The United States has many wonders that attract travelers from all over the world. The country is home to some the most incredible landscapes and the most varied in the world, a vast collection ofworld famous attractions and many cities with impressive architectures to discover.
This destination brings together all the experiences that make a trip abroad an unforgettable adventure. However, there are a few things to consider before visit the United States. From customs and payment obligations to entry requirements and traffic rules, here are some important things to remember before visiting the United States.
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Don’t forget your American VISA
It is essential that every traveler knows the requirements to enter the United States, as accidentally applying for the wrong tourist visa or showing up without the proper documents will result in denial of entry.
Some travelers may benefit froma 90-day visa waiver, called ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This travel authorization is processed under the Visa Waiver Program which allows you to travel to the United States without a visa! For obtain a ESTA visa, you must be a citizen of a member country (most European countries, Australia and Japan fall into this category) traveling to the United States for business or pleasure for 90 days or less, have a valid passport, and an approved ESTA application.
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Organize a language stay
Once approved, your ESTA is valid for 2 years and you can travel to the United States as many times as you want. However, each visit should not last more than 90 days.
If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or if you are not a citizen of a member country, you must apply for a US visa.
Do not visit the United States without travel insurance
The costs of health care in the United States is very high and every year, thousands of American citizens go bankrupt due to medical debts. An ambulance trip can cost over $ 2,700, while an emergency room visit can cost between $ 200 and $ 3,000, depending on your condition. In extreme cases, the costs can reach $ 20,000! It is therefore imperative to take out travel insurance before traveling to the United States.
There is a culture of tipping
Tipping is voluntary, but since the minimum wage for service personnel is quite low, it serves as compensation. The tip is therefore an unofficial rule but to be respectedexcept you wish to sound rude.
It is customary to leave a tip of 15 to 20% during restaurant meals. Before giving a tip, make sure it is not already included in the bill, especially if you are dining with a group of 6 or more. Do not forget that tips are not limited to meals in restaurants and you should expect to tip waiters ($ 1-2 per drink), hotel cleaners ($ 3-5 per night) and taxi drivers (10-15%).
Pay more than the indicated amount
When it comes to pricing, the Americans have a different system from ours. Indeed, Most price tags exclude VAT, so be prepared to pay more than you initially expect. VAT is usually increased by 6-10% and varies from state to state as well as city to city.
Follow him ESTA guide to prepare your trip to the USA!
Explore some national parks
The national parks of the United States are among the most beautiful in the world. You absolutely must visit one, or even two, on your trip. Of Grand Canyon in the Smoky Mountains, you can discover several parks with breathtaking landscapes, pristine lakes and incredible wildlife.
With 59 national parks covering over 80 million acres in each state, you might consider taking an entire trip just to explore them as they are one of the America’s true treasures that you must not miss.
Every state is like a small country
Whether it is the landscape, the weather, the food, the language, the mentalities or even the style of the clothes, you will notice that things change from state to state! For example, New Yorkers are known to be in a hurry, and the city itself is known as the fashion capital of the United States. In California, people are more relaxed and prefer flip flops, shorts, and tank tops. same laws are different from state to state.
For example, in Texas anyone can buy a firearm without a license, while in California you have to a special permit to buy a gun. Smoking marijuana is also not allowed in all states. So be sure to learn about the laws of each of them.
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