Eight things you need to know before traveling to the United States
Eight things you need to know before traveling to the United States
It is the land of opportunity, cinema and hotdogs. America is a world apart for, and thus has many differences with our country you need to know before starting your trip.
Documentation .
In addition to your valid passport mail you should ask for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization to the U.S. (ESTA) Online at least 72 hours before travel. Cuesta14 dollars and is valid for two years. Only have to indicate the details of your passport and the time will tell if your permit is approved, denied or pending approval. You can request in here.
If your stay will be longer than three months, you will also need a visa.
Travel Insurance.
It is necessary that you take out travel insurance to cover you for all the medical expenses. Any health care you need in the United States, albeit very slight, will have to pay.
Driving
The Spanish card can be used without any problem, but does not hurt either get the international driving permit. It's pretty easy and cheap, you only need to go to a traffic headed your current driving license, ID card and a photograph.
Tips
Although Spain tips are something that exist simply to acknowledge good service in the United States works differently. For example, the salary of the waitstaff is really low, so that primarily live on tips. Each time you enter a restaurant note that the final price will have to add between 15% and 20 % gratuity.
If you pay cash tip is given as in Spain, but if you pay by card first will bring the bill excluding tip. Submit the card to pay and then I will return it with a receipt for you to sign and you indicate that you want to leave the tip. Then you will be charged the full amount. In some restaurants the tip is already included in the price.
Taxi drivers, tour guides or buttons are other groups we also need a tip according to the service they render. For example it is advisable to let taxi drivers 15% , but a button or a tour guide will usually leave between two and five dollars per person .
Change money.
When exchange euros for dollars is also important to take into account tips. The best place to change your money is a Spanish bank branch because, although they will charge commission, will always be less than elsewhere. Those yes , change is not immediate and agree that you warn a few days before that the bank had time to bring the dollars you need before you travel.
Avoid especially change money at the airport because although it is immediate, it is much more expensive. In exchange houses so does and will charge a commission that is implicit.
Withdraw money from ATMs in the U.S. is also quite expensive because the commissions can be as high as 4%. If you decide to pay by credit card will have no problem, but yes, I always consider that most of the stores at a price to add what they call tax, or what is the same, taxes.
Credit cards and debit cards. Both cards are accepted, but should always carry a credit because the debit not accepted everywhere. It is also advisable to wear either a Visa as a Mastercard.
Jacks
The pins of the plugs in the U.S. are different, so you need to purchase an adapter before traveling at any hardware store. In addition, the voltage is lower, so for example you will notice that your mobile you take longer to load or hairdryer slower. If you want to avoid this you will have to also buy a transformer.
If you plan to buy electronics in this country, keep these details in mind and try to look for models that are compatible in Spain.
Sizes
The sizes of both clothing and footwear are also different between the two countries. Here we leave you a guide so you can go shopping without problems.
Women's Clothing
- Size 36 equals 6.
- The size 38 is equivalent to 8.
- The size 40 is equivalent to 10.
- The size 42 to 12.
- The size 44 to 14.
- Size 46 equals 16.
Menswear
- Size 46 equals 36.
- The size 48 is equivalent to 38.
- The size 50 is equivalent to 40.
- The size 52 is equivalent to 42.
- The size 54 is equivalent to 44.
- The size 56 is equivalent to 46.
Footwear for women and men
- The size 37 is equivalent to 6.5.
- The size 38 is equivalent to 7.5.
- The size 39 is equivalent to 8.5.
- The size 40 is equivalent to 9.5.
- The size 41 is equivalent to 10.5.
- The size 42 is equivalent to 11.5.
- The size 43 is equivalent to 12.5.
- The size 44 is equivalent to 13.5.
- The size 45 is equivalent to 14.5.
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