Hi Reader,

Last week, I shared that I'm heading to Mexico this year. I leave in four weeks, and I'll be traveling through the country for about three months!

I'm planning to share regular (weekly) updates with you once I get there. My hope is that sharing my experiences and reflections along the way will help inspire you or support you in taking your own trip like this!

So in that spirit, here's what I'm doing to prepare, one month from departure.

• Created a budget for the trip - I came up with a realistic monthly budget that will guide my spending decisions for my trip. I know my biggest and most inflexible expenses will be accommodation so I set pretty strict parameters for that category. I expect other areas will fluctuate a lot depending on where I go.

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• Created a loose itinerary of everywhere I plan to go - This is still evolving, but I do have a rough idea of every place I want to visit and when I plan to get there. Since I'll be working from the road, I'm trying to plan my travel days for weekends and lighter work days (Fridays/Mondays). I'm also building days off into my itinerary strategically to ensure I have a good work/life balance everywhere I go.

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• Booked my accommodation for the first month -- I'll be in Puerto Vallarta for this entire time. I have a few days reserved for my following destination, too, but other than that, I want to keep things open until I'm closer to leaving Vallarta. That way, if something changes and I want to stay longer, I won't have to worry about canceling more than one other reservation! I am making shortlists on Booking.com and Airbnb for each of my intended destinations, so I won't have to scramble along the way to find a place.

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• Booked my flight - I suggest booking 6-8 weeks before your trip. I opted for a direct flight that arrives at a civilized hour because there's less likelihood of an unplanned layover. As a solo traveler, I prefer not to arrive in the dead of night.

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• Checked the expiry dates on my credit/debit cards - I knew one of my cards was set to expire this year, and it's a good thing I checked because the date was in April. I contacted the credit card company, and they're sending a new one, so I'll be all set for my trip.

• Checked my passport expiry date - In the spirit of ensuring nothing expires while I'm away, I double-checked my passport, too. It's a good idea to have six months beyond the date you intend to return home. Thankfully, I'm good for a couple more years.

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• Researched data options for my phone - Staying connected is key, especially for a trip this long. I had planned to purchase an Airalo eSIM, but I checked with my mobile provider and was able to pay an extra $5/month for a plan that includes roaming in Mexico. I'm glad I did because it will be much more convenient to stick with my regular number for three months.

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• Created a preliminary packing list - I've been taking a mental inventory of what I have and what I might want to get before I head out on my trip. I'm planning to carry my Osprey Farpoint 40 travel pack and a 22L daypack, so I'll be packing light. I'm a little intimidated by packing for three whole months, but I've been to all of the regions before, so I have a good idea of what I'll want to wear for each of them. I bought a pair of Chacos and a shampoo bar, but otherwise, I'm pretty sure I have everything I need.

Packing is a big topic. Click here if you want me to write an entire email detailing how/what I pack.

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So, that's what I've been thinking about lately with regard to this trip!

I hope this was helpful. If there's anything about the trip planning process that you'd like more info on, hit reply and let me know.

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Hasta pronto!

Janine

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