How to Prepare for Long-term Travel
I started off my bucket list trip in Latin America in Mexico. I fell in love with Playa Zicatela.
Last October, I began the greatest adventure of my life: a solo bucket list trip through Central and South America. I had no set plan or time frame except to check three major places off my bucket list: Patagonia, the salt flats in Bolivia and Cuba.
Since 2008, I have been on the road non-stop working mostly as a freelance photographer. I’ve visited 43 countries and lived in five. Long-term travel seemed overwhelming until I learned how to prepare properly.
Here are a few tips about how to get ready for your own long-term trip:
Do The Research
Cost of Travel
The biggest myth about traveling is that it’s expensive. Asia, aside from Japan and Singapore, is traditionally the cheapest part of the world. Australia isn’t cheap, but Europe is more affordable since the Euro has dropped. Flip through guidebooks on your destination to get an idea about the cost of the three biggest travel expenses: transport, accommodation and food. Gathering a little information will guide you through setting the appropriate trip budget and savings goal.
Health & Safety
Visit a travel doctor about vaccination requirements and stock up on medication for traveler’s diarrhea. Be sure to pack probiotics that don’t require refrigeration.
Read up on the history of your destination. Follow any recent or potential political/military conflicts closely. Avoid traveling during elections as most businesses close and riots are possible. Check the U.S. State Department’s website for travel warnings and sign up for their Safe Traveler Enrollment Program for email updates. Talk with other travelers and review guidebooks for specific travel concerns (solo women travelers, taxi hijackings, etc.).
A Bolivian visa for Americans can vary in price. I paid $60 cash at the border with Chile for a 30-day visa. A five-year visa can set you back $135. Always take cash.
Visas
Visa costs and requirements are listed on the U.S. Department of State’s website. Many visas are available on arrival while others are required in advance. Several places in South America, including Argentina and Bolivia, charge Americans a reciprocity fee to enter.
High/Low Seasons
Be aware that prices can triple during high seasons and holidays. Rates drop in low season, but monsoon rain, sporadic transport and business closures can cause trouble. Shoulder seasons are often best to avoid crowds and high prices.
Plan Ahead
Bucket list activities will likely be a large portion of your travel budget. For example, Inca Trail permits sell out six months or more in advance. The Peruvian government only allows a limited amount of non-transferable permits. Plan accordingly with both your money and time!
Working Abroad
There are endless options to work abroad, but some require a little preparation. Dave’s ESL café is a great resource for teaching English: Eslcafe.com. Check out Wwoof.net and Workaway.info for work exchange opportunities for free room and board. Working Holiday Visas are options in Australia and New Zealand for Americans under 30.
Tell Everyone
The moment you start to talk about your trip, it transforms from a daydream into reality. Once you’ve set the departure date and spread the news, it also boosts your courage levels. Plus, it’s a great way to get your friends involved and make plans to meet up for a portion of your trip!
Find the Time
I quit several jobs over the past eight years to both travel and work abroad. During my adventures, I met people with variety of careers – doctors, lawyers, teachers and bartenders – who did the same. Always be honest about why you are leaving. There’s a good chance your boss will be jealous of your trip!
If you plan to change jobs, take advantage of any large gaps of time to travel. Post-graduation trips are also common. Consider freelancing from overseas. I still continue the majority of my freelance work abroad.
Torres del Paine in Chile was one of the must-see places on my list. I planned ahead to make sure I was there during the best season for hiking, which is December to February.
Prepare
Travel Banking
The easiest way to save money while traveling is to avoid ATM fees and international transaction fees. I have a Charles Schwab Investor Checking Account, which does not charge ATM fees or international transaction fees. ATM fees charged by other banks are refunded monthly. Capital One does not charge international transaction fees on any of their credit cards. Many rewards cards are starting to do the same.
Insurance
Most U.S. health insurance policies offer limited coverage abroad. Invest in a good travel medical insurance plan that covers emergency evacuations, adventure sports, short visits to your home country and end-of-trip home coverage. If you have a serious preexisting condition, research your options thoroughly. Some policies will cover an “unexpected occurrence” of these conditions.
Consider a policy or additional insurance that also includes trip delays, lost luggage and electronics. I insure my camera gear through State Farm’s Personal Articles policy. Be aware that most policies will not cover smart phones.
Get Healthy
Hit the gym and cut the caffeine. Traveling can be physically exhausting. Carrying a 30-plus pound backpack around airports, city streets and hiking trails for months will take a toll on your body. Six-months before my recent trip, I focused mostly on strengthening my upper body since my lower body was fairly strong from being an avid runner.
Before my first big trip in 2008, my caffeine addiction was causing havoc on my health with horrible withdrawal headaches and pain from dehydrated muscles. I didn’t want caffeine to control my mood while traveling so I weaned myself off six-months prior.
Meet Alfred, my globetrotting gnome! I take photos of Alfred around the world and make Christmas cards and postcards for my friends as a fun way to stay in touch.
Keep in Touch
Distance doesn’t have to affect your relationships or love for sports. My closest friends live on three different continents. I talk to them regularly through various apps like Skype and WhatsApp. I share my adventures with friends and family through regular updates on Instagram and posts on this blog. When I’m lucky enough to have fast internet, I stream football and baseball games.
Send postcards. Everyone loves real mail. Set reminders for birthdays. If you can’t find stamps, use the Postagram app to send a postcard with your travel photos! I always send photos of my favorite gnome, Alfred, who is pictured above.
Minimize
Sell Everything
Think like a Buddhist and rid yourself of attachment to your possessions. It’s better to invest in experiences than things. Ebay is always great for selling collectable items like my childhood Hard Rock Café shot glass collection that sat in boxes at my parent’s house for years. It sold instantly and covered the cost of the first week of my trip! Consignment shops are great outlets to sell clothes, housewares and art. Donate everything else to charities.
Set a deadline three months before your trip. After this deadline, you can’t buy anything that isn’t for your trip.
Eliminate Bills
You should have NO bills while you travel. That’s right – none! Cut off your Pandora, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Sell, rent or have a friend list your house/apartment on Airbnb.com for a small commission. Sell your car or rent it to Relayrides.com or Flightcar.com. Several cell phone carriers will allow you to suspend your service without billing or for a small fee. For student loans, save enough money to cover payments for the entire duration of your trip plus an additional two months after you return. For more details, check out my post on Eliminating Bills.
Pack Light
The movie, Fight Club, was right. The things you own, own you. Pack one-weeks worth of clothes and do laundry often. It’s that simple. Trust me, your back will thank you.
Here is a short list of my top five essentials to pack from eight years of wandering the globe:
- Quality Rain Gear
Invest in a quality raincoat with zippered underarm vents for hot conditions. It also serves as a top layer for insulation in cold weather and helps with wind. - Headlamp
The headlamp is the single greatest invention after the burrito. - Stainless Steel Water Bottle and Water Filter
Save the environment and your health by investing in a stainless steel water bottle and chemical-free water filter. I use a Klean Kanteen water bottle and a Sawyer Mini Water Filter. Both are great for your bank account and pack easily. - Dr. Bronner’s Soap
Dr. Bronner’s is organic, biodegradable and smells great. Use it as body wash, dish soap and laundry detergent. - Quick Drying Towel or Sarong
A small quick drying hand-towel will dry your entire body. Sarongs are great multipurpose items; they are a towel, dress, skirt, blanket and mop all in one!
(I have no affiliation with these products. I just love them because they’ve been a big help on my travels!)
Additional Packing Tips:
- Consider the cost of renting camping gear versus the burden of carrying your own gear for the duration of your trip.
- Make sure all electronic chargers are dual-voltage. Don’t forget plug adapters.
- To avoid over packing, don’t wait until the last minute. Start a few days before you leave. Then, go back and eliminate items. Make sure the majority of clothing matches to maximize options.
- Pack for one season. I packed mostly for summer on my trip and spent $20 on a llama sweater with matching gloves and socks when I got to colder weather in Bolivia.
- Don’t forget a good paperback travel book for long bus rides. When your Kindle battery dies, you’ll thank me. I recommend anything by Pico Iyer or Paul Theroux.
- Check out my Packing List Top 10
A Five Step Guide to Travel Photography
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
My alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. Determination masked my sleepiness. My goal was simple – to photograph the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan without any people. The early bird gets the photo.
For the past eight years, I have roamed the world with my camera working as a freelance photographer and managing photo trips in Asia. I quickly learned the secret to travel photography is getting up painfully early. The reward is silence, photos with clean backgrounds and a glimpse of the real culture.
Whether you are shooting with an iPhone 6 or a DSLR, these five tips will help polish your photography skills for your next adventure.
1. Strong Composition
The quality of a photograph is directly related to the composition. Focus on filling the frame to only include essential elements and crop out distractions. Create depth, perspective, scale and balance with your camera angle. Use leading lines to guide the eye around the frame. In the photo above, I used the curve of the stairs to grab the viewer’s attention and lead their eye through the image from bottom to top. If the composition isn’t quite right, I wait for something to complete it. In the image below, a surfer walked by completing my image in Bells Beach, Australia.
Bells Beach, Australia
2. Clean Backgrounds
Let’s be honest – no one looks good with a tree branch sticking out of the side of their head. Power lines, trees, street lamps are notorious for sabotaging the best of photos. The easiest way to improve your photography is to avoid distracting background elements by changing your position or moving your subject. Shooting from a lower angle and using a wide aperture will also help crop out or blur any distractions. Exclude any overly bright colors from the image that draw attention away from the subject.
3. Chase the Light
When you find a location you want to photograph, go back multiple times during the day to document the changing light. Pay close attention to the quality and direction of both natural and artificial light. Haze, mist and fog act as a filter, which can mute colors and reduce contrast. Hold your hand into the light to determine the direction and type of shadows. This allows you to choose your angle and position your subject appropriately. Avoid portraits in harsh mid-day light because it produces dark, unflattering shadows under the eye.
The best time of day for photography is known as the “Magic Hour” – thirty minutes before and after sunrise/sunset when light is softer and more dynamic. The best sunset photos are usually before or after a storm when haze/clouds add a dramatic effect to the sky. The ideal time for a sunset photo is after a late afternoon storm.
Inle Lake, Burma
4. People & Details
Photographing strangers is easier than you think. Simply start a conversation. People love to talk about themselves. Consider putting away your camera and asking to come back later to take a photograph. In unfamiliar cultures, research local customs and taboos. Learn the basic words for “hello” and “thank you.” If you want to take a photo, point to your camera, smile and give a thumbs up sign. Their reaction will be your answer. Remember if someone says no, they are saying no to the camera and not to you. Do not take it personally.
For portraits, focus on the eyes or interesting features. Avoid fake smiles and anticipate behavior. Include details that reveal insight to the subject. A great example is the photo above from a market in Inle Lake in Burma. I walked by an older man having tea, quickly snapped two frames over his shoulder of his hands and kept walking.
McLeod Ganj, India
5. Shoot from the Hip
My favorite thing to do when I travel is to wander the streets with my camera capturing candid shots of everyday life – children walking to school, the fruit vendor stacking his mangos and the locals chatting with friends. I still shoot the famous spots, but I was trained as a photojournalist and find daily life to be the most fascinating. Street photography is a booming trend in the photo world. It has become a method of understanding and documenting culture. It is based on instinct and preparation. When you see a moment, you must react quickly to capture it before it disappears. French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson referred to this as “the decisive moment” when all the elements align perfectly.
Shooting from the hip is great way to change the perspective of a photo. It’s great for capturing quiet moments with a unique angle like the image I took above of the women eating her lunch at a market in McLeod Ganj, India.
I simply keep my camera at my side with the exposure manually set for the ambient light with a central focal point and a shutter speed of around 1/250. With an iPhone, it’s very simple. I open my camera app, hold my iPhone horizontally at hip level and use my thumb to press the volume up button, which acts as a shutter release on all iPhones. I do pause for a second when I take an image to make sure the camera has time to focus to prevent motion blur.
Above all, the most important rule of travel photography is to be patient and have fun!
(This is a post I originally wrote for AFAR.com.)
Top 5 Things to do in Vancouver
Vancouver knows the key to my heart—seaside running trails, fresh berries and craft beer. The city is one of my favorite in the world. It’s right up there with Buenos Aires, Charleston and Luang Prabang in Laos.
For more on my Vancouver trip, check out my new travel column in The Denver Post today: https://dpo.st/1UaZtK9
Here’s my Vancouver Top 5:
Stanley Park
If you only visit one place in Vancouver, make it Stanley Park. It’s simply amazing. Even though I’m a runner, I loved biking along the stunning seawall and trails that lined the park. I found a shaded bench near the beach to update my travel journal, people watch and contemplate whether or not I should make Vancouver my new home.
The seawall at Stanley Park
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Lynn Canyon is a great place to spend a morning. The highlight is a 50-meter high suspension bridge, which connects to the park’s scenic hiking trails. The best part is that it’s FREE. (Don’t confuse it with the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which is $ 37.95 CAD.) Go early to avoid the tour buses that arrive at midday.
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Brewery Biking Tour
I am proud to say I survived a 20-mile brewery biking tour unscathed! (The tour was organized by friends of friends.) Rent a bike and design your own tour! It is a great way to explore the city, exercise and support local breweries. Powell Street’s Old Jalopy Pale Ale, Parallel 49’s Gypsy Tears and Red Truck’s Ale were a few of my favorite brews and venues. Strange Fellows is also a nice, new brewery with a sleek tap room.
Tip: Red Truck serves food so it’s a great place to end your trip! The guys at Powell Street can tell you how to get to a great Chinese bakery (New Town Bakery) where you can get the BEST steamed pork buns.
The beer selection at Powell Street Brewery
Granville Island Market
My two favorite times of year are summer and berry season. My first stop in Vancouver was the Granville Island Market. The aisles of the covered market were filled with fresh local apples, fish and veggies. And, every kind of berry you can imagine. I ate my weight in berries.
Fresh berries at Granville Island Public Market
Beaches
There’s no better place to be at sunset than a beach. Luckily, there’s plenty of options including Kitsilano and Jericho . Each one is filled with giant logs to sit on. Get there early to snag your own log seat!
A paddle boarder at Kitsilano Beach
Road Trip: California Redwoods
We all have places that haunt us, the ones we daydream about but can’t quite seem to visit. Humboldt Redwoods State Park was one of those places for me. A friend of my father’s always talks about a road trip he did when he was young. After a bad breakup with his girlfriend, he headed West in his Camaro. He still raves about the Avenue of the Giants and the size of the trees. (He is a lumberman by trade.)
This year I was determined to make the trip happen. Since I normally add a little U.S. trip to the end of every long-term overseas adventure, I traded in a few frequent flyer miles (FF mile guide coming soon!) on a flight from Peru to San Francisco to visit an my old friend, Miles. We rented a car and sang ridiculously loud to the radio the entire drive.
There is nothing more humbling than nature. In 40 years, I will still be talking about the Avenue of the Giants just like my father’s friend.
For more on my trip, check out my new travel column in The Denver Post today: https://dpo.st/1JCWlvD
There are 17,000 acres of ancient coastal redwoods in the park.
Redwood bark contains tannin, which provides protection against fire, insects, fungus and disease.
Many redwoods have hollow trunks caused by forest floor fires. Despite the damage, the trees are able to thrive.
The forest floor is covered in lush green ferns.
The Avenue of the Giants
Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world and can reach 370 feet.
My friend Miles poses on the trunk of a fallen tree, which are a vital part of the forest eco-system.
Tips for Visiting Humboldt Redwoods State Park
- The park is open year-round and does not charge an entrance fee.
- Pay on arrival for campsites to avoid the online $8 service fee. Consider booking in advance if arriving late or during peak holiday weekends. Campsites are $35/per car.
- Free maps are available at the visitor center, campgrounds and www.parks.ca.gov.
- The entire park is very photogenic, but the 1.7-mile Drury-Chaney Loop Trail is particularly lush and green. The drive down Mattole Road, which branches off the Avenue of the Giants at the north end of the park, is stunning. Bull Creek Trail North is a beautiful, less populated walk but involves climbing over a few HUGE fallen trees.
Want to learn my secret to FF miles? Sign up for the email list! I’ll post a guide soon!
Sandboarding in Peru
The desert oasis of Huacachina is nestled between giant sand dunes in Southwestern Peru. The tiny town is famous for its palm-tree lined lagoon and sandboarding. It’s a must for any trip to Peru!
Climb the dunes for a great view of the natural lagoon.
Tips for Sandboarding in Huacachina
Getting to Huacachina. The tiny desert oasis is a 4km taxi ride ($2-3 USD) from the town of Ica, which is on a major bus route. It is easy to get to Lima (4-5 hours) and Nazca (2 hours) from Ica by bus. Fares for Lima are $12-21 and $11-15 USD for Nazca. The VIP class is not worth the extra money and offers no extra comfort for these short trips. It is worth it for longer trips in Peru because nicer buses are used. Snacks (ham/cheese sandwiches) are usually provided.
Use Safe Transport. Bus and taxi hijackings are safety concerns in Peru. Take a safe bus company like Cruz Del Sur. In Lima, they have their own private stations with safe taxis, which charge flat rates. Ask at the station in Ica for safe radio taxis. Hostels in Huacachina can set up a taxi and recommend companies. Traveling during the day is best.
Sandboarding. A dune buggy/sandboarding trip can be booked at any hostel in town. I recommend Banana’s Adventure Hostel. It was very clean. Plus, the food and staff were great. Accommodation, breakfast and a dune buggy/sandboarding trip are $28.76 USD. Book in advance because the hostel fills up quickly. An additional entrance fee of $1.19 USD must be paid to access the dunes except for those entering by foot. There is also an extra fee to rent professional sandboards. Tours are optional – rent a board and go out on your own.
Don’t Miss: Climb the giant dunes behind the town at sunset for an amazing view and a great leg workout. Tours to Ica wineries, Paracas and Islas Ballestras are available from Huacachina.
IN PRINT: Austin Monthly
There will be an entire chapter of my autobiography dedicated to Birmingham, Alabama. I wrote and photographed a travel story about my former home of five years for the July issue of Austin Monthly. Please pick up a copy or check it out online: https://bit.ly/1GUxOl9
Anna’s Top 10 Packing List
My Marmot rain coat helped me survive the monsoon season in India and Southeast Asia!
After wandering the globe non-stop for the past seven years, I’ve become a pro at packing the most essential and useful items for my adventures:
1. Quality Rain Gear
Invest in a quality raincoat with zippered underarm vents to allow air flow in hot conditions. It also serves as a top layer for insulation in cold weather and helps with wind. There is a HUGE difference between waterproof and water-resistant. The latter soaks quickly and takes DAYS to dry.
Also, invest in rain covers for your bags. My Osprey day pack cover doubles as a camera cover in wet conditions when I still want to shoot. It’s always handy to have a disposable poncho that fits over you and your day pack, too.
Budget Tip: Check end of season sales at outdoor stores for deals. I got my Marmot jacket above for half-price at REI, when I was shopping for something else!
2. Headlamp
The headlamp is the single greatest invention after the burrito. Invest in one with adjustable brightness, direction and a red light option, which doesn’t attract bugs. It frees up your hands to search through luggage, hike or put up a tent in the dark. When you are camping and have to pee at 3 a.m., it will save you. Phone batteries die. Phones also fall in toilets and don’t have red light options. Trust me, it will change your life.
3. Stainless Steal Water Bottle & Water Filter
Plastic bottles are bad for both the environment and your health. Invest in a good insulated reusable stainless steel water bottle like Klean Kateen. Avoid aluminum and anything that’s not BPA free. Stainless is easy to clean and most importantly—keeps beverages colder longer.
Invest in a quality water filter. I recommend Sawyer’s Mini Filter. It’s tiny, inexpensive and easy to use. I’ve been using it for the past six months in Central and South America. Both items will save you a fortune in airports. Simply filter the bathroom sink water.
4. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap
Dr. Bronner’s is chemical free, biodegradable and smells great. Use it as body wash, dish soap and laundry detergent. Trust me, no other soap will make you or your clothes smell so fresh!
Travel Like Alfred: Always pack your shades!
5. Sunglasses
Be kind to your eyes. Pack a pair of sunglasses with both 100% UVA and UVB protection. Don’t be tempted by the $3 Ray bans at the street markets in Asia. They aren’t real and will fry your retinas.
6. Peanut Butter
Grab a jar of natural peanut butter from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods for $3 before you leave. It’s the best snack for camping, hiking or long bus trips. If you don’t like peanut butter, pack protein bars (not those sugary cereal ones) or hemp protein powder. (Protein bars should have a 2:1 ration of protein to sugar.) Trust me, it’s safer to eat peanut butter than most train station food. Grab fresh bread, bananas and honey for a yummy treat.
7. Combination Locks
Pack a couple sturdy luggage combination locks for your bags and hostel lockers. (Avoid those giant high-school-locker style ones because they are always too big for storage lockers.) Use them on your daypack to deter pickpockets in high theft areas and on public transport. TIP: Set the combination to your birthday so you won’t forget it.
8. Inflatable Neck Pillow
This saves me on every form of transport and takes up no space. There’s nothing worse than getting off a flight with jet-lag AND a stiff neck. It also doubles as a great camping pillow. Add clothing in the middle for extra padding. I’m in love with this Sea to Summit one!
9. Sunscreen
Seriously. Sunscreen can be difficult to find in remote parts of the world and even urban cities like Barcelona. It’s usually outrageously overpriced. In Asia, they add bleach to sunscreen because they value white skin. Save your money and health. Pack a good supply of natural zinc-based sunscreen with you. Aveeno and Neutrogena make natural zinc-based sunscreen for babies that’s easy to find. I packed this Ology zinc sunscreen that you can by at Walgreens or Amazon, for my trip and totally love it!
10. Quick dry towel or Sarong
I carry a small quick dry towel with me. Despite the size, it can dry your whole body, work as a hand towel and clean up spills. Some girls swear by sarongs – they are a towel, dress, skirt, blanket, changing room and mop all in one! I’m a big fan of these Sea to Summit towels.
What’s on the top of your packing list? Share in the comments below!
Guide to Iguazu Falls, Argentina
I checked Iguazu Falls off my bucket list last week.
Here’s a few photos and tips about visiting from Argentina:
A view of Salto San Martin from the Lower Circuit Trail
Garganta del Diablo, The Devil’s Throat, viewpoint
A view of the water crashing against rocks from the Upper Circuit Trail
View from the Upper Circuit Trail
Rainbow view from the Lower Circuit Trail
Alfred at Garganta del Diablo, The Devil’s Throat, viewpoint
Tips for Visiting Iguazu Falls in Argentina
Catch the first bus. The park opens at 8 a.m. daily. Catch the 7:15 a.m. bus ($100 peso return) from Puerto Iguazu to be one of the first people in the park. Start with the Upper Circuit Trail – you’ll have it all to yourself! Then, walk the Lower Circuit Trail afterwards. Photo tip: Wait until after 12 p.m. to visit the Devil’s Throat viewpoint. The light is best in the afternoon.
Get your ticket stamped. Admission is reduced by 50% if you visit a second day, but you must get your ticket stamped before you leave the park. Iguazu Falls (Parque Nacional Igauzu) admission is currently 240 pesos as of March 2015.
Pack a lunch. Food in the park is expensive. Grab a pre-made sandwich for a couple dollars at a bakery in Puerto Iguazu. The best bakery is on Avenue Guarani near the corner of the intersection with Cordoba.
Watch the heat. Bring sunscreen, extra water and an umbrella for the sun. It’ll save your skin!
Bring your passport. There is a bus from Puerto Iguazu bus terminal that goes to Brazil side of the park. If water levels are high, mist will severely limit visibility. American’s don’t need a visa to visit for the day.
A Photo Guide to Colonia, Uruguay
Colonia is a photographer’s dream – quiet cobblestone streets, rusting classic cars and colorful, crumbling colonial buildings. The former Portuguese settlement and Unesco World Heritage site is 50 km from Buenos Aires by ferry. The town’s location made it a haven for smugglers and was later succeeded to Spain in the 1700s. Frequent ferries make it a popular day trip from Buenos Aires because the ATMs allow withdrawals in USD, which is heavily coveted in Argentina due to high inflation. The standard rate is 8.78 pesos while the current blue dollar rate for the black market is 12.8 pesos per dollar.
Rustic classic cars line the streets of Colonia for decoration.
My favorite, funky lunch spot in Colonia: El Drugstore
Calle de los Suspiros, the Street of Sighs
Another decorative classic car in Colonia
The modern lighthouse in Colonia’s harbor
A cobblestone street in Colonia’s Barrio Historico
How to get to Colonia, Uruguay from Buenos Aires
Logistics: Frequent ferries operated by Colonia Express, Seacat and Buquebus take a little less than two hours from Buenos Aires. The later also offers slower boats. Prices are cheaper in advance. Some operaters require you to book online, but don’t be fooled by the cheap fares. The main expense are the taxes added at checkout. I booked online a week in advance and paid $500 pesos roundtrip. I met other travelers who paid $700-$1000 pesos last minute at the ferry office in Buenos Aires. Prices valid for March 2015. Tips:
- Beware of ATM limits. ATMs allow withdrawals of USD in $300 increments and charge $6 USD/transaction. (To avoid ATM fees, refer to Travel Banking 101.) Your bank might block your card here because it’s a high fraud area. My card got blocked twice in three days.
- Pay with a VISA credit card to avoid paying tax. The VAT is not included on foreign credit card purchases in restaurants until July 31, 2015. This saved me roughly 18%. Refer here for official information.
- Eat at Buen Suspiro. This cozy restaurant on Calle de los Suspiros has the best food in Colonia. They specialize in picadas, large shared appetizer plates. They take VISA credit cards so take advantage of the VAT discount!
Eliminate Your Bills
A Guide to Eliminating Monthly Bills
In my post about Saving for Travel, I mentioned eliminating bills. If you are traveling long-term, you should have almost NO bills. That’s right NONE. Refer back to your list of monthly bills. Cut off all monthly/annual subscriptions: Pandora, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc. Then, follow the steps below to make your main bills disappear.
Rent/Mortgage
Sublease/Rent out your place. Sell your house and excess stuff. Ask your parents or a friend if you can store what’s left in their garage. Offer to pay a small fee or buy them a wool carpet from India. (Luckily, my parent’s own a furniture store with plenty of storage. The few things I own get stored in a corner or the closet in my old room.) Airbnb is a great option to make money while you travel. You can pay a percentage to a friend/family member to manage/clean the place while you are gone.
Left: Patagonia, Argentina. Right: Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
Car/Truck/Motorcycle
Option 1: Sell it.
Option 2: Rent it.
If selling scares you, rent your vehicle out to a friend/cousin/your dry cleaner’s dog walker. We all know someone who needs a car or has one that only cranks if you kick it ten times. If you own your vehicle, consider letting a friend drive it for free if they pay your car insurance.
Or rent out your car with companies like Relay Rides or Flight Car.
Car Insurance
If you don’t want to sell or rent your car, here’s a few ways to slash your insurance bill:
Drop Liability Coverage. If your car will be parked while you travel, you can cut your bill in half by dropping liability and leave only the comprehensive coverage. You will have return the license plate, but your car is protected if a tree falls on it or a herd of cows have a dance party on the roof.
Risks: Be sure to change your oil when you return. You might also need a new battery. You’ll will also have to get the tags for your car again. I know it’s common sense, but I have to say it: NOBODY should drive your car without liability insurance. If you don’t have comprehensive insurance or your car is ancient, then ditch the insurance until you return. Talk to your insurance agent about your options before making a decision.
USAA Insurance offers huge discounts for cars in storage. (Available only to US military members and their families.)
Is this financially worth all the hassle? Do the math. How long can you travel on the money you save?
Cell Phone
Cut off or suspend your cell phone service. Here’s a list of service/billing suspension options for major U.S. carriers:
- Verizon allows you to suspend your service online at no cost for six months per year in three-month increments. (I do this every year simply because my cell phone number is the only consistent thing in my life.)
- AT&T lets you suspend service but continues billing.
- Sprint offers a Seasonal Standby Plan to suspend service for $8.99/month for six months per year for all plans.
- TMobile offers free international data and messaging for their Simple Choice plans. This is a reason to consider keeping your plan instead of suspending it.
Other Tips:
- If you cut off your service completely, you will lose your phone number.
- Do NOT get an international plans. The rates are crazy: $2/minute for voice and .50/text. It’s cheaper to use Skype or buy a local SIM to use for both local/international calls.
- Research early termination fees. It could be cheaper than paying your bill while you are traveling.
The secret to staying healthy while traveling is eating healthy and exercising. And, invest in a good travel insurance plan.
Health Insurance
Ditch your U.S. health insurance and get a good travel medical insurance plan. Most U.S. health insurance companies offer limited coverage abroad except for major emergencies, which require paying out of pocket upfront and being partially reimbursed. If you have a serious preexisting condition, research your options thoroughly. Some travel insurance policies will cover a “Sudden and Unexpected Reoccurrence of a Preexisting Condition.”
If you have health insurance through your employer:
When you quit a job in America, you receive an option to enroll in the COBRA program, which allows you to keep your same benefits but at a higher cost for up to 18-36 months. COBRA gives you 60 days to sign up, and coverage is retroactive to the date you quit. This gives you two months to start your trip and still have the safety net of COBRA eligiblity as a backup plan if you have a medical emergency. Plus, it saves the cost of paying for COBRA insurance.
Here’s what I do: I researched the cost of COBRA before quitting my job and the cost of Obama Care. I had to decide if the risk of getting sick or having a major accident was worth the cost of COBRA or Obama Care. This year, I took a risk and didn’t sign up for either but made sure I left for my trip BEFORE my 60-days to sign up for COBRA ended. If I had a medical emergency, I would have signed up for COBRA and been covered retroactively by the benefits of my previous insurance.
Prescriptions
If you take prescriptions regularly, research generic costs without insurance. Also, remember most drugs are available at a significant discount without a prescription in many places abroad especially Asia. (I occasionally use prescription eye drops. A tiny bottle costs $30 with insurance and $300 without. In Thailand, the exact same brand and batch is $7! It’s cheaper to live abroad than in America sometimes.)
TIP: Most insurance plans also offer a 90-day vacation supply of medications for travel on top of your regular monthly or 90-day supply refills. Simply call your insurance to clarify the details and start the process at least a month before your trip.
Before canceling your health insurance:
- Research international coverage options for your current plan
- If you have insurance from your employer, verify COBRA eligibility. Do a cost comparison of COBRA and Obama Care BEFORE you quit.
- Research travel insurance coverage thoroughly. Daredevils should add the adventure sports rider. My current plan is $50/month with the adventure rider and end of trip home coverage. (Travel Insurance Guide Coming Soon!)
- Non-emergency medical care and even x-rays can be significantly cheaper abroad. I paid $72 for two x-rays and an appointment with an orthopedic doctor at the nicest and most expensive hospital in Bangkok. (I was reimbursed by my travel insurance later.) I also got my teeth cleaned for $30 in Bangkok.
How do you eliminate bills while you travel? Share in the comments!