Most people are familiar with visas, putting the check into their regular travel plans. Slowly though, the creep of per-authorization permissions has become more prevalent and catches many travelers off guard. Not only can this cost money but it can also disrupt your trip, which is why knowing what to expect and how to best be prepared are essential.

What’s The UK ETA?

Major destinations like the United States have had the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in place for years though Americans traveling abroad to one of their most popular destinations might not be aware of the United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This requires everyone who does not need a visa to complete an online process prior to their arrival in the UK. The ETA applies to travelers heading to England, Scotland, Wales, or northern Ireland.

The ETA is a security screening method that’s relatively quick and costs 20 British pounds. Sounds easy – so long as you know you need an ETA and are aware that it can take up to 3 business days to get approved. So, no last minute at the airport applications. Not having a valid ETA might mean you aren’t allowed to board and at worst you are, but then are denied entry into the UK.

Streamline The Process

Services like iVisa can help cut through the clutter of digital travel permission planning (whew, say that three times fast) by simplifying the process, for an additional service charge. You can visit iVisa and enter in your home country as well as where you’re traveling to, like a trip from the U.S. to the U.K. You’ll then fill out your information and apply for an ETA directly through their site. Another convenience is if you’re on a multi-country trip, you can enter in other destinations as well and see what visas, permits, and permissions you might need.

For frequent travelers, having an account with iVisa can help keep all of this information in one place and also where you can look up a history to see, for example, if your ETA is still valid. (No need to pay twice or go through the process more than you have to.) Of course, iVisa is an independent, IATA-accredited travel-document service, not a government agency and not a guarantor of approval. Final decisions rest with UK authorities.

The advantage iVisa gives you is by covering potential blind spots in your travel planning.

Travel Planning Backup

Additionally, if you have a lot of plans or maybe you don’t want to spend time going through individual travel permission pages, iVisa provides an expert review before you submit your ETA (or other travel permission). They have 24/7 support and are good for trips that require more logistical planning or times where you want piece of mind.

Once you get the ETA, it’s valid for two years and you won’t have to go through the process again until you have a trip planned its expiration date. Group trips also can benefit to make sure one person isn’t left behind due to missing an ETA they never applied for. You might be running a tour group, be joining a tour, or creating one with your family and friends. Last minute planning is fine but with things like the ETA, you need to make sure you’re approved before you get to the airport. (No need to cut it that close!)

Part Of A Bigger Trend

The ETA on its own is a straightforward process but it may be part of a broader trend. Many countries have, or are considering, implementing pre-travel authorizations like the ETA. They’re put into place as part of advanced security screening but I’m sure the added revenue collected is some part of the rationale as well. That means you can expect more digital travel permissions to become part of your travel planning in the near future and the value proposition of iVisa. One place to manage all of your needed checks and someone to look over them if you have any questions.

The ETA is going to be a wake up call to many travelers since it affects those who don’t need a visa to visit. You’ve gotten accustomed to booking a ticket and off-you-go so hopefully this post is a reminder to always double check the requirements of the countries you’re visiting. No visa doesn’t mean nothing to do beforehand and iVisa can help you in the process if you choose.

The post The UK ETA Is The Beginning Of Digital Travel Permissions appeared first on foXnoMad.

The Ridge Tracker Card has the ideal form factor to fit into wallets and purses with a Bluetooth signal to help you find them when they’re lost. Although the Ridge Tracker Card doesn’t have the ultra-wide band (UWB) chip of an AirTag, in places where there’s a high population density, they can be found.

As you can see in the video here, I put the Ridge Tracker Card to the test against a helpful pickpocket.

How The Ridge Works (And Doesn’t)

The Ridge Tracker Card works with Apple‘s Find My network. (Though versions sold after August 2026 also work with Google’s Find Hub.) Through a Bluetooth connection, the Ridge Tracker Card occasionally pings nearby Apple devices. In my testing, these pings happen roughly every 10-20 minutes, which is why it often takes that long for the tracker to update its position in Find My.

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In places like the Nevada desert where there aren’t likely to be many iPhones around, that means the opportunities for the Ridge to communicate its location are few and far between. (In these cases, a UWB chip would allow for another, 30-90 meters of range versus the 10 meters for the Tracker’s Bluetooth).

In places with high population density though in a small area, like a Las Vegas casino, finding the lost or stolen Ridge Tracker Card becomes a lot easier. There are plenty of devices around to connect with and putting the Ridge Tracker Card in lost mode will open a map, leading you to its last reported location.

Testing The Tracker

In our tests, the Ridge Tracker Card was findable after about 20 minutes. Initially, there was first a notification on my iPhone that the Ridge Tracker Card was no longer with me. Around two minutes later, the Ridge Tracker Card updated Find My with a new location and I was able to track it – with one big caveat.

The pickpocket had to stay in one place for approximately 10 minutes for the Tracker Card to confirm and establish its position long enough for me to reach it. In subsequent tests, this wasn’t the case and the pickpocket won the challenge. Overall, the Ridge Tracker Card would work well to find a lost or forgotten wallet. For stolen wallets however, probably not before the cash and cards were taken. Maybe though you have some sentimental items in your wallet or purse and ultimately it’s more visibility into your valuables than you would have otherwise.

The post Does The Ridge Tracker Card Actually Work? appeared first on foXnoMad.

The AirTag 1 almost instantly because the best Bluetooth tracker for most of your valuables (assuming you have an Apple device). Apple next to Android has the largest de facto net AirTags can communicate with to let you know where they are if lost. The first AirTag was a massive success and it took Apple a few years to release the updated AirTag 2.

They look very similar but you may be wondering if there’s any benefit to upgrade your perfectly good AirTag 1 tracking your purses, luggage, backpacks, and even cars.

It’s All Ultrawide

The AirTag 2 comes with the second generation ultra-wide band chip that, as you can see in this video, has more than double the range under ideal conditions. In my tests, that’s 42 versus 89 meters, which is quite a range. Of course, that doesn’t mean the AirTag has to just be in range of your iPhone, but any iPhone or compatible Apple device. The extended range of the AirTag 2 means it can talk with more devices that are further away, helping Find My pinpoint it’s location.

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There’s also a different tone that’s louder and the combination of the two makes the AirTag 2 much easier to hear even at a distance.

Phones Matter

The AirTag 2 is the same price as the AirTag 1, which isn’t being sold anymore. You might decide it’s worth upgrading but there’s an important caveat you need to know about that’s in your hands. The model iPhone you have limits whether or not your can take advantage of the second generation ultra-wide band chip (UWB). iPhones 15 and newer have and can take advantage of the UWB second generation (except for the iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e).

That doesn’t mean that older iPhones won’t work with the AirTag 2, just that they’ll be limited to the AirTag 1 capabilities – for your phone. But there will be people around with newer phones the AirTag 2 can communicate with, meaning there’s a greater chance of you being able to find and locate its general position.

Save For The Best

I’d recommend only upgrading the AirTags you have for your most valuable items. You probably have an AirTag in a piece of luggage that doesn’t get much use but for the backpack you use everyday, it might be worth upgrading. Unless you have an iPhone 14 or earlier, then I would wait until you upgrade that to switch out your AirTags.

The post Do You Need To Upgrade Your AirTag 1 for an AirTag 2? appeared first on foXnoMad.

San Salvador used to be the murder capital of the world but today, it’s one of the safest cities in the Americas. It’s been a controversial reform by outsiders but locally in El Salvador, the changes have been welcomed. You can watch the video here and take a tour of San Salvador, with the perspective from locals, like Dave Mendez.

The post El Salvador Is Safe Now? appeared first on foXnoMad.

I felt fairly comfortable traveling and living in Bolivia long-term, although I never treated it as somewhere I could completely let my guard down. The problems I’d be more concerned about are the everyday ones like theft, scams and transport issues rather than serious violent crime.

Bolivia can change its tune fairly quickly. At the moment, the UK says to avoid all but essential travel to Chapare, and protests or roadblocks can appear with very little notice. The US has also raised a caution flag, with an increased-caution advisory covering Bolivia because of crime and unrest.

Is Bolivia Safe to Travel?

For the usual tourist route, I’d say Bolivia is pretty manageable. La Paz, Sucre, Copacabana and Uyuni are all well-traveled, and you can get around them without constantly worrying about your safety. Obviously, that doesn’t mean you should switch your brain off. Petty crime is common in popular tourist areas, on buses and in crowded places, and the UK government currently warns of increased crime linked to the country’s economic difficulties.

What Crime Should Travelers Watch For?

It’s the usual small stuff you need to watch for. Keep your stuff close when you’re in a crowd. Markets and bus terminals are the obvious places, but I wouldn’t get too relaxed on an overnight bus either. If you’re going to sleep, put your passport, wallet and other valuables somewhere you can’t easily lose track of them.

There are also scams involving people pretending to be police officers. Official UK advice warns that criminals have used fake police identification, uniforms and even supposed police stations to convince tourists to hand over belongings. You should not get into an unmarked police vehicle.

I’d stay calm if someone approached me claiming to be an official. Keep hold of your passport and valuables until you’re sure who you’re dealing with, and don’t let anyone rush you into making a decision. Asking a few questions can quickly expose whether something feels off.

Is La Paz Safe for Tourists?

La Paz is generally manageable for travelers, but it’s also one of the places where I’d be most switched on.

Busy areas, markets and transport hubs are where petty theft is more of a concern. I’d keep valuables tucked away and avoid wandering unfamiliar streets late at night, particularly if you’ve had a drink or are carrying all your luggage. Current UK advice specifically flags central La Paz for petty crime.

What caught me out more than anything else was the altitude. La Paz is around 3,650 metres up, and you can feel absolutely rubbish there without anything actually being wrong beyond your body adjusting. It’s a strange sensation at first, especially if you’ve come from somewhere near sea level.

Is Bolivia Safe to Travel Alone?

Solo travel is possible, and plenty of backpackers do it, but I’d be a little more deliberate about your choices.

Bus terminals are somewhere I’d pay extra attention, especially when arriving late with a large backpack. If you’re heading somewhere remote, let someone know your rough plans and keep your phone charged.

The UK also warns that solo travelers can face a risk of so-called express kidnapping, particularly around certain areas and overland border routes. It wouldn’t stop me traveling independently, but I would be more selective about who I trusted. I’d avoid accepting random lifts, getting into unmarked vehicles or following someone I’d just met somewhere away from the main areas.

Is Bolivia Safe for Female Travelers?

I’d use the usual travel common sense, with a bit more care around nights out. There have been reports of sexual assault in clubs and hostels, so I wouldn’t accept drinks from people I don’t know, head off somewhere with someone I’d only just met or walk back alone after a night out. Lock your accommodation room properly too.

How Safe Are Taxis and Public Transport?

I’d stick to registered taxis and order one by phone where possible. Check the car has the proper markings before getting in, and I’d avoid any taxi that already has other passengers inside.

Long-distance buses are useful and affordable, but safety standards vary between operators. Serious accidents involving public transport have affected British nationals, and some buses may not meet the safety standards you’d expect in the UK.

I’d spend a little more on a reputable company rather than choosing purely on price. Saving a few quid isn’t much use if you end up having a very long night for all the wrong reasons.

Roadblocks are something to keep in mind when traveling around Bolivia. They can appear pretty suddenly and leave buses or airport routes stuck, so I wouldn’t try to cross one or get too close to a protest. The FCDO recommends giving yourself extra time, which is probably sensible here. If your bus is delayed, have a quick look at the local situation before assuming it’s just running late.

Which Parts of Bolivia Need More Caution?

The clearest current warning is for the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highways 4 and 24 through Chapare. The UK advises against all but essential travel there because of a higher level of gang-related violent crime linked to illegal drug production and trafficking.

Border areas also deserve a little extra care, particularly when arriving overland. Official advice highlights increased vulnerability to express kidnapping around some borders with Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Simple Things That Made Me Feel Safer

Keep your passport and spare money somewhere secure. Don’t flash your phone around in a crowded market. Be careful with taxis. Tell someone where you’re going when travelling somewhere remote.

I’d also leave some flexibility in the itinerary. Roadblocks, weather and transport problems can all throw plans around, and trying to force your way through usually isn’t worth it.

Travel insurance is another one I wouldn’t skip. The FCDO recommends making sure your policy covers your planned activities and the full itinerary, particularly if you’re heading into remote areas.

What About the Risks People Don’t Think About?

Bolivia’s actual crime numbers are probably what most people think about first, but it’s not the only thing to watch. Rain can make some roads pretty rough, with flooding and landslides causing delays or blocking routes altogether. The FCDO also warns that road conditions and the state of some vehicles aren’t always great.

Then there’s altitude. La Paz and Potosí can really take it out of you at first. Don’t mistake feeling rough for something more serious, but equally, don’t try to be a hero and carry on regardless.

Final Thoughts

So, is Bolivia safe to travel? Yes, for many visitors, but it pays to stay switched on.

A bit of caution didn’t get in the way of enjoying the country. It probably helped, if anything. Look after your valuables, be sensible with transport and stay away from protests and roadblocks. The rest is mostly about being flexible when things change.

Bolivia isn’t completely without risk, but it doesn’t need to become a holiday spent looking over your shoulder either. A bit of preparation goes a long way.

Thank you Stephen for sharing your experience with us. You can find more on his site about Bolivia and beyond at Facts & Footsteps.

The post Is Bolivia Safe to Travel? What I Learned Living There appeared first on foXnoMad.