The islands of the Caribbean always make for a popular travel destination. With so many islands, and each offering its own uniqueness, it can be hard to decide which one to visit. This article will give you some tips for deciding which Caribbean island is the best bet for your next vacation.
Keep important things in your carry on bag. You definitely do not want to lose your passport, prescribed medications or any other necessities you can’t afford to travel without. Make sure you put these things aside, either on your person or safely inside a bag that you can bring aboard the plane with you.
Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport. You can save on cab fare and long term parking fees. Many people will be happy to perform this favor for you, especially if you are willing to reciprocate later on down the road, when they are taking a vacation.
Make sure that you fill any prescriptions that you take on a regular basis before you leave town on a trip. Running out of medication while visiting a new place can be both stressful and expensive as you have to track down a pharmacy that can fill your prescription for you.
If you are staying at a hostel or camping while traveling, you may want to scout out other locations to use the restroom. Bathroom facilities at may hostels may be unclean to the point of disgusting, while the bathroom at the fast food joint down the street at least has to maintain a minimum level of sanitation.
If you enjoy alcohol, there’s no better way when traveling, to get to know a new city than with a pub crawl. Visiting multiple establishments in the same night, will give an interesting cross-section of the city that you wouldn’t gain any other way. Plus, you’ll make some new friends.
Check the local news for the area you are planning to visit. Whether it is finding out about fun, local events, holidays which may impact local attractions, or serious political matters that may affect foreigners, it is always a good idea to be informed on what is currently going on in your destination city, area, and even country.
If you are traveling on an extended vacation, plan on doing laundry as you go. You should not attempt to carry more than a week’s worth of clothing with you at any one time. More than that will become too bulky to easily transport from place to place; doing laundry in the sink is easier.
As soon as you can, find out if you need a visa for entry to the country that you plan to visit. Make sure to get your applications in early, since paperwork can take awhile to process. Remember, without the appropriate visa you will be refused entry to some countries.
Weighing your checked bags before you arrive at the airport can save you money and frustration. Many airlines charge an extra $50 or more for checked bags weighing over 50lbs. This can result in spending more money, or having to leave items behind. Put your luggage on a scale at home before you head to the airport to save yourself a headache!
If you will be driving when you travel to another country, take the time to contact your insurance carrier. They can give you any needed documentation that pertains to your insurance coverage, any additional insurance you may need and much needed advice or information about regulations for driving at your destination.
Join the loyalty program at the hotel you are staying at. Even if you are only staying that one time, it will provide you with added amenities that you would likely be charged for otherwise. Read the fine print when signing up for these because there may be a hidden charge in some cases.
Make sure to place all of your medication in your carry-on bag. Be sure that they are in their original pharmacy containers with their pharmacy labels, so that the bag can easily travel through airport security. It also helps to know the generic names for all of your medications in case you need to speak with a local pharmacist who doesn’t know them by brand name.
Sometimes it is hard to stay on track with a healhty diet while traveling. There are times you may have to stop at a fast food restaurant. If so, there are a few things you can do to cut calories. First, order your burger with no cheese or condiments. Also, if possible, choose grilled meats and the salad bar.
You can always decide not to bring luggage if you are going on a plane. This saves plenty of time and makes the travel much better. Using a worldwide parcel service to ship your luggage to your travel location is the best way to go. Although that might cost some more money, it’s worth it.
When you go on a road trip it’s always a good idea to take along some tunes, so that you can have more fun on the ride. Bringing music along gives you a constant source of enjoyment, unlike the radio which can have interference at times.
Pack a nightlight. Many people can easily find their way to their bathroom in the middle of the night at home, but attempting to do so in an unfamiliar location can lead to bumps and bruises. If you do not have the space for a night light, leave the bathroom light on, but close the door so that only a small amount of light is visible or excess light may keep you awake.
As stated in the beginning of this article, the Caribbean islands are a very popular travel destination. Bright blue waters and white sandy beaches draw in many tourists all throughout the year. Apply the advice from this article to help you decide which island is the perfect fit for your next travel destination.