I recently went to Jamaica for spring break and it was one of my favorite vacations ever. Many very unique experiences changed how I view things and I made so many fun memories. While the trip went very smoothly there are a few things that I wish I would have known or done before traveling internationally.
Many resorts offer free wifi but it can be risky because other countries (Jamaica for example) are prone to hackers. This is why I would recommend getting an international phone plan; you can get one for a month and then cancel it depending on your carrier. It does cost more but it is worth it if you want a good connection and phone safety.
International phone plans allow you to use your phone abroad, often with options for unlimited talk, text, and data, or by purchasing a daily or monthly pass for specific usage. The cost of an international phone plan for one month can vary significantly depending on the provider, plan type, and specific features, but you can expect to pay anywhere from around $15 to over $100 per month.
This also helps for fast connection even without an international phone plan. Data Roaming permits internet access over a cellular data network if you’re in a region not covered by your carrier’s network. However, on your carrier, you may be charged for using roaming data if you do not have an international plan.
A digital or disposable camera is something I would highly recommend for any vacation, especially vacations in tropical locations or all-inclusive resorts. Cameras help capture the beauty of the vacation so you can look back and remember it. They are relatively cheap depending on what brand you choose and the memories in the photo last forever.
“I got a digital camera off Amazon before vacation and it was only $48. Depending on how fancy you want it to be and what features you want a camera can cost more or less. The only issue was that I didn’t read the directions very carefully and did not know how to turn on the flash when the sunset.” said Ellie who has been on numerous vacations to Jamacia and other islands.
Before we left for our flight my aunt sent us all a shared photo album that everyone added to throughout the vacation. By the end of it we had over 600 photos in the album. Looking back at those photos was so fun and inspired many laughs.
We also had professional photos of the family taken on vacation, while the photos were pricey it was well worth it because they were pretty due to the sunset background. All we had to do was schedule a time and photographer. The photographer also went on the excursions with us and captured pictures of what we did. The day before we left we went to a little shop and got to see all the pictures he took and choose the ones we wanted to buy.
The airport can be a very hectic place especially if you are flying internationally. Customs and security can take a long time and be a super long process but there are a few things you can do to make it go smoother.
Keep your passport in hand or in an easy to reach pocket. The amount of times we had to get our passports out to scan them or just show someone was more than a few. Keeping them within reach is a lot faster than having to rifle through a bag every time you are asked to show it. Also make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date, as some countries require this.
Wear shoes that are easy to slip off. This goes for any time you are flying but when flying internationally you may have to go through security more than once and taking shoes on and off adds time and hassle to the trip. Slip on shoes can help things go much smoother when dealing with security.
Pack snacks in your carry-on or backpack. This is also something I’d recommend no matter where you are flying but international flights can be super long. Airport food is also pretty expensive so packing your snacks can save you money and time. Just don’t pack liquids that are over 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). I’d recommend packing granola bars because they don’t take up much space and are great for quick energy.
Even though everyone tells you to pack light for a vacation, I am a chronic overpacker. As long as the suitcase shuts and is under 50 pounds I take it as a win. I would, however, recommend packing adaptors or power cords because other countries have different outlets.
For example, Jamaica uses the same type of outlets as the US but they have different standards for how many charging ports have to be in a room. This was less than ideal when my family and I were trying to charge 4 phones, 3 watches, computers, and headphones at the same time. In this situation, a power strip with multiple outlets would have been very convenient.
Packing or having a portable charger is a must as well. You never know when you or someone you are traveling with will need it. I wish I had brought one of these on the trip because I had to go back to the hotel room a few times to charge my phone. Portable chargers are super convenient and when traveling somewhere you are unfamiliar with it is also safer to have a full or near fully charged phone.
The last thing I highly recommend packing is extra cash. This helps ensure you can handle unexpected situations like lost cards, ATM outages, or even medical emergencies. It is like a safety net, just in case. I remember wishing I had brought more cash just for the sake of tipping. In Jamaica many workers only make money off of tips, they are not paid hourly. If I had known this I would have brought more cash for that reason.
While excursions are not a must on most trips I would highly recommend booking one or two for your vacation. While they can be pricey, they enhance your trip by providing structured activities, expert local knowledge, and a chance to explore beyond the typical tourist routes, all while potentially saving time and effort on planning.
Having a tour guide provides valuable insights into the history, culture, and local customs of your destination. Guides also give you peace of mind because you don’t have to figure everything out on your own and it is safer. Excursions can provide opportunities to meet other travelers and locals, fostering connections and making your trip more social.
Me and my family took a catamaran excursion and it was so worth it. We got to see so much of Jamaica and the local spots, not just the tourist attractions. The food was provided and there was a guide for snorkeling who helped everyone feel comfortable.
Traveling abroad can be stressful and scary but those things can be helped by packing correctly and preparing yourself properly. International travel offers a multitude of benefits that go far beyond the initial excitement of visiting a new place. In the end, it is not about the destination but more about the memories made and the impact the trip makes on your worldview and personal development.
