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A checklist for everything to have, research and do when going to a new destination

It’s been almost a year and a half since my post about starting a nomadic lifestyle! During this time, I have been to Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, NYC, back home to California, then to Mexico, Ecuador and Peru! Working while traveling isn’t easy and it’s not a vacation, no matter how glamorous it may look from the outside. But I must say, the weekends are pretty darn exciting!

One of the challenges of being a digital nomad is all of the work that goes into moving around. It’s worse if you’re moving through places quickly because you will have to figure out all the logistics more often. Information overload sets in when you think of going to a new place you know nothing about, making it hard to know where to even start. 

This is my own “new city checklist” that has been living just in my head until now.

I categorized all the planning work into chunks and tried to estimate how long it would take to get through it all. It turns out it can take up to a full workday to do all the research you need to do (or eventually will do) about a new place in order to maximize your time there!

For me, to avoid any struggle, it’s best to nail most of this down quickly in order to have the smoothest transition and the best, most enjoyable experience right away. Everything here I include because I had a time when I needed to have it or do it and I truly wanted to remember it as a tip for the next time I started traveling. Nothing is arbitrary or “just in case”!

So, here it is!

Must Haves to Bring with You

These are the things I felt were best to record or else I’d forget them. (While of course, things like socks and undies are necessary, when it comes to remembering those, my years of packing skills have never failed me.) 😉

– Passport & ID

– Photocopies of passport

– Two or more debit cards (You do not want to lose your only debit card!)

– Multiple VISA credit cards (Amex just won’t fly in South America)

– Universal Power Adapter

– Travel hair dryer and straightener

– Power bank

– Sudafed, Advil, Imodium, allergy meds, bug spray

– Electronics + all of their chargers

– Updated travel plans in online banking accounts

– As many Kind Bars as I can fit in my suitcase

– Durable phone case (True story: phones without cases love to slip out of purses and get left behind in taxis and hotel rooms)

Things to Research Before Arrival

Basic Info (1 Hour)

A lot of the information I want to know in the beginning is also to help me decide if the city I have in mind is worth going to:

– Do I need a visa?

– How long can I stay?

– Do I need any vaccines?

– Do I need proof of onward travel?

– Is it a favorable place for working remotely?

– Have other travelers shared their reviews for working remotely there?

– Would I like the weather?

– How safe is it? What about for female travelers? Check the US travel warnings.

– What is the currency situation? Is it easy to get cash? Is it a cash or card first society?

– What are the typical tourist scams to be aware of?

– Is it nearby other destinations I want to visit?

– What are some of the things the city/country is most known for?

Accommodation (1 – 2 Hours)

Sometimes the longest part, it’s good to give yourself a few days to find housing, or you can book a hotel room for a few days while you look for a room to rent or something more suitable for the long-term.

– What is the best option for finding a place to stay? (Airbnb, Facebook groups, Craigslist, Hostelworld, Booking.com?)

– Do I want my own place or shared?

– Would I want a private room in a hostel? A private room in a shared Airbnb?

– Is there a lot of foreign exchange and expat housing resources online?

– What is the best neighborhood to live and work in?

– Is there a Selina? (A new hostel chain for digital nomads that offers co-working memberships)

Transportation (20 Minutes)

Some cities are super well known for their amazing public transportation infrastructure. Others are not. It’s important to make sure the place you are going has options that you feel comfortable using. Here are some considerations:

– How will I get to my destination (bus, plane, train)?

– Does Uber exist there?

– Are taxis reliable and safe?

– Plan how to get from the airport to my accommodation

Get Connected (0.5 – 1 Hour)

When traveling solo, I like to have a plan in place for making friends, and quick! I don’t really want to spend more than a few days not knowing anyone. Here are some ways I’ve brainstormed to find a sense of community fast:

– Meetups

– Local, student, and expat related Facebook groups

– Language exchanges (See if there is a Mundo Lingo chapter or nearby language schools!)

– Couchsurfing events and hangouts

To Find and Save in Google Maps (0.5 – 2 Hours)

Now here is where I might lose some people, but… you will be looking for these things eventually! Might as well do it all in one go?

– Home address

– Co-works to visit

– Close restaurants to home

– Close restaurants to my co-work

– Natural food stores (Great places for gluten-free groceries)

– Good coffee shops

– Famous bars and restaurants

– Shopping mall

– Cell phone carrier store

– Best gym close to home

Fun Things To Do (1 – 2 Hours)

To make the most out of your free time, it’s good to know what is going on and what is worthwhile to do. Write a huge list of “Must-do’s” and “Want to do’s” and see how many you can cross off and when you can possibly fit them in your calendar:

– Free walking tour

– Local attractions

– Upcoming events on Facebook (Especially concerts!)

– Local holidays and festivities

– Side trips

– Different types of classes

– Local artisan markets

– Save relevant articles about the city on Culture Trip!

To Do Immediately After Arrival

From my experience, I’ve learned it’s better to arrive on a weekend as moving during the middle of the workweek is a hassle. Before getting into the next week, it’s a good idea to do these things as soon as possible:

– Get cash at an ATM

– Visit the grocery store, stock up on water, snacks and any toiletries needed

– Get a new cell phone chip so you have data while out and about (This is also fundamentally important for your safety, being able to message a friend or call an uber to get home safe.)

– Join the Nomad List Slack channel for the city and ask who is around

– Do something right away to meet people like a free walking tour

– Have a plan for where to work from on Monday by scouting out coffee shops and co-works

– Keep an eye out for anywhere you can do your laundry

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering working and traveling, especially solo, you may be thinking that it’s a lot of work to move! Well, for me, it is. For example, some people can survive eating see food (any food they see), but for me, being both picky and gluten-free adds some complexity and requires some more preparation!

But, you don’t have to go it alone!

Fortunately, this year, I joined WiFi Tribe and have traveled with them to Ecuador and Peru which has made things so much easier. First of all, the program finds shared housing for you in each new destination and connects you with about 20 other travelers. Having a good group to count on is invaluable, even for little things. For example, if you’re out with the group and run out of cash, someone else can spot you. You can also split costs for taxis and take private transfers together which is great for your budget and keeps you safe!

When it comes to planning your free time and weekend trips, there is always someone who is willing to take the lead or delegate, so the group can accomplish much more than just one person.

Thanks to traveling with a group, I’ve gone to so many more places than I would have if I were left to my own devices like the Ecuadorian Amazon and Huacachina, a desert oasis in Peru.

What is your take? Am I over-preparing or am I missing something on my checklist? Let me know!