TRAVEL TIPS FROM 6 WEEKS OF TRAVELING AS A DIGITAL NOMAD

Guest Post by Carlyita Co

I have been travelling around Mexico on my solo digital nomad journey for the past six weeks. I wouldn’t say that I am an expert traveller, but I have learned some things that have helped me stay grounded during this trip. 

First things first, I’m not on vacation. I’m travelling. These words can sometimes be interchangeable, but at this moment, they are not. For a long time, I imagined cruises and resorts and thought, yes, you are technically travelling, but it’s different from the trips that I’ve been on or seen online. For me, a vacation is a relaxing time. It’s meant to relax, release and unwind. If you are indulging in an all-inclusive resort or taking the seas by cruise ship, you are in full vacation mode. 

To me, travelling means being more engrossed in the local culture—eating street tacos, staying at hostels, seeing the sights, and living like a local. 

While you are travelling, you can experience vacationing, and while vacationing, you can do some travelling. No shame in either. Take whichever aligns with you! 

For me, this trip is all about travelling. I am living in Mexico for the time being. Here is my list of life hacks to help me ground down and feel empowered.

Travel slowly.

Don’t be afraid to stay for 5+ nights in one area. The shortest time that I stayed in one place was 3 days, and that felt WAY too short. As someone who works M-F online, I prioritize the weekends to explore. I also try to plan my travel days on weekends or days when I don’t have meetings or a lot on my to-do list so I can focus on my well-being during a hectic day.

Use the local currency.

No matter where you go, it is respectful and expected to use the local currency. I recommend talking with your bank before you leave and purchasing the local currency where you are going beforehand. That way, you are prepared to pay your taxi driver or hop on a bus with ease. Many countries will take USD as a form of payment, but you are getting a better deal when you stay local.

Decline the ATM exchange rate.

When you are travelling long-term, you are going to need to take out cash at some point. I have used the local ATMs in multiple different countries, and I only JUST learned that you can decline the exchange rate that they offer! The ATM will charge you a fee for using a foreign card, usually around $1-$2, then they will offer an exchange rate. Hit “no thanks” and your bank will choose an exchange rate which is usually better. I recently took our cash after learning this and saved $2! It’s not much, but it adds up.

Please note, your bank may charge a foreign ATM fee as well, mine charges $5 per ATM visit, so I try to take out the max amount each time to save on fees. Be careful which ATM you visit, I only visit an ATM if it has the PLUS symbol that matches the back of my card.

Learn some of the local language.

For the most part, wherever you go, a lot of people will speak at least a little bit of English. That being said, it is so valuable and respectful to learn the essential phrases in the language where you are going. Being here in Mexico, the Spanish that I learned in high school is slowly coming back. In other countries that I’ve travelled to, I make an effort to learn “Hello,” “Goodbye,” and “Thank You”

Get a local SIM card.

Having data to load your map when you’re exploring a new town/city/country is the most reassuring thing. Most smartphones are unlocked these days, and having a local SIM card is game-changing. A local phone number can help you stay connected and get deals while travelling. I recommend researching how to get a local SIM card.

In most cases, it will be MUCH cheaper to get the local SIM than to get the “travelling plan” that your phone company offers back home! It’s also great if you are somewhere with spotty wifi! If you are travelling around to different countries often, there are e-sims that you can purchase. Airalo is a great e-sim option! Use code CARLY5479 when you sign up for a bonus!

Be flexible.

Being flexible on your travel days could help you save hundreds on travelling. Flights will fluctuate every single day in price. If you have a window in which you can travel vs specific dates, you can save so much. For example, I am currently in Mexico City, and my next destination is Puerto Escondido. If I fly there next Friday, my flight is going to cost me $162. If I don’t mind leaving a few days earlier, I can get my flight for only $84.

It’s not hundreds of savings, but it adds up over time! I like to use the Hopper app to track when flights are cheapest! They will track the trends and let you know when the best time to buy is! Use code CARLYM2D6 when you sign up for a bonus!

Find your non-negotiables while travelling.

Long-term travel is hard. It’s full of ups and downs and life lessons. Something that I have found essential is to find my non-negotiables. When I first got to Mexico, I thought that a non-negotiable for me would be to have my own space—my own room. While I still find that important, it’s not always in the budget for a solo traveller.

I’ve been staying at hostels for short-term travelling, and I do my best to make myself feel safe and secure. That means locking up my valuables so that I have peace of mind. That means opting for a bottom bunk whenever possible so that I can make myself a blanket fort and have some privacy. That means booking smaller hostels to avoid the party scenes because I value sleep. Your non-negotiables may change from place to place, and that’s okay!

Here are some other non-negotiables that I’ve found while travelling: 

• Blanket fort wherever possible. My inner child loves these

• A backup charger, so I always have a phone battery

• My emotional support water bottle

• Hostels to meet other travellers. I’m shocked, too! I actually prefer hostels so I can meet people! I’ve met some AMAZING people over these 6 weeks

• Sunglasses and sunscreen. This one is kind of obvious in a tropical destination, but I don’t leave the hostel without my sunglasses and sunscreen

Remember what a badass you are.

I find myself getting so caught up that I’m not seeing enough, exploring enough, relaxing enough, meeting enough people. If I zoom out of self-doubt, I can see that I’ve been supporting myself in Mexico for 6 whole weeks!? How cool is that? Travelling is fucking HARD, but the hard times make the good times that much sweeter.

I hope that these tips help you if or when you embark on your digital nomad journey! Stay safe out there! 

This is my hot take but hostels with a cat are better than hostels without a cat.

XO, Carly

Unlock the Joys of Budget Friendly Travel: 10 Must-Try Tips for a Remarkable Trip

Travelling is one of the most incredible and sought-after activities. Over the years travelling has increased in popularity hugely, with many people leaving their traditional jobs for work that allows them the flexibility to travel as they please.

Often, there is only one thing that stops people from living that life of full-time travel or even just travelling as much as they want… Money.

In our post-COVID world, travelling and flying prices have increased roughly 20-60%.

We might have created more flexible schedules… But chances are, with inflation as crazy as it is, we might not have the funds to back up that increased flexibility.

But there are definitely ways to make travelling still attainable if it’s a high priority for you in 2024.

Try these simple hacks to have a fabulous trip without breaking the bank too much:

1.Research and Plan Ahead

Start planning your trip as early as you can and keep an eye on price trends, including discounts and promotions. Sign up for email lists for airlines, hotels, discount travel sites, etc. If you don’t have a destination in mind then keep an open mind. You might end up surprised with where you go. But, honestly, sometimes the best deals are the more last-minute ones. So, if you have the flexibility, spontaneous trips might be up your alley.

I also recommend researching budget-friendly travel destinations and accommodation options. If you don’t have a place in mind, start doing some research and you might end up finding something you really love!

2. Use cash instead of credit cards

This is my personal favourite one. I always grab cash for my trip. First, it’s kind of fun to have money that you don’t see every day (for me, it makes it feel more real) and second, it brings your spending habits to the forefront. In my brain it’s, ‘out of sight, out of mind’. If I can’t see it, I’m not aware of what I’m spending. With cash, you can physically see how much you spend. You can watch your money decrease and you can see how much you have left.

I love this for budgeting purposes and it actually makes me a little stingier than I normally would have been. I question if I really need to bring everyone back a gift, if I have to buy every cool trinket I see, etc.

3. Travel During The Off-Season

This was something we really learned in 2023. My husband was deployed for 7 months and because of that, we got a chunk of money from the government to go on a trip. We picked Greece! It was number one on my bucketlist for my entire life. But, when you travel this way, you don’t have a free-for-all on dates, you’re given a specific block of time.

So, we ended up getting mid-March to the start of April and it ended up being the best time to go! There were many reasons (you can check out one of the blogs I wrote about Greece!) but one of the best was cheaper flights, cheaper accommodations (and often upgraded accommodations) and cheaper attractions.

You can enjoy quieter destinations for a more affordable price.

4. Explore Budget-Friendly Destinations

When selecting your travel destination consider what your currency is like compared to others. Do some research and figure out which countries your dollar goes further in. For North Americans, Mexico, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central America tend to be a favourable currency exchange.

This doesn’t mean the flights will be cheaper but once you get there, spending money is often easier as our dollar tends to go further.

5. Cook Your Own Meals

Now, I’m not saying you need to cook all of your own meals, as some of the fun of travelling is enjoying the local cuisine but you can save a decent chunk of change by making at least some of your own meals. The easiest ones I have found are breakfast and lunch. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, I highly recommend having breakfast there each morning before heading out. You can also grab snacks or quick lunch options that you can take on the go with you once you head out to explore.

If you can, shop at the local markets for fresh and local produce. Not only are you supporting your own health by getting fresh food from its place of origin but you’re also supporting the local economy and small business owners. Win-Win.

6. Free and Low-Cost Activities

Again, this is where your savvy research skills come in handy. Almost every attraction you’ll find every place you go will have a fee associated. Some are a must-see, regardless of the price, like the Acropolis in Athens but you can often find amazing ones for an affordable price.

Seek out free walking tours (or by donation ones such as the Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh), museums (especially the less known ones) with discounted entry or outdoor activities such as hikes (some of the best views can be discovered while hiking. I had this experience in Stirling, Edinburgh and Santorini). You can also take advantage of nature, parks and local events.

7. Use Budget Airlines and Public Transportation

Opt for budget airlines and buses to save on your transportation costs. The big airlines are not the only viable option. So, many people swear by them, saying the smaller airlines aren’t as good but I’ve often had just fine experiences on them. Typically, if I’m going overseas, I stick to bigger airlines and just look for discounts but if you’re flying around the UK and other parts of Europe, keep an open mind.

For a more authentic experience, taking public transportation is also the best option! Using Uber or renting cars are definitely more convenient but to save some dollars and just relax and slow down, hit a train or a bus.

8. Decide on One Souvenir to Bring Back

Yes, everything seems so cool when you’re in another country but before buying, ask yourself if you really need all of those souvenirs, knowing they’ll just be trophies around your house or if one will be fine. These can eat up your budget so quickly. My favourite things to bring back are postcards (I have a growing postcard collection) and they happen to be probably the cheapest souvenirs you can find.

Hot tip - Do not tell your friends and family you’ll bring things back for them. You can feel free to do that if you like for some people (I bought my sister a birthday present in Greece and bought my mom a birthday present in Northern Ireland) but don’t promise you will. Once you do that it’s a slippery slope to bringing everyone something back.

9. Discount Cards and Passes

I’m always surprised when people don’t realize you can usually get discount passes for countries. For example, you can get a pass to visit a handful of castles in Scotland and a pass to get into all the historical attractions in Athens. Doing this ends up making seeing all of them a heck of a lot more affordable. For the pass we got in Athens, we essentially got at least half of the attractions for free.

Something else to consider is finding memberships or apps that offer discounts on accommodations, flights or activities. You can get updated on flights and accommodations you’re looking for and even find the best deals on activities and tours.

10. Connect with Locals

But, ultimately, when it comes to the best of the best and most affordable, no one knows more than a local. Often companies are trying to make money, so they’ll upsell you something you probably didn’t need. Instead, make friends with a local or find a local on social media and ask for recommendations.

This is also a great way to get an authentic experience of that country!

Happy budget-friendly travelling!