The United States is a diverse country when it comes to landscapes, famous cities, and its culture. However, just like all other countries, the USA has its way of customs, rules, and expectations which first-time visitors may easily stumble upon. From cumbersome visa requirements to one’s perception of tipping culture, tourists can go wrong during their stay. In this guide, we identify the 10 most common tourist mistakes in the USA and how one should avoid them altogether.
This will eventually lead to making a journey easier, enjoyable, and stress-free. Visiting any of these wonderful US destinations for both the first-time visitor and any returning visitor. This USA travel Guide will explain to you the 10 Mistakes to Avoid as a Tourist.
Table of Contents
Not Understanding Visa Requirements
One of the 10 Mistakes to Avoid as a Tourist is not knowing about the visa requirements. One of the biggest blunders that visitors to the USA make is not checking their visa requirements early enough. Depending on your nationality, you may have to apply for a tourist visa or be eligible under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), by which certain countries can visit the USA without a visa for up to 90 days.
The latest Update about US entry policies has fluctuated many times since the pandemic. Always consult the site travel.state.gov for the latest requirements.
Practical Example
A tourist from Brazil may not go under the Visa Waiver Program and be required to apply for a B-2 tourist visa. Unplanned preparation could hold up or even cancel the trip.
Obtain your visa or ESTA, which stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization, at least a month before your tour to avoid complications.
Ignoring Health Insurance and Medical Costs
Unlike most developed countries, the United States does not offer free or relatively lower-priced medical services to tourists. The charges can be pretty high for even a minimal problem. Tourists who do not possess an insurance policy may end up paying thousands for treatment in emergency cases.
A tourist who twisted an ankle in New York City and went to the ER received a $1500 bill. Had this tourist bought travel insurance, they may have had to pay only a fraction of that amount.
Note: Buy travel insurance that covers everything, including emergencies for a medical doctor.
You can also learn about the USA travel guide here.
Overpacking or Packing Incorrectly
America is vast and climatic conditions vary in different regions. Many tourists are faulted in not doing proper research before a trip and, hence pack inadequately for their destination. Packing all those huge luggage for a winter trip to New York may work but the same wardrobe won’t do you good in warm sunny Miami.
Airline companies have also become very strict about the weight of baggage. Overweight luggage can even attract hundreds of dollars.
A traveler from the UK had packed summer clothes only for a trip to San Francisco in May, so they got a big surprise due to the cool weather. On that trip, they had bought a whole new wardrobe.
Remember: Research the climate of cities you would visit. Packing light and smart is possible through apps and checklists.
Forgetting to Tip in Restaurants and Services
Tipping is not optional in the US, just part of the service economy. To tourists coming from countries where the practice of tipping is less common, usually, a big surprise in restaurants, taxis, and even haircut costs to find that tips are expected, normally up to 15-20% of the cost.
Recently, in San Francisco some cities have enforced service charges that replaced the tipping culture; however, it’s still pretty much the American way.
A tourist from Japan did not even leave a tip when eating in a restaurant and got charged at the counter, during which he quarreled with the waiter. Could have all gone so much better if he’d known first.
Always check to see if your bill already includes service charges. If it does not, then run a tip based on service quality (usually 15-20%).
Not Renting a Car in Areas Without Good Public Transport
Visiting other attractions sometimes people over-rely on public transport when its use is abysmally low or even non-existent in an area. Cities like New York and San Francisco have a very good public transit system, but in many other places like Los Angeles or national parks, one might need to have a car to move efficiently.
A family who came just to visit Yellowstone National Park without taking a car hire found it virtually impossible to reach the main attractions. They could rely instead only on costlier private tours.
Research whether a car is necessary for the areas you plan to visit and book your rental car as early as possible, especially in peak seasons.
Using International Data Plans Without Checking Costs
Most people make the same mistake of using their own country’s mobile network to make data and calls, which became a giant bill for international roaming. In the USA, there are various types of carriers with the choice of prepaid SIM cards or eSIM services, which are better options.
Mostly now, companies like Google Fi or T-Mobile provide international plans or eSIM services that are relatively affordable for travelers.
Practical Example
He is a traveler from Canada who used the data of his phone without checking the fee and returned home with a US$ 500 bill. Had he obtained a local SIM card, he would have saved hundreds.
Please Note: Purchase a prepaid SIM card on arrival or an international roaming plan according to your budget.
Learn about the Top Historical Sites in the USA – A Traveler’s Guide
Not Booking Attractions in Advance
Many of the top tourist attractions in the USA, like the Statue of Liberty, Disney World, or Yosemite National Park, book up months or even years in advance, or during peak travel seasons.
Because demand is higher due to the pandemic, many have increased capacity restrictions and now can only sell tickets online.
For example, during Christmas, a family in New York City came to visit and found that the tickets to the Statue of Liberty were sold months in advance; they were unable to do so.
Advice: Always ask if they must be reserved well ahead of time, especially at the most popular attractions and national parks.
Relying Only on Credit Cards
While credit cards can be widely used in the USA, it is still surprising that small businesses, local markets, and even taxis continue to prefer cash. Being partly dependent on card-based payments may leave tourists stranded in some situations.
Many small businesses have embraced cashless payments during the pandemic but still, some places need cash, especially rural areas.
For example, a tourist in a small town in Texas couldn’t afford to eat dinner because a restaurant only accepted cash, but its closest ATM was across town.
Pro Tip: Always carry around some money just in case, especially in a sparsely populated or touristy area.
Underestimating the Size of the USA
The US is a huge country and tourists don’t get a perspective on the amount of time that it takes to travel between destinations. The car journey from New York to Los Angeles is more than 40 hours cross-country.
Domestic US flights were largely operational after the pandemic, but delays and cancellations made air travel, although still the most efficient means of crossing long distances in the US.
For instance, a European tourist planned a week-long trip as he thought that he could visit New York, Los Angeles, and Miami without realizing the huge distance between cities, resulting in rush travel and missed experiences.
Note: Always plan your itinerary of travels realistically. For multi-city trips, you can book your domestic flights.
Being Unaware of Cultural Differences
Culture in the USA is different, and one cannot know such differences might sometime lead to awkward or uncomfortable situations. An example where personal space is important is the USA. These are delicate subjects that should not be discussed in a public setting unless someone invites you to do so. When greeting, it ought always to be with a handshake or nod, unless otherwise instructed.
Conclusion
The visit to the USA may be a thrilling experience, but that holds only for the right reasons if one avoids some of the common mistakes of tourists. So, beginning with not having the proper visa requirements, not packing wisely based on the diverse climates, and not understanding the local customs such as tipping and cultural differences these are within simple boundaries.
Whether it is the right transport, purchasing traveling insurance, or booking your attractions in the USA in advance, this will save you from the most common mistakes. Do not follow the most touristic itinerary and find yourself at every touristy place in the USA. Follow this USA travel guide, and you will avoid such pits, thereby ensuring that you have a more fulfilling and hassle-free adventure across the United States.
