5 Travel Tips for Travel in 2023
As the vaccine rollout reaches more people, travel is back at the forefront of everyone’s mind. The TSA checkpoint statistics state that over ten days, over a million travelers are going through airports each day. While still at 50% below 2019, that’s the most significant number of travelers since March of last year. The demand for travel is growing, and travel is coming back. Here are 5 Travel Tips for the New Era of Travel.
Preparing for Travel in the New Era
My biggest travel tips for travel in the new ear is to research, plan, prepare and be flexible. Firstly, there are over 70 countries currently accepting travelers from the USA. That list is narrowed down to a handful of countries accepting travelers without quarantining or a negative COVID test. Travelers need to choose whether they want to get on a plane or get in the car. In my case, I did both as I have taken road trips in every country I’ve visited during the pandemic. When considering International destinations, travelers need to consider the logistics and expense of getting a COVID test abroad to meet the CDC requirement for all passengers returning to the USA.
I choose destinations where the infection rates are low and it is easy to social distance. My most recent travels have taken me to Costa Rica, Mexico and Turkey. The geography and landscape lend themselves to fewer crowds. In Costa Rica, active outdoor pursuits abound, sitting on empty beaches, zip-lining over the jungle, hiking volcanos and waterfalls are opportunities to enjoy nature while social distancing. It was nice to have such a popular tourist destination mostly to myself.
Changes to International Travel
The travel regulations vary from country to country, so research is key. Some countries are now accepting a vaccine document in place of a negative COVID test. For example, Costa Rica requires a health declaration to enter the country. A QR code from the health ministry is needed to board a flight to Costa Rica. Also, extra insurance related to COVID is required. Most importantly, a quarantine or a COVID test is not required to enter Costa Rica. The same is true for Mexico, the Dominican Republic, North Macedonia, Seychelles (March 25) and Tanzania. The State Dept website is my first go-to source in the research process.
One of my biggest travel tips for travel in the new era is to purchase travel insurance. However, upgrading travel insurance to give more coverage to travelers costs more than the average insurance policy. For Costa Rica, a visa letter stating the insurance details needs to be uploaded to the ministry of health to complete the health declaration.
Tips for Choosing Between Hotels or Airbnb or Private Villas
Privacy and safety are my main concerns when booking a hotel, Airbnb or home rental. I chose hotels that were already socially distanced in their layout. Meaning not every room is in one building. One hotel had a maximum of 3 rooms per building. So there was a lot of privacy for guests, and they are limiting the number of guests.
Above all, the staffs strict mask protocol, reservation procedure for meals for social distancing, amenities like hand sanitizer, made me feel safe. Hotels and resorts are now using technology like WhatsApp to eliminate personal contact and paper. Cleaning and Sanitation policies are complete. The best amenity is when a COVID test is either provided by or coordinated by the hotel.
Don’t Forget to Plan to get a COVID test Abroad
This travel tip in the new era of travel isn’t going away anytime soon. A negative COVID test taken three days before returning to the USA is required for all passengers. I started the process by researching the state department website, which often links tourism boards or foreign government websites. After that, I bookmarked clinics and websites that collect a specimen or process a COVID test.
In the end, I stayed at a hotel that completely coordinated the test for me. They forwarded my flight time to a local clinic to make my appointment. My appointment was private at a private clinic where the specimen was collected. I had my negative results within 24 hrs. For more on How to get a COVID test abroad, CLICK HERE
Domestic Travel Trends and Destinations
There are currently some fantastic deals for travel at resorts throughout the country and internationally. We are lucky that we have a great network of National & State Parks in the United States. Since Spring is around the corner, consider warmer destinations like Arizona – the Grand Canyon, Spring Training, or Spa Weekend in Sedona. The natural beauty of the United States is indisputable and can easily enjoyed by all citizens.
In my great state of California, we have the best National Park in the country — Yosemite. Hidden gems like Mendocino County are available to travelers looking for a unique experience with all of the social distancing and safety built in. Check out my video on Mendocino or my friends Honeytrek’s video on a cool rail bike journey through the Redwoods.
Safe Travel in the New Era
The goal of sharing 5 travel tips for the new era of travel is to help others travel responsibly and safely. Travel is a personal choice. It may seem like there is more to plan and research, but it is well worth it in the end. Lastly, I’ve tested negative for COVID after traveling responsibly and safely. I obey local laws and follow the medical advice of social distancing, wearing a mask and practicing good hand health.
bulbulonthewing
In the current scenario, it is so important to travel responsibly, both for yourself and others. When it comes to stays, I nowadays am preferring Airbnb as it your own private space with nobody else in the premises. I just feel more safe there. But, as you have mentioned, many hotels are following strict covid-19 guidelines.
bulbulonthewing
Getting the covid test done in abroad is indeed a good amount of panning altogether.