Things to Consider When Traveling Outside the USA

So, you’re excited to travel abroad and have found the perfect location. 

You may have heard, read about or seen many testimonials about where you have decided to travel.  However, there are so many other things to consider before you travel outside of the USA. Use this as means of preparation for your best vacation ever.  We want you to have a wonderful trip, therefore we have compiled a list to ease your worries and misconceptions about traveling abroad. This list is not comprehensive and does not cover every aspect. Still you will find the most important information.

Safety

There are many situations that come to mind that make people weary of traveling outside the USA. The number one is safety. This should not be our first thoughts when we know that there are many beautiful countries to experience and learn about their cultures. Dangerous circumstances are not in existence but there are things we can do to stay safe. For the most part, traveling throughout the world is very safe. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding your safety:

1. Register with the embassy where you’re traveling
2. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program – If there are any emergencies at home while you’re abroad they will let you know. You will also get updates about any situations where you’re traveling.
3. Leave a copy of your vital records, passport, itinerary, credit cards, airline tickets, etc. with family or friends – Just in case of an emergency.
4. Get travel insurance – Be sure to get the right information on the insurance you need before traveling abroad.
5. Keep valuables out of sight – Never leave your bag unattended or ask someone to watch it. Take it with you!

Common restrictions

There are many countries that have different policies when it comes to what you can bring into and take out of the country. It’s vital that you’ve familiarized yourself with these before you go, and you can check with the foreign embassy of any country you’re traveling to just to be sure. Here are some to keep in mind:

1. Precious metals, including gold
2. Currency
3. Ivory jewelry
4. Religious artifacts
5. Animal skins
6. Antiques
7. Electronic equipment that hasn’t been declared when you arrive
8. Precious and semi-precious stones
9. Fresh produce
10. Untreated wooden products
11. Certain medications, even if they are prescribed

If you don’t want your items confiscated abide by the rules and laws of the country you’re visiting. You may also be fined and in some more serious cases, prison sentences can be issued.

Airport time savers

Reducing your time at the airport will provide much relief and decrease your stress.  Consider joining the Global entry program if you are a low-risk traveler. This reduces much time at the airports for security checks with a pre-approved clearance.  Currently they are available at more than 42 different airports. 

Your Health

Getting a checkup and making sure that your vaccinations are up to date will save you so much of time. Having a physical done before your trip guarantees that you are healthy enough to travel abroad. There are many health concerns to be aware of in the many countries, be sure to know them. You will also find that Several destinations require vaccinations before your arrival, so make sure that you know the immunizations you need and that you are immunized before your trip.

Check-in with your doctor for all your essential prescription needs as well. And he may have other advice for you to about over the counter drugs to treat common ailments. Consider supplemental insurance to cover all your health concerns.

Traveling with a disability

You should not restrict your travel because of a disability. Instead, find out what accessibilities will be in place for you where you want to travel.  Many countries have different policies regarding disabled travelers, and some don’t have anything in place. Consult your doctor about your trip and check for the accurate accessibility at the hotel where you are traveling.

Travel Adapters

Living in the digital age, it is of utmost importance to have on hand electrical adapters and converters. This will enable you to travel internationally while living a digital nomad lifestyle for business and personal reasons. It can be detrimental to an individual to reach a remote part of the world and realize that they are missing the necessary electrical accessories to work or be entertained.  This can even be life threatening if an electronic device is missing an accessory or adapter to draw the correct voltage from the local grid. So, be sure to pack the necessary AC/DC accessories for traveling outside the USA, emergencies and telecommuting.

Money

A best practice is to combine several types of currency with you instead of having a large amount of cash with you.  Here are some that you should consider:

1. Credit Cards: These are perfect for bigger buys, for example, café suppers, vehicle rentals, lodging bills and carrier tickets.
2. Debit Cards: With a great deal of ATMs accessible everywhere throughout the world, getting the needed cash is fast and simple.
3. Cash: You should never carry large sums of cash. But you will find it most convenient. Try not to pull out lots of cash at a time. Separating your cash into small amounts will be much safer when you do have to pay in public. Always leave any extra money in the safe at your hotel if you can. 
4. Traveler's Checks and Prepaid Cards: These are a safe choice to cash money and are perfect as a support if you cannot find an ATM or the one closest you are out of order. On the off chance that these are lost or stolen, they can generally be replaced inside 24 hours.

Emergencies

The last thing anyone wants to think about while traveling outside the USA is an emergency. Unfortunately, this is something most people should think about. Here are a number of emergencies you may encounter while traveling abroad:

1. Medical emergencies
2. Victims of crime
3. Natural disasters
4. Parental child abductions
5. Missing persons
6. Arrests
7. Deaths
8. Lost or stolen passports

However, taking simple precautions and knowing what to do in the event of potential emergencies ahead of time can ease your mind.