The process of preparing a trip goes through several stages: deciding on an attractive destination, finding the perfect flights, charting a logical itinerary and everything that can be done (we will see if it is fulfilled later), look for transport and accommodation ... but we cannot forget about the preparations before the trip, as are the whole issue of health, luggage and money. We talk about this in the following articles:
- Preparations: health
- Preparations: the backpack
- Preparations: the money
However, when we believe that we have everything under control, as the trip approaches we have a lot of doubts that we have to solve at the moment, if we do not want to spend the entire night awake or dreaming that the second day of trip we will run out of battery in the mobile because our plugs do not work ... NOOOOOO, no mobile noooooo!
Here we bring you some of these doubts before a trip, which are often repeated on all trips and that we will expand with your own questions:
DOUBTS BEFORE THE TRIP
Am I crazy about leaving everything and going to know the world?
For cases in which one considers a sabbatical year, leave work to live an adventure and fulfill a dream ... those who will hear day and day also that they are crazy, that they come down from the clouds and that they begin to live real life We tell you ... IF YOU ARE CRAZY, crazy about travel, but nothing happens, we are many travel addicts, here we give you a list with the symptoms.
Do I need a visa to enter the country of destination?
In this case you will encounter 4 situations:
- No visa is necessary (for example in the Schengen Area for Spaniards).
- Visa exemption: you will not need a visa to enter, only the entry and exit in your passport are sealed and, obviously, it is free.
- Visa on arrival: you need a visa but you can process it when you arrive in the country. It can be free or paid. Similar to the previous case. Sometimes you will need some photography.
- Visa application in advance: you will need to apply for a visa before arriving at your destination. There are two cases: e-visa (you can apply online) or through the embassy or an agency (usually in person). They are usually paid and ask for certain requirements, such as booking flights, photos, etc.
- To know what type of visa you need, visit this page and find your destination country.
Maybe you need travel insurance, what do you think?
We are increasingly in favor of taking out travel insurance before going on an adventure (if we get old). It is interesting to have reliable support in possible health problems, accidents, lost luggage or any problem that may arise during the trip, and what should be a dream can become a nightmare. So we recommend 100% to hire a travel insurance that you can trust, ask other travelers, read experiences and decide for the best roll to convey to you. We are using IATI lately, if you also decide you can get 5% if you hire from this link.
Is my destiny safe?
It is best that you inform yourself before traveling about your destination, you can find the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for trips to each country in the following link. And some guidelines of what to do before the trip.
Is it better to book hotels before the trip or look for them on the go?
It depends on the destination, for example in Asia it is more important to look for them once they arrive at the destination because you can haggle the price and you can also see the characteristics of the accommodation. However, it is a work that takes a lot of time and energy, so for a short trip (more similar to a vacation), we almost recommend booking the accommodations before, yes, taking into account the comments and reviews.
Is any vaccine mandatory? And what are the recommended ones?
The vaccine against yellow fever It is an entry requirement in some countries if:
- The country where you enter is at risk of transmission, usually some from South America and Africa.
- If you come from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission or if you have made transits at airports in countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
- To see the list of countries with risk of transmission of yellow fever and countries that require vaccination click here.
In tropical and subtropical countries or in those with low hygienic conditions, it may be good to get vaccinated for some common diseases. We will also have to act in a certain way so as not to expose ourselves to emerging diseases of which there are no vaccines at the moment, such as malaria or dengue.
It is best to fill in the questionnaire of the Ministry of Health page with the data of our trip to know what precautions and vaccines are mandatory and / or advisable. You find it here.
If you have decided to get vaccinated, first see your GP to see what vaccines he can give you and if you have the possibility, go to an international vaccination center, although here the consultation and / or vaccines are paid. Here is everyone's list and here you can make an appointment.
And don't forget to take a look at all the recommendations (1 and 2) of the Ministry of Health for the traveler!
How to avoid spreading diseases?
Normally the diseases are spread either by food or by mosquito bites. Before the first little we can do, except make sure that we buy tightly closed bottles (never drink from the tap in certain destinations), or not consume already peeled fruit or raw salads. As for the prevention of bites, a good mosquito repellent is essential, use mosquito nets (better impregnated with insecticides), dress with long sleeves and long pants as much as possible and avoid places with mosquitoes (especially rivers and lagoons) in the most dangerous hours: at sunrise and sunset.
Is it better to change money before traveling or once you arrive at your destination?
We always recommend that you speak first with your bank to inform you of the fees that are applied to you to withdraw money abroad. There are banks that do not charge anything and others that creak you alive (eye that there are two different things, the commission to withdraw and the exchange rate that you apply, if it is the market or they put a%).
If you are among the many who do not have good conditions with the card, perhaps it is best to consider changing your currency for the local currency, but where is it more convenient to do so? It is best to do it when arriving at the destination and avoid changing a large amount in the exchange houses of the airports, there you can change the fair (and a little more) to spend the first or second day and look for exchange houses in the city, Compare rates and commissions and change at the most convenient.
Do we carry mosquito net?
It is very interesting that there are mosquito nets in the accommodation. If you make reservations online, contact the accommodation to ask to be put in your room. What we do not see interesting is to carry a mosquito net in the backpack ... although this is very personal.
Do we carry a sleeping bag?
Normally it is not necessary, but if the accommodations are basic or you plan to travel on trains or night buses it may not hurt to carry a savannah-bag or a bag of those ultra light, but come on, we think it is an unnecessary weight in the backpack.
Would it be very useful to carry a knife / fork kit?
We do not see it necessary, more weight and you will never use it or almost never. Also, you cannot pass it in your hand luggage.
What about trekking boots?
Nah, they are usually very heavy and the use at the end is scarce, unless your trip is only and exclusively through the mountains, if not, you will be worth wearing a closed and comfortable shoe (any running shoe is worth).
IPad / small pc?
It is interesting especially for dead times, surf, stay in touch. If you have a laptop of these 10-11 inches that weigh like 1.5kg would be perfect, or a tablet. Take also Smartphone if it is free better, because sometimes it is interesting to buy a local SIM to make calls and have internet. And very important, to arrive an e-reader, we do not separate from our Kindle!
DOUBTS DURING THE TRIP
Should we wash our clothes every day? Do we carry a bar of soap?
Yes! You will not wash every day but every two or three. You also have the possibility of doing laundry in the hotels ... but many times they don't even remove the dirt, they just leave a good smell (sometimes not even that), so it is best to go to the professional laundry facilities or ask at the hotel if they are going to wash with a washing machine or by hand (if it is a bad matter at hand ...).
Do we check the backpack on flights?
Do not! In our 9 months in Asia and subsequent trips we never checked in… so then we went out with the same clothes in all the photos… haha! If you can avoid it you save a little money and a time, to be waiting for the backpack that comes out (if it comes out) on the tape.
Plugs, do we carry international adapter?
In Asia in general, these adapters are priceless. But if you have any universal that you save! But you don't need to buy it before. Even in some accommodations if you ask at the reception they give them to you, but it will be one of the first purchases you have to make at destination.
You can see what type of plugs are used in the country where you travel on this link.
Is it safe to leave valuables in the rooms of the hostels?
In general it is safe, but there is a very simple way to avoid problems: buy a padlock of these little ones (no heavy tool) to tie the two zippers of the backpack every time you leave them in the accommodation, and obviously with the things of value inside. The cases that we have known that they have stolen in hotels have been the most money, and they do it in a way that you do not realize (they take one or two bills away), what they least want is to build a chicken, that's why technology is usually respect. So you know, money is always on top (and it is not a bad idea to leave something urgently in a safe place) and technology and valuables inside a locked backpack.
Do we always carry the documentation / passport?
It is best to carry it when you are traveling (also, if you can always have the backpacks controlled better than better). When you are in the cities and others you can (and must) leave it in the accommodation, lest you lose it. There they don't have to touch it. It is also interesting to make a copy of the documents and save them in a different place than the originals and scan them and send them by e-mail.
Is it safe to send a package with things we buy?
If you are going to buy a lot of things, which do not fit in your bags and backpacks, it is interesting to send a package. We have sent several packages from Thailand. It depends on what you want to send, it will be better to send it with a private company (type DHL) or by regular mail (any Post Office). If at the customs of Spain at the entrance of the package they believe that it is suspected of carrying content with a lot of value, things you are going to sell, copies, etc., they can open it and then ask you to pay the fees. This is avoided if you send it with a private courier company: it will be faster but much more expensive. If you decide to do it with the public put in the package that are personal items and gifts, and do not put much value. A package of 15 kilos can cost you about € 50.
This is an open post ... we will be adding more questions and answers over time. If you have any questions leave us a comment and we will try to help you 🙂
