meal before starvation anxiety kicks in.
Keep yourself in check. Some of us have a longer adjustment period to “Island Time”, so be self-aware and rein yourself in when you find yourself losing your patience with your frustration and expectations. Have a great adventure & enjoy the journey!
Dream! Plan! Go!
NEXT: Part 2 Tips for Traveling to Yucatan & Quanta Roo, Mexico
