TRAVEL TIPS FROM 6 WEEKS OF TRAVELING AS A DIGITAL NOMAD

I have been traveling around Mexico on my solo digital nomad journey for the past six weeks. I wouldn’t say that I am an expert traveler, but I have learned some things that have helped me stay grounded during this trip. 

First things first, I’m not on vacation. I’m traveling. These words can sometimes be interchangeable but at this moment they are not. For a long time I imagined cruises and resorts and thought, yes you are technically traveling, but it’s different from the trips that I’ve been on or seen online. For me, a vacation is a relaxing time. It’s meant to relax, release and unwind. If you are indulging in an all inclusive resort, or taking the seas by cruise ship, you are in full vacation mode. 

Traveling, to me, means being more engrossed in the local culture. Eating the street tacos, staying at the hostels, seeing the sights, living like a local. 

While you are traveling, you can experience vacation, and while vacationing, you can do some traveling. No shame in either. Take whichever aligned with you! 

For me, this trip is all about traveling. I am living in Mexico for the time being. Here is my list of life hacks to help me ground down and feel empowered.

1. Travel slowly. Don’t be afraid to stay for 5+ nights in one area. The shortest time that I stayed in one place was 3 days, and that felt WAY too short. As someone who works M-F online, I prioritize the weekends to explore. I also try to plan my travel days on weekends or days when I don’t have meetings or a lot on my to do list so I can focus on my well-being during a hectic day.
   

2. Use the local currency. No matter where you go, it is respectful and expected to use the local currency. I recommend talking with your bank before you leave and purchasing the local currency where you are going beforehand. That way you are prepared to pay your taxi driver or hop on a bus with ease. Many countries will take USD as a form of payment, but you are getting a better deal when you stay local.
   

3. Decline the ATM exchange rate. When you are traveling long term, you are going to need to take out cash at some point. I have used the local ATM’s in multiple different countries and I only JUST learned that you can decline the exchange rate that they offer! The ATM will charge you a fee for using a foreign card, usually around $1-$2, then they will offer an exchange rate. Hit “no thanks” and your bank will choose an exchange rate which is usually better. I recently took our cash after learning this and saved $2! It’s not much but it adds up. Please note, your bank may charge a foreign ATM fee as well, mine charges $5 per ATM visit, so I try to take out the max amount each time to save on fees. Be careful which ATM you visit, I only visit an ATM if it has the PLUS symbol that matches the back of my card.
   

4. Learn some of the local language. For the most part, wherever you go will speak at least a little bit of English. That being said, it is so valuable and respectful to learn the essential phrases in the language where you are going. Being here in Mexico, the Spanish that I learned in high school is slowly coming back. In other countries that I’ve traveling to, I make an effort to learn “Hello,” “Goodbye” and “Thank You”
   

5. Get a local SIM card. Having data to load your map when you’re exploring a new town/city/country is the most reassuring thing. Most smart phones are unlocked these days and having a local sim card is game changing. A local phone number can help you stay connected and get deals while traveling. I recommend researching how to get the local sim card. In most cases, it will be MUCH cheaper to get the local sim than to get the “traveling plan” that your phone company offers back home! It’s also great if you are somewhere with spotty wifi! If you are traveling around to different countries often, there are e-sims that you can purchase. Airalo is a great e-sim option! Use code CARLY5479 when you sign up for a bonus!
   

6. Be flexible. Being flexible on your travel days could help you save $100’s on traveling. Flights will fluctuate every single day in price. If you have a window in which you can travel vs specific dates, you can save so much. For example, I am currently in Mexico City and my next destination is Puerto Escondido. If I fly there next Friday, my flight is going to cost me $162. If I don’t mind leaving a few days earlier, I can get my flight for only $84. It’s not $100’s of savings, but it adds up over time! I like to use the Hopper app to track when flights are cheapest! They will track the trends and let you know when the best time to buy is! Use code CARLYM2D6 when you sign up for a bonus!
   

7. Find your non-negotiables while traveling. Long term travel is hard. It’s full of ups and downs and life lessons. Something that I have found so essential is to find my non-negotiables. When I first got to Mexico, I thought that a non-negotiable for me would be to have my own space. My own room. While I still find that important, it’s not always in the budget as a solo traveler. I’ve been staying at hostels for the short term traveling and I do the most to make myself feel safe and secure. That means locking up my valuables so that I have peace of mind. That means opting for a bottom bunk whenever possible so that I can make myself a blanket fort and have some privacy. That means booking smaller hostels to avoid the party scenes, because I value sleep. Your non-negotiables may change from place to place and that’s ok! Here are some other non-negotables that I’ve found while traveling: 

   • Blanket fort wherever possible. My inner child loves these

   • A backup charger so I always have phone battery

   • My emotional support water bottle. 

   • Hostels to meet other travelers. I’m shocked too, I actually prefer hostels so I can meet people! I’ve met some AMAZING people over these 6 weeks. 

   • Sunglasses and sunscreen. This one is kind of obvious in a tropical destination, but I don’t leave the hostel without my sunglasses and sunscreen.
     

8. Remember what a badass you are. I find myself getting so caught up that I’m not seeing enough, exploring enough, relaxing enough, meeting enough people. If I zoom out of self doubt, I can see that I’ve been supporting myself in Mexico for 6 whole weeks!? How cool is that? Traveling is fucking HARD, but the hard times make the good times that much more sweet.
   

I hope that these tips help you if or when you embark on your digital nomad journey! Stay safe out there! 

This is my hot take but hostels with a cat are better than hostels without a cat.