Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador
Peru
Tips & Tricks
Here is where I am going to share some of the stuff I've learned over the years and shit that I wish someone would have told me
-
Always research visas and length of time you are allowed to stay in each country
This is an important step and it can vary wildly, not only between which countries you are going to, but which country your passport is from. For US citizens many of the countries in South and Central America many are visa on arrival. Meaning you can just show up and if you answer the immigration agents questions satisfactorily they just let you in. Some however have shorter stays or visas that need to be done before you come and require submitting things like bank statements, where you will be staying and criminal record checks.
Another thing to be aware of is onward travel. Some places want to see an airline ticket of you departing the country. This can vary by what airline you take too. Even if the country doesn't always require it the airline might make you because if you get there and the immigration agent decides not to let you in because of it, that airline is responsible for taking you back. This can be tricky because often times I plan to leave by bus. There are services out there that offer a booked ticket or reservation for like $15 and usually that will get you in. But I say skip those, it's an awkward conversation if you get caught and really waste of $15, just be ready to buy a fully refundable ticket on your phone and cancel it as soon as you get through the gate
-
Never use Viator or any of those huge online corporate websites to set up tours.
These websites always have a HUGE markup. Usually double or even triple what it would be to book the tour with a local shop. And unless the trip specifically says it, you aren't getting any special or treatment. The local tour offices usually just act as a middle man and they tell you about the trip, take your money, and find you a guide/driver. Many times you'll be on the tour with people that booked with a different agency. If it is a major site like Machu Picchu, it will have it's own website and you should use that. If you are going to the town, especially on a weekend, 95% of the time you can walk in on a Friday and have the tour booked the next day. Or use Google maps and looks for "tours" or "excursions" and find a one close to where you are staying and reach out them directly
-
And speaking of Google Maps.... Download maps and translations for offline use before you leave
This is a really cool feature that a lot of people don't know about. Your phones GPS works even if you don't cell service so when you download the maps you can still navigate around if it turns out cell service sucks in the area. Same for Google translate. You can download a language pack and be able to translate offline
-
Don't freak out about the drinking water situation
Now I'm not saying "drink the water" necessarily... but I see people making sure not to get ice because they are afraid they will get some superbug. I'm just saying the locals aren't "immune" to the bad water. They don't drink it either. If a place is serving ice, and it is an even slightly reputable vendor, it's going to be filtered, safe water. They aren't trying to get their local customer base sick
-
Check to see if your bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance or has any partners in other countries...or just use Schwab
Those ATM fees stack up. Especially overseas. Not only do you get hit with a fee by your bank as well as the bank whose ATM you are using, you get hit with a currency conversion fee that is usually 3% of your withdrawal. I use Bank of America and they have the Global ATM Alliance but there are other partners that are essentially the same thing with a different name. It allows you to use those banks ATMS without the fees, although the 3% currency conversions still usually applies.
I also try to take out the max I can I just hide most of it in my room and keep $20-$50 in walking around money. Sometimes you get really large bills when you do that so you gotta be strategic. Go to a major chain grocery store and buy a jug of water with the big bills. Kill two birds with one stone. You get your water and you got smaller bills that small street vendors can easily break.
If you are in a country where that doesn't have a partner bank with yours and you find ATMs have a pretty low withdrawal max. Western Union can be a cheaper option. Wire yourself some money and one Western Union trip can be cheaper than multiple ATM trips.
A couple other options is get a checking account with Charles Schwab. They refund all fees associated with an ATM withdrawal...or so I've heard. And if it is just a one stop vacation, check with your local bank before you go. Sometimes you can order currency for the country you are going to
-
I'm going to piss of some digital nomads, with this but if you are working remotely, don't do it in a coffee shop.
You look like a pretentious tool. Once a week I see some dipshit on the chat boards trying to advertise or attempt to build some app that lets you find that perfect coffee shop. Working at a coffee shop or at the beach looks great on Instagram but in real life it sucks. If you gotta work, do at home in your PJs. You'll get more done, you'll be more comfortable and more efficient. I'm convinced everyone that has to go to a coffee shop wants to show off to entire world that doesn't give a single fuck.
-
Speaking of another habit of dipshit travelers, stay the fuck out of war zones.
Another thing I see is people asking for recommendations, they can't decide between Afghanistan or Iraq. "But the Afghani mountains are beautiful this time of year"! Afghanistan does have a tourism section and I've seen people go there, but just keep it simple, especially as new traveler. There is a whole wide world out. These people don't want to see the Afghani mountains, tons of countries have nice mountains. They want to tell people on social media they went. Another reason not to go is that if some bad shit happens, the locals got their own problems, you don't need to be a jackass clogging up the ER after a terrorist bombing because you were on vacation. The locals don't have a choice to be there, you do. Stay out.
-
In many Latin America countries clocks are really just suggestions
Don't get frustrated when Google maps says a shop is open and you arrive to find it closed. Not only is Google pretty unreliable about that down there, it is also just how it is. Many of those local shops have just the owner as the sole worker. And that person shows up whenever the hell they want to. It is also a bizarre form of advertising that I still don't understand. Many shops have signs saying 24/7 and they are not open anywhere near that. Besides maybe a few corporate exceptions, I don't I have a seen a single business saying open 24/7 open in the middle of the night. Actually most businesses are open fewer hours than they are in the states.
-
I'm an accountant by trade so I love spreadsheets.
I think it is a great tool for organizing trips. Get creative with the formulas. I use one page to track a lot of my travels. I punch in the dates and it tells me how many days and then uses that number to divide by the cost of accommodations, so not only do I have a log of the places I've been, I can see roughly how much per night I'm spending