Today’s travel tips comes from a Guatemalan friend of mine, Loch Ruiz. Loch’s is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala. But his time in Antigua, roving with contracting and swelling bands of expatriates, inspired a love of travel in him. That mixed with his natural talent for entrepreneurial thinking has led him to some novel solutions that allow the road to be Loch’s life. In his first published article on the issue, he discusses three strategies that allow him to pay for travel while he is traveling.

-LMA

How To Travel The World Indefinitely

Guest post by Loch Ruiz

I´ve heard it all from travelers… “I do software online”, “I´m a nurse”, “I´m a writer”, “I´m a chef.” etc. And they all say, “I Saved money, quit my job and sold everything to travel the world.”

My story is different and it might help those of you who are passionate about travelling. I´ve been to more than 30 countries, I´ve also started more than five businesses. These experiences have allowed me to develop a vision for opportunities and has taught me how to improvise, be smart while spending my resources and most important, to trust myself to do both.

When I travel the world, I get to a destination by spending little or nothing, and then I stay there and start a business or find work in order to pay for my time there.

Get Paid To Travel With Airline Miles

Airline miles have allowed me to fly for free or make my flights much cheaper. Find the best frequent flyer program and get a credit card that earns their miles. This should be your only credit card. Some airlines allow you to purchase extra miles for a cheap price so you can reach the amount you need.

If your destination is very far away, use your miles to fly into Miami, New York or San Francisco. I fly from these airports because they tend to be half the price of flying elsewhere. If your airline doesn’t fly into the city you want, I’m sure you have a friend who is flying into Mexico City, Los Angeles or Havana and would love to save $50 buying the flight from you instead of the airline. Book him/her the flight and use that money to book your flight to that city.

 

Get Paid To Travel By Working On Your Vacation

Travel to summer destinations one month before high season. Hostels, bars, restaurants, tour agencies and even surf schools are looking for temporary personnel to assemble their summer teams. A one-month volunteer job at a hostel in exchange for food, bedding and drinks can easily become a paid summer job. Tips and commissions in a bar or tour agency might pay better than a steady paycheck. To land this sort of gig though, it is key to arrive at least one month before high season.

Get Paid To Travel By Starting A Micro Business On the Road

When you arrive 5-6 weeks before high season, the locals are getting ready for the arrival of the tourists. Make local friends, listen to their ideas and if you have a few bucks saved, there might be a business opportunity for you.  If you find one that you believe in, don’t be afraid to invest.

Summer destinations attract a lot of money.  Maybe a surf school owner needs new boards, but doesn’t have the money in advance. A small restaurant needs delivery, but doesn’t own a motorcycle. Perhaps the tour agency has two buses but only uses one because they can’t afford to fix the other one. If you earn the trust and friendship of locals, they will invite you to invest and share the profits. Sometimes this same locals rent an apartment or room that you can include in the partnership deal.

People often say, “I wish I could travel more.” Traveler´s often say “I have to go back to reality”, But what if reality can be spending time in beautiful destinations, being happy, walking barefoot on the beach and making new friends? Going back to work in an office to work 8-5 is just a role society makes us play. It does not need to be your life if you desire something more and work hard and smart to get there.