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International travel is one of the more fascinating and interesting things you will do in life especially if you adore experiencing new cultures. That being said, it is vital to do some prior research about cultural norms as well as legal considerations before booking your travel to any international destination. Here are a few top legal tips to help you navigate traveling abroad.
1. Keep Your Paperwork Ready
As any seasoned traveler will tell you, paperwork is essential if irritating part of international travel. When you are packing your main handbag or backpack always keep the most often asked-for documents in an accessible pocket. Invest in a brightly colored passport holder and wallet so that you can easily take it out when asked. Many tourists also prefer a waist bag or a neck wallet so that they can always keep important identification close, especially in countries that may be stricter in this regard.
A traveler’s hack is to keep photocopies of your important documents to lessen the risk of losing your originals or forgetting to pick them back up if you’ve given them somewhere to be evaluated. If the country you are traveling to requires a travel visa, make sure you have it in order before you book your flight.
2. Watch Out For Pickpockets & Con Artists
Tourists are often the preferred bait for con artists because people are usually a little disoriented or facing cultural shock when they arrive at a new destination that is very different from what they are used to. Con artists and pickpockets may be waiting in the wings to take advantage of your confusion so always secure your belongings and take time out beforehand to construct an itinerary so you know where to go and how to conduct yourself.
Of course, spontaneity can be fun but always take proper precautions such as googling the venue or part of town beforehand, asking trusted locals about it, and wearing a shoulder wallet so that your money is hard for a pickpocket to get to. If you fear you have been scammed you should consult a reputable local lawyer at the earliest opportunity by googling according to the location such as Ocala criminal lawyers. Before planning a trip, look into the cons and scams that have been making the news lately in the country that is your destination.
3. Location Of The Embassy & Law Enforcement
Unforeseen unfortunate incidents can occur wherever you are in the world and realistically there is no such thing as ‘safe travel.’ Make a point of knowing exactly where your country’s embassy is in your destination country in the case of an emergency and the route from your hotel to getting there. If you are somewhere other than the capital city (where the embassy is likely to be) then store their latest email and contact numbers in your phone or diary for easy referral.
4. Navigating Taxes
A traveler must be aware of taxes on goods and services in the country to which they are traveling. As a tourist, you may face price-hiking as shopkeepers will try to sell products and souvenirs for a much higher rate than they would to domestic customers and clients. Even duty-free shopping may have hidden taxes after a certain amount!
Check with your airline before flying whether they allow edibles on the plane that you have brought from home as that can save you money and you won’t have to buy expensive snacks and fast food at the airport. Knowing the taxes that apply to you is vital if you are crafting a travel budget as sales tax can be as high as 20% or more in some countries due to the state of the economy.
5. Are You Insured?
Travel insurance or health insurance that has a sound international policy covering your trips is a major caveat to iron out before you set off on your trip. Some countries have astoundingly high costs related to even basic medical care in the case of an accident or physical events such as a stroke or heart attack. If you have booked an Air Bnb or vacation rental the owner is unlikely to be at your beck and call should any health problem arise as many owners simply remotely manage bookings through short-term rental software and do not have personal contact with the tourist.
You could end up detained in a country due to medical debt unless you have a good insurance policy backing you up. If you are someone who suffers from a certain medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or epilepsy, you may benefit from an insurance policy to this effect more and it can grant you peace of mind when you travel.
