BY
MATTHEW KARSTEN
It all started when he tooks a one-way flight from
Miami to Guatemala City, leaping nervously into the unknown and leaving much of
his old life behind while embarking on an epic travel adventure around the
world.
It’s been a wild ride, and he has learned a lot
since he first left. He has decided to share a collection of his best and most
useful travel tips to help inspire everybody to make travel a priority in all
life.
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
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| Best Tips for World Travel |
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.
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Travel Tip: Laugh at Yourself
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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.
He met a situation when traveling on a bus full of
people from Guatemalans, suddenly he had to urinate urgently, and when he
returned he was smiling at everyone in the car that had brought him we added
many new friends during his journey
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. Oh, and make sure you have a good travel banking system
setup too.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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Travel Tip: Take Lots of Photos
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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. I can’t tell you how many
times I’ve been told what I want isn’t possible, only to prove it wrong later
when I don’t listen to the advice and try anyway.
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| 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.
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| 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 don’t have to agree, but
you may be surprised what you’ll learn.
14.
Try Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing.org is a large online community of
travelers who share their spare rooms or couches with strangers for free. If
you truly want to experience a country and it’s people, staying with a local is
the way to go.
There are millions of couchsurfers around the world
willing to host you and provide recommendations. It’s fun and safe too.
Expensive hotels are not the only option, there are all kinds of cheap travel
accommodation options out there.
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| 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 its 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
This should actually be #1 on the list. I love my
earplugs! Muffle the sounds of crying babies, drunk Australians, barking dogs,
honking horns, dormitory sex, natural gas salesmen, and more. A traveler’s best
friend. These are my favorite earplugs for comfort & effectiveness.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Travel Tip: Slow Down |
21.
Slow Down
Please don’t try to cram 6 countries into 6 weeks of
travel. All the good stuff happens when you really take the time to explore.
You’ll 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
traveling the world 4 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 backpack was 70 liters packed
full, my current bag is only 38 liters.
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, Smart Passive Income,
and Electro-Swing.
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| 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.
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| 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 4
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.
