Digital Nomads: Do's and Dont’s if you work while traveling the world
Preparing to embark on a trip always generates a variety of emotions. On one hand, there is the excitement of getting to know a new place, new people and, if possible, leaving the comfort zone and the comfort of home. There is also the worry of having everything up to date and ready for the destinations we are going to visit: passports, visas, hotel reservations, transportation, among many other things.
This is why it is very easy to overlook certain things that are very important to consider, especially if you are going to work and travel in many places which probably involves a trip of several months.
If you are trying to put together a list of every detail of your trip, organizing what you should, and also what you should not do during your trip, you are in the right place.
At InternationalHealth.com we created a list of things NOT to do while traveling the world.
1. Never travel without health insurance!
No matter how young and healthy you are, accidents or illnesses can happen at any time. Even if the country you are traveling to does not require you to have health insurance to enter, for your health and your wallet, you should have one.
The saying "it is better to be safe than sorry" applies perfectly in this case.
Hire a health insurance plan that covers you in case of accidents, injuries, illnesses and even lost luggage, valuables and flights.
Want to know how to find the right health insurance for your trip? Read on! We'll tell you below.
2. Don't travel without a plan! It is very important to lay out and have under control different variables that may change during the trip.
Knowing where you are going and how you are going to get there is very important when visiting a new place. A flight or bus may be delayed or cancelled, there may be unexpected traffic, we may get on the subway in the wrong direction, etc. Many things that are out of our control can change our itinerary, so it is important to have certain points thought out and booked in advance.
By planning these important points of the itinerary, we can save ourselves from having to walk around looking for lodging or spending time wondering what transportation we should take to get to a certain place.
And remember, do not trust that you will always find lodging when you arrive at a place, in certain places and especially during busy seasons, it can be very difficult to find a place to spend the night if you do not book it beforehand.
Make your reservations ahead of time, write down addresses and have evidence of everything you book online. It is also good to research how local transportation works, you can save yourself from scams or unregulated means of transportation.
3. Always maintain a budget and stick to it.
Consider the living expenses in the place where you are going to be. Even if you maintain a steady income from your job, naturally during a trip there are extra expenses that you don't have if you are living at home. It may sound excessive, but creating a spreadsheet detailing how much you plan to spend on a daily or weekly basis will help you keep order of your expenses.
It is always important to have a "reserve" of money that you can use for emergencies, whether it is in case you have to return home unexpectedly, pay for lodging you didn't budget for, or for unexpected medical expenses.
That's why it's important to invest in activities and treats that will add to your travel experience, but stay within your budget.
4. Be aware of different time zones and keep your focus on your work.
If you are going to work remotely, you must consider where in the world you are traveling to. For example, if you work in South America and travel to Southeast Asia, you will have a time difference of between 10 and 12 hours, so you will be working during the night and early morning, something unsustainable, especially if you want to take advantage of your free time. Therefore, if you have to keep a schedule, be in meetings and complete your daily tasks, do not travel to places where you will have to be connected at off hours.
It is very important that you keep your focus on your work. Remember that this income is what allows you to continue traveling the world. Knowing how to balance pleasure and fun with work can be one of the hardest things to do if you work while traveling. But avoid falling into temptations, do your job responsibly.
The best way to do this is to organize your schedule well and have a healthy routine, similar to the one you would have at home. Respect your sleep schedules during the week so that you have energy both for work and to be able to walk around and meet people during your free time.
5. Educate yourself about the culture, traditions and history of the place you visit.
We live in a globalized world that is increasingly connected. This allows us to learn about different cultures and traditions with a simple Google search. Before traveling to a new country, learning about its culture and traditions is a great way to be prepared for the differences you may encounter upon arrival. It also allows you to understand why people behave a certain way, or treat foreigners in a particular way.
But above all, it is a way to show respect for the place we are going to visit. Our responsibility as visitors is to adapt and respect the local culture, and the only way to do that is to learn about it.
How do I know which insurance to hire?
There are many options in the insurance market for digital nomads. The decision is not easy to make, since there are plans that may offer different benefits and vary greatly in price.
What you must consider first is what type of insurance you need. This will depend first on how much you want to pay, and the amount of time you plan to travel.
If you are going for an indefinite period of time and you are going to be moving around many countries, the best option you have is to hire international health insurance. These have global coverage for all types of accidents, hospitalizations, high cost procedures and even repatriation. You can find plans with coverage in every country in the world. Therefore, if you want to have the freedom to move anywhere without worrying about your medical expenses, look for an international health insurance plan.
Short trips
For shorter trips, for example if you are going to travel for 2 or 6 months and you are going to a certain number of countries, the best option is a travel insurance. This will provide coverage for outpatient care and medical emergencies you may have during your trip. These insurances are also cheaper than international medical insurance.
Why hire insurance at InternationalHealth.com?
☑️ You will be able to find and contract the best alternative for you and your family.
☑️It's completely free. You will find the same value as contracting it directly with the company, but adding all the IH after-sales service.
☑️We work with all insurance companies. You will have the best alternatives to quote and compare.
You may be interested in reading:
The Best Health Insurances for Digital Nomads
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