Staying Healthy on the Go.
I’ve learned that protecting my health and wallet while traveling requires planning for medical emergencies, eating safely without paranoia, and understanding local customs to avoid embarrassing mistakes.
Travel Insurance: Is It Worth It?
I used to skip travel insurance until I got food poisoning in Thailand and discovered my regular health insurance covered exactly zero dollars abroad. Visitor’s Coverage That $800 hospital bill taught me a valuable lesson.
Travel insurance becomes essential when:
I’m visiting remote areas where emergency evacuation might be necessary
My domestic health insurance doesn’t cover international medical care (most don’t)
I’ve prepaid thousands for flights, hotels, or tours that I can’t afford to lose
I’m doing activities riskier than lying on a beach, like skiing or scuba diving
I now look for policies that cover medical care and emergency evacuation specifically. Planning for unexpected health issues means checking what my current insurance actually covers before I leave.
The math is simple. A week-long trip might cost $50-100 for basic coverage, while a single emergency room visit abroad can cost thousands. I’ve found that policies covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and lost baggage give me the most bang for my buck.
Staying Healthy: Food, Water, and Staying Sane
Nothing ruins a vacation faster than spending quality time with a foreign toilet. I’ve been there, and it’s not the cultural immersion I was hoping for.
Contaminated food and drinks cause traveler’s diarrhea, which is exactly as fun as it sounds. I follow this rule: if it’s hot, packaged, or peeled, I’m probably safe. Street food from a busy cart? Usually fine. Yesterday’s buffet salad? Hard pass.
My food and water safety checklist:
Bottled or canned drinks (I check the seal isn’t broken)
Foods served steaming hot
Fruits I peel myself
Avoiding ice in drinks unless I’m certain about the water source
