Group language class (photo by shaneglobal)

During my years of travel, I have taken language lessons at three different language schools with two separate stints at the same one.

Language learning is my preferred alternative travel method, especially if I’m after getting to know both a place and culture on a more personal level.

Language learning during travels not only opens the door to cultural insights, but it also gives you the tools to better inquire with locals, live, and possibly impress future employers when you return home.

But what to look for when choosing a language school abroad? Here are my best tips.

Evaluate Your Goals Beforehand

The most important part of choosing the right language school is to know what you hope to get out of it in the long run.

• Are you the casual learner that wants to have a relaxed time and just learn enough of the language to get around, buy food, etc.?
• Do you want to take home a valuable asset by acquiring a 2nd language?
• Can you handle classes all day, or do you want to only take an hour or two at a time?
• Would you prefer a school that just offers classes or is more of a full-featured service (student tours, weekends away, school activities and social gatherings)?
• Do you want a school that caters to backpackers or to serious students?
• Do you want a school in a location that draws tourists and expats or one that is more remote?

Keep your goals and preferences in mind while looking at schools to make the right decision.

My preferred location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (photo by Brooke Schoenman)

Location, Location, Location

The location aspect of a language school can affect your enjoyment, your expense, and your ability to learn.

Location and Your Enjoyment

For one, if you are the type of person that just wants to learn a little bit of travel language skills while meeting other travelers, then finding a school in a more tourist-friendly town is probably the way to go.

Tourist towns will have plenty of other tourists and plenty of extracurricular activities to keep you busy as you learn to ask simple questions and then comprehend them.

A good example of this would be the difference between learning Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala (very popular destination) or Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (a more remote and hard to reach city with fewer tourists).

Location and Your Expense

If money is of concern to you, then staying away from the big touristy cities are the way to go (generally).

Big cities will have big city prices for the school, for the accommodation and for the other aspects of living.

A good example of this would be choosing to learn Russian in Moscow, Russia or in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

In Russia, you can easily spend $25 per hour of study (not even in a private class) while Bishkek costs are in the $4 per hour range, and for a one-on-one lesson!

Location and Your Ability to Learn

The right location, believe it or not, can also affect your ability to learn the language.

If you are in a very tourist-friendly destination, then chances are that both tourists and locals are going to know a bit of English — thus derailing your chances of being forced to use the new language.

When I studied Spanish in San Pedro, Guatemala, I found that after class I generally was able to get by with English… or if I tried to speak Spanish, the other person would come back in English to make it easier.

However, when I moved on to Quetzaltenango (Xela), hardly anyone spoke English, and I remember being grateful that I was forced to put my lessons to use.

Costs for language schools will vary (photo by Images_of_Money)

Cost

The cost of language study abroad varies depending on where you study, how intensively you study, and how long you stick around.

You can easily find locations around the world — ones less developed — where an hour of language study is $4-5 for a personalized, one-on-one course.

Or, you can travel to the Western world, to a popular city, and try your hand at courses in the $20 per hour range, and not for one-on-one.

It’s smart to evaluate all your options before hopping straight over to Russia to learn Russian when you could also be considering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Belarus.

Accommodation

My personal opinion, when it comes to accommodation while participating in language study, is to find a homestay.

If a language school is offering the ability to set up a homestay, try your best to take them up on this — even if only for a little bit.

A stint with a local family will really drive home what you learn in your lessons and give you a better understanding of the culture, food, and location.

Plus, many times a few of your meals are included in the price.

Otherwise, investigate the type of accommodation a school might provide, or if it provides any at all.

There are some language schools that require you to find your own, which might mean you’ll be living in a hotel or hostel, and that can easily drive up the costs of your study.

I work better in a good classroom environment (photo by paulandaline)

Overall School Environment

Learning about the school environment might be difficult over the Internet.

In this case, email the school that you are interested in and ask both the administrators and other former students (if you can get contacts) for recommendations and insight.

Find out if the school is run well, if the teachers are qualified, what the facilities are like, and even the schedule of classes.

Don’t be afraid to ask; you will potentially be spending money there.

When I was in San Pedro, we had our lessons out in little bungalows near the lake, but I noticed a big difference in my focus when I moved to a new school in Quetzaltenango and into a proper classroom.

I now know to avoid language schools that provide the outdoors learning environment.

The moral of the story: You know what works best for you, so make a decision based with that in mind.

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Squat toilet on Thai train (photo by villadavida)

I remember the first time I encountered a squat toilet on my travels.

It was in a small bar in Verona, Italy where I studied abroad, and the first thing I did was stand there in disbelief for about 5 minutes before I could get to the realization that I had to squat to pee in this Western country’s bathroom.

I was still new at this overseas travel thing, and thought that only the bidet was a unique toilet experience I would have to encounter in Italy.

I learned a lot that semester — especially about the art (or the tragedy) of using squat toilets, and that knowledge has grown through months of travel in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

In my Woman’s Guide to Using Squat Toilets, I lay out some of the facts, questions and tips I’ve acquired concerning squat toilets and the female traveler.

Squat toilet in the Middle East (photo by goldberg)

Where Squat Toilets Exist

Squat toilets are actually quite prevalent around the world.

They may be rare in North America, but travel to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America and parts of Europe, and you will quickly be introduced to an experience or two using a squatter.

Popular tourist destinations will tend to cater to the Western traveler with hotels and expat locations installing the sitting style toilets.

Issues with Squat Toilets for Female Travelers

The main issue for females attempting to use squat toilets is the risk of getting urine on you and your clothing — especially a pant leg.

The risk is combined with the stress that comes from having to use new muscles in your legs just to use the restroom.

Unlike men, who only have to squat for half of their squat toilet encounters, women will have to squat for 100% of them.

It can make even the best of us shaky afterwards, and I’ve heard many a girl fear that they might fall over (or in!) a squat toilet because of it.

Spare toilet rolls always necessary (photo by jdm1979uk)

Before You Go

There are a few things I like to have with me before venturing into a squat toilet: toilet paper, a light backpack, hand sanitizer, and a Ziploc bag.

If you know you will be traveling in areas with squat toilets, it is best to have these items with you at all times.

1. Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is just not a necessity in some cultures. Instead, you might be given a hose or a bucket of water, or the toilet paper stock might not ever be… stocked. Toilet paper or a pack of tissues can save a girl a lot of trouble.

2. Backpack

A light backpack might seem like a bit much, but there are stuffable daypacks that can fit in your palm.

Throw one in your purse because when you get to a squat toilet with no coat hooks and a dirty floor, you’re going to want a place to hold the stuff on your body without getting in the way of “business”.

3. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is kind of a no-brainer. This is always in my bag — even when I’m not traveling.

4. Ziploc Bag

A Ziploc bag is for the times there is no trash can in your toilet, and you’re in a country where you can’t flush paper.

If you are a paper-all-the-time kind of gal, then pop in the Ziploc bag until you can find a proper trash.

How to use a Japanese squat toilet (photo by tamaiyuya)

Best Methods for Using Squat Toilets

The basic rules for using squatters are as follows:

• Roll your pant legs up to your knees to minimize risk of splashback hitting the bottoms.
• Place your feet on the foot grooves on the side of the toilet hole.
• Pull your pants down as far as you can comfortably go (preferably to the knees), but this will vary with the type of clothing you are wearing.
• Squat to the point where you can’t squat no more. Just like the limbo, you’ll want to go as low as you can go in order to get your stream as close to the bowl as possible.
• Shoot for the hole as hitting anywhere else on the bowl has a higher chance of causing splashback.
• Wipe or rinse according to what’s on-hand.

Optional:

Many women claim that they can only get by in a squat toilet if they remove their bottom half of clothing completely.

Unlike men, it is harder to control the stream, so a woman might occasionally shoot sideways or just get splash from the toilet on their pant legs.

If you do remove your clothing, you will need to find a hook or place to hang it to keep them off the often questionable ground.

This is where a daypack can save the day — giving you a place to keep your belongings off the ground while also staying out-of-the-way unlike a side sling purse or bag.

Trust me — been there, done that!

Wipe and Flush

All squat toilets are created differently, so in one location, you might have an actual flush toilet, and in another you might have to scoop buckets of water into the bowl to clean it out for the next user.

One location might use toilet paper and expect you to place the paper in the trash bin, while another might cause you to rely on a water hose to wash your backside down after use.

Just remember to do what you do in accordance to the local criteria.

Other cultures are more accustomed to this position. Practice before you travel. (photo by gregwalters)

Extra Tips

• Practice a squat before you travel to destinations where squat toilets reign supreme.
• Do squat exercises to build up the leg muscles that will be in use.
• A disposable female urine funnel can be very helpful for the traveler that just can’t seem to master squat toilets on a her own. These are fairly inexpensive and can be tossed in the bin after use.

Further Reading

• Toilet Tips by Journeywoman
• The Art of Squatting by Girl, Unstoppable
• Exercises for the Squat Toilet by Perceptive Travel Blog
• The Secret to Using a Squat Toilet by Grrrl Traveler
• Squat Toilet Misery & Mastery by Female Travel Underground

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Australian Money (photo by martinhoward)

When it comes to traveling, I love talking about the incredible opportunities that come from roaming around Australia.

It really is a beautiful country with natural icons known around the world. You can one day find yourself trekking snow-clad Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and the next washing red dirt off your boots in the hot sun over Uluru.

Beach bums have their way in Bondi, Byron Bay or the Gold Coast, and jungle lovers can go on Aboriginal tours in tropical Queensland.

However, the biggest thing keeping many from coming is either the cost of the insanely long flight, or the cost to travel around the country — or both!

So, can you travel Australia on a budget?

Personally, I think it would be incredibly hard to consider travel in Australia at this moment as “budget”, but there are several ways one can go about traveling around the country at a lower cost.

Australian Flag (photo by marragem)

Why is Australia so “expensive”?

Look, I ask myself that question every day! But, seriously, the country holds a combination of factors that raise the price in current years.

For one, the economy has fared well throughout the economic crisis years, making the value of the money higher than many other currencies. That means it might take more US dollars or more Euro to get the same amount of Aussie dollars.

The cost of living — that which includes everything from food to water to housing — is also incredibly high.

According to Expatistan — a cost of living comparison website — it is 7% more expensive to live in Sydney than New York City, 33% more expensive than living in Chicago, and 27% cheaper to live in Rome.

The low population pared against immense size (it’s about the size of the 48 connected US states!) means infrastructure is limited. To get to some parts of the country, you’re forced to pay for 4WD tours, or to just plain fly.

The distance from other parts of the world adds a hefty price (and length of time) to any flight.

When it comes to budget flights, I would easily consider the South Pacific region a black hole — add that to your round-the-world trip and the cost skyrockets.

Ways to Lessen Travel Costs

If I ventured to Australia and wanted to travel around to a few places, perhaps go up the coast and take a couple of tours (sometimes the tours are just necessary), then I would expect to spend in the $3,000 range for a month easily — and that’s without the cost of the flight to the country itself.

While this price would be considered standard, you could obviously do it for cheaper if you set your mind to it.

Camping to Save Money (photo by ianz)

Accommodation Tips:

Hostels may be considered budget travel in most parts of the world, but in Australia, you can do better.

• Hit up Couchsurfing to get free places to sleep with locals from time to time. These can shave off hundreds of dollars from your budget easily. The downside would include the possibility of not being in a convenient city center and the fact you are in someone’s home.
• Camp for free. Campsites at caravan parks are in abundance in Australia, but those added features and amenities will tack on approximately $10 to $20 per night. Check out the locations where you can camp for free (if you can handle getting that close to nature), especially if you’re already renting a campervan.

Transport Tips:

• Finding others to travel with you is the easiest way to shave the dollars off your travel budget in Oz. Rent a campervan or a car together and split the cost several ways.
• Foreigners in Australia can purchase from an assortment of Australian rail passes that provide unlimited travel for 3 or 6 months (also including the long-distance trains) and save heaps of money on transport by doing so.

Beverages are where you can save money (photo by lachlanhardy)

Food Tips:

Groceries from Australia are even quite expensive, so while eating in will save you money, it might not be as much as you think. In that case, beverages are where you will save the most money.

• Free refills are a rarity, so think about whether you really want that second Diet Coke with lunch or not. At around $3.50 each, you will find your lunch bill has practically doubled with these extras.
• Opt for tap water where you can. Australian water is considered clean and safe, and it will save you around $3-4 each.
• Avoid alcohol! Alcohol is taxed quite highly, so prices are through the roof. In Sydney, you will be lucky to get a pint at a pub for $5 (usually in the $8+ range), and a 6-pack from the bottle shop might even run you $16. Cocktails at small bars and the like are usually in the teens — $17 is not uncommon. If you must get your drink on, backpacker bars will have the best deals — some including cheap grub.

Tour Tips:

• Seek out group discounts for organized tours if you can round up a group of travelers from your hostel.
• Look for last-minute deals.
• Search around. The same tour might cost one thing from the provider and another from a hostel that also helps to book tours. You never know what you might save if you spend a few extra minutes looking around.
• Go off-season. Heading to resort towns during winter could open the door for lower priced tours.

Sydney Harbor Bridge (photo by naoki)

Work Tips:

• If you have the ability to get a working holiday (or work and holiday) visa for the land down under, then that is going to be the best way to combat the high cost of travel.
• You’ll be able to get a job and earn Australian wages, and those wages will help you go further in travel.
• You can even work while you go, picking up odd jobs here and there to keep you on the road.

Your Travel Budget May Vary

Everyone’s travel budget will vary, but for Australia it is wise to know that the cost will be higher than other parts of the world.

But, to make a better approximation of expenses, why don’t you share your Australian travel budget right here.

Let us know how long you traveled, how much you spent, and maybe even a note or two on how you spent it.

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Birth control pills (photo by nateone)

For a man, packing birth control for long-term travel is easy. Pop a handful of condoms in your medical kit and one in your wallet, and you’re good to go.

For women, birth control often goes beyond just protection for sex, and having a back-up in case other methods of control fail in their time of need.

It’s also about regulating periods and hormones.

I don’t know about you, but I like to know the exact day I’ll be needing to worry about Aunt Flo on my travels. With birth control, I am able to know when she’ll be arriving, and that gives me peace of mind.

When addressing birth control for travel, women have to consider packability, the shelf life of the product, side effects and maintenance on the road.

I know — sounds like a lot of extra thought, right?!

Plan in Advance

The best plan of attack is to address the issue early on.

Talk to your medical care provider and let them know that you plan to travel for an extended period of time and will need birth control that is manageable.

If you need to switch to a new method, it is best to test it out for a few months prior to make sure the hormones work well with your body.

Some questions to ask:

• Will this method store well in my backpack, in hot or damp weather?
• How can I make sure I have enough for my entire time on the road?
• Will it be easy to remember (for those that are constantly forgetting to take their pills)?

Birth control pills taken (Photo by 42954113@N00)

Pills

Pills continue to be the most standard option for birth control for travelers.

Taken on a daily basis, however, they can be easy to forget when moving and packing repeatedly — and when figuring it all out for time differences!

Still, pills keep well, are reasonably cheap, and pack without taking up much room.

Nowadays, birth control pills can go beyond the monthly ritual to provide months of period regulation.

Seasonale, for example, provides women with periods only once every 3 months, which can be a good idea for the traveling female.

Seasonale is a specific brand of pill that allows women to skip their periods, but it is possible to skip periods with other types of birth control pills by heading straight into a second pack of active pills instead of taking the placebos.

A word to the wise: Check with your health care provider first. Some types will not work. Instead of skipping your period, you could just give yourself spotting for a month until your next proper cycle rolls around.

The birth control shot. (Photo by nathanf)

Shot

The shot, or Depo-Provera, prevents pregnancy for 3 months, so you will need a shot every 12 weeks. As this can be tricky when planning to travel, they say a shot up to 1 week before or after this 12 week point can also keep you covered.

The benefits of the shot are clear: You don’t have to take a pill every day, and you don’t have to pack months of pills or other methods in your bags.

However, the major downside is that you have to get an injection every 3 months, which could be hard to acquire in some parts of the world — unless you plan to carry your own vial and needles around (not for me!).

Some women also find they have irregular bleeding, or no periods at all, during the entire use of Depo-Provera.

For more insight into using Depo-Provera for long-term travel, I suggest reading the following:

• Contraception Injection on the Lonely Planet Forum
• Depo Provera Injection from GapYear.com
• SE Asia: birth control, syringes, doxycycline on BootsnAll.com

NuvaRing logo (Photo by urbanlatinfemale)

Ring

If you’re on the “ring” (NuvaRing), you’ll have to consider the longevity of your travels, and the style.

The NuvaRing was like a gift from God in my eyes since I only had to think about it on a monthly, instead of daily, basis.

You simply insert the flexible ring into your vagina, leave in for 3 weeks, take out for a week, and insert a new one for the next month’s cycle. Simple, simple, simple!

Unfortunately, with travel plans looming, I had to switch up my options. The NuvaRing is a birth control method that goes “off” faster when exposed to heat.

In fact, I was told to store my rings in the fridge to make sure they maintained their protection level of hormones.

So, if you’re planning to travel — especially backpack — for months on end, then tossing these bad boys in your bag through all sorts of weather conditions is just asking for trouble down the road.

However, if you will be traveling to one place for a few months, with access to refrigeration, you might be able to continue using the ring.

Patch

The Ortho Evra patch was another favorite birth control method of mine years ago.

It is a sticky patch, much like a nicotine patch, that stays on the skin to release a steady and constant flow of hormones.

Instead of a daily need to address your birth control, the patch was replaced weekly, for 3 weeks, with one week off.

However, after maybe a year of use, I was advised by my health care provider to come off the patch as there were health concerns with using it.

Even though the patch is still on the market today, I suggest doing your research before starting on this method, and even read this article on Today Health.

Types of IUD's. (Photo by ideonexus)

IUD

The IUD, short for intrauterine device, is a semi-permanent birth control method. There are several variations of the IUD to choose from, but the two categories include a copper (non-hormonal) device and a hormone device (Mirena).

The IUD is inserted into the uterus where it can act as birth control for up to 5 years.

The IUD is not for every woman, and it is often recommended for women that are older and are done having children.

But, every woman and body is different, so it is worth consulting with your health care provider about if looking for something more long-term.

Condoms (Photo by victoriapeckham)

Condoms

Even if you’re traveling with your monogamous partner, condoms are recommended as a back-up.

Did you know that certain medications and antibiotics can render your birth control useless? It’s true.

What birth control method did you use on your travels, and why?

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My MacAir and a mate in Buenos Aires

G Adventures provides detailed packing lists for all of their tours, which makes that part of the trip preparation super easy.

Aside from hiking clothes, there’s little reason the typical traveler would need to go shopping in advance of the End of the Earth tour to Patagonia.

For about $8/day, you’ll be able to rent a sleeping bag for the 2 nights of camping in Torres del Paine National Park, and any specialized gear required for (optional) activities is provided at that time.

Below is a breakdown of my preferred packing list for the trip, similar to the list provided by G Adventures, but based on my own belongings as if I were only doing this trip as a stand-alone vacation.

Backpacks

• Large Gregory Chaos backpack
• Regular size daypack

Clothing

Documents & Money

Note: American citizens must pay $140 to enter Argentina, and $140 to enter Chile, or $280 total. It’s easier to pay this by debit or credit, given concerns over damaged and counterfeit bills.

• Money Belt
• Passport and any required entry visas for Argentina and Chile
• Immunization yellow book
• G Adventures voucher (to be provided to tour leader)
• Proof of travel/health insurance (to be provided to tour leader)
• Airline tickets
• Cash – several hundred US Dollars, and several hundred Argentine Pesos
• Debit card
• Credit card (back-up)

The key thing to remember when packing for most trips is that you can almost always buy necessary clothing or other stuff along the way.

This Patagonia trip, for example, starts in Buenos Aires, where you can pick up just about anything at the last minute, minus an iPhone (as they’re no longer sold here).

After writing this, in fact, I’m about to go find myself a 3-pronged AC adapter for the funky wall outlets they have in this country.

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Disclosure: This Patagonia tour is in partnership with G Adventures. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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My Travel Backpack

I guess many would consider my packing style to be minimal, though I don’t really think of it that way myself because I carry all the things that I need.

Packing Style

When I travel, I like to pack with the mindset that I want to be able to carry all my stuff anywhere without it being a burden.

In other words, if I land in a new city and I need to walk 20 kilometers across a city, I want to be able to do it with everything I own. So when I pack I keep this in mind and only carry an amount of stuff that won’t hold me down.

I’m not a real minimalist.

Sure I’ve seen videos about those extreme, minimalist travelers that claim they own just 10 items, but fail to mention that when they arrive anywhere, they must purchase a bar of soap or a new tube of toothpaste.

While I like to go light, I am also frugal with my things. If I happen to have a free bar of soap from a guest house, I will carry it along with me and use it until it’s all gone.

Packing light, not buying many things along the way, and not wasting things is an effective strategy for saving money to travel.

My New Camera Bag

Backpack

Right now, I’m using a midsize REI Lookout 40 backpack. Though the description claims it to be a daypack, I think it’s just about perfect as a long term pack.

It’s not too big, yet it’s just slightly bigger than a normal school backpack. It allows me to slip in my computer, and fill the rest of the bag up with clothes and toiletries.

I also carry a Lowepro Passport Sling bag for my camera. I really like this bag because it fits my DSLR nicely and there’s also space for things like a bottle of water for a day out.

Another reason I really like it is because it is plain, and doesn’t look too much like a traditional camera bag.

A few of my clothes

Clothes

I really don’t like shopping and I try to avoid buying clothes as much as possible, so luckily I’m not one of those people who accumulates a giant wardrobe when traveling. I normally won’t buy a new shirt until my previous one is about to fall apart.

Here are the clothes I carry:

• 4 shirts
• 2 shorts (1 cargo shorts, 1 sports shorts)
• 1 pair of pants
• 3 pairs of underwear
• 2 pairs of socks (though I try to avoid wearing shoes as much as possible)
• 1 rain jacket

Of course depending on weather conditions, this can always change. In order to carry just a small amount of clothes, I wash them quite frequently in the sink of wherever I’m staying.

If it’s warm, I exclusively wear sandals (flip flops) though I do have a pair of Salomon XT Wings for hiking and other outdoor adventures.

My toiletries kit

Toiletries

I tend to live and travel rather maintenance free. I carry virtually nothing apart from a toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, sun lotion, and a few normal toiletry odds and ends (like Tylenol). I also carry a small microfiber towel.

All my toiletries fit into a small, 2″ x 6″ little bag.

DSLR Camera

Electronics

Being a travel blogger, writer, and attempting to survive by means of the internet, there are a few gadgets that I carry around with me when I travel.

• Macbook Pro: About 1.5 years ago I made the upgrade from a small netbook computer to a 13-inch MacBook Pro. As I spend a lot of time on the computer writing, editing photos and cutting videos, it was a real beneficial upgrade. Though I find the computer to be a little heavy, it’s worth the lugging around! When buying a travel laptop you need to think about what you’ll be using it for and how much you’ll be using it.
• Canon 550D: For a while I traveled with only a small point and shoot camera, and for most purposes it was perfect. However, my lust for photography and attempting to share higher quality photos justified my purchase of a DSLR Canon 550D full size camera. It’s much heavier and bulkier than a point and shoot, but the photo quality can’t be beat. It also shoot great HD videos.
• Small Unlocked Phone: I don’t have any sort of fancy phone, just a cheap unlocked phone strictly for making calls, not for doing e-mail or tweeting.

Other Stuff

Note on Packing

What a lot of travelers don’t realize is that almost everything one could possibly need (as long as it’s not too personal or specialized) can be purchased in other countries around the world.

If the exact same thing can’t be bought, there’s often a substitute that may even work better, or cost less than buying it at home (we are all humans around the world and we all have some of the same wants / needs).

For instance, when I was in Egypt, I needed eye drops and when I went into the pharmacy, a bottle cost me about $0.50. That’s much cheaper than they’d be in the United States.

Final Thought

Everyone packs differently, and all of us have our own unique comforts when we travel.

When you pack for a trip, make sure you have enough to be comfortable with, but don’t overdo it so your things hold you back or tie you down.

When you start worrying about your stuff, it’s time to analyze and scale down!

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Flying over the South Pacific on Air Tahiti Nui

Fact: In 2011, a paltry 30% of Americans have passports. By comparison, that’s half the percentage of our friendly neighbor to the North, Canada.

If I can inspire one person without a passport to at least apply for one, with a vision of traveling overseas within the next 10 years, then I’d consider the last 5 years of blogging on Go Backpacking a success.

To make the process as easy as possible for you, Go Backpacking has partnered with VisaHQ*, a leading Washington, DC-based company offering online passport and travel visa services to Americans.

While I happened to live in a DC suburb, and could visit any number of Foreign Embassies in person to apply for visas before my ’round the world trip, most Americans don’t have that luxury.

And that’s where VisaHQ enters the picture.

At its most basic, the process involves:

1. Filling out an online application
2. Mailing your supporting documents
3. Receiving your passport and visa(s) back in the mail

Online Passport Services

• Applying for a new passport
• Renewing a passport
• Adding extra pages
• Getting a 2nd passport
• Replacing a lost/stolen passport
• Name changes

Travel Visas

If you’ve already got your passport, then you may want to check out the travel visa services.

This is especially important for travelers planning to visit multiple countries during the same trip, or countries which have strict entry requirements.

VisaHQ provides clear, concise information about entry requirements for countries around the world. And they offer this visa support for Americans, as well as Canadians, and UK citizens.

I’ve already begun using them as my primary resource for countries here in South America.

To see how easy it is, go to the Travel Guides section on Go Backpacking, and look down and to the right for the VisaHQ widget.

Enter your Citizenship and Destination Country, then click “Check Requirements” to see whether a Tourist Visa is required. If no visa is required, you’ll see the button turn green. If a travel visa is required, as is the case for me with Bolivia, you’ll see the button turn red.

Click the red button, and you’ll be transferred to a page outlining the country’s requirements (for example, go here to see Bolivia’s entry requirements).

In addition to the visa requirements, you’ll also see the type of visa offered (single entry, multiple entry), maximum validity, processing time, and cost.

Benefits of Using VisaHQ

• Save time and money - let VisaHQ facilitate the processes. For new passports, pay $44.95 + regular government fees, and you’ll receive your new passort in 8-14 business days.
• Easy access to customer service - contact VisaHQ with questions or concerns via their online chat option, toll-free number, or email address.

To kick off our new partnership, you can save 10% off any passport services by using the code “GoPassportHQ” during the application / order process now through October 22, 2011.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I’ll get you the answer(s) as soon as possible.
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*As an affiliate of VisaHQ, Go Backpacking will receive a small commission for any passport or visa services purchased through our site. 

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My cabin in the Estrella del Mar

Lauren, one of my 20-something cruisemates in the Galapagos, mentioned she had trouble finding a packing list online before the trip. While I found quite a few through Google, I wanted to add my own 2-cents.

For backpackers, the packing list for the Galapagos Islands will vary little from what you typically carry. And whether you plan to do land-based trips, or live on a yacht for a week, the items you’ll carry are the same.

For those travelers who are not used to packing light, a cruise-based trip is a good time to start. Pictured above is my double cabin on the Estrella del Mar, a typical 1st Class motor yacht.

To the right you can catch a faint glimpse of the storage space for two people. Beyond these small closets, there’s little space aside from your bed to place belongings. If you’re aboard a Deluxe or Luxury yacht, of course you can expect to have a little more space.

Recommended Clothing

• Bathing suit(s) / board shorts
• Long (convertible) lightweight pants
• Several t-shirts, or tank tops for the ladies
• Long sleeve shirt for sun protection, and evenings
• Hoody, sweatshirt, or sweater for evenings (it can be especially chilly at night if you’re above deck and the boat is moving)
• Underwear (I recommend Ex Officio)
• Socks (I recommend SmartWool)
• Hat, scarf, bandanna, or any other form of sun protection
• Windbreaker

I wore almost the same clothes every day of my 8-day cruise.

During the day, it was board shorts and one of two t-shirts. At night, I changed into lightweight cargo pants, a cleaner (nights only) t-shirt, and my lightweight, Go Lite hoody.

Recommended Footwear

Regarding footwear, there are two types of landings you’ll make when visiting the islands from a boat: dry landings, and wet landings.

Dry landings are exactly that — you can expect to step off the panga (dingy) onto dry land, usually in the form of concrete steps, or a dock.

Wet landings occur when you disembark directly on a beach, and have to get your feet wet (no higher than your knees).

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The quirky Blue Footed Boobies are a beloved symbol of the Galapagos Islands.

Here’s a dirty little travel secret: you can show up at almost any popular tourist activity in the world and save serious cash by booking your trip at the last minute.

Whether it’s hiring a Nepali guide and porter for a trek to Everest Base Camp, or going on safari in Africa, rare will be the occasion you can’t get started within a few days of arrival.

To exemplify this rule, I’m going to share with you how to book a last minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands based on my recent experience.

Before I dive in, a disclaimer.

Results will vary greatly due to a large list of variables, from the time of year to tourism trends, and the degree of desperation a boat owner demonstrates at any given time to fill remaining beds before a cruise departs.

When to Go

Due to their proximity to the Equator, the weather on the Galapagos Islands remains fairly constant, which makes it a great year-round destination, however there are still a few factors to keep in mind when deciding when to go.

Water Temperatures

While the air temperatures may remain relatively constant, there is a hot and a cold season based on the ocean currents.

Warm Wet Season = Late December to June

Cold Dry Season = Late June to December

If you plan to go diving, or take advantage of snorkeling opportunities (as almost everyone does), you may prefer to time your cruise for the warm water season.

During the cold water season, you can still get in the water, however you’ll probably be more comfortable if you rent a wetsuit from your boat, or bring your own.

Go here for an excellent chart of average monthly air and water temperatures, rainfall, and hours of sunshine per day.

Peak Tourism

The high season for tourism is June to August, which is due to the Summer holiday season in North America and Europe.

Expect cruise rates to be higher during this time, and you may need a little extra time to book a spot on your preferred boat.

Migratory Patterns

Some species of wildlife are only present on and around the islands at certain times of year due to their natural migrations.

If you have your heart set on seeing whales off the coast of Isabella Island, or a certain type of bird, do your research in advance. For example, the large waved albatross will not be seen from December to mid-March.

Backpackers crossing the main street in Punta Ayora.

Where to Book Your Tour

There are 3 main cities where travelers are best off shopping around for, and booking, their last minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands.

Quito

The Mariscal neighborhood around Plaza Foch in Quito has a high density of hostels, hotels, restaurants, bars, and tour agencies.

You can easily walk out of your hostel and spend a few hours walking around, collecting quotes from various offices so you can make an informed decision.

While booking from Quito may be the easiest option, it’s not necessarily going to offer you the best deals.

Punta Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

If you’re serious about saving a few hundred dollars off the price of a cruise, you can arrange your own flight(s) to Punta Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, and then shop around for very last minute cruises.

The longer you can afford to wait before a cruise departs, the more likely you are to get a bargain basement price. Just don’t sit on a quote you like too long, because someone else can put down a deposit at any time and you’ll either have to wait longer, or go with an otherwise 2nd or 3rd choice instead.

For example, one Australian couple I know flew to Punta Ayora, and booked their 8-day cruise from there. On their boat, they learned everyone had paid a different rate, from $800 – $1,200. Unfortunately, I don’t know which class of boat they used, however based on the price it was either Economy/Tourist Class, or more likely, a 1st Class motor yacht.

Punta Ayora is a very small town, and not particularly picturesque, however there are a bunch of inexpensive day trips you can make, such as visiting the Darwin Research Center or Tortuga Bay, to kill time before your cruise departs. Be forewarned, these two popular spots may also show up on cruise itineraries as well.

There are several decent Internet cafes in town. Rooms can be had for $20/night, and if you avoid tourist restaurants and eat with the locals, you can get by on $5/meal.

Guayaquil

Located on the coast, Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city, and considered quite a bit more dangerous than Quito.

There’s no central tourist area to compare with Mariscal in Quito, so shopping around at different agencies to compare costs isn’t as easy.

While you may save $40 on your airfare to/from the islands by flying out of Guayaquil, it’s the least attractive location from which to book your last minute cruise, let alone kill time before flying to the Islands.

Length of Cruises

Most (non-diving) cruises are sold as either 5 days, or 8 days.

The last day of the cruise is a short one, so you’re better off thinking of them as 4 and 7 day cruises. To go a step further, the first day is only a 1/2 day, so choosing a 5-day cruise equates to 3 full days, while an 8-day cruise equates to 6 full days.

A cruise around the Galapagos Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most travelers, so I highly recommend the 8-day cruise to make the most of your experience.

The more walks you go on, the more snorkeling you do, the greater your chances of seeing all the fascinating wildlife on offer.

Another option is to take the 5-day cruise, and tack on some extra time at the end to explore independently, or do some SCUBA diving through another company.

Estrella del Mar - a typical 1st class motor yacht.

Types of Ships

The biggest variable in determining how much you pay for a last minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands will be the class of boat you choose.

Finding out what others paid for their cruises is meaningless unless you also ask which boat they took.

In addition to the class of boat, which equates to the comfort level and quality of service, there are 3 main styles: sailboat, motor yacht, and catamaran.

Sailboats are mostly for show, and are often powered by their motors more than the wind. Motor yachts are the most common boat.  And modern catamarans offer increased stability for those who are prone to sea-sickness.

The most popular options for budget travelers are the Economy and 1st Class motor yachts.

Economy / Tourist Class – Least Expensive

The economy class boats offer the Galapagos experience for those with the least money to spend.

Comfort, quality of food, and itineraries are all sacrificed to some degree when you choose these options. Slower boats, such as the old sail boats, will not have itineraries that are as varied as the faster boats. These boats carry 12 – 16 passengers.

Examples of Economy boats

1st Class – Most Popular

Within the category of 1st Class are a wide variety of yachts, therefore some websites and travel agencies break them out into lower, middle, and higher levels to further delineate the quality of service, and thereby justify the pricing.

From a marketing standpoint, this makes sense — getting on a “1st Class” boat sounds a lot better to customers than an “Economy” one!

The good news is even the lower level 1st Class yachts are sufficient (if not quite enjoyable) in terms of comfort, food, and quality of service by the crew.

For example, I experienced both the Eden, and Estrella del Mar, and can say while each had it’s own pro’s and con’s, they both met, if not exceeded, my expectations.

Common features included:

• nice interior design
• comfortable cabins and bathrooms
• good air-conditioning
• great and varied food
• friendly staff

These boats carry 12 – 16 passengers.

Examples of Low End 1st Class Yachts and costlier High End 1st Class Yachts

Queen Beatriz - a typical Deluxe catamaran (this one is chartered by GAP Adventures).

Deluxe / Luxury Class

If you can afford to splash out on your Galapagos cruise, then check out the Deluxe or Luxury options.

These yachts and catamarans offer the highest quality service, and the best educated naturalists (who will also speak the best English). And if you’re looking for a jacuzzi on deck, these are the boats for you.

Examples of Luxury Yachts and Catamarans

National Geographic's Endeavour

Cruise Ships

Larger ships, such as the National Geographic Endeavour, offer another level of luxury and stability the smaller boats can’t compete with. Larger boats also mean larger numbers of passengers, which may be the preference of some visitors to the Islands.

Examples of Cruise Ships

When you’re shopping around, I recommend getting quotes for the full spectrum of boats available.

Don’t be scared away by rates you see published online.

Remember, you’ve got the advantage of booking last minute, at potentially great savings! You may be able to get a great, last minute deal on a a Deluxe catamaran for the price of a typical 1st Class boat.

Every evening, our Galapagos guide Felipe would brief us on the following day's itinerary.

Itineraries

When I was getting quotes for cruises, I found the faster, more expensive yachts often have itineraries focused on simply encircling Isabella Island, the largest island on the Western side of the Galapagos archipelago.

The coldest water passes along the western coast of the island, which means it’s good for whale watching, and there’s also the chance to see dolphins, in addition to much of the same wildlife you can see on the smaller islands.

However, even some of the smaller, 1st Class boats have amazing itineraries.

I initially chose the Eden, for example, because it was one of the few boats to visit the small, northern island of Genovesa on an 8-day cruise. It’s a very out of the way island that’s home to the world’s largest colony of Red Footed Boobies, among many other birds.

Unfortunately, that yacht has a mechanical problem the 1st day, and we missed out on Genovesa as it wasn’t on our new boat’s, Estrella del Mar’s, itinerary.

As a result of that experience, we learned that it takes a minimum 8 days for the park services to approve changes to cruise itineraries, so in other words, if something goes wrong, there’s little chance you’re boat will be able to make up for it on another day.

All the itineraries will assure you plenty of amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, so if they make you dizzy looking at and comparing them all, don’t worry too much about it.

The itinerary of any given boat is a bigger factor if you’re dead set on seeing certain types of birds or wildlife, such as the whales which are only around Isabella Island, and the Red Footed Boobies on Genovesa.

My Favorite Island

Of my 8-day itinerary, the single best day was spent on Espanola Island, where we had the chance to swim/snorkel with wild sea lions, see red and green “Christmas” Marine Iguanas, Blue Footed Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, Frigate Birds, and the Waved Albatross.

The airport runway on Santa Cruz Island.

Related Expenses

The cost of the boat may be the largest single expense if you want to experience the Galapagos by boat, however there are a host of other expenses to budget for as well.

Luckily, these are all well known and easy to account for.

Required

• $430 – Roundtrip Airfare to/from Islands (this is slightly less in the Low Tourist season, or if you out of Guayaquil vs. Quito). I was informed you can try and book the airfare yourself, and note you’re an Ecuadorian to get about a 50% lower rate, however if they call you out on this at the airport, you’ll be required to pay the difference on the spot.
• $100 – Park entrance fee (paid on arrival at the airport)
• $10 – Airport fee (paid at the airport from which you depart the mainland)

Optional

• $100+ Tip for the guide and boat crew. Rule of thumb is to tip at least $10 per day, split between the guide and boat crew. At the end of your cruise, you’ll receive two envelopes for divvying up the cash. Tip more if you had a great time!
• $30 – Wetsuit rental for a week. Necessary during the cold water season, and a good idea any time if you’re prone to sunburn. The boats carry a range of full and half-length sizes to rent.
• $30 – Snorkel rental for a week. On nicer boats, this fee is included in the overall cost of the cruise, so make sure you find out when you’re getting quotes. Or bring your own.
• Bar Tab – On lower level 1st Class yachts, the beers were $2.50, and cocktails $4 – $5.
• Souvenirs – You’ll have a few chances to do souvenir shopping in towns like Punta Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island.

How to Pay

Ecuador is very much a cash-based economy, so unless you want to pay high fees to pay for your trip with credit, expect that you’ll need to make a few large withdrawals from the local ATM’s. The good news is the official currency is the US Dollar.

I booked my trip through Sangay Tours, which was recommended to me by Uncornered Market, and I’m happy to recommend as well.

They charge a 10% fee for using credit cards, and a 4% fee for using PayPal.  If you have a debit card that charges a lesser foreign transaction fee, such as 1% with E*Trade Checking, then it’ll make sense to take money out via ATM and pay in cash.

Depending on your daily withdrawal limit, this may require multiple trips to the ATM and travel office, which is another reason to book your trip in Quito or Punta Ayora.

There should be no fee for paying the airline ticket via credit or debit card.

Preparing to board the Eden our 1st day.

The Cost of My 8-Day, Last Minute Cruise to the Galapagos Islands

As soon as I’d announced my pending cruise to the Galapagos Islands, I started getting questions about how much the trip cost me, both from those who were planning to go, as well as those who’d been.

I confirmed my spot on the cruise 4 days before it departed. Here’s an itemized list of ALL my expenses associated with the trip:

• $1,550 – 8-day cruise on a (lower level) 1st Class motor yacht. First night spent on Eden, with the remaining 6 on Estrella del Mar. Rate includes transport between the airport and yacht on Galapagos, snorkel equipment, 7 night on-board accommodation, and 3 meals a day. Paid in cash.
• $428.60 – Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Santa Cruz Island via TAME Airlines. Paid on debit card.
• $10 – Quito airport departure / park-related fee. Paid in cash.
• $100 - Galapagos Park fee. Paid in cash.
• $30 – Wetsuit rental for week. Paid in cash 1st day on the boat.
• $3 - Souvenir stone carved turtle.
• $21 – Drinks and ice cream in a few towns we visited.
• $9 – Yacht bar tab (I was so tired from the day’s activities, I didn’t drink much alcohol).
• $110 - Tips for guide and yacht staff. Paid in cash.

Did I forget anything? If you’ve been to the Galapagos, share your money-saving tips in the Comments.

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Hanging out on Moorea, a small island west of Tahiti.

My Mom took more than a few solo trips in her twenties, before meeting my Dad. One such trip was to Australia, by way of Fiji. A black wooden spear, and a picture of a traditionally dressed Fijian man, were two of her souvenirs that adorned our house when I was growing up.

When it came time to plan my own visit to New Zealand and Australia, as part of my trip around the world, I came very close to booking a direct flight over the entire South Pacific.

I naively assumed the cost of Fiji holidays, or touching down on any island nation, would be too high — they were the domain of the rich and famous, not budget travelers.

Luckily, I came to my senses, thinking how much of a waste it’d be to fly over the entire Pacific Ocean and not stop on at least one remote island paradise.

Upon doing further research, I discovered there were two popular destinations for backpackers on ’round the world trips: Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Fiji.

Luxury bungalows in French Polynesia.

Tahiti & French Polynesia

Tahiti. The name of French Polynesia’s most populated island just sounded exotic. And when it comes to making travel decisions, sometimes that’s all I need. But it also sounded expensive.

To find out if I could afford a brief stop in French Polynesia en route to New Zealand, I searched the BootsnAll message boards. A few travelers had taken the time to share their experiences, including the cost of staying at a campground called Chez Nelson on the island of Moorea, a one hour ferry ride west of Tahiti.

About $20 per night afforded a roof over your head in a small (and I mean closet-sized) room. But that was enough for me to consider the option further.

Next, I looked up flights, and found that it would actually be about $100 cheaper to fly to New Zealand on Air Tahiti Nui, including a stopover in French Polynesia, then if I were to fly straight to Auckland on Air New Zealand. After giving it a lot of consideration, I booked the Air Tahiti flight, with a 5-night stopover in the middle of the South Pacific.

During my stay, I couchsurfed with a French doctor, watched the sun set from a black sand beach, partied under the crystal clear stars, and snorkeled with sharks.

While I didn’t go on any organized adventure tours, I did help my new doctor friend drive his Volkswagen down a steep and treacherous mountain, at night, in the rain. I was so anxious, I had images of plunging off the mountain into the abyss below. Thankfully, it was an automatic.

I averaged $66 per day, which ironically, was 33% less than I’d end up spending per day in New Zealand and Australia. In retrospect, travel in the South Pacific had the potential to be much cheaper than I ever imagined. And I wish I’d given myself more time there.

An island in Fiji. (Photo: Christian Haugen)

Fiji

Fiji was far and away the more popular destination for backpackers when I was researching where to go. And I still believe that’s the case today.

The cost of traveling there is less, and there are plenty of Fiji holiday packages available to suit anyone’s needs. Both Fiji and Tahiti are popular diving destinations, and I know Nomadic Matt, for one, learned to dive in Fiji a year or two ago with Gary Arndt of Everything-Everywhere.com.

Given my Mom had been to Fiji in her youth, the idea of visiting it as well held an added appeal. Combined with the lower costs, I was tempted. Ultimately, I decided to go with Tahiti and French Polynesia because it seemed like fewer backpackers were going there.

But I don’t think you can go wrong when it comes to picking island destinations in the South Pacific.

The only mistake you can make when planning a trip around the world is to pass over an entire ocean and not make the effort to touch down at lease once.

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This was a sponsored post, which enables me to continue bringing you entertaining travel stories and practical travel tips from around the world.

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