As you get ready to travel you may want to review the following:
____ Passport (s): Review the validity of your passport and make two copies. Leave one copy with a family member or friend. Take the second copy with you but keep separate from your actual passport. Take the copy on day tours and leave the passport in the hotel safe.
____ Tickets and Itinerary: It is also a good idea to copy any tickets and your itinerary leaving one copy along with the passport copy with a family member or friend.
____ Mail: Have the Post Office hold your mail or have a friend collect it every day. For your e-mail you may want to leave a vacation message stating that “I will be very occupied for this coming week and I may not be able to reply to your message immediately. Thank You.”
____ Medicine(s): In case your medicine should become lost carrying a signed typed prescription from your doctor may be very helpful. A typed prescription will be easier for a pharmacist to understand to avoid issuing the wrong medicine or incorrect dosage. Carry your doctor’s business card, list of allergic reactions and carry your medicine in re-sealable plastic bags. (Airport security, customs)
____ Credit Cards: You may want to take one or two credit cards with you. Often the exchange rates at a bank’s ATM are similar or better than the bank itself or the Money Exchange” locations and they are certainly more convenient.
Recommendations: (1) Only use the “International” ATM at a bank or hotel. (2) Call your Credit Card Company before you leave and notify them that you will be using the card in another country. (3) Again, in a safe place carry a copy of both sides of the credit card should your actual card become lost. You can then call the credit card company immediately to arrange for travelers checks or possible cash advance until you return home.
Remember: As a tourist you stand out in a crowd and pick-pockets like tourists. Always carry your money, credit card and copy of your passport in an inside pocket and not in your pants pockets for men, “fanny packs”, or purses for women. “Better Safe than Sorry” is the adage I believe.
____ Exchange Rates: For current exchange rates you may want to use www.XE.com
____ Electrical Transformer: Check your guide book to see if the country you will visit uses 110 V like in the
____ Travel/Medical Insurance: This is very important. Besides the possible trip cancellation/interruption insurance, you will want to seriously consider a travel insurance policy that covers “Emergency Medical Benefits / Medical Evacuation – Repatriation”. Check your current medical coverage and ask the company if you are covered while traveling outside of the
____ Gifts: A suggestion is to take postcards of your city or state, your new “state quarter”, or something typical of where you live. These make great gifts for children or a “new friend”.
For more information on Travel Requirements, Safety Hints, and Insurance visit the FAQ section of AmazingChileTours.com
Have a safe and enjoyable trip!
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