Travel Tips
Great trips abroad are mostly due to good planning and great preparation. If you have any aspirations to ever travel abroad even if it's just a day trip to Mexico then apply for your passport today. It can take up to six months to receive it depending on the season, summer travelers can cause things to slow down, and on the political climate. Presently, a passport will be required for Americans returning from Mexico so just go ahead and apply today.
Next, go to Center for Disease Control and find out what inoculations you will need for your trip. Always, ere on the side of being conservative and get more than you need. Be sure and get your routine vaccinations' boosters updated for diphtheria, polio and tetanus. If you have never had pneumonia inoculation does so as well. Before leaving the country for any where including a weekend to Mexico get these travel vaccinations hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and yellow fever if you are going to Africa. Some other vaccinations to consider depending on how far off the beaten path you plan to take your adventure rabies and Japanese Encephalitis. Prophylaxis to consider for malaria change on a yearly basis so be sure and get the current one for the country and area that you will be traveling in. A gamma-globulin shot to boost your immune system 48 hours before departing is a good foundation along with a daily multivitamin and vitamin C for staying healthy on any trip however short. If you are going to rough it and stay in two star or lower accommodations get a Typhoid inoculation. Leave copies of your itinerary and passport data page with your emergency contact. Also, leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family and friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency. The more copies you left behind the more likely that you will be found when needed.
Next and foremost, register with the State Department so they can better assist you in an emergency. Email your travel plans to the State Department through a freeonlineservice. This will help them contact you when needed. Others will not be able to contact you very easily. The State Department has local staff that can get you the message. If you can afford it a multiband cell phone is a good investment to have for emergency contact but only use in case of a true emergency as the cost per minute can be as high as $15 depending on the country.
Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance. If it is more than you want to pay then wait and buy local health insurance upon arriving. Have a credit card that can be used to pay for the at least the deductible and if need be the entire medical bill for up to $25,000. Some insurance companies will only reimburse your overseas medical expenses. Educate yourself about local conditions, laws and traditions. While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and ignorance of the law is not an excuse in anybody's country. The State Department web site has useful safety and other information about other countries.
Be careful to avoid being a target of criminals. Do not wear conspicuous clothing, hats or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. What you do carry spread around your body in front pockets, top of your socks etc... Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and never ever accept packages from anyone Act like you know where you are going and what you are doing even if you are lost and clueless. People that swivel neck and gawk are tourists/sheep that the wolves will devour so don't be sheep, be a sheepdog. Good posture with your chin up sends a sign of confidence that makes you less likely of a target.
The State Department is your lifeline in an emergency. Prepare the best you can before you go but have their phone number written down and safely put away in your luggage and on your person. Living overseas is an adventure but don't let it turn into a nightmare. By being prepared before you go and acting wisely while in country, your time abroad will leave you with a life time of memories others will experience on television.
