The United States attracts visitors from all over the world who want to experience its major urban centers and natural splendors.

The nation’s stunning and varied landscapes include snow-capped mountains, enormous deserts, lush Caribbean jungles, and beaches. Its concrete jungles are very widely known, of course.

While traveling to all of these well-known locations is thrilling, you should be aware of a few key details before making travel arrangements to the United States that will help you plan your ideal trip.

Do’s:

D.O. possess the required paperwork:

Secure ALL required documentation first and foremost. These can change based on your itinerary and country of origin.

1. Verify the validity of your passport and the status of your visa.

Most traveler’s entering the USA are required to hold passports that are valid for at least six months. However, certain nationals need a passport that is good for the entire duration of their journey.

For a 90-day visit to the United States, citizens of certain nations (such as Australia, France, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Singapore, etc.) may submit an ESTA application (along with other prerequisites) rather than a visa.

Currently, citizens of 39 countries are able to visit the United States without a visa for up to 90 days thanks to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), also known as the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

2. Extra U.S. Visas

You must consider alternative U.S. tourist visas, primarily the B-2 Visa, if you plan to stay in the country for an extended period or if your citizenship needs to be recognized by the ESTA program (tourist visa).

Transportation:

The U.S. is a huge country with 50 states. The most practical means to get to distant locations within the nation is by plane. When traveling between locations, it’s also the cheapest, most helpful, and fastest means of transit.

Additionally, 95% of Americans own a personal vehicle, making America famed for its automotive culture. Since the 1950s and 1960s, cars have been the most widely used mode of transportation and have become firmly established in popular culture and national lifestyle. Due to its ease, Uber and Lyft have begun to displace conventional taxis and public transport in urban areas.

Accommodations:

Reserving a hotel room in advance is preferable to prevent any unforeseen issues. Remember that hotel prices are per room, not per person. So, when you go on a trip in a group, ask about discounts. Both low-cost motels and luxurious hotels can use these.

Take Safety Measures

Even though much of the world has essentially returned to normal, diseases like COVID-19 and others still pose a concern. You’ll want to be sure to take the essential safety steps to ensure that you stay safe and healthy given how many people travel over the holidays. This entails getting all of your shots on time, frequently washing your hands, attempting to maintain a social distance, and, if you choose to, donning a mask.

Learn the proper way to tip:

Tipping is the customary method of payment for services rendered here in the United States. Most people like giving cash tips. Most of the time, we don’t give it a second thought. To us, it comes naturally. It is basically something we anticipate adding to the bill before we pay the check, particularly at restaurants.

Standard gratuities range from 15% to 20% of the whole bill (before sales tax), with 25% being offered for exceptional service. Americans who work as servers typically have a good attitude, are competent, and are eager to go above and beyond for their customers.

Disable mobile data:

If you’re an international traveler, only use your mobile data in the U.S. if your mobile plan permits it. Mobile roaming costs are excessive, just like when visiting any other country.

Use free Wi-Fi whenever you can, or see if you can add a data bundle for overseas travel to your mobile phone plan (see our U.S. airport pages to see whether free Wi-Fi is offered in the airports you’re traveling to or from).

Keep your language neutral:

American culture is linguistically conscious, in contrast to popular culture. When speaking with them, be as formal or casual as you’d like, but avoid using profanity or another language that could offend the person you’re speaking with.

Make Sure to Go to the Islands:

Many of the islands in Hawaii and Puerto Rico are breathtaking and give you the impression that you are somewhere else entirely, far from the ordinary U.S. landscape.

You may kayak in the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay, tour one of the continent’s oldest cathedrals, and surf in the Caribbean.

Always have cash on hand:

Even though the U.S. likes to portray itself as a technologically savvy nation, it still needs to catch up to many South American and European countries in terms of available digital payment methods.

Not surprised if many rural establishments still only accept cash because the U.S. is constantly trying to catch up.

Don’t:

AVOID being late!

This is particularly important for U.S. airports. You should arrive at least three (3) hours before your flight because security is strict.

Once you are on U.S. soil, adhere to the same rule! Be on time, whether you’re visiting friends in Chicago or attending a business conference in Orlando, to show that you respect their time. Don’t just write it off as “island time” or any other lame explanation because you’re just passing through. People will applaud you if you respect their time.

AVOID traveling uninsured.

The U.S. can be expensive despite having the best medical expertise and technology. Lots of Americans are in debt simply because of medical bills. Depending on your health, a brief trip to the E.R. may cost you between $200 and $3,000.

Get travel insurance for you and your family if you’re taking them with you, even if your credit card has no spending limits. You might use World Nomads, a reliable source and travel authority. Visit their website for additional details and to request a quote for the travel insurance you require.

Avoid purchasing alcohol in the USA unless you are at least 21 years old:

In the United States, the legal smoking age is 18, and the drinking age is 21; thus, you can’t purchase either of those items without valid identification.

Ensure you have identification bearing your birthdate. Even if you’re in your 30s, you might be asked to present identification. Avoid yelling at the person asking for your I.D. because they can lose their job if they don’t follow the correct procedures.

Avoid smoking (cigarettes) while traveling in the USA:

It’s amazing how people don’t seem to mind at all about smoking marijuana these days, but cigarettes are completely forbidden in the U.S. People will stare at you like you’re trying to kill your infant if you smoke around them.

 If you do smoke, make sure you do so in a location that permits it. In the United States, most hotels, restaurants, and indoor public venues are smoke-free (state laws may differ, but there is often a distance from which you are allowed to smoke).

Don’t Get Scared Out by Attentive Service & Free Stuff:

A lot of the service may seem excessive to someone from another nation because we have a tipping culture. But generally speaking, Americans are really kind and helpful; it’s just who we are.

Don’t be shocked by some of the freebies you’ll receive at restaurants. Depending on the sort of eatery, you will typically receive bread or chips and salsa before the meal. Additionally, tap water (not bottled) is the norm; therefore, it is frequently served to your table without your asking.

Don’t miss the local cuisine:

The regional cuisines of the United States are all worth experiencing. In New England, lobsters and clams are among the most popular seafood dishes. With fried chicken, mac n’ cheese, grits, and BBQ, southern cuisine is among the best in the United States.

Don’t limit yourself to eating at chains. Find out which local cuisine is best to try by asking at your hotel. Additionally, because they are frequently family-owned, locally-owned eateries typically provide superior service than chain restaurants.

Additional Quick Tips:

• In the U.S., the emergency number is 911.
• Only three nations in the world—the U.S. included—use the imperial system. Distances are measured in miles, weights are measured in pounds, and temperatures are measured in Fahrenheit.
• The right side of the street is where you drive.
• There are six time zones in the U.S. When planning flights and airport transportation; it’s especially important to be aware of the time zone that your destination is in.

 Be ready to spend more money than you think:

Regarding costs, what you see is only sometimes what you receive. The price tags you see in the United States will only include sales tax if most prices are displayed with tax.

Approach the register anticipating to be asked for more money than you anticipated. Prices vary depending on the towns and state you visit because of the various tax rates.

Also read: 11 Reasons Why Traveling With Your Family is an Unforgettable Experience