Travel Smart – Tips for International Honeymoon Vacations

1. Be open, receptive and accepting of the differences between your country and the host country you travel to, (In other words Travel Smart).

2. Familiarize yourselves with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a country, you are subject to its laws.

3. Bring a passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your date of return. Please complete the information regarding whom to contact in case of emergency. Keep one photocopy of your passport at home or office and travel with an extra photocopy. Check with the nearest consulate or with BTR/*M*I*L*A* regarding visa requirements.

2. Please make sure you are fully protected with health and/or accident insurance. Some policies do not cover you while abroad. BTR/*M*I*L*A* recommends flight insurance and travel cancellation or interruption insurance.

3. Be sure to use the luggage tags and stickers provided by your travel agent or BTR/*M*I*L*A* in order to facilitate identification of luggage at airports and hotels.

4. Immunizations: Conditions vary from time to time and regulations between Latin American countries differ. Example: no immunizations needed from the U.S. to Colombia or to Brazil; but you do need immunization if you go from Colombia to Brazil! Please check with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, with the consulate of the countries of your itinerary, and with your personal physician.

5. If you are on prescribed medication, make sure to bring an adequate supply for your trip. Keep your medicine in its original container. Carry a copy of your doctor’s prescription for all medicines and eyeglasses or contact lenses.

6. It is a good idea to have a small first aid kit with you when you travel — it should include Band-Aids, medicated cream for cuts or antiseptic spray, aspirin or aspirin substitute, antacids and/or upset stomach reliever (i.e. Pepto Bismol, Imodium AD), and a cold reliever.

7. Do not pack medicine, eyeglasses, important documents and/or jewelry in your check-in luggage.

8. Bring plenty of film; as in some places it may be costly or unavailable for your needs. It is also wise to bring an extra camera battery because the exact one needed is often difficult to locate in foreign countries.

9. Bring an extra bag! An expandable one is ideal. There are a variety of handicrafts and buying them becomes a temptation during the entire trip.

10. Bring layered clothing — you will find it very convenient if your itinerary includes mountain, desert, and jungle.

11. Bring a converter and adapter when traveling with electrical appliances; however some destinations (i.e. Amazon Jungle) do not have electricity.

12. Carry tissues or pre-moisturized wash-up cleansing tissues. Some public facilities may not be fully equipped.

13. Credit cards — most hotels, shops and restaurants accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). Make sure to keep records of your credit card numbers in case of loss. Leave all your U.S. store credit cards at home. It’s a good idea to have more than one credit card.

14. Exchange of currency — all major hotels have an exchange service. Some shopping and dining facilities will also exchange. Consult with your guide. Please do NOT exchange money in the street. This makes you too vulnerable to pickpockets.

15. ATM cards can be very helpful when traveling abroad to get cash, but it is very important to check with your local bank or credit card company to ensure that your card is accepted in that country and your personal identification number (PIN) will work. You should also ask if any charges would be applied for using a foreign ATM.

16. Leave your good jewelry at home! Do not wear dangling earrings.

17. Be sure to reconfirm your domestic and international flight reservations as soon as you arrive in each country. If you have arranged for transfer services with a local ground operator, they will reconfirm the flights for you and advise you of any changes. When a flight in the U.S. is cancelled, go to a phone booth and call the airline’s toll-free number to make a confirmed reservation on another flight. At that point you can line up at the counter to have your ticket changed.

18. On flights within a foreign country (non-U.S.), when a flight is cancelled or delayed beyond a reasonable time while you are waiting for the plane — if you leave the airport, be sure to get your ticket back from the counter agent. This will help with any refunds or exchanges.

19. Always check your airline tickets when you receive them and after you have checked in with the airline to ensure your return tickets are still intact. Ticket agents can pull the wrong tickets by mistake. If you notice a problem, go back to the ticket agent who helped you.

20. Do not wait for the rush hour hotel departure time. Try to settle your account prior to your scheduled hotel departure.

21. Before Traveling learn the common form of greetings in the host country. In many countries, the common form of greeting for women is a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, for men a handshake and/or a hug.

22. A U.S. resident traveling overseas may bring back to the United States items worth up to $400.00 without paying duty. However, if you have to pay customs duty, the U.S. Customs Service accepts certain credit cards. There are many items from underdeveloped countries, which are not included in the limit. Please check with your nearest Customs office or call BTR/*M*I*L*A*.

23. It is much cheaper and more convenient if you arrange with your family to call you. Otherwise, you must make reservations to place an international call: it is time consuming and taxes are usually high