You’ve booked the trip! Congrats! If not, why not? 😄 But really though, if you haven’t reserved anything yet, jump over to our post: Easy Step-by-Step Guide: How To Plan The Best Family Trip. That blog post dives into the first things you should do while planning a trip, including researching visa requirements, activities and flights… This blog details the important things to know about a country before visiting. This can happen after everything is reserved. I usually do this country-specific research within the last few weeks prior to the trip. 

So, before hopping on the plane and just showing up, why should you get to know the country you are visiting? Not only do you NOT want to offend people, but you also don’t want to look like an ignorant tourist.

I mean as an American, we have a bad enough reputation when traveling. Let’s change the narrative!!! Please stop wearing your socks with sandals abroad! 🤭

Seriously though, every country is unique, and that is one of the reasons I love traveling. It gives you a different perspective and forces you to look at details you normally would overlook. Below, I have compiled a list of 4 necessary research topics with things to know about a country before visiting. 

Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. When clicking on the links and booking travel, I receive a small commission with no extra costs for you. Please note, I only recommend brands I actually use and trust. Please see full disclosure here.

Como Se Dice…? – Learn A Bit Of The Language

What language does the country speak? Do you speak this language? And if not, can you expect that anyone will speak English there? These are a few of the questions you should be asking in regards to language. 

I would suggest learning a few key phrases before going to a country for the first time if you don’t know the language. Even just knowing how to greet someone, saying thank you, and goodbye show a great deal of respect. 

Thankfully, with technology these days, even if English isn’t widely spoken and you don’t speak the native language, there are still ways to communicate. Don’t fret!

Google translate is my favorite translation app. It will translate words using the camera mode which is a lifesaver for menus and grocery stores! It can also translate a sentence and speak the words for you. Genius! I recommend downloading the app for use on the go. 

You will need data to use the google translate on the go. I always recommend getting an e-sim before traveling abroad. It is easier than finding a new sim upon arrival and cheaper than going through your phone company.

I have used both Airlo and Firsty. They both work great but have a few differences.

Airlo – The positives are that it is pretty inexpensive and you can get e-sims for over 200 specific countries or choose a region. The country specific options are cheaper.

The negatives are that you have to connect to wifi when you arrive to get it set up and connected.

Firsty – The positives are that there is only one e-sim that you need to download that can be used all over the world. This means you can get it set up before you get on the plane and instantly connect when you land. They also have different options for plans depending on how much money you want to spend and the speed or the data.

The negatives are that you pay by the day and if you want fast internet, in reality, it adds up to be more expensive than Airlo. If you only need it for the basics it is the better option!

Note: With any e-sims, you will need your phone to be unlocked to use the e-sims.

There are other translation apps out there too, so find one that works for you. When we visited our host family in Panama, our kids communicated with their kids through an app. They just needed to speak into it, and then the app would say the phrase in the other language. It was amazing to see! 

You May Also Like: How to Make Family A Priority: Make a Travel Goal

Money Matters To Research Before Visiting A New Country

Cash Or Card?

Having access to your money is important one of the most important things to know about a country before visiting. Not all countries accept credit cards and some don’t want your cash.

For example, in the Northern Netherlands where we live, a lot of the stores don’t take credit cards. While this is slowly changing, we need to pay with a pin (a debit card) or cash. 

Another tip around money is to always pay in the currency of the country you are visiting. Your credit card company will give you the best exchange rate which will save you money in the end. Not many places ask if you want to be charged in your home country’s currency, but you may see this every once in a while.

If you need to get money out of an ATM, it is always a good idea to check with your bank to see what the fees will be and let them know where you are traveling. Usually there is a transaction fee per use instead of a percentage of the amount of money, so it is better to get out a little more cash than you think. Although, don’t take out too much as you don’t want bring a bunch of foreign currency home.

Currency and Exchange Rate

Check what the currency is and the exchange rate of the country you are visiting. It can feel a little bit like using play money when paying for different things abroad.

Knowing that 10,000 Colombian Pesos is actually only $2.50 is good to know! I use xe.com to find what the current exchange rate is. 

Tipping

The last piece of money advice I have is to research tipping. No other country compares to the U.S. as far as tipping is concerned. Americans tip way more and in more places than other countries.

In the Netherlands, you aren’t required to tip at a restaurant. I know, I just blew your mind, right?! Although, if you do get good service, it is nice to leave a few Euro for a tip. I usually aim for around 10%. 

You May Also Like: 5 Simple Considerations When Choosing The Best Family Vacation Destination

Safety – Research How To Stay Safe In a New Country

Staying safe while traveling is a concern many tourists have. There are a few safety things to know about a country before visiting.

Water Safety

Not all countries have safe drinking water. A quick search of “Can I drink the water in ____?” will get you the answer you need most of the time. I would also include the city you are visiting.

For example, in Medellin, Colombia the water is safe to drink from the tap, but if you are in other parts of the country it isn’t.

Same with Panama. Panama City is safe and many other parts of the country, but Bocas del Toro and a few other areas don’t have the filtration system set up yet. 

Emergency Number

A quick search of what number to call if there is an emergency is important. You won’t have time to do the search if an emergency is happening and 911 is not universal.

Some countries even have different codes for an ambulance, police or fire.

The U.S. State Department has an informative pdf you can check or just do a quick google search before taking off.

Better to be safe than sorry. Save the number on your phone or memorize it.

Common Scams

Lastly, checking what common scams happen in certain countries is helpful so you don’t fall victim to them. Google “Common scams to avoid while traveling to _____ ” and you will find a list of them. This is not to scare you, but to keep you informed.

From our experience, the most common scams involve taxis. When you know what to look for it is much easier to avoid a terrible situation. 

You May Also Like: Travel Safety Tips For Families: How To Stay Safe On Vacation

What Not To Do When Visiting a New Country

The last thing I research before visiting a new country is the customs of different countries. The last thing we want to do when visiting a new country is to offend someone and there are SOO many different ways we could without even knowing it.

Let’s try our best not to. 

Here are some examples of customs of different cultures: 

• Did you know that it is offensive to touch a Thai person’s head or to use your feet for anything besides walking? 

• Some hand signals we use that mean a positive thing, may mean something else in another country. For example, the okay hand sign where you touch your index finger to your thumb is offensive in other countries and is equal to calling someone an asshole.

• If you google what not to do in the Netherlands you get, don’t walk in the bike lane (fietspad) if there’s a sidewalk. This is very important because the bikes will hit you. Also you will learn that Dutch people are not spontaneous which means making a dinner reservation is a little more important here as well. There is a pizza restaurant in Amsterdam where you need to make a reservation a year in advance!

• If you are traveling to a highly religious area, learn how people dress and dress appropriately to show respect for their culture. For example, if you are visiting Oman, it is advised to make sure your shoulders are covered and you don’t show your knees. 

I hope that learning some of these things to know about a country before visiting helps you avoid any blunders, keep safe, save money and have a wonderful experience.

You May Also Like: How To Plan a Family Trip That Everyone Will Enjoy?