India, a vast country with a long history and culture, is world-famous for its ancient architectural works, unique traditional festivals, and diverse cuisine. In order to easily integrate as an experienced traveler, take note of effective tips you need to know when traveling to India, as suggested by Wanderlust Tips USA.
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Coming to India not only provides you with more than just an intriguing journey but also lends you numerous amazing emotions. If you are a first-time visitor to India, it is understandable to encounter obstacles; thus, these experiences will help you save money and make your vacation more seamless, safe, and enjoyable.
Learn about culture and religion
As you know, India is a multicultural and multi-religious country, home to many different ethnic groups, each with its own customs and religions; therefore, it is necessary to learn about Indian culture in order to have an excellent trip. There are some taboos that visitors should keep in mind when traveling to India, such as not touching other people’s heads because the head is considered a sacred place, not wearing clothes that are too revealing, especially in sacred places, not eating beef, as cows are sacred to Hindus, and not smoking in places where smoking is prohibited, mainly sacred areas.
Stay healthy
India is a country that experiences diverse weather conditions with four main seasons: summer, winter, monsoon, and post-hazma, so visitors need to prepare for good health before traveling. Besides, maintaining good health during your vacation will help you have an especially enjoyable trip.
Further, Indian dishes have quite different flavors from Western dishes; therefore, remember to opt for freshly cooked foods and only bottled water to protect your stomach from sudden pain. It is essential to prepare some medicine to treat diarrhea, headaches, and other common illnesses so you can use it when necessary.
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Be wary of scams
Scams at tourist places are common not only in India but in many other countries throughout the world, therefore as a tourist, you need to take certain precautions to avoid losing money and other personal items. The most popular sort of scam in India is offering deals on India tours. Your tour should be booked through a travel agency accredited by the Ministry of Tourism or the Government of India. You can get state-specific tourist information by visiting the Ministry of Tourism’s website.
Choose appropriate means of transportation
India has a fairly developed public transportation system, including buses, trains, etc., that can suit guests’ needs and budgets. To experience the true beauty of India and save money, trains are an optimal choice. When traveling by train on one of the world’s largest rail networks, it is essential to bring a lock to secure your luggage and make reservations in advance. Air-conditioned buses also travel between cities every day. For short trips within the city, it is suitable to use a prepaid taxi service or use the Uber or OLA apps. Another way to navigate the cities is to use a rickshaw or motorbike.
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Pay attention to safety issues
Security in India today is not really guaranteed, so you should avoid walking or traveling by public transport at night, especially women. Besides, don’t carry large amounts of cash on you when it’s not absolutely necessary, and make a copy of your passport to keep with you. Further, it is crucial to note the emergency numbers in India; most all-in-one emergency numbers are 112. On the other hand, for fire, it is 101; for police, it is 102; and for ambulances, it is 103.
Buy travel insurance
No one can predict the future, right? In order to protect you from risks related to health, accidents, travel delays, damaged or lost baggage, cancellation, and other possible situations, buying travel insurance is supposed to be an integral part of any trip that visitors should take into consideration.
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