Since this blog’s anniversary is getting near, I decided to celebrate by sharing to you my most favorite travel tips and advice that I can swear by. Some of these are given to me as advice by seasoned travelers and some I learned the hard way. But what’s more important is, we learn something new every day!


1.       Pack light and efficiently

I used to be a pack rat, but I soon learned that traveling light has lots of advantages. Not only is it easier to move, you can also save on check-in baggage fees and your body will thank you for it too. Also, just because you are allowed certain kilos of luggage for your trip doesn’t mean you have to maximize it. Be sure to check the weather too before packing!

A friend of mine taught me the trick to rolling my clothes a few years back and I’ve been doing it ever since. It really does save up space.

Best to travel with a light heart and insatiable curiosity too.

my super trusty High Sierra that's been with me all over the Philippines!


2.       Plan enough but be flexible

Those who know me would be used to my incessant itinerary planning by now. I used to worry over every little detail of the trip. I always research my destination and get advice from travelers and online communities. But frequent trips would make you realize that planning is good, but being open-minded and flexible is better. Always expect that not everything will go as planned. And oftentimes, the best experiences come when you truly not expect it. Don’t be afraid to get lost!

3.       Respect

Learn to respect the locals, the culture, customs, and the environment. Be a responsible traveler. Respect begets respect.

4.       Back up!

Learned this the hard way when my previous phone was stolen. Luckily some of my photos were backed up in cloud. So do not be afraid of technology. Do not just store your important documents in one place. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You can back your documents or photos in cloud storage (i.e. Dropbox, Google drive, etc.), in an external hard drive, as well as DVDs. Have both physical and digital copies of your important documents and identifications.

5.       Learn a phrase or two

While it’s true that English is the only language you’ll ever need in your travels, it doesn’t hurt for you to learn a phrase or two of the local language. Albeit if it’s just a simple “hello” or thank you in their dialect, the locals will appreciate it. There is a plethora of apps that you can download in your mobile to help you with that, like Google translate or Duolingo.

6.       Smile!

A little smile can go a long way! Do not be afraid to smile at the locals even while walking. Don’t take life so seriously. Never ever leave the house without your sense of humor. And always remember to look on the bright side of life.

7.       Eat local

I, for one, have always been an advocate of eating your way through a place. It is a great way to get to know a place and its people. Go where the locals eat. As they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans”. Don’t be the type of traveler who goes to eat at McD’s everywhere he goes.

trying out the local market across from our hostel in Bangkok

8.       Always bring a first aid kit

You never know what can happen so it’s best to come prepared. You need not bring your whole first aid cabinet. Just a few essentials should do the trick. I always bring the following: a few meds for pain, fever, allergy, motion sickness, diarrhea, and colds; gauze and bandages; tiger balm; and disinfectant.

9.       Hotels are not the only available accommodation

There are plenty of other options, from hostels, inns, bed & breakfast, guest house, pension house, apartments, and even private homes. Why spend so much money for accommodation when you’re only going to spend time there sleeping and cleaning yourself up? There are also a plethora of apps and websites to help you choose your accommodation. Choose from TripAdvisor, Agoda, Booking, Expedia, Couchsurfing, Hostelworld, Airbnb, Hostelbookers, and others.

hostel in Bangkok, Thailand

10.   Be wise. Don’t get scammed.

Best to leave your valuables at home. And unless you walk around with a bodyguard in tow, best not to walk around a foreign country with your expensive bling-bling. Research what scams are popular in the country/place you’re going to. Consider buying a money belt where you can put your money and your IDs. Always be alert of your surroundings. 


How about you? What are the best travel tips and advice that works for you? Feel free to share in the comments below!