Travel Advice & Tips

Ecoteer takes travel safety very seriously and wants to ensure our members have the most up to date travel advice information helping them to stay safe abroad. This is why Ecoteer are very pround to be a partner of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice campaign - Know Before You Go. The purpose of the campaign is to give up to date travel advice which helps to keep everybody safe.

The campaign website tells you more information regarding how to stay safe, health issues and what to look out for when traveling alone. The website page can be found here Know Before You Go

Ecoteer has also partnered with World Nomads who offer language guides which you can download onto your ipod which are free for Ecoteer members. You can download the guides through your Ecoteer members control panel. If you know some of the language you will be much safer when traveling and volunteering abroad.

Below are some tips we found useful when travelling. If you have any advice you would like to submit then please email them to contact@ecoteer.com or write them on the Ecoteer forums.

• Subscribe to the latest travel advice for your destination to receive e-mail updates when advice changes;
• Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover volunteering, hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, that you plan to participate in;
• Before travelling overseas register your details online or, when overseas, register in-person at your relevant embassy, high commission or consulate;
• Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or travelling through. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry;
• Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home;
• Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines;
• Make sure your passport has at least 1 year validity and carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas;
• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas;
• Before departing check whether you are regarded as a national of the country you intend to visit. Research whether holding dual nationality has any implications for your travel;
• Obey the law. Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by your countries standards;
• Be cautious at all times;
• Always phone the airline before departure to ensure there have been no last minute flight changes;
• When possible always keep your bags, especially vital things like passports and some money, on your person;

The main thing to remember when travelling is to be vigilant and use your common sense!

This can prevent many of the common problems such as theft and pick pocketing.

To combat stealing always keep your valuables close to you and put a lock on your bag. The chances of any major problems are very slim but just stay aware.

You will have the time of your life!