Follow our tips and see how to avoid the main problems while traveling simply and intelligently.

When we want to travel and discover a new place, we prepare to have only positive experiences and enjoy our stay there, right? However, even  if you plan ahead  no one is 100% free to face some problems during the trip, which may be due to carelessness, lack of destination information   or even the action of others.

Therefore, being cautious is fundamental. With that in mind, we’ve put together some of the most common incidents travelers deal with and how to avoid them so that your off season is smooth and hassle free.

1. Book the hotel only when you arrive at your destination and find no room available

The first one is to decide to embark on the destination and leave to book the accommodation only when you get there. “But is this not possible? What can go wrong if I make this decision? ”You might be wondering. Well, the answer is simple: In addition to having higher prices, you run the risk of finding no available rooms anywhere.

This is something that can happen, for example, if the place visited is very touristy and the trip is made in high season and / or during local commemorative dates – when the hotel occupancy rate tends to be above 90%.

So, to avoid this kind of complication, don’t make a fool of yourself! Once you buy your tickets, take a few minutes to search for accommodation and find the one that is the most cost-effective.

2. Arrive at the hotel you booked in and be disappointed with the location

A second problem that may occur when booking a hotel is choosing a location and being disappointed when you get there. This happens to some people because they focus on finding a room at the lowest cost and fail to evaluate other important aspects of the property.

However, as the saying goes, sometimes cheap is expensive! For this reason, when you search for accommodations at your destination, please check:

• their location – that is, proximity to  sights , means of transport, shopping centers etc .;
• There is a 24-hour front desk and a shuttle service.
• pets allowed – if you want to travel with your pet;
• what amenities are offered by them (free WiFi, lift, breakfast included in booking, laundry etc.);
• the languages ​​spoken at reception and by the staff.

3. Exceeding the weight limit of checked and carry-on baggage and being charged for the excess

If for some the time to  pack  is simple and quick, for others it requires a great deal of planning so as not to feel like carrying more parts than they will need on the trip and, eventually, cramming the luggage. After all, airline companies impose limits on checked and carry-on bags and charge a penalty when there is a surplus on both.

So, to avoid this extra expense, there is a very simple measure: buy a portable scale – those that are sold in pharmacies, for example – and use it to weigh your luggage at home. That way you will know if you are overweight, and if so, you can review what you are taking to leave behind what is only bulking, and perhaps it will not even be used at destination.

4. Have a lost bag and no clothes for the first few days of travel

In addition to the problems mentioned above, there is one that can happen and it is not your responsibility, but the company you travel with: having your luggage lost and ending up without clothes, shoes and accessories. No wonder some travelers are afraid of going through this situation, especially on international flights with many connections.

However, there is no reason for despair, ok? Each year, airlines adopt new technologies to avoid this kind of inconvenience and streamline the baggage handling process. Such incidents are so rare, and according to the   Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA) survey , since 2007 they have fallen by more than 70% worldwide.

However, prevention is better than cure, always! So be sure to carry some parts in your carry-on luggage. So if your checked bags are not found, you will already have enough clothes for the first few days.

5. Visit a country where there is no diplomatic post in Brazil

When traveling to another country, you are always advised to know which city has a diplomatic post in Brazil, as well as its address and opening hours. That way, if you need to resolve any complications due to a visa, loss of  passport , maltreatment, imprisonment or death, for example, you will be provided with the necessary guidance on how to proceed and remedy it.

Now, if you decide to travel to a place where you do not have diplomatic representation, such as Somalia, Uganda, Latvia, Cambodia, or Samoa, you need to research which post will cover the location so that you do not have access to consular services, especially in emergency situations, ok?

6. Lose documents while traveling

Nothing worse than getting to your destination ready to enjoy your trip and discover new places and realize that you have lost a document, right? Not only does this take away your peace, but it can also be a hindrance to your return boarding, as official photo documentation is required for the passenger to board the plane.

Therefore, one must be careful and know what to do in this situation. On national travel, take both your ID and a certified copy of it. In international travel, look for the nearest Brazilian embassy in the region where you are to provide a temporary passport if you lose yours.

Now, for other documents such as hotel reservation, boarding pass and travel insurance policy  , it is recommended to have a digital copy of them in your email. This allows you to present (and access) them through your mobile phone, tablet or notebook.

Now that you know what they are and how to avoid the major issues on the road, be sure to put our tips to work to make the most of your destination and be prepared to take any unforeseen events!