Travelling to the Southern Hemisphere? Here is all you need to know

Considering travelling to the Southern Hemisphere? Whether it’s backpacking through New Zealand, exploring Australia’s unique coast, or experiencing the exceptional taste of Chile’s ‘la Buena mesa’, we can assure you that you’re in for an exciting adventure.

When counting down the days until your once in a lifetime experience in a far-flung and exotic destination, it can be easy to get carried away by the excitement and forget some of the more down to earth preparations that you need to consider. Luckily, we are here to help. Before you leave to making every second count- read on for our top tips and all you need to know about travelling to the Southern Hemisphere.

1. Take care of the sensible things.

These are the most unexciting bits of the planning process, but they also tend to be the most important. Before you think of heading to the airport, and ideally several months in advance, check that your passport is valid and that it has at least six months remaining on it, ensure you have any visas you might need, and visit your doctor for any vaccinations that may be required. Also, be sure you have up to date and comprehensive travel insurance. Laferla offers three levels of cover which also includes emergency medical expenses. Find out more information about Travel Insurance with Laferla here.

2. Find out about the culture.

One of the best things about travelling is the opportunity to discover and experience new cultures and ways of life that you might not have ever encountered before. It can however, be a bit of a culture shock and that is why we advise you to read as much as you can about the countries you are visiting, before you go. This will help prepare you for any quirky local customs or laws, give you tips on etiquette and possible faux pas, and allow you to get an idea of what to expect before you arrive.

3. Learn a bit of the lingo.

Whilst no one is expecting you to be fluent in Fijian, Indonesian, or Xhosa, it is always a good plan to try and learn a word or two in the language of any countries you are intending to visit. Greetings, simple requests, and “thank you” are always good words to get to grips with. Not only might it help you out in areas where English is not commonly spoken, but it also shows any locals that you have made an effort to understand a bit about them and that you have an interest in communicating.

4. Put some thought into where you will lay your head.

Whether you are going backpacking or staying in a luxury 5-star spa, it is always wise to do some serious research into where you will be calling home whilst you are away. It might be very appealing to just travel where the wind takes you, but we recommend checking out a range of possible hotels, guesthouses, and B&B’s before you depart. Don’t just go on the company website either, be sure to check out independent review sites for the most honest write ups and opinions on the location, food, staff, and overall experience. Furthermore, be sure to give friends and family a copy of the names and addresses of the places you intend to stay in, just in case of an emergency.

5. Write a wish list of locations.

Visiting such long-haul destinations is a very special event and making the best of every moment when you are away is key to giving you the memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. To make good use of time, consider all the popular tourist destinations, landmarks, and historical sites, and draw up a list ranking the ones that you are most interested in visiting. Having a clear idea of your sightseeing priorities beforehand will help you manage your time effectively, and also give you chance to resolve any conflicts with your travelling companion before you take off!

Wherever you decide to go, just make sure that you tick these boxes before you leave (you can get a free travel insurance quote right here) so that you can sit back, relax, and take in all that the Southern Hemisphere has to offer you.