And we’re back with our part 2 of “Things we always do before arriving in a new country”

For those who missed part 1 or want a quick recap, here are our first 2 rules:

1. Know how you’re going to get from the Airport to City Centre, check the price ahead of time, or schedule a trusted Private transport like ✈️🚙 WelcomePickups.
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2. Get a ✅💳 Travel/debit card that charges minimal fees on foreign transactions and also research for the ATMs that charge minimal/no fees!

Now, for our next Essential Tips:

Tip #3: Research Local Scams ❌🤬

They say knowledge is power, and when it comes to travel, it’s also your best defence against getting ripped off.

Sure, we all know about pickpockets, but some scams are next-level—like the new “helpful stranger saves you from an aggressive merchant, then takes you to an ‘authentic’ spot where you magically end up paying for a non-existent tour” trick.

Or, take what almost happened to us in Colombia. We nearly booked an accommodation that didn’t even exist. The scammers had an official-looking real estate website, legit photos, and even a short-term lease contract. It all looked professional—until we dug a little deeper and found out that this exact company had been running the same scam for years. Luckily, we trusted our gut and did some research before sending any money.

Moral of the story?

Spend a few minutes researching common scams in the country you’re visiting. Scammers are getting ridiculously creative these days, but a little awareness goes a long way. That said—don’t let this scare you off from traveling! We’ve been to 40+ countries and (knock on wood) haven’t been badly scammed once.

Stay sharp, trust your instincts, and you’ll be just fine. 🚀

Tip #4: Use a trusted E-sim for internet 📲 instead of paying crazy $$ for roaming!​
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Alright, let’s be real—we all need internet when we travel. Whether it’s for Google Maps, tracking down that hole-in-the-wall restaurant everyone’s raving about, or just showing-off to your friends with your latest adventure, data is non-negotiable.

But apparently, not everyone got the memo.

We recently met a traveler who was proudly shelling out $5–$10 per DAY to use his home cellular plan abroad. And get this—he was actually bragging about how “convenient” it was and how he didn’t have to bother with a local SIM card. Meanwhile, we stood there, clutching our $10 ESIM that lasted two weeks, wondering if we should break the news or just let him live his truth.

Well, if that person is you, I’m happy to share that you can very easily get affordable internet connection while abroad for a FRACTION of that cost, and have it setup without hassle in as quickly as 2 minutes.

We’ve been using Airalo’s E-SIMs across 20+ countries, and they’ve been an absolute game-changer.

Plans start at $6 for 2GB of data (lasting 14 days!), and even on the higher end, we’ve only paid $20 for 10GB that lasted an entire month. Compare that to $10 per day for roaming, and, well… the math speaks for itself.

After testing over 10 different E-SIM providers, we still swear by Airalo for its reliability and fair pricing.

Setup is a breeze: download the app, make an account, search for your country, pick your data plan, and boom—you’re connected. Just double-check that your phone is E-SIM compatible (most modern phones are), and you’re good to go!

No more painful roaming fees, or waiting in line at the foreign airport at a shady SIM card kiosk.

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Tip #5: Look up the local Tipping Customs! 💸🤑💰

Alright, let’s talk tipping—because if you’re from North America, you know the deal. Leave less than 15%, and you might get a glare so intense it burns a hole through your soul—or worse, a passive-aggressive “Have a nice day” that drips with disappointment.

But guess what? The rest of the world doesn’t always play by these rules.

In fact, in some countries, tipping can be seen as insulting! This was the case in Japan, where they take immense pride in their craft, whether it’s cooking up a perfect bowl of ramen or delivering top-notch service, and offering a tip can come across as implying they need extra compensation, which can be taken as an insult.

Instead, a simple heartfelt “Oishii!” (Delicious!) means way more than the extra yen on the table.

(like that absolutely delicious Uni Toro Bowl we had in Nara Japan!)

Then there was that time in a small town in the South of Spain when we tried slipping a couple of euros to our server, only for them to flat-out refuse—not once, but multiple times. Instead of taking the tip, they just beamed at us and said they were happy we chose their restaurant. Talk about wholesome.

So, now we make it a rule: always check local tipping customs before throwing down extra cash.

Because sometimes, the best way to show appreciation isn’t with money—it’s with gratitude, a big smile, a positive review, and maybe an empty plate licked way too clean.​
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For those of you who made it to the bottom of this email, congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉

That means you’re now one step closer to stress-free, budget-friendly travel. 💰✈️
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Ryan & Nan

WaylessTravelers