The United States of America is an incredible country to visit because of its plentiful attractions, delicious food, and fun atmosphere.

If you love nature – travel to Yosemite National Park in California.

If you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life – stay in the heart of New York City, New York.

America offers something for everyone.

10 Things to Know Before You Visit America

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay 

Before traveling to America, do some research to learn more about the country and culture.

Here are ten things to know before visiting America to get you started.

1. Have a Valid Passport before Traveling

No matter where you’re from, you need a passport to enter the USA. This rule applies to everyone – including infants.

Your passport lists your nationality and other important personal information. It will then allow you to reenter your country of origin when you go back home.

Check your passport’s expiration date before you travel to the US. If it expires within six months, airport customs might not accept it. The US has waived this rule for certain countries. Instead, you would just need to have a valid passport for your visit.

2. Apply for a Visa or ESTA Approval

A visa is different from your passport. It is a temporary permission slip to enter a country other than your place of residency. It will list your personal information, the reason for your visit, and the dates you will be visiting a country.

Not everyone who enters the US needs a Visa. You may be able to visit short-term through VWP approval. The Visa Waiver Program permits visitors of certain nationalities for trips less than 90 days. To find out if you qualify, visit esta-america.com to be approved by ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Approval).

If ESTA approves you, you can travel freely to the US for up to 90 days at a time. You will remain approved for two years or until your passport expires.

Each person who travels needs their own ESTA or visa, regardless of age.

3. Purchase Travel and Health Insurance

Traveling is a significant financial investment. Purchasing travel insurance will protect all the money you spent on airplane tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and entertainment.

Choose a travel plan that fits your budget and specific needs. Some common scenarios that some plans will cover are:

• Lost luggage during your flight
• Canceled airplane tickets due to bad weather
• Too sick to take a cruise
• Medical emergencies
• Changed plans

When the unexpected happens, file a claim with your travel insurance along with the necessary information they request. You will want to keep all your receipts as well as proof of the incident.

Travel insurance will protect your financial interest in the event of unexpected changes, cancellations, and losses. It cannot be purchased and used after an event occurs. It needs to be purchased before you begin your trip.

Some travel insurance will cover certain medical situations. Also, double-check your regular health insurance policies – find out what their travel coverage includes.

In America, healthcare is expensive. On average, a broken leg will cost you close to $3,000 to repair without surgery. A broken leg with surgery can easily cost almost $35,000.

Unless you want to end up paying that money out of pocket, find yourself good insurance that will cover medical expenses in other countries.

4. Get to Know the Geography

America is 3.797 million square miles and has 50 states. It is the third-largest country in the world. Traveling around America is an undertaking nearly as large as traveling around Europe. If you drove across the country, it would take you 40 hours.

To help make the most of your visit, make a travel plan before your visit. Choose just a few places to see and route the most time-efficient routes. You may want to limit your first visit to just one state. In some cases, one city has enough attractions to keep you entertained your entire vacation.

5. Understand the Currency and Taxes

America uses the U.S. Dollar in all locations. Their coins include pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Understanding the value of the currency will help you quickly pay for what you need.

In addition to understanding the currency, you should also learn about American taxes. Unlike many other countries, America does not include taxes in the price of items. Always expect to spend a little more than what is listed in the store or at a restaurant.

For example, the sales tax in Virginia is 5.65% – while the sales tax in California is 8.66%. Each state is different. Sometimes different goods also vary in tax.

6. Know Where to Go and Where to Avoid

America is not the safest place to visit in the world. It ranks at 122 in a list of 163 counties – with #1 being the safest.

You can still enjoy a very safe trip by knowing where to visit and what areas to avoid. 

For example, certain parts of New York City have a very high crime rate. Meanwhile, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have some of the safest cities where you could even leave your car unlocked without anyone stealing it.

7. Plan Your Means of Transportation

Public transportation in America is not as effective as in other countries. In cities, you may be able to find a metro or intercity bus that can get you around.

Traveling around the country will require more complex systems. Some buses and trains will travel longer distances, like with Amtrak, but they are not always reliable or regular.

One of the best ways to travel around an area would be by car. You can get a rental car for your duration and have access to most places.

8. Learn the Rules of the Road

Whether you do end up driving or will be walking – know the rules of the road.

People usually have the right of way, but that is not the case in every city. In America, cars also can turn right on a red light. If you are walking, double-check that no one else is turning.

9. Research Restaurant Etiquette

Eating at a restaurant is a fun experience in America. You can try so many delicious food options! Americans love a good burger, fried chicken, or pizza. Don’t forget that Americans offer free refills on their drinks!

Restaurants in America have a certain etiquette – from how you are seated to paying the check. Most restaurants don’t pay their waiters a full salary – but expect patrons to tip the waiters anywhere from 15%-20% of their bill to help cover a waiter’s salary.

10. Learn Local Colloquialism in Speech

While the national language of America is American English, some people speak a specific dialect. Before traveling to certain states, learn some of the local colloquialisms and terms.

Enjoy Your Trip

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay 

The most important part of preparing for any trip is to relax. Enjoy your trip!

Everything might not go as planned. You may find yourself blindsided by the unexpected. Don’t let a few missteps ruin your entire trip. Learn to go with the flow and have fun.

Americans are very friendly. Most people will be ready to step in and help if you ever have any questions.