Before You Travel

MONEY – Credit cards are widely accepted in most destinations; however, it is always a good idea to have cash on hand. Not all vendors and suppliers are credit card friendly. For example, taxi cabs generally in the Caribbean do not accept credit, and using an ATM there is very pricey.

Always inform your credit card company that you will be travelling. This prevents your account from being flagged for unusual activity and helps avoid embarrassing mishaps. We also recommend choosing a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees because they can add up quickly. Check which card company offers the best options.

Separate your financial resources, and never carry them altogether. Distribute them between your travel partners and leave some behind in the hotel safe while you’re out and about. These simple practices ensure that one mishap doesn’t leave you without access to all your cash and credit cards.

COPIES – Always have photocopies of your passport and any other important documents you’re traveling with. We recommend sending copies to your email for an additional backup. You can also take printed copies of information about reservations, rentals, and pre-paid events. Having that extra backup in case you can’t access your email comes in handy.

Packing – There are those who travel light and those who wish they had. Pre-planning your clothing for each day can save you from carrying around extra weight. Pack pieces that are easily interchangeable, have multiple uses and are neutral in colour. For men, swim trunks can serve double duty as shorts, and women can vary their wardrobe with accessories like scarves or hats.

Carry-on bags should be packed strategically. A few things to consider for your carry on are your phone charger and battery pack, a book and music, a cardigan or small blanket, and a couple of snacks. Also pack enough to get by for one day if your checked bag gets delayed. That might look like a sundress, swimsuit, flip flops, personal care, and hygiene products and lastly important to carry any medication that you can’t go a day without.

Most hotels will supply some toiletries, a blow dryer, and an iron. There may be a laundry service, or you may have to deal with your own dirty clothes. Transition all dirty clothing into one suitcase while traveling. When you return home, that luggage goes directly into the laundry room. For example, when traveling midway through the trip one of the carry-ons becomes a laundry basket.

Planning is what we all love to do, but there must be some responsibility on the traveler themselves to ensure the trip goes smoothly. We encourage having a “Before Travel Checklist”. Start this list long before the departure date so you have plenty of time to add to it as things come to mind.

We highly recommend planning for popular destinations, special events, and transportation. We understand that not all travelers want to plan for dinner reservations; however, some of the best places to eat are hard to get into and may not be open every day. You may need to purchase tickets ahead of time if you want to see a live show or attend a special event. Transportation can be unconventional in some locations, and you may need to consider several options to get from place to place. To plan will reduce frustration and disappointment and ensure that you can enjoy those “must-do” items on your trip.

The only thing you can’t plan for is the unexpected. Travel insurance is your best option for saving money if something comes up, but not all unexpected circumstances are negative. Some of the best travel moments happen spontaneously. It’s also important to understand that wise planning doesn’t have to be excessive. Leave space in your plan to follow recommendations from locals you meet.

Mobile Phone – This can be a stressful issue for many travelers. Can I use my phone while out of the country? How much will it cost me? Talk to your service provider before you leave. If you feel like you need to use your mobile phone while traveling, they will recommend a package that works for you. If you just want to check in from time to time, you can usually connect to Wi-Fi at your hotel.

We recommend taking a battery pack with you. A dead battery means lots of missed photos. We also suggest taking an extra mobile phone with you just in case, an old mobile phone, for example. We all know just how traumatic not having a mobile phone would be.

Language – The last thing we worry about when traveling is the language barrier. English is spoken all over the world. Locals love it when you try to communicate in their language, regardless of how bad you pronounce a word. Learn some common phrases for the region you’re traveling to.

Translation apps offer additional help. Google Translate is one of our favourites for text translation. If you hold it over a menu, it will translate into your selected language. No internet needed. Be sure to download any apps before traveling just in case the internet is slow or unavailable.

Hang out with the locals – Some of the best favourite memories of travel have come from hanging out with the locals. Watching the sunset from a cliff overlooking the ocean would never have happened without an inside tip from a local. It’s not an absolute necessity, but asking about local events, hot spot locations, and where they like to eat will work in your favour. Prop up to a bar, chat with your waitress, befriend the concierge…get to know the area in the best possible way.

Transportation – can be very important during your trip or not needed at all. Some travelers just want to get to their resort and relax while others will need some form of transportation every day. We can relate to both. Understanding your destination and the means of transportation is extremely important to the success of your trip.

Will you rent a car to explore on your own? Do you need an international driver’s license? Will you purchase a rail pass to get from place to place? Is Uber available? (No, this is not offered everywhere) Knowing your options and pre-planning is a must!

Here is a list of our favourite sites that come in handy as you plan for travel, during travel, and after travel.

• Travel Advice
• Passport & Visas
• Health & Vaccinations