5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Mexico

Ay, Caramba! You’ve gone on that long awaited vacation to Mexico and all of sudden you 1. Are sick 2. Had your money stolen or 3. Are stuck alone on a roadside! At World Nomads we’re lucky to have lots of friends in the travel industry, we polled them to give you the very best tips staying safe in Mexico. 1. Learn the Lingo. A little bit of Spanish goes a long way! Try your hardest with the locals and it will get you a lot further than simply trying to get them to understand English. Daniel Radcliffe,  Volunteer HQ 2. Drink responsibly. The variety of tequila is simply overwhelming, so was the hangover! Drink responsibly and test new alcohols cautiously and with friends that can watch out for you. No matter what your friends say don’t eat the worm in the Tequila bottle!! Mat Lewis, i-to-i 3. Stay alert! If you get far off the beaten path (for example, deep in the Copper Canyon) and see fancy late-model pickups and gated driveways, know that you’re in a drug growing and trafficking... Read More →

When bears attack! Practical tips for staying safe in the wilderness

One of my favorite quotes from Hunter S. Thompson is “Civilization ends at the waterline. Beyond that, we all enter the food chain, and not always right at the top.” I feel the same can be said for those who venture into the wilderness. WorldNomads.com‘s roving medical and adventure expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD shares these practical tips to help you enjoy the North American wilderness from the top of the food chain. Adventurers who enjoy hiking, tramping, cycling, climbing and outdoor pursuits should always be prepared for conditions they cannot control.  You can run into stronger, nastier and faster animals than yourselves… and it’s vital to know what to do. Perhaps the most frightening animal to outdoor adventurers is the bear.  I have a very healthy respect for bears of all types.  Common sense should be used by those traveling through bear country and all bears should be considered dangerous. Bear safety when you are camping: Avoid camping in known bear... Read More →

Sun Safety: How to Beat the Burn this Holiday

A lot of European beach-goers have heard of Croatia.  Warm water, beautiful beaches and great food make Croatia one of the “Dream holiday” destinations.  A little bit of precaution can help that perfect beach holiday from turning into a sunburned and uncomfortable week of redness.WorldNomads.com‘s roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD talks through sun safety, skin protection and burn treatment you’ll need for a painless trip to sunny Croatia. Sunburns The main cause of sunburns is not the sun itself but the ultraviolet energy.  Just to complicate matters, there are three main types of ultraviolet (UV) energy, designated A, B and C.  Erythema is what your skin gets after a day in the sun, which is redness, some slight swelling and pain.  Doses of UV energy and its effect on the skin are measured in units called minimal erythema doses (MED).  This MED represents the smallest does of UV energy to cause that “sunburn” appearance. Beachgoers are typically... Read More →

WorldNomads.com free iPhone and iPod Touch Language Guides

The WorldNomads.com free iPhone and iPod Touch language guides have been a HUGE hit with travelers all over the world, with over 610,000 downloads from iTunes in the 9 months since launch! Now the media loves them too. This week the language guides were voted ŒBest Freebie¹ by MSNBC! Available in 22 languages including Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin, Thai and Turkish (see Worldnomads.com for a full list and details) each guide includes a few dozen basic travel phrases organized by category (such as ‘transport’, ‘food & eating’ and ‘directions’). Tap a category, select a phrase and a native speaker pronounces the phrase. As the MSNBC reviews says “a high-end feature we’re surprised to find in a free app.” For the full review see: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32464923/ns/travel-tips/ World Nomads has always taken a different approach to travel insurance by providing not just great insurance coverage and travel safety services, but also other tools to keep... Read More →

Adventure Travel Safety Checklist

We know you love to travel, and that most of you have been there and done that, but here is a quick checklist of things you just might not have thought of. Adventure sports and holiday larks Hiking Holidays – what to pack just in case! Hiking holidays are a great way to spend your time off.  These trips are often done at new trails and areas you’ve never been before and that is part of the excitement. Scuba Diving – essential safety tips Scuba diving is one of the world’s most thrilling and fascinating sports – it’s easy to learn and it’s safe too if you follow some simple rules. Snow Safety – Going Big? Get a lid! Most people I spoke to wouldn’t ride a bike trail without wearing their helmet; it’s just too risky.  So, why doesn’t this translate to snow sports?  Find out why helmets are essential on the slopes.  also, some tips for avoiding Frostbite Surf Safety Tips: in search of the endless summer We looked to Costa Rica and it’s... Read More →

Earth-Friendly Outfitters and Resources

By Laurel Kallenbach for Experience Life Ecoventura: A carbon-neutral adventure-tourism company in the Galápagos Islands that operates trips aboard the Flamingo I, Eric and Letty yachts; 800-633-7972; www .ecoventura.com International Ecotourism Society: Search for an eco-outfitter or eco-trip; www .ecotourism.org Planeta.com: A global journal of practical ecotourism, including info on guides and destinations; www­.planeta.com REI Adventures: Find carbon-neutral outdoor adventures around the world; www.rei.com/adventures Surfrider Foundation: A grassroots environmental organization that works to protect U.S. and Puerto Rican oceans, waves and beaches; www.surfrider.org Sustainable Travel International: Supports travelers and travel providers that protect the cultures and environments they visit. Search its eco-directory for sustainable destinations and tour companies; www­.sustainabletravel.com  Experience Life magazine is an award-winning health and fitness publication that aims... Read More →

Packing List

Download Printable PDF Checklist Please note: Always check seasonal weather and destination activities to further fine-tune your proper attire and gear Also check local cultural restrictions to determine appropriate attire Gear and vendors recommended by the Adventure Travel Trade Association is in parenthesis following select items Pre-Departure Personal identification Passport Visa Health documentation Insurance for trip cancellation/medical/evacuation (Medjet Assist, Travel Guard, Travel Insure, or World Nomads) Emergency information Transportation tickets (www.Away.com, www.Orbitz.com) Frequent flyer information Lodging, transfers, and activity reservations (www.Away.com, www.Orbitz.com) Hotel/tour contact info Traveler’s checks Currency Money belt (All Terrain Money Belt) Credit & ATM cards Copies of airline tickets/passport/etc. Security pouch and/or organizers for passport, tickets, etc. (Security and ID) Reconfirm/check-in online with airline Positive attitude and an open... Read More →

Travel Ambassadors

There doesn’t seem to be any way to discourage people from traveling. The Wild Pair is delighted to discover that no matter how many annoyances and inconveniences travelers face, they don’t stop buying tickets. Even when the price of airline seats goes up and services go down, planes are flying at capacity and airports are jammed. The benefits of travel are obvious to all of you–expanding your mind, having thrilling adventures, meeting people, changing your habitual environment, taking time out from work and responsibility, challenging yourself, enjoying life–but have you ever thought of yourself as an ambassador without a portfolio? Here are some tips from the Wild Pair about how to step into that role. 1. Being Label Conscious None of us like to be typed, and certainly not stereotyped, but people do it all the time. They label you by your country of origin. “He is an American,” or “She is Brazilian.” It’s important to be aware of... Read More →

Tasty Adventures

The Wild Pair knows that the way to a great trip is often through your stomach. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, carnivore or omnivore, what you eat on the road sometimes lasts as long or longer in your memory than other trip adventures. So here are some of our fave food tips for your culinary enjoyment. 1. THE PRICE IS ALWAYS RIGHT It doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Your lip-smacking adventure can be at a rib joint in Kansas, a street food stall in Thailand, a picnic in the south of France or around a campfire after a safari in Africa. Once you decide to have a foodie experience, look for options and don’t let expense guide your choice. 2. A QUESTION OF MOOD Sometimes the key to great eats is to follow your mood and let it dictate your choice. Just because brochures and guidebooks recommend a dining experience, it may not be right for you on a particular day or at a specific time. Do you want a long, lingering culinary experience? An intimate, romantic treat?... Read More →

Staying Safe On The Road

The Wild Pair believes that if you are aware and prepared, travel is not only safe but good for body, mind and soul. Most destinations in the world are so dependent upon tourism for their economies that they go to great lengths to protect their visitors. So, if you feel that someone is watching out for you when you travel, you are probably right. There are, however, scams and lousy customer services that prey on the good nature and open-heartedness of travelers and are in the business of bait-and-switch. There are also crooks at home and abroad, and we are confident that the karma wagon will roll over their toes when it makes its rounds. Here are a few insider tips on how to protect yourselves, your belongings, your wallet and your sanity when you hit the road. 1 ) EYES IN BACK OF YOUR HEAD When you go through security at the airport, you are probably so busy taking off your shoes and tucking your lotions and liquids into zip-lock bags that you take your eyes off your personal belongings... Read More →

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