Millions of Americans and Canadians drive down the roads of Mexico every year. Are they Safe?

 theyucatantimes.com

Bill and Dot Bell have traveled extensively throughout Mexico for over two decades.  Their website www.ontheroadin.com is the most comprehensive Road guide on travel in México on the internet. This what they have to say regarding safe traveling down the Mexican Highways.

The hot sun, the rolling waves crashing against palmed lined beaches and the friendly people of Mexico can lull you into a sense of tranquility and that elusive dream world of “paradise found.”  But is Mexico truly safe for the average American and Canadian traveler? Specifically is it safe for those visitors who travel outside of the tourist resorts by car, bus, and RV; the traveler who wants to experience the “real Mexico.”

What about the stories of kidnappings, roadside hijackings, crooked cops and the ever infamous bandidos?   After 20 years of exploring all 31 states in Mexico via bus, car, train and RV, we would be lying if we said that there wasn’t anything to be concerned about.  After all, in Mexico the average yearly wage of the Mexican would not even make the first down payment not to mention the worth of the cameras, computers, stereos and other equipment that is contained in the average mobile house.  When you drive across the border, no matter how modest your motor home is, it is ostentatious in the Mexican environment and it stands out, sending a signal to all who see it, that you are wealthy.

Much like Canada and the United States, 99 per cent of the Mexican population will look and perhaps be envious of the apparent wealth, but would never dream of robbing you or causing any harm. In our experience, the average Mexican is much more a Good Samaritan and will go out of their way to assist you than is the case north of the border. It is that one per cent or less of the population, which is a concern and requires you to use your common sense and take the necessary precautions. Staying alert is essential to keeping your journey happy and safe.

Merida Downtown

Crime happens in all three countries, but there are cultural and economic differences. Many victims are those who are on holiday and are lulled into a false sense of security.  They forget to put away valuables outside of their rigs at night; something most of us would never dream of doing back home. RVers and campers boon dock by themselves on a deserted beach or they don’t plan their trips wisely and fail to reach their destination well before night fall.  Some tourists not knowing the value of the foreign currency will foolishly open their wallets, fat with pesos, to a clerk and ask how much do they owe them?  Others end a night of drinking Tequila at a disco and decide they want to walk back to their hotel even though they are not familiar with the neighborhood.

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As a former chair and member of the RCMP Liaison committee back in our home town of North Vancouver, we shudder every time we see a tourist leave a camera or a purse on the restaurant table unattended as they head for the washroom. What are they thinking? Vigilance when one travels anywhere in the world is necessary, even when camping in State and Provincial Parks close to home.

Lets be clear about one thing, there are varying degrees of precaution one should take while traveling Mexico.  The U S State Department’s warnings about travel to Mexican border towns such Juarez, Tijuana and Matamoras should be taken seriously and we certainly recommend that you drive through these border towns early in morning and get through as quickly as possible.   Extra precautions have to be taken in larger metropolitan areas such Mexico City where urban crime is as great if not greater than traveling to New York in the early 1990’s.  Pickpockets here are as numerous as those who ply the Paris Metro and the taxis you take in any large city should only be those recommended by the hotel where you stay.

Mexico on the Road In Website

This is not the case in tourist destinations and small and mid sized communities throughout Mexico where crime rates are similar to those in the same size communities back home. One notable and perplexing difference between cultures is the acceptance in Mexico that police can be bribed, called Mordida, or “the little bite.”  After almost two decades of road travel in Mexico and talking and writing to drivers we find that this practice is getting less and less common. Both State and Federal governments of Mexico are making earnest attempts to stop it but the practice still exists.

If you are pulled over by the police for a real or sometimes imaginary traffic violation; speeding, making an illegal turn or driving through a red, you will likely be faced with two options. You will be faced with your drivers license taken away by the police, having your vehicle impounded and waiting at least 24 hours before being able to pay the fine at the “Ministerio Público or Transito.”  The other option, although abhorrent in our gringo eyes, is to have the policeman do the favor of paying the fine for you. Likely the price of this invisible ticket will be less than the official police station price. While “the little bite” is repugnant to us, it has a long tradition in Mexico. We personally do not agree with this practice but it does occur and many “Norte Americanos” happily pay the officer because it is cheap and expedient and therefore perpetuate the practice.

In the small communities and in the colonial heart land of Mexico, we have rarely felt the need to add up restaurant bills or double check a charge at a grocery store.  Many times waiters and or cashiers have chased after us insisting that they had given the wrong change…too little.   This has not been our experience in major tourist areas where over charging almost seems the norm rather than exception.  When asking a Mexican amigo that spent his earlier days as a waiter in Cancun why this was occurring, his response was simple. “If you can afford to not check your bill, then you can obviously afford to pay the waiter a little extra.”  But that’s stealing we insisted. “No. Stealing would be not correcting the bill when it is pointed out be incorrect,” said our friend. This is an unacceptable rationale for theft most would say, but a little sympathy must go out to the waiter who is serving a table of patrons that individually spends more in one sitting than he or she earns in a month. Check your bills and if you don’t understand a charge ask.

Beach House in Yucatan (Photo: yucatan.quebarato)

Kidnappings in some parts of Mexico do occur and perhaps to us is the most disturbing aspect of the safety question. To date the vast majority of kidnapping has occurred in major centers such as Mexico City and the bulk of those cases have been inflicted on rich Mexicans. As parents of three children, two of whom live us, and who works and lives in Mexico City, this by far creates the most fear. “What if they should change targets?  What if they go after the “gringo community?” Mexico has made every effort to catch these criminals and dispatched special squads to interview victims and those threatened with kidnapping. It is difficult however to apprehend the perpetrators when they use pay or cell phones.

There lies the rub of traveling in today’s world. 9/1l, the London Tube bombings and the disappearance of the American high school girl in Aruba, all prove one thing. There is some inherent danger when traveling abroad and some that you cannot avoid. An event of such enormity is unlikely and should not deter you from travel and adventure. The key to the majority of petty crimes or crimes without violence is to be prepared, never let your guard down and apply basic common sense to your actions.

Lessen the possibility of crime by always taking note of your surroundings and acting appropriately. Don’t flaunt your wealth by wearing a gold bracelet while jogging on a beach or openly carry an expensive digital camera while sauntering through an impoverished village or neighborhood. When visiting or staying in a foreign country, register with your consulate. They will inform you by email if there is a major problem such as a hurricane or other threat that would possibly impede your stay. Read the State Departments warnings on travel to that country and take steps to minimize any potential peril. Report any crime to your consulate so that other travelers can be forewarned.

If you drive, start early and plan your trip daily to give yourself ample time to reach your destination before sunset allowing for extra time in case you have a mishap such as breakdown or flat tire. You shouldn’t drive at night.  We say this not so much because of crime on the road, but because the cattle, horses, pigs and goats free range in the countryside and can wander aimlessly on the roadside, even on the toll highways.

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Mexico is a fabulous country, filled with superb contrasts, palmed lined beaches, colonial cities, ancient Mayan and Aztec pre-Hispanic treasures. Experiencing it can be a highlight in your life. Traveling carefully can save your life.

Here’s list of some things you should do to avoid being a victim of crime while traveling in Mexico

• After a evening at a restaurant, bar or disco always take a cab back to your room or RV park
• Never walk on a beach late at night
• If you are at a disco or party, never be enticed to leave the establishment for fresh air or a romantic walk with someone you have just met
• If there are drugs present, leave immediately – even if it is in a reputable establishment
• Check with your consulate or go on line to read State Department warnings on criminal activities in the area that you are visiting
• Never give out personal information to strangers (room #, address, phone numbers, etc)
• Do your homework and know the value of the currency you are using
• Only carry the money that is needed for the day (use the hotel safety deposit box to keep your bank and credit cards)
• Never wear valuable jewelry or carry expensive cameras openly
• Travel in pairs or groups whenever possible
• If you are camping or RVing, never boondock on deserted beaches or back country unless you are familiar with the locals in the area or there our other RV’s  parked there as well
• When confronted by a thief with a weapon, never put up a struggle. Your life is far more valuable than anything they could take.
• Never leave anything of value outside of your RV or tent, overnight or when visiting a neighbor, restaurant or even a facility onsite.
• If you find yourself in any situation where you feel uncomfortable for whatever reasons, trust your judgment and leave.

We think this list could be applied to anywhere we have traveled in the world. Mexico is no different. Your responsibility as a traveler is to travel wisely. Ensure you pack your common sense along with your bathing suit and sunscreen.

Source: http://ontheroadin.com/

How to Get an Upgrade On a Plane

cntraveler.com

COURTESY BRITISH AIRWAYS

Getting a better seat on an airline may get even more difficult, if you’re not a road warrior: Recent upgrades to some frequent-flier programs skew the odds even more in favor of big-spenders. To wit: United and Delta are both switching from a formula that, for many years, awarded miles based on distance flown, to one based on how much money you spend on your travels. Fare class, and status in your loyalty program, can up the ante even more. (At this writing, American hasn’t said if it will make any changes it’ll make to its program.)

So what’s the bottom line? “General”—i.e. low-status—travelers rack up five “miles” per dollar on air fare; the highest status travelers get 11 miles per dollar. That’s a sizable gap, but it’s not the end of racking up miles for the infrequent traveler. “It’s not all doomsday,” says Brian Kelly, who blogs as the Points Guy. “It’s easy to assume that it’s another case of the ‘rich get richer,’ but actually, a lot of the business fliers are getting shafted too”—all except for the top 10 percent, he says.

That’s because airlines increasingly are making it possible for fliers to buy their way into the upper classes for not that high of a cost. If there are empty seats close to departure, they may be willing to sell them off at a discount. “The 90 percent of fliers who don’t have elite status and aren’t playing the game should wait for those deals,” says Kelly. Plus, for consumers who aren’t very frequent fliers, credit card earning remains a great way to get ahead.

Gary Leff, a mileage program expert and Condé Nast Traveler specialist, says that while it is still an uphill battle for those trying to vault their way into the upper classes, you can avail yourself of these tactics to try and escape coach.

First, don’t think only in terms of upgrading from coach to business class. In recent years, dozens of airlines have added premium economy cabins to their long-haul fleets, giving fliers a good shot at getting into business. On some airlines (including British Airways, whose Club Cabin is pictured above) there are several separate classes of service, increasing your chances of trading up. Leff’s advice: Buy a premium economy ticket and then upgrade to the next level.

But what about those real distance marathons—say, Los Angeles to Sydney, or New York to Tokyo—where that fully flat bed can really make a difference? Leff advises seeking out routes that may be less in demand, and hence may have more premium seats available. Instead of flying out of New York, look for international flights out of Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. You can also try seeking out airlines that aren’t members of a major alliance like Star or Oneworld; those groups promote their shared loyalty benefits to their members, so there’s more demand.

Another trend that’s picking up steam is giving customers a chance to bid on upgrades. Some airlines are selling empty business class seats to the highest bidder, but that’s usually closer to departure. Some carriers like Austrian are even auctioning these seats off at the departure gate for a combination of miles and money. But that means you have to resign yourself to a coach seat if you lose your bid.

Finally, the best tactic is one of the oldest. “Fly when the business travelers aren’t,” says Leff. Try off-peak days and times, like leaving for London at noon on a Wednesday—business travelers likely will leave on a Monday or Tuesday since they won’t want to spend the weekend away from home. Upgrading during the holidays may be easier than at other times of the year, but you’ll still have to buy a coach ticket (typically more expensive at those times of year). But ultimately the time you invest in gaming the system can pay off.

Make Mexico Your Honeymoon Destination

 faraweek.com

 Jul 23, 2014 

People honeymoon all over the world, but Mexico is still a top destination for happy newly-wed couples. The country’s many different landscapes and lifestyles will provide you with vastly different experiences, depending on your tastes, budget, and the time of year. Even if you’ve already been to Mexico, there are most probably countless opportunities for discovery that you haven’t even considered yet. Seasoned travelers will tell you so: Mexico cannot be summarized and fully appreciated in one single visit. In fact,you can visit Mexico numerous times and be amazed by what you experience on every occasion. Here are only a few recommendations – feel free to do your own research, you’re bound to find a destination that will please both you and your significant other!

Traditional Locations

Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun are popular Mexican locations that are best known for their all inclusive hotels and resorts. The areas around these cities are so well developed that you could spend over a week there and never get bored. The resorts have full service in every sense – expect the very best in dining, nightlife and outdoor activities. Many tourist attractions have sprung up around these locales. The tourism sector also thrives on the Yucatan peninsula’s federally-protected archeological and ecologic parks.(Image by Rigoberto Reyes)

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a vacation destination that many people do not think of when they are planning their honeymoon. While Mazatlan is a busy tourist city, it’ssituated on the Pacific coast, which distinguishes it from the Mexico’s main tourist destinations on the Yucatan peninsula.Mazatlan is a sleepier town, with different venues for entertainment and more exotic destinations to visit when you leave the confines of the city.

Zipolite

If you would rather trade the comfort of an all-inclusive resort for something slightly off the beaten tracks, Zipolite might be just the place you’re looking for: this beach community in the state of Oaxaca is home to a number of expatriates who have come to enjoy the hippie lifestyle it tolerates, as well as its pristine beaches and cheap accommodations.

Baja California

Visiting Baja California is a unique experience for the Mexican traveler. This long stretch of land is surrounded on both sides by water, and is home to many small villages that dot the landscape. Stop to try local cuisine in these villages, and enjoy the diverse geography of valleys, mountain ranges and beaches. If you are planning a road trip, you can even drive the length of Baja and return to the U.S. through San Diego.(Image by Carlos Esparza)

Planning your honeymoon to Mexico can be summed up to purchasing a package to Cancun or Cozumel –this is of course the simplest and safest way of going about things. However, if you are feeling more adventurous you should customize your vacation and seek out Mexico’s beautiful and lesser-known attractions. In doing so you will certainly come back with long-lasting memories of the country’s amazing diversity and the great hospitality of its people.

5 Beach Essentials for the Stylish Traveler

cntraveler.com

GORMAN STUDIO

No one wants to lug a hefty, overstuffed beach bag along for a day at the shore. And while those mini-speakers and that badminton set may be considered essentials for some, editor Lauren DeCarlo has whittled her must-pack list to these five beach day necessities.

1. All-in-One Sunblock
A sunblock that goes on easily (and stays on)—it also helps that this sunscreen by La Roche-Posay ($35.99) is made for face and body so there's no need to juggle two bottles every time you emerge from a dip.

2. Tinted Moisturizer
A beach-bag must: A tinted moisturizer that's great for later in the afternoon when you really want to play up that sun-kissed glow. This one, by Kora ($62), is certified organic and contains sunscreen.

3. Styling Cream
Most sunbathers forget to protect their hair. This sweetly scented styling cream from Sachajuan ($29) protects locks from damaging UV rays and also works as a miraculous post-boogie boarding detangler.

4. A Stylish Visor
And speaking of hair, let's not forget a visor to take the place of your wide-brimmed sun hat. The one pictured, by Celine, is super lightweight and packs flat (Barney’s, N.Y.C.; $240).

5. A Good Mani/Pedi
The goes-with-every-skintone orangey-red Chanel nail polish (Holiday Shade, $27) is perfect for last-minute pedicure touch-ups.

My 30 Best Travel Tips After 3 Years Traveling The World

By Matthew Karsten

expertvagabond.com

My Best Tips for World Travel

TRAVEL TIPS

It’s now been 3 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.

November marks 3 years since 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 around the world.

It’s been a wild ride, and I’ve learned a lot since then. To celebrate my 3 year “travelversary” this year, I’ve decided to share a collection of my best and most useful travel tips with you.

Feel free to share your own best travel tips at the end.

1. Patience is Important

Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control. Life is much too short to be angry & annoyed all the time. Did you miss your bus? No worries, there will be another one. ATMs out of money? Great! Take an unplanned road trip over 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 have the best attractions all to yourself while avoiding crowds. It’s also a magical time for photos due to soft diffused light, and 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.

Travel Tip: Laugh at Yourself

3. Laugh at Yourself

You will definitely look like a fool many times 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 bus to stop in order to pee on the side of the road. Returning to the bus and laughing with them gave me new friends for the rest of the ride.

4. Stash Extra Cash

Cash is king around the world. To cover your ass in an emergency, make sure to stash some in a few different places. I recommend at least a couple 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, even sewn behind a patch on your bag. That last one’s for you, Canadians.

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 all over the world, 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 work great too. This simple piece of cotton cloth is one of my most useful travel accessories with many different practical applications. It’s great for sun protection, a makeshift towel, carrying stuff around, an eye mask, and much more.

Travel Tip: Observe Daily Life

7. Observe Daily Life

If you really 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 details around you. The smells, the colors, human interactions, and sounds. It’s a kind of meditation — and you’ll see stuff you never noticed before.

8. Back Everything Up

When my laptop computer was stolen in Panama, having most of my important documents and photos backed up saved my ass. Keep both digital and physical copies of your passport, visas, driver’s license, birth certificate, health insurance card, serial numbers, and important phone numbers ready to go in case of an emergency. Backup your files & photos on an external hard drive as well as online with software like Backblaze.

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 don’t cost anything, they’re easy to share with others, and they don’t take up space in your luggage. Just remember once you have your shot to get out from behind the lens and enjoy the view.

10. There’s Always a Way

Nothing is impossible. If you are having trouble going somewhere or doing something, don’t give up. You just haven’t found the best solution or met the right person yet. Don’t listen to those who say it can’t be done. Perseverance pays off.

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 just walk around with a big stupid grin on their face. That’s your job. Usually all it takes is for you to initiate contact and they’ll open up.

12. Splurge a Bit

I’m a huge fan of budget travel, as it lets you travel longer and actually experience more of the fascinating world we live in rather than waste money on stuff you don’t need. You can travel many places for $30 a day with no problems. That said, living on a shoestring gets old after a while. It’s nice (and healthy) to go over your budget occasionally. Book a few days at a nice hotel, eat out at a fancy restaurant, or spend a wild night on the town every now and then.

Travel Tip: Keep an Open Mind

13. Keep an Open Mind

Don’t judge the lifestyles of others if different from your own. Listen to opinions you don’t agree with. It’s arrogant to assume your views are correct and other people are wrong. Practice empathy and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Embrace different possibilities, opportunities, people, suggestions and interests. Ask questions. You may be surprised at what you’ll learn from each other.

14. Try Couchsurfing

If you don’t know what it is, Couchsurfing.org is a large online community of travelers who share their spare rooms or couches with strangers for free. Hostels are fun, but you’re hanging out with tourists like yourself who don’t know the area. If you truly want to experience a country and it’s people, you should stay with a local. There are millions of couchsurfers around the world willing to host you and provide recommendations. I promise they won’t bite.

Travel Tip: Volunteer Occasionally

15. Volunteer Occasionally

Make it a point to volunteer some of your time for worthwhile projects when traveling. Not only is it a very rewarding experience, but you’ll often learn more about the country and it’s people while also making new friends. There’s a great site called Grassroots Volunteering where you can search for highly recommended volunteer opportunities around the world.

16. Pack Ear Plugs

Muffle the sounds of crying babies, drunk Australians, barking dogs, honking horns, dormitory sex, natural gas salesmen, and more. A traveler’s best friend. 

Travel Tip: Don’t Be Afraid

17. Don’t Be Afraid

The world is not nearly as dangerous as the media makes it out to be. Keep an eye out for sketchy situations but don’t let that be the focus of your whole trip. Use common sense and you’ll be ok. Most people are friendly, trustworthy, generous, and willing to help you out. This goes for women too. I realize I’m not a woman, but I’ve met plenty of experienced female travelers who agree.

18. Get Lost on Purpose

If you want to see the parts of town where real people live & work, you need to go visit them. The best way to do this is on foot — without knowing where you’re going. Write down the name of your hotel so you can catch a taxi back if needed, then just pick a direction and start walking. Don’t worry too much about stumbling into dangerous neighborhoods either, as locals will generally warn you before you get that far.

Travel Tip: Eat Local Food

19. Eat Local Food

Think you already know what Mexican food tastes like? You’re probably wrong. Taste a bit of everything when you travel, especially if you don’t know what it is. Ask local people for recommendations. Eat street food from vendors with big lines out front. I’ve been very sick only twice in my travels. Don’t be scared of the food.

20. Say Yes Often

Be impulsive and say yes when someone randomly invites you to meet their family, try a new activity, or explore a place you didn’t know existed. It’s these unexpected and unplanned situations that add spice to your travels and always turn into the best stories later. Accept the kindness of strangers when you travel — you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

Travel Tip: Slow Down

21. Slow Down

Please don’t try to cram 6 countries into 6 weeks of travel. You’ll miss a lot if you only spend a day in a city or town. All the good stuff happens when you really take the time to explore an area. That’s when you learn about activities that aren’t in your guidebook and meet people who are eager to show you around. I can honestly say that NONE of my best travel experiences happened within the first few days of arriving somewhere. Spend more time in fewer places for maximum enjoyment.

22. Keep Good Notes

My memory for details sucks. When I first started my travels 3 years ago, I didn’t keep a good journal, and now I’m regretting it. Information like the names of people I met, conversations I had, feelings about a new experience, or what a particular town smelled like. If you ever want to write about your travels, these details are handy.

Travel Tip: Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

23. Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

Challenge yourself to try things that normally give you anxiety. The more you do this, the more that anxiety will fade away. Not a hiker? Go on more hikes. Have trouble talking to strangers? Talk to everyone. Scared of weird food? Eat the weirdest thing you can find. The reason this works so well while traveling is because everything is already so different, what’s one more new/uncomfortable experience?

24. Don’t Plan Too Much

I cringe when readers ask how many days they should spend in a particular country or city. The truth is I have no idea what you’ll enjoy or who you’ll meet. I thought I’d rocket through Nicaragua in a week or two, but ended up living there for 4 months. My advice is to pick a starting point, 1 or 2 must-do activities, and an ending point (or not). Then just let the universe determine the rest.

Travel Tip: Pack Less Stuff

25. Pack Less Stuff

You don’t need 1/2 the gear you think you do to travel anywhere. We’ve all done it. It’s a right of passage for travelers to slowly become better at packing less. My first bag was 70 liters packed full, my current bag is 50 liters packed 2/3rds full. As a full-time vagabond, everything I own fits on my back. If you’re not sure about packing something, you don’t need it. It’s also possible to buy most things at your destination country if you discover you need them.

26. Listen to Podcasts

Podcasts are awesome. It’s like creating your own personal radio station and filling it with shows and music you always want to listen to. I never thought I’d actually look forward to a 10 hour bus ride. But with podcasts, it’s possible (well, as long as the seats are comfortable). Time will fly by as you listen to incredible storytelling, fun music, or interviews with experts. Here are some of my favorites: This American Life, The Moth, RISK!, Radiolab, Blogcast FM, and Electro-Swing.

Travel Tip: Treat Your Body Well

27. Treat Your Body Well

Travel can throw your body out of whack. When you’re moving from place to place it’s difficult to maintain a workout routine, and many of us slack off. Or we don’t sleep enough. Or we eat too many cupcakes. I’m guilty of not flossing my teeth. Remember to be nice to your body. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat healthy, use sunscreen, and exercise often (check out this bodyweight routine, no gym required!). And, yes, flossing too I guess.

28. Stay in Touch

Remember to call your family & friends from time to time. Maybe surprise them and go old-school by sending a postcard (it’s in the mail, Mom!). Travel isn’t lonely, far from it. You constantly meet other people. But many of those relationships are fleeting. So maintaining a strong connection with the people who know you best is important.

Travel Tip: Get Off the Beaten Path

29. Get Off the Beaten Path

I know it’s cliché, but you should still attempt it. Seek out interesting and unusual places that don’t see much tourism. Many memorable travel experiences have happened to me in areas that are not easy to visit. By all means travel to popular sites, but don’t rule out other locations just because they’re not on the tourist trail. Although please realize that just because an area is remote or dangerous doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a life-changing experience.

30. Travel More

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed over the past 3 years, it’s that many people back home love to tell me how lucky I am while making excuses why they can’t travel. It’s too expensive. They can’t get time off work. Who will feed their pets? When I suggest solutions to these “problems”, they still don’t take action. Why? Because they’re often hiding behind the true reason: they’re scared.

Most people who wait to travel the world never do. You don’t need to sell all your worldly possessions and become a homeless vagabond like me. Just get out there more than you do now. Start with a weekend in a different state. Then maybe try a week in the country next door.

The new car, remodeling project, and iPhone can wait. If you truly want to travel more, you can make it happen. Career breaks are possible. You have friends who would love to watch your pets. It’s a big, beautiful, exciting, and absolutely fascinating world out there. Explore some of it now, rather than later.