Must Do's
Before you go on your trip, and honestly before you even book your trip, there are certain things you should check off of your list to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Before You Book:
Find out if you need a Visa- Depending on the country you are visiting, you may be required to have a Visa to enter. The sooner you know about this the better so you can have enough time to get your Visa approved! Some countries that require US citizens to have a visa include: Australia, Brazil, China, India, Cuba, Vietnam.
Entry and Exit Fees: Some countries require you to pay an entry or exit fee that is separate from your plane ticket. If you are on a tight budget it is good to know about this ahead of time so you don't have to cough up a huge amount of money when you arrive at the airport.
Check the weather- You may book a trip in June expecting it to be summer weather, and only come to find out (after you already booked everything) that June is that country's rainy season! If you want to go snorkeling at the beach then you definitely don't want to book your trip during the rainy season. Always check the weather before you book!
Research National Holidays and Festivals: It can be great to be in a country during a national holiday, but sometimes this comes with consequences. Major holidays or events can cause popular tourist attractions to close down for the day or week. If you know there will be a holiday while you are on your trip, check to make sure the items on your itinerary (such as day excursions or visiting prominent attractions) are not going to be effected by the holiday. Festivals or concerts can also cause major streets or attractions to close down, so look into this ahead of time as well!
After You Book:
Alert Your Bank Accounts: If you do not alert your bank and credit card company that you are going abroad than you risk them freezing your card the moment you try and make a foreign transaction. The process is simple, go on their website and alert them of the dates you will be gone and the country you will be in. This will save you time and money!
Foreign Transaction Fees: Check with your credit card company to find out if you are charged for foreign transaction fees when using your card abroad.
Determine Your Cell Phone Plan: Depending on your cell carrier and phone plan you may or may not have calls/texts and data while abroad. Contact your phone company and inform them of the country/countries you plan on visiting and find out how much it would cost you to have a working plan while abroad.
Insurance: It is always good to find out if your current insurance plan will cover you for any health incidents while outside of the country.
Paying Bills: When you are traveling the last thing you are thinking about is paying your bills. For any payments that may be due while you are away, set them to Auto Pay or simply pay them before you leave so you don't risk missing a payment while you are away.
Copies of Your Documents: You should always have a copy of your passport with you just in case something happens to your original passport while abroad. It is also a good idea to leave copies of your passport and itinerary with close family or friends at home.
Shots and Vaccines: Depending on the country you are visiting, you may be required to have certain shots or vaccines before entering. You may also be required to show proof of these vaccines at the airport so make sure you have the paperwork on you when traveling.
Research the Laws: Every country has different laws, and whether you are a local or a visitor, you must abide by them. It is good to be aware of these laws before traveling abroad. The last thing you want is to be locked up in a foreign country!
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