One of the best things to do while you’re young is to see the world. Along the way of your exploration, you’ll learn and grow. Yes, there are various places where you could fly-off either for soul-search but the United States is indeed a wonderful place to start it all. Top cities here have so much to offer for a traveler like you inclusive of unique attractions and plenty of activities to engage with. And as you commence with your trip, make use of American Airlines Flight Tracker to receive real-time updates regarding your flight. Even your loved one can track your exact location. But before anything else, here are the things that you should be aware of before heading to America.
Visas and other important documents
You can’t fly to the United States of America without a valid visa, if applicable. There are different types of visas that you can secure namely tourist visa, temporary visa, or immigration visa which is known to be the hardest one to acquire. Be sure to check first if your country is included in the visa waiver program. If yes, it permits several citizens to visit the US without needing to obtain a visa either for business or tourism purposes. All you need to do is to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization or ESTA Visa.
Transportation
The United States of America is indeed huge. If you’re going to long-distance destinations, flying by plane is the most practical option, the quickest, convenient, and even cost-effective. To give you an idea, America is also noted for its car culture wherein almost 95% of its people owns a personal automobile. It is one of the most popular means of transportation, especially in urban areas.
Accommodation
Be sure to book in advance to avoid encountering problems. Please be advised that hotels are priced by room and not per person. If you’re traveling in a group, don’t forget to inquire about group discounts.
Tipping
Servers at the restaurant are given around 20% tips due to low minimum wage while bartenders receive a dollar or two per drink. Other workers in the hospitality industry do receive a corresponding tip accordingly namely five dollars for housekeepers and valets, two dollars per bag for hotel porters, and taxi drivers do receive an additional 15%.
Sales Tax
Almost everything you purchase here includes sales tax which is around 10% depending on which city or state you’re in. To give you an idea, the only place that doesn’t have sales tax are Delaware, Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, and Alaska.
National Parks
Considering its environmental diversity, the country boasts around 59 national parks. Be sure to check out Denali National Park in Alaska which is home to hundreds of mammals and bird species as well as the Yosemite National Park in California.
Festivals
Another reason to visit this country is its thrilling festivals like Burning Man, Coachella, Mardis Gras, and other arts and live music fest.
Large food serving portion
It’s no longer a surprise as fast food still dominates the culinary landscape here. Still, some restaurants serve smaller portion but the dishes are usually much expensive.
