When traveling to the United States we will have numerous cities to visit, many tourist attractions to see, and beautiful landscapes to explore, so, from the iconic skyscrapers of New York to the star-studded Hollywood, there are many must-see destinations that any traveler will undoubtedly want to see in this country.
However, despite being one of the most popular destinations in the world, there are some rules that can baffle even the savviest travelers. So to help you have an easier and more hassle-free trip to the United States, there is a list of things to know first. If you read the first part of this article, we bring you a new list that you should not overlook.
You must be at least 25 years old to rent a car in the United States.
If you are planning to take a road trip this is one of the most important things you should know before traveling to the United States since most car rental companies have this requirement. Although, it is possible that some of them allow you to rent a car if you are not 25 yet, but you will have to pay an additional fee, which can be between $25 and $30 depending on the company and the location.
And speaking about rules…
You can turn right at a red light
One traffic rule to keep in mind and that is applicable to all 50 states, is that we can “turn right on red”. Of course, it can be done only if it is safe and if there are no signs prohibiting it. Another thing we cannot forget is that here you drive on the right side, so you must be especially careful when driving or crossing the street.
You will need to buy a TSA approved lock
When traveling, whatever the destination, the ideal thing is to lock your luggage since it is the best way to guarantee that your belongings will be safe while they are not with you.
However, when traveling to the United States, you should know that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict regulations for luggage, so all checked bags are checked and if the TSA screeners consider they should inspect a bag more closely, they are allowed to break the lock and open it.
Of course, in case your bag has been selected they will place a note inside informing you that this is what happened, but if you want to avoid losing a lock to the possibility of having your bag searched, it is best to use a TSA approved lock since they can be opened with a master key and they will not need to break it.
Turn off your mobile data
A common mistake many international visitors make while in the United States is using their mobile data. However, as with any international destination, roaming charges are often exorbitant, so unless you have an international travel data plan or package that allows you to do so, try to take full advantage of free Wi-Fi whenever possible.
It is advisable, for example, to consult the United States airport websites to see if they have free Wi-Fi.
Get used to the U.S. metric system
Although almost every country in the world uses the international metric system, only a few countries, including Myanmar, Liberia, and the United States, do not, so when you are in this country you will have to get used to the metric system that they use there. For example, distance is measured in yards and miles, height is measured in feet, weight is in pounds and ounces, area is measured in acres, liquids are measured in gallons, and so on. So you may want to learn some basic units, to avoid misunderstandings.
Food portions are HUGE
When traveling to the United States one of the things you will notice when eating out is that the portions are larger than usual. Even most fast food places have oversized options on their menu, so it is recommended that you look at the dishes around you before ordering. Although you can choose to split them up or order a box to take home.
State laws differ
Each state in the United States has its own laws that you must follow when you visit them. For example, in New Hampshire, you are not required to wear a seat belt, but in any other state, it is punishable by law. You may be able to drink in public in cities like Las Vegas and New Orleans, but in most states, this is considered punishable.
Likewise, there are laws regarding motorcycle helmets that vary by state. An emblematic case is the use of marijuana since it is legal in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, but in other states, it is strictly prohibited. Therefore, it is advisable to know which laws you should take into account according to the state you are traveling to, thus you will avoid problems with the law.
Know the time zones
The United States has six time zones, so make sure you know what time zone your destination is in, especially for flights and airport transfers.
For a free bathroom or Wi-Fi, head to Starbucks
After an unfortunate and publicized incident in which an African American was charged with burglary while waiting for friends without ordering anything. This famous chain adopted a new policy in which it establishes that all its customers, regardless of whether they make a purchase or not, can use all its spaces including its bathrooms.
The most beautiful parts of the United States are its national parks
With an area spanning 84 million acres in all states, the national parks of the United States can claim many superlatives. So we can find the longest cave system in the world (Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky); the lowest point in the western hemisphere (Death Valley, California); the highest point in North America (Mount McKinley in Denali National Park, Alaska); and the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world (White Sands National Monument, New Mexico). This is just to name a few.
For cheap stuff, head to Walmart
This famous chain of stores is the favorite of Americans because it is possible to buy whatever they need at the lowest possible price since it has a wide assortment that includes groceries, appliances to electronics, and camping equipment. Also, those who cannot find another place to park around are allowed free overnight parking.
ALFA