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7 Things To Know Before Visiting The USA

The United States is a popular destination that attracts many travelers from around the globe. The country has a countless collection of diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks that can make your visit an unforgettable adventure. However, there are many things you should be aware of before your visit to the U.S. Keep in mind that certain visas require additional paperwork and apostilled documents. So make sure that you have all that prepared and ready. You can learn more info here.

If you’re traveling to the United States for official reasons, such as further education, you’ll need to authenticate some of your public documents. However, this also depends on the country where the document was issued. If the country is a member of the Apostille Convention, then you’ll need to have an apostille stamp on your public documents.  
But if the documents were issued in a country that’s not part of the convention, you’ll need what’s known as an authentication certificate. Public documents, in this case, may include academic transcripts, tax documents, marriage and birth certificates, court documents, background checks, etc.  
The reason for an apostille or authentication stamp is to verify that the documents are indeed legitimate. Given that each country has its own style when it comes to public documents, the Apostille Convention of 1961 came up with this system to verify the authenticity of documents issued by member countries worldwide.

Here are some of the things you should know before visiting the U.S.

The tipping culture

Tipping waiters is a common practice in the U.S. Normally, people leave about 15% to 20% tip. Since the minimum wage is really low, it is considered rude if you don’t leave any tips for your waiter. So, when you are in the U.S make sure to leave a tip at the restaurant, bar, or in a taxi.

The price isn’t always what it seems.

If you are thinking about buying any goods or services, know that the prices on display are not always what it seems. Most of the advertised prices are excluding sales tax. So, the total bill will be a slightly higher price. Though tax varies from state to state, you can expect around 10% addition to the total cost. This also goes for most accommodations.

Get health/travel insurance

Travel insurance is necessary for most overseas trips. If you are going to America, then it is crucial that you have insurance. Health services are extremely expensive in the country and it is best to make an investment in insurance and keep a printed copy of the document with you during the journey.

Baseball

While the rest of the world is crazy about soccer, America’s favorite pastime is baseball. The baseball season starts in April and lasts till September. Cheering for your favorite baseball team and enjoying a beer under the warm sun is one of the classic American experiences.

Poor public transportation systems

The USA is not known for its public transportation options. So, it is best to rent a car if you don’t want to take a lot of taxies to get around the town. However, you don’t have to worry if you are in any of the major cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. There will be plenty of metro systems and lots of bus routes. 

Explore the national parks

Away from the buzzing cities, America has an impressive range of national parks filled with lush forestry, picturesque mountain ranges, huge valleys, and red desserts. Popular national parks like Yellow Stone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon National Park are worth visiting.

Islands worth exploring

Just like the national parks, there are many islands in the U.S that are worth visiting. The Hawaiian Islands is a popular cluster of islands that you can visit any time of year. It is a tropical paradise filled with lush green landscapes, tropical beaches, and plenty of opportunities for relaxing. You can also do many adrenaline-fuelled, fun activities as well.