Visa
- Apply online
- Carry extra passport pictures in both common sizes
- Print everything you can to PDF and have it ready if you need it to include US State dept instructions, visiting country’s instructions, application, payment information, approval, etc. Plan to not have wifi or a phone connection when you land. Be organized.
Food
- Eat when you can. Grab packaged snacks when you can. Carry food with you at all times because you never know when you will be able to eat.
- If you are visiting for a shot while, stick with what you know like KFC, MCDs, subway, Burger King, and other major chains. This will keep you from getting sick. There are lots of bacteria around the world that you don’t get exposed to and it will ruin your trip if it gets the best of you.
- Eat fruit in a peel (Orange, Banana)
- Stay away from seafood
- Eat beef, pork, and chicken
- Watch out for mayonnaise or other dressing/sauces that have been stored at room temperature or in the sun when they should have been refrigerated
Water
- Drink bottled water
- Be prepared to go without ice
Taxis
- Know ahead of time if there is Uber, Grab, Lyft, or the equivalent and have the app on your phone
- Taxis have so many scams, it’s best to avoid them
- Driver suggestions usually earn them a commission
- Verify luggage fees. They exist but that will usually be stated on the window sticker. They are not everywhere. And it could be debatable if the bag you handle is counted or not.
Foreigner Tax
- Receipt
- See it posted
- Pay by credit card
Attractions
- Read about them before you go so you know what to expect in the way of hours, handicap accessible, dress code, cost, festivals, etc.
- Often times you can find a tour guide in front of the attraction that speaks English and you can negotiate down to a very reasonable price. They will typically get you through the line faster, know where the good photo spots are and take your picture, show you the attraction highlights, and more. They are well worth the cost.
Hotels:
- Make sure the hotel caters to the demographic that you want. This is a nice way of saying some hotels cater to Western tourists and some hotels cater to Chinese tourists. If you end up at the Chinese hotel when you really wanted a Western hotel, you’re not going to like the breakfast and possibly not be happy when you’re sharing the common areas.
Vendors:
- Most vendors in tourist areas are working together and set the price. It is very rare that you will find one vendor to go under the price that has been set by the group. They might do it in private but won’t in front of the others. If you feel like you’re being scammed, you have a decision to make. Do you want the product (souvenir/water/food) or service (taxi ride) or not?
- Rule of thumb right after you buy something overpriced, you will find it cheaper somewhere else.
- Prices aren’t marked because the vendor prices them in real time depending on where you’re from and how much you seem like you want it. If you’re from USA or England, you will pay a premium. If you express excitement like “Oh cool…I’ve been looking for these everywhere” you will pay a premium.
- Best practice is to take a picture of a product you see on day one and maybe write down the location in case you have to come back to it but the picture is most important. You can show that picture to your local host, tour guides, other vendors, bartenders, or anyone else and ask them where to get one. The picture will get you a lot further than trying to describe the item to someone that doesn’t speak your language. And they’ll know you’ve seen it before and can go get it there if they try to overcharge you.
