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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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How to Plan an International Trip

Last Updated: February 25, 2022 · Digital Nomad, Travel Tips

Are you planning a trip overseas? International travel can be scary if it’s your first time leaving your home country.

I distinctly remember taking my first trip abroad as a child full of curiosity carrying zero responsibility. But as an adult, planning for an international trip can feel intimidating because, suddenly, everything going smoothly depends on you and you alone (well, you and some magic dust from the Universe). ✨

I’ve lived and traveled abroad as a slow-traveling nomad practically full-time since 2015. All of my trips are “international” trips, over domestic. So, if you’re currently reading this and worrying about how to plan your upcoming trip overseas—you can relax.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through a simple and effective process for going about planning any type of international trip—the process is the same whether you’re taking a two-week vacation or a two-month-long sabbatical to find yourself somewhere in Southeast Asia.

Are you ready to voyage beyond borders on your first international trip? Let’s get planning below!

Table of Contents show
How to Plan Your International Trip
Step 1: Plan & Prepare a Checklist
Step 2: Find Deals on International Flights
Step 3: Book Accommodation & Rentals
Step 4: Get Travel Insurance
Step 5: Take Care of Logistics
Step 6: Be Flexibile & Consider a “Backup” Plan
Step 7: Pack & Get Organized
Step 8: Relax & Enjoy the Experience

How to Plan Your International Trip

woman in front of taj mahal at sunrise

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

If you’ve mainly traveled domestically within your own country, you’ll soon realize that traveling internationally requires a bit more planning and preparation. But don’t worry—it’s nothing a quick checklist can’t knock out.

Step 1: Plan & Prepare a Checklist

A checklist is going to help you organize yourself and allow your brain to dump the hefty to-do list on paper.

Go, grab a pen and paper, and start writing down, in a neat column, the things you need to do to prepare for your international trip.

On that piece of paper, you’ll probably have a list that looks something like this:

  • Flights and accommodation
  • Passports, visas (if any), and travel docs
  • Getting from point A to point B, find cell service, and other logistics
  • Things to do, places to eat, and what to see
  • Etc, etc

Once you have done a total brain-dumpage of things you need to do before, during, and possibly after your trip, then you can start to circle what’s a priority.

From there, take your list and turn it into an action plan. This is what this blog post helps you do. Planning and preparing the checklist was already step one—see how good it feels to tackle the action plan already?

Once you have a clear idea of what to do, start ticking off the to-dos one by one. You can do them in order, or by priority.

Priority tasks, for example, might include:

A) Getting your passport or any visas in order.

B) Doing ample research online for the destination country in question.

C) Preparing all important travel documents you may need and booking ahead of time to save money.

Either way, just start doing it! Don’t procrastinate preparing for your trip abroad.

Me? I like to start my international trip planning by seeing what’s possible in terms of flight deals.

Step 2: Find Deals on International Flights

view of airplane wing over clouds at sunset
Planning international travel is half the fun!

I always find the best deals on international flights by playing around on Google Flights. The second best option that I use and can recommend is KAYAK.

Tips for finding cheap international flights:

  • Search flights to/from nearby airports you could drive to (larger, international airports usually offer better flight connections)
  • Use the “Date grid” and “Price graph” features to spot dates with cheaper rates (marked in green)
  • You may get suggestions by Google on better connections, dates, and airports
  • Select “Track prices” to get email notifications whenever a price changes for a particular flight
  • Stay flexible!

Once you find a flight, click off/through to book directly through the airline website, NOT with an agency like Expedia, Rumbo, Kiwi, etc. It’s just better to reserve directly via the airline’s website to avoid mishaps and overbookings.

Always check baggage policies of the flights you are booking, so you don’t show up at the airport and get surcharge fees for extra luggage.

Note: You never need to pay for your seat on a plane, unless you want to. The same goes for insurance, hotels, and car rentals—you can book all that separate from the airfare (although, if there is a package deal that is actually good value, go for it).

Step 3: Book Accommodation & Rentals

apartment rental in san cristobal mexico
Our apartment during our time living in San Cristobal, Mexico (ft. Yoda)

Once you have an idea of the start and end dates (based on the best flight deals or your fixed vacation days) of your international trip, then you can start planning your accommodation, days you might need a car rental, and your general trip trajectory (i.e. how you’ll spend your time, things to do, day trips to go on, etc).

This is the most fun part!!

For hotels, I use Booking.com and have always had a seamless experience. I like using their platform to book and keep track of my reservations more than any other.

If you become a Genius member, you also get loyalty discounts and perks like 10% off, priority rates, and free breakfast in participating establishments.

Depending on the type of trip, we also search on Airbnb.

For reserving rental cars overseas, I search rates on Discovercars.com and go ahead and reserve in advance. I love using this website for rentals because the price quoted is the price you pay—no hidden fees, and their cancellation policy is pretty easy.

Step 4: Get Travel Insurance

woman hiker in front of lava river from pacaya volcano
Hiking on an active volcano? Let’s get you insured first.
infographic safetywing travel medical insurance for digital nomads

Once everything is booked or, at least, saved for booking later, start thinking about everything else that involves travel that you might overlook or miss.

A perfect example is travel insurance. So many of us skip over this crucial step of international trip planning and yet, it’s arguably the most important.

I use and love SafetyWing — it’s a travel medical insurance for digital nomads. That said, you can’t book it before you leave the United States. It’s only once you’re abroad that you can purchase it.

The best part?

It takes less than five minutes to sign up and coverage starts immediately.

Just pop in your basic info, where you’ll be traveling abroad, and you’ll receive your insurance ID card by email that same minute you checkout. It costs only $40/4 weeks, too, which means trips shorter than that will likely even be cheaper.

Step 5: Take Care of Logistics

digital nomad working on laptop
Planning an international trip doesn’t need to feel scary!

Part of the stress that comes with international travel derives from a feeling of unpreparedness.

To settle your anxiety, take care of the little things that are stressing you.

For example, “Once I land, how do I get from the airport to my hotel?” While it’s a simple question, it can unleash a motherload of other similar questions that will, eventually, overwhelm you because you don’t have the answers right away.

I’ve found the best way to deal with that is to just go ahead and plan, as much as possible, for the “next step.”

So, answer the question, what will you do once you arrive at your destination? Research the available options in advance; that way, you can have an idea of what to do next in person even if it’s not perfectly planned out.

Familiarity is everything with travel. And so, if you plan ahead, you’ll already feel familiar with what it is you have to do and where you need to go even in an unfamiliar place.

Step 6: Be Flexibile & Consider a “Backup” Plan

female digital nomad in front of the "follow that dream" sign in tulum, mexico

Something that helps me plan my international trips is hypothetically making a backup plan. It can really just provide you with the bigger picture; the perspective that there’s always a solution, and everything will always work out.

Ask yourself “If, then” questions just so you can see that if something does go awry, you can follow it up with, “Well, what then?”

Trust me, it can really help put space in between you and your stressor; your big worry about something not going “right.”

For example, when I talk to my mom about traveling, she never fails to come back with, “But what if I miss my flight and can’t get home, or I get lost?” To that, I usually say, “Then you’ll get on the next flight out.”

Done. Problem solved.

Remember, your “big worries” aren’t likely going to manifest in real life, not unless that’s where you put all your energy and focus into… (fact: my mom actually did miss her flight from worrying about it so much—she survived).

Step 7: Pack & Get Organized

digital nomad packing backpack
I always pack my backpack the night before an international trip

You’re almost there!

The last thing I do before traveling overseas is pack my bags—my backpacks, to be precise (I don’t travel with hard luggage anymore).

I use the 40L REI recycled Ruckpack for moves (check-in luggage), backpack trips, and general travel, and my WANDRD PRVKE 11L expandable camera backpack as my carry-on.

Take three hours to pack well a couple of days before your departure date. I have a handy moving abroad packing list here for you, and even though you might not be actually moving, it’ll give you a good idea of what to pack for an overseas trip!

Things to layout and prepare the night before:

  • Your outfit for your travel day (I choose comfort > style for international trips because long flights are uncomfortable enough).
  • Double check you have your wallet/credit cards, visa (if required), passport, keys, and all reservations (ideally, saved on your phone in digital—print them if you have to) before leaving your house.
  • Saving emergency numbers, offline maps, etc, are good “just in case” safety measures to have/follow, as well.

Everything else—from your toiletries to your clothes to whatever—can be packed.

TIP: If your international flight is 10+ hours or longer, then you may want to bring a very small toiletry bag in your carry-on bag to “freshen up” on the flight. I personally hate going long flights/travel days without brushing my teeth or at least wiping my face clean with a washcloth. 🪥🧼

Step 8: Relax & Enjoy the Experience

boy putting holi powder on foreigner in kathmandu nepal during the holi festival
Celebrating Holi in Kathmandu, Nepal

The last step is arguably just as important as all the others—relax and ENJOY your trip overseas!

Traveling abroad and visiting other cultures and lands is wildly exciting and eye-opening. It affords travelers wonderful learning and growth opportunities if you allow it.

For your return trip home, make sure to follow the same steps as above! Triple-check your most important documents and belongings (i.e. passport, wallet, IDs, medications, visas, etc) so nothing valuable gets left behind. If you forget clothing or other souvenirs, they can always be replaced!

If you have a particular question or worry about traveling internationally or would just like my advice on your itinerary, feel free to drop your comments down below and I’ll get back to you as best I can.

📍 PIN THIS INTERNATIONAL TRIP PLANNING GUIDE!

Pinterest pin with image of woman travelling international standing on troll hand in Guatemala, photo with text overlay.

By: Bri · In: Digital Nomad, Travel Tips

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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