Travel tips and insights you wish you knew. These tips are more relevant if you travel a long time and want to save some money in a long run.
– There is always a cheap local bus from airport to the central.
– Who gets least pissed off when something goes wrong wins in the long run.
– You will pay more than locals. Accept it. Don’t get mad and ruin everyones day.
– Get travel insurance and use it whenever possible.
– Use only credit cards when traveling. If they get skimmed, you’ll always get your money back.
– For long term traveling get credit card with no extra fees on foreign bank withdrawals.
– Don’t arrive into a new city in middle of night without guaranteed place to stay.
– Other travellers will act like selfish arrogant assholes. Get over it.
– There are no free tours…. except in Japan.
– If someone hops into a local bus and gives you candy, don’t eat it. He will collect it back.
– Wear long pants and print airline tickets and hotel reservation ready when visiting embassies.
– Double check that taxi takes you to the right airport.
– If local officials don’t know how to do their job and make you work extra, don’t get offended.
– Wash yourself after sweating even if it costs extra.
– Shadow doesn’t keep you from burning.
– Use Aloe Vera for sunburns.
– Have a hat.
– Money belts are for pussies.
– Earbuds are mandatory for dormitories and sleeping in busses in developing countries.
– You’ll never get the best seats in local minibusses. Accept it.
– Always scrape scrape cards with coin, not with nails.
– If one side of the bus is crowded with locals, sit on that side.
– Keep hydrated.
– Always keep flashlight in backpack. Phone isn’t flashlight.
– Always have one extra candybar or nuts for urgent energy loss.
– If something unexpected happens, try to get the locals to help you. Don’t blame them for what happened.
– Don’t overpack but be prepared.
– Washing clothes by hand is the key for light traveling.
– Don’t buy bulky souvenirs.
– Find universal sink plug from home.
– Small compass is always handy.
– Watch out for roadside buffees.
– You can’t control everything.
– Photograph cars and scooters throughout before renting.
– Don’t drive motorbike with flip-flops.
– If you reserve something and need to pay beforehand, ask for a receipt.
– Negotiate price before entering a taxi.
– Count and check money at money changer. On site.
– Always buy local SIM with enough data, ask locals for the best one.
– Keep your residence country SIM safe. You will need it for bank transactions.
– Having a big towel is overrated.
– Duct-tape can fix almost everything. Roll some around short IKEA pencil.
– Backup your photos. WD Passport external hard drives are good, Lacie Ruggeds are the best.
– Double check if tap water is drinkable, and if not don’t wash you teeth nor rinse with it.
– Aircon makes you sick but when sick use aircon.
– Do not update spotify while traveling. All your downloaded music might disappear.
– Turn all auto updates off from all devices.
– Store all important data with Keep Safe app.
– Scan and print your passport, show the real one only when crossing borders.
– Google translate app in offline is amazing.
– Use Maps.me for offline maps. Better than Google maps.
– Water purifying tablets work with 1 liter bottles.
– Quick drying thin hoodie is a lifesaver in scorching sun.
– Stuff newspaper to shoes for quick drying.
– Bring own flashlight to caves.
– Always test mask before going snorkeling.
– Remember to lock trekking poles properly.
– Good earbud headphones are worth gold.
– Having a hammock is good for tropical islands and long term spacing out, not for active moving and traveling.
– Get to city at least one day before your flight departures.
– It’s ok to be scared and confused but people are nice and will help if you just ask.
– Fried food is safe, avoid fresh salads in shady places.
– Use airplane mode and battery saving mode in you cellphone.
– Avoid tours if they are not necessary.
– Time is more valuable than money.
– Learn Spanish for South America. People really can’t speak English.
– Busses will always take longer than they should.
I will update this list in the future as unexpected things happen. Stay tuned.