It’s been four years since I sold everything and left the United States to travel the world. These are the best travel tips I’ve discovered along the way. It all started when I took a one-way flight from Miami to Guatemala City, leaping nervously into the unknown and leaving much of my old life behind while embarking on an epic travel adventure worldwide.
It’s been a wild ride, and I’ve learned a lot since I first left. To celebrate my four years “travelversary,” I’ve decided to share a collection of my best and most useful travel tips to help inspire you to make travel a priority in your life.
1. Patience Is Important
Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control. Life is much too short to be angry and annoyed all the time. Did you miss your bus? No worries; there will be another one. Are ATMs out of money? Great! Take an unplanned road trip to the next town and explore. Sometimes, freakouts happen regardless.
Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that it could be worse.
2. Wake Up Early
Rise at sunrise to see the best attractions while avoiding crowds. It’s also a magical time for photos due to soft, diffused light, and it’s usually easier to interact with locals. Sketchy areas are less dangerous in the morning, too. Honest, hardworking people wake up early; touts, scammers, and criminals sleep in.
READ MORE: 15 Common Travel Scams
Favorite Travel Tips
Travel Tip: Laugh at Yourself
3. Laugh At Yourself
You will often look like a fool when traveling to new places. Rather than get embarrassed, laugh at yourself. Don’t be afraid to screw up, and don’t take life so seriously.
Once, a whole bus full of Guatemalans laughed with glee when I forced our driver to stop so I could urgently pee on the side of the road. Returning to the bus and laughing with them gave me new friends for the rest of the journey.
4. Stash Extra Cash
is king around the world. Stash some in a few places to cover your ass in an emergency. I recommend at least a couple of hundred dollars worth. If you lose your wallet, your card stops working, or the ATMs run out of money, you’ll be glad you did.
Some of my favorite stash spots include socks, under shoe inserts, a toiletry bag, around the frame of a backpack, and even sewn behind a patch on your bag.
READ MORE: How To Protect Your Money Traveling
My Best Travel Tips
Travel Tip: Meet Local People
5. Meet Local People
Make it a point to avoid other travelers from time to time and start conversations with local people. Basic English is spoken widely worldwide, so it’s easier to communicate with them than you might think, especially when you combine hand gestures and body language.
Learn from those who live in the country you’re visiting. People enrich your travels more than sights do.
6. Pack A Scarf
I happen to use a shemagh, but sarongs also work great. This simple cotton cloth is one of my most useful travel accessories and has many practical applications. It’s great for sun protection, as well as a makeshift towel, carrying stuff around, an eye mask, and much more.
I can’t tell you how many times a scarf has come in handy worldwide.
My Best Travel Tips
Travel Tip: Observe Daily Life
7. Observe Daily Life
If you want to get a feel for the pulse of a place, I recommend spending a few hours sitting in a park or on a busy street corner by yourself, just watching day-to-day life happen in front of you.
Slow down your thoughts and pay close attention to the surrounding details—the smells, colors, human interactions, and sounds. It’s a kind of meditation, and you’ll see stuff you never noticed.
8. Back Everything Up
When my laptop computer was stolen in Panama, having my important documents and photos backed up saved my ass; keep digital and physical copies of my passport, visa, driver’s license, birth certificate, health insurance card, serial numbers, and important phone numbers ready for an emergency.
Backup your files & photos on an external hard drive and online with software like Backblaze.
My Best Travel Tips
Travel Tip: Take Lots of Photos
9. Take Lots Of Photos
You may only see these places & meet these people once in your lifetime. Remember them forever with plenty of photos. Don’t worry about looking like a “tourist.” Are you traveling to look cool? No one cares. Great photos are the ultimate souvenir.
They cost nothing, are easy to share with others, and don’t take up space in your luggage. Just remember, once you have your shot at getting out from behind the lens, enjoy the view.
10. There’s Always A Way
Nothing is impossible. Don’t give up if you have trouble going somewhere or doing something. You haven’t found the best solution or met the right person yet. Please don’t listen to those who say it can’t be done.
Perseverance pays off. I can’t tell you how often I’ve been told what I want isn’t possible, only to prove it wrong later when I don’t listen to the advice and try anyway.
My Best Travel Tips
Travel Tip: Smile & Say Hello
11. Smile & Say Hello
Having trouble interacting with locals? Do people seem unfriendly? Maybe it’s your body language. One of my best travel tips is to make eye contact and smile as you walk by. If they smile back, say hello in the local language, too. This is a fast way to make new friends.
You can’t expect everyone to walk around with a stupid grin. That’s your job. Usually, all it takes is for you to initiate contact, and they’ll open up.
