Travel Tips and Suggestions

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When visiting Grand Canyon:

Make sure you try your best to go to ZION CANYON and BRYCE CANYON. They are (in my opinion) more beautiful than Grand Canyon, especially after a recent snowfall, and are sort of close by. They are both north of Grand Canyon, in the south of UTAH. It's not easy (maybe impossible) if you have to travel by bus. So if you can hire a car for 1 week or so from LA (or 4-5 days from Las Vegas) then that is better. Believe me, the cost is worth it. For me, the drive from Hurricane up to the entrance of the Zion Canyon park was better than some of the walks inside. Check the weather. Summer is fine. It snows at Bryce Canyon during winter, so the road could possibly be blocked. CHECK WITH THE NATIONAL PARKS BEFORE YOU LEAVE. There's a nice Youth Hostel in Hurricane, near Zion. Both parks charge entrance fees, the ticket lasting a number of days. So when people only want to visit for a day, they often leave their ticket on a pin board in the Hostel for others to use.

When visiting Las Vegas:

Take a little time to visit Hoover Dam, a little south of Las Vegas in the North-Western corner of Arizona. It's only a dam, but it's big and nice to look at. Especially take the time to stop if you happen to be travelling through that way.

When visiting San Francisco:

Yosamite National Park is supposed to be good, but you again will probably have to hire a car to get there.

When visiting Las Angeles:

If you like roller coasters, MAKE SURE YOU GO TO "MAGIC MOUNTAIN" (about $38). It's AWSOME. Universal Studios is great as well, but if you have been to the Universal Studios or Disney World in Florida, don't bother in LA, because they are almost the same.

On the topic of getting around:

Travel for 3 or more months:
I know a lot of you are able to spend only a short time in USA, but here's something to consider for those who are visiting for a number of months. I spent 3 months travelling with my friend(s), for which we were able to buy a car. I must say that it was really handy and allowed us a great amount of freedom. When there was 4 of us, we found it almost always cheaper to get a room at a motel (as long as you don't mind sharing the bed with your friend). We were able to get rooms with two double beds for between $44-$50 ($12ea). The hardest thing about the car was selling it in a short time. So make sure you get something that is still economical even if you get only $100 back for it on a quick sale. Eg. Purchase of $1300 between 3 people, assuming $100 sale is only $400 pp (plus fuel) for maybe 3 months travelling. That's probably about the same for a rail travel pass, but you get so much more freedom.

Shorter stay or lower budget:
I also appreciate that many travel on a tight budget. But some places just demand to be seen in the right way, or simply cannot be seen with just a Greyhound or Amtrak pass. Eg, As far as I know, there is NO WAY to get into Zion or Bryce Canyons by bus. And what a shame that would be to miss those out. Just see if your budget would allow you to fit in a hire car for a few days. Real scenario - 4 day rental: Day 1 left Phoenix, AZ, drove to Las Vegas (stopping Hoover Dam), walked around the casinos that night. Day 2 drove to Hurricane (near Zion), day 3 I visited a few places in Zion Canyon, drove to and saw most of Bryce Canyon, then drove to Page. Day 4 drove to and saw all of South side of Grand Canyon, then took scenic route through Sedona back to Phoenix. The rental place shut at 6pm, but I returned the car sometime after 10pm and left the keys in the drop-shute. From memory that cost something like $40-$50 per day, including 2 types of car insurance. I rented from Enterprise. Just look in the Yellow Pages and call all the 1800 numbers. When you find the cheapest, try asking if there is any way they can give you a discount.

About Money

Both travellers cheques and cash advances from Visa cards have their advantages and disadvantages.
1. Travellers cheques: Firstly, MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Don't bring anything else, even English pounds are difficult to cash.
Advantage: Replacement if lost/stolen. If bought when your own currency is strong, you do not lose out if/when your currency value drops (in the case of travelling over an extended period, say, 6 months or more, as is the case with many Kiwis and Aussies). Eg, In mid-1997 I bought $US/$AU at 0.79 (really good), then within 3 months the rate dropped to 0.59. I would have lost out if I had to keep withdrawing AU$.
Disadvantage: Usually costs about 1% to buy, then the banks take their cut (though small) when you cash them.

2. Cash Advance: Visa seems to be better than Mastercard, not from experience, but things I have heard. I didn't have a problem withdrawing cash from Rio-Brazil, Uruguay or BA-Argentina. I found a machine that accepted Cirrus/Plus once, but they are not nearly as common as Visa.
Advantage: You can get money at any hour if their is a 24hr ATM close by.
Disadvantage: Some banks charge a fee for each withdrawal from outside the country. So withdrawing small amounts often adds up. You can withdraw large amounts less frequently, but getting robbed would render any efforts at cost saving.

Hint: If withdrawing a large amount, split the money up and stash it until you get back to your hotel. Some in one sock, some in the other, some in a few pockets, and if you have lots more, stick it in your jocks.

Final tip:

IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU DON'T GET.

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