Whenever we go abroad, we tend to focus on the positive aspects of our trip – hotel bookings, sightseeing, indulging in local specialties, etc. But there’s one crucial aspect some people tend to overlook – travel insurance for digital nomads.

What Is Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads?

Basically, travel and health insurance for digital nomads protects you from the unexpected especially when you’re in a foreign country. The longer you travel or, the more money you invest in your trip, the more things could go wrong.

Travel insurance helps provide insurance and medical coverage for digital nomads in cases of accidents, injuries, lost belongings, stolen items, trip cancellations, and other emergencies or health-related issues. These types of global health insurance plans from travel insurance providers include medical coverage,

What Are the Different Types of Travel Insurance?

Depending on your digital nomad insurance package, your travel insurance coverage and nomad healthcare plan can include the following:

– Medical or health insurance coverage

– Emergency insurance (dental and medical) and emergency evacuation

– Electronics, baggage, and other personal belongings

– Trip cancellation

– COVID-19 insurance

– Repatriation

– Car rental

– Recreation or adventure travel

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

The answer here mainly depends on the duration of your trip. For short trips, you may not need digital nomad insurance.

However, for long-term travel and expensive vacations, the answer is yes, you do need travel insurance for digital nomad health insurance such as medical expenses, routine check ups emergency evacuation, trip interruption, and even trip cancellation insurance.

I used to believe that insurance for digital nomads is an unnecessary investment and that I could simply take my chances. I felt no need to reach out to any insurance company at that time. I carry only a traveler-friendly credit card (think American Express Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Venture Miles Rewards, American Express Platinum Card), which does help as a backup for digital nomads in times of medical emergencies.

But if you’re on a trip for a longer period or more than 100 miles from your home country, it’s best you get travel insurance.

Once, I was in a cafe in Morocco during Ramadan. A waiter accidentally dropped a tray and spilled burning hot tea on my arm.

My wrist burned like never before and shortly after was covered in giant bubble blisters. The cafe owners went to the kitchen, cut a tomato in half, and brought it to my table.

They also gave me toothpaste to cover my wrist. Yes, they offered me toothpaste and tomato for my burn.

While this combination was unique, it wasn’t entirely effective. If I’d had taken the time to talk to an insurance provider before I left my home country and invested in private health insurance coverage for digital nomads, particularly international medical insurance, I would have been able to get proper treatment.

What Exactly Does Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads Cover?

The Unexpected

Travel insurance for digital nomads protects you in case things go wrong on a trip or long-term travel.

Any travel insurance company or insurance provider with a reputable name offers digital nomad health insurance plans that cover trip cancellation or trip interruption, delays, routine health exams, lost luggage, 24-hour assistance, medical emergencies, and specific medical benefits related to travel.

Often, digital nomads need to cancel their trips due to unforeseen illnesses and injuries that prohibit them from traveling, or family member deaths. Having international health insurance would go a long way in these situations.

The Medical, Lost Items, and Activities

A general remote health insurance package doesn’t cover adventure travel or additional risk outside of what might be considered standard, lower-risk travel or recreational activities like kayaking. This type of digital nomad insurance also doesn’t generally cover the medical needs linked to pre existing medical conditions and medical bills for ongoing medical care.

Typically, international health insurance companies or travel insurance provider businesses don’t want to cover skydiving, swimming with great white sharks, or volcano tours. Some digital nomad insurance companies and nomad insurance providers will, but you’ll most likely end up paying a premium.

Let’s have a look into the coverage limits and what each travel insurance element offers digital nomads.

Medical / Health Insurance

One of the most common travel insurance categories for digital nomads is travel health insurance.

If you are a remote worker or digital nomad, having a health insurance policy or a more specific digital nomad health insurance in your home country isn’t enough. The longer digital nomads stay away from home, the higher the risk of something going awry.

Here’s a list of what standard medical or health insurance packages from any reputable company cover:

– Hospital stay, including operating room usage

– Physician services

– X-rays, laboratory tests, and similar analysis

– Drugs, anesthetics, medicine, and other therapeutic expenses

– Ambulance ride services

Emergency Medical Assistance

The emergency medical expenses covered in most travel insurance companies’ plans for digital nomads include the costs of any life-threatening treatment you receive locally.

For example:

• Sudden illness, injury, or a medical condition with the potential of causing severe harm
• Dental injury
• Dental infection
• Broken tooth

Dental Insurance

Here’s what standard dental insurance plans cover:

• An unexpected infection
• Broken tooth
• Accidental mouth or jaw injury

Pandemic-Related Travel (COVID-19)

You may have suffered the misfortune of being mid-travel when the world went into lockdown in 2020.

Prior to traveling, ensure that you are vaccinated and check the following sites:

• List of COVID-19 precautions per country to get information on testing, quarantine, vaccine requirements, transportation, travel waivers, curfews, and exit/entry requirements:
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html
• List of current travel advisories to see if the country you’re considering visiting is listed: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
• Updated travel map of varying risks of COVID across the globe by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

In the event of a pandemic, travel medical insurance coverage may include the following:

• Emergency medical insurance
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Trip delays or interruptions if contracting COVID-19

Some travel medical insurance packages can also include:

• Flight, hotel, and excursion trip cancellations are covered by your Travel Protection Plan

This type of coverage is possible if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 before the scheduled departure, and the doctor has advised you to stay home.

Trip Cancellation

The best digital nomad insurance plans will offer to reimburse you for non-refundable, prepaid expenses if you need to cancel your trip before departure. Some common reasons include injury, sickness, or a family member or companion’s death.

Luggage/Baggage & Personal Belongings

Insured nomads and long term travelers enjoy travel insurance packages that include baggage insurance and help and reimbursement with the following:

• Lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged belongings on your trip
• Lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged checked-in baggage or sporting equipment by the common carrier
• Stolen or damaged travel visa, driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Nobody wants to think about this happening, but you will want to be covered if it does.

The way it works is you name a beneficiary, and that person will receive benefits in the unlikely event of your death or a dismembering injury during your travels.

There are different types of AD&D coverage:

• Flight Accident – This insurance is only valid if the incident happens on board
• Common Carrier – This package covers incidents that occur on trains, airplanes, or cruise ships
• 24-Hour – This is the most comprehensive package that covers you during the whole duration of the trip, regardless of whether you’re on a common carrier or not

Evacuation

Evacuation covers transportation to a medical facility for medical care.

Repatriation

Repatriation covers your return home expenses for medical care.

24-Hour Assistance

Travel insurance companies provide 24-hour assistance when you need help, such as booking a flight after a missed connection, locating lost luggage, or finding a doctor.

Some insurance companies will also offer concierge services for reservations as well as help seeking legal counsel.

I Have Medical Insurance in My Home Country. Does My Health Insurance Cover Me While Abroad?

Being covered by your medical plan in your home country does not mean that you will be covered under your policy while you are away. Things like routine checkups, pre existing conditions, or non-emergencies are not covered.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get dental work at a local dentist, prescriptions, or general health checkups. Many countries have low-cost medical care, and you don’t need insurance at all.

Often, the out-of-pocket cost can be less than what you’d spend at home. I’ve had dental work in several countries, and the most I’ve spent was 50 USD.

However, as remote work continues to trend upward and more and more people choose to travel and work remotely, finding the best digital nomad insurance is a must.

Also, the unexpected can happen, like COVID, and you don’t want to be stuck without coverage, particularly for emergency assistance, medical evacuation, sky-high hospital bills and other medical bills, cancellation coverage, urgent need for medical facilities, and even lost baggage concerns.

The tomato and toothpaste combo in Morocco didn’t take away the burn or prevent scarring (just in case you wanted to try it).

Now, when I jumped off a platform into Victoria Falls Gorge in Zimbabwe attached by a rope swing, travel insurance may not have covered me had the rope swing broken, which leads me to …

What’s Not Covered by Travel Insurance?

Standard travel insurance packages and insurance service may not cover the following instances:

• Pre existing conditions
• Non-emergency treatments or surgeries, including routine physical examination expenses
• Pregnancy or childbirth, with the exception of pregnancy complications
• Any medical expenses after your return to the US, or home country coverage (depending on the digital nomad insurance plan)
• Expenses surpassing the usual and reasonable charges
• Expenses your regular medical insurance covers at no cost, for a deductible, or a co-pay
• Everything from the “Limitations and Exclusions” policy section.

As for dental insurance, most plans won’t include:

• Standard checkups
• Teeth straightening
• New teeth and fillings that may come as a result of pain-relieving treatment
• Significant dental work including crowns, implants, and similar
• Purchasing the policy after the initial pain
• Non-urgent care

The luggage insurance doesn’t cover:

• Unsupervised baggage

While being insured nomads is a step closer to ensuring your safety, it’s realistic to keep in mind that the insurance company won’t cover everything.

There’s a certain expectation of personal responsibility even for insured nomads. If you leave your bags unattended, you are taking an unnecessary risk.

You’ll need to report the matter to the local authorities immediately and submit proof of receipt that the items are yours, along with evidence of the value. The insurance company will factor in depreciation.

The more documentation and receipts you have, reporting promptly, the better your chances of the claim process going smoothly.

If something was lost on a plane, for example, you’ll also need to show proof that you sought compensation through the airline.

FAQ About Travel Insurance

Do I Have to Buy My Plan Before I Leave?

Technically, you can get a travel insurance plan after the official beginning of your trip.

You are free to choose the dates of your insurance policy, and those dates can only cover a certain period of your stay.

However, if you want to have common carrier insurance or be covered for the whole duration of your trip, you should buy your plan before you leave.

When Do I Need to Buy My Travel Insurance?

I guess you want to purchase a quality travel insurance plan but also save where you can.

If so, it’s best to get travel insurance within the first two weeks of making your first deposit for the trip. You’ll often qualify for bonus coverages for purchasing the insurance at this time.

Note that most insurance companies will let you purchase your package up until the day of your departure.

Is Travel Insurance Retroactive?

No, travel insurance is never retroactive. This means you can’t get reimbursed for the expenses that happened before your policy went into effect.

Will My Rental Car Be Covered?

Generally, you purchase protection for rental car damage through the rental car company (e.g., Hertz, Sixt, Avis).

Also, you can buy it through your credit card (e.g., Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, United Explorer Card).

Travel Insurance Can Be Worth the Investment

Whether you’re planning to work abroad or simply travel for an extended time period, becoming insured nomads is an essential step to ensuring your safety.

As Medicare doesn’t cover medical expenses outside of the US, getting a travel insurance package is your only way of avoiding unexpected health and other emergency costs when abroad.

Get a Travel Insurance Quote

WiFi is the lifeblood of any digital nomad, but it’s often the most challenging to access. After all, how will you stay connected with your clients and deadlines if you don’t have a reliable internet connection? That said, though, finding good signal can be challenging even in more developed areas like cafes or hotels. Meanwhile, that becomes downright virtually impossible when you travel to remote villages. This is where mobile hotspot devices come in.

Best Portable Wifi Hotspot Devices for Traveling and Working Remote [2022]

For digital nomads and remote workers, stable internet access is a must. Whether you’re working on a laptop at a cozy coffee shop or trying to get some tasks done on your mobile phone during your commute, being able to connect to the world wide web is a gamechanger when it comes to productivity.

Mobile hotspot devices provide a great option to ensure a reliable internet connection. These devices create a small wireless network that you can connect to with your devices.

As a digital nomad, you may benefit from mifi device features such as a battery-saving mode and the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. You can gain a more in-depth understanding of global wifi and mobile hotspots in our Ultimate Internet Guide for Digital Nomads.

Mobile hotspot devices can connect more than your laptops to the internet. These can also work just fine with your tablet, camera, and pretty much any gadget that’s wi-fi enabled. These can support multiple connections better compared to your phone’s mobile wifi hotspot mode as well as ensure that you don’t drain your phone battery.

In certain countries where cellular coverage might pose a problem and you might be worried about getting a secure connection, you can hook up these portable wifi hotspot devices to antennas to achieve better internet connection.

When looking for a mobile hotspot for digital nomads, keep the following factors in mind:

Battery life

A vital consideration when it comes to choosing a mobile hotspot device for international travel is battery life, which can range from lasting a full day on a single charge to a measly few hours. Some devices provide extra portable batteries, while others allow you to even use the mobile hotspot as a powerbank.

Determine your expectations about your wifi connection. If you plan to use the internet all day long and need to be constantly connected to search for restaurants or museums, you might need a mobile hotspot device with a longer battery life. Meanwhile, if you don’t really need wifi connection for the entire day or only need WiFi for a handful of hours, then splurging for an extra battery might not be worth it.

Budget and data allowance

The price of the device isn’t the only consideration when it comes to portable WiFi for travel. Depending on your provider and chosen mobile hotspot plan — whether you’re opting for international roaming plans or buying a local sim card when you visit other countries — you will probably have a limited use rate monthly or even daily. On top of your general mobile plan, this will also determine how much data you can use. This would also most likely affect your data speed.

If you’re under a tight budget, you should figure out how to compromise with regard your plan’s speed or data cap. Generally, though, the longer you avail of the hotspot plan, the lower the costs.

Size and weight

Mobile hotspot devices need to be exactly that: mobile. Your device needs to be portable and easy to pack. While opting for the more compact devices is the norm these days, the decision is dependent on your needs and how you envision your days.

If you’re mostly on the move, particularly on foot or use public transport, then choosing a smaller mobile hotspot device for international travel would be better for your needs. On the other hand, if you’re one of the remote professionals who plan to use the wifi device for business or corporate trips and have remote jobs requiring you to spend most hours in a single location, then a bigger hotspot device that offers longer battery life or a portable battery would benefit you more.

Check out our list and find the best mobile hotspot that suits your needs.

Best overall mobile hotspot: Skyroam Solis X

Skyroam Solis X is a new addition to the Skyroam family of mobile hotspot devices. This Skyroam device is different from its predecessors. This sleek little gadget, which basically looks like an orange puck, offers lightning-fast wifi speeds, allowing you to stay connected anytime, anywhere. Plus, the Skyroam Solis X comes equipped with a built-in power bank to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. Simply plug your gadget in the allotted USB port, and you’re good to go.

The Skyroam Solis X wifi Smartspot sold out within the first day of its release. In fact, there were overwhelming positive Skyroam Solis X wifi Smartspot reviews from those who were able to get their hands on one. Now that the Skyroam Solis X wifi Smartspot is back in stock, I decided to take a closer look at this Skyroam device and see if it lives up to the hype.

The power button can be found at the top part of the device. A white stripe serves as the indicator for your remaining battery life, while three blinking indicator lights will tell you whether you have a good data connection.

One side of the Solis X is equipped with an 8MP camera, while the other side holds the USB-C port that you use to charge the mobile hotspot and connect your gadgets when you need a powerbank. While this is a great feature, one concern is that the powerbank can be very slow in charging your gadgets.

At the bottom, you can find a QR code. Scanning this will lead you to the Solis app, which you can connect to your smartphone. If that’s not enough, the Skyroam Solis X’s LED display can also be used as a flashlight or an emergency beacon.

Skyroam offers multiple plans depending on your needs, ranging from a single day pass to month-long contracts with unlimited data. Check out the pricing plans here.

The expected battery life for the Skyroam Solis X is 18 hours, but it only lasted roughly 10 hours when I used it. Considering that I tested it by connecting my two smartphones and laptop while also using it as a powerbank, this is pretty impressive.

With that in mind, one thing I found challenging with the Skyroam Solis X is the design of its charging port. The USB-C charging port for this device has a tiny ridge that makes it incompatible with many types of USB-C cables. Skyroam solves this issue, though, by including a USB-A adapter in the package.

After testing the Skyroam Solis X wifi Smartspot, I can say that it is an impressive device that offers excellent value for its price. Although it doesn’t come with a rental option, this device works in more than 130 countries covered. So, the Skyroam Solis X can be considered a worthy investment for digital nomads.

Best no-frills mobile hotspot: Skyroam Solis Lite

For those who don’t need the bells and whistles offered by Skyroam Solis X, there’s Solis Lite. Like the Solis X, this portable wifi device can also support up to 10 devices. It’s also small enough to easily fit in your pocket and weighs roughly the same as a regular smartphone. Considering that this gadget offers a rental option starting at $9 per day, this is a great alternative for those who want a no-frills Skyroam device.

It has the same look as the Skyroam Solis X, including the convenient QR code at the bottom for the mobile app and the problematic USB-C charging port that makes it challenging to use third-party cables. It also works as a powerbank, but likes the Solis X, it charges devices quite slowly at 5V/1A.

What differentiates the Solis X from the Solis Lite is the absence of the remote-enabled camera, speaker, and microphone, which are used for the built-in smart assistant. That means the Solis Lite is simply your basic international hotspot device with no special features and focuses solely on providing internet access. Truth be told, I didn’t really miss the smart features of the Solis X and actually prefer this option for my digital nomad needs.

Best 5G mobile hotspot: NETGEAR Nighthawk M5

NETGEAR’s Nighthawk M5 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro is one of the latest mobile hotspot devices to hit the market. NETGEAR is known for its high-quality router products, so I was curious to see how its portable wifi device would perform. The Nighthawk M5 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro did not disappoint. The device is easy to set up and use, and it offers fast reliable connectivity. I was also impressed by the Nighthawk’s battery life; I was able to use it for several hours before needing to recharge.

Theoretically, 5G can go as fast as 10 to 50 Gbps, but that’s a long way off. 5G mobile broadband should be 11 times faster than 4G if the signal is strong enough. However, there’s a catch: the Nighthawk M5 will only run at 5G speeds if you have a strong 5G signal. If you are in an outlying area, you may only get 3G or 4G speeds.

In real-world testing, I was able to consistently get speeds in excess of 100Mbps on both bands. The Nighthawk M5 also supports up to 32 concurrent connections, so you shouldn’t have any trouble connecting all your devices. It’s ideal for teams or small groups.

One of the best features of the Nighthawk M5 is its battery life. NETGEAR claims that the Nighthawk M5 can last up to 13 hours on a single charge. In practice, I discovered that this varies greatly; Wifi-6 and 5G / LTE are simply power hogs. Nonetheless, a realistic time frame of 6 to 9 hours is still good value.

However, what makes the Nighthawk M5 stand out is the fact that it’s the first C-Band hotspot in the US. Let me offer a bit of context to explain why this is a great feature. While the services of the 5G networks aren’t exactly noticeably faster than 4G networks these days, this situation will change in the coming years. When this happens, you will need a C-Band gadget to be able to take advantage of the additional capacity.

Actually, the iPhone 12 and up phones, the Samsung Galaxy series starting from the S21, and Google Pixel 5 and above are already using C-Band. Before the Nighthawk M5, no mobile hotspot has ever supported this technology.

All these features come at a steep price of $699.99. This is generally more expensive than most mobile hotspot devices and plans.

Before you get one, make sure to check the model you’re buying. The US version doesn’t seem to support 5G outside North America, which means it’ll only work as a 4G hotspot abroad. According to Netgear, this hotspot device is most compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile. If you get the international version, you’ll be able to take advantage of a different group of 5G bands in most countries.

Best plug-and-play mobile hotspot: GlocalMe Mini Turbo Wi-Fi Hotspot

You can say goodbye to expensive international roaming charges and spotty public Wi-Fi with the GlocalMe Mini Turbo Wi-Fi Hotspot. This handy little device offers fast connection and dependable LTE coverage in over 140 countries, making it an indispensable travel companion for the modern digital nomad.

I had never used a touchscreen portable wifi before the GlocalMe G4 Pro Smart 4G Mobile Global Wi-Fi Hotspot. The previous mobile hotspots I used made the apps linked to the devices indispensable, which means I needed them whenever I had to check my remaining data or battery life. This made this particular mobile hotspot different. All those information are readily displayed on the 5-inch touchscreen of the GlocalMe G4 PRO as well as in its user friendly app.

The touchscreen makes it easy and convenient to add data. Plus, it already has Google Maps, voice recognition translator, and TripAdvisor installed. Its straightforward interface and limited but essential options almost feel like a user-friendly apps on my smartphone, so there is an innate comfort in using it to set things up.

The GlocalMe Mini Turbo is also extremely simple to use; just insert a SIM card and connect up to 10 devices to the hotspot. With a battery life of up to 10 hours, you can be confident that you’ll always have a reliable connection, even on long trips.

Best unlocked mobile hotspot: Huawei E5576-320 Portable 4G

The Huawei E5576-320 Portable 4G is one of the low-cost options for mobile hotspot devices on the market. I was curious to see how this device would perform and how it would compare to the more expensive options, so I decided to put it to the test. I have to say, I was impressed with the Huawei E5576-320 Portable 4G.

With 150Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps uploads, this is a great mobile hotspot option that’s tiny, lightweight, and easy to transport. You can also connect up to 10 devices to this 4G mobile router, which has a standby time of 350 hours and a working time of 6 hours, thanks to its 1500mAh battery.

The Huawei E5576 was easy to set up and use, and it provided a reliable connection even in areas with poor cell coverage. Unfortunately, this device only works in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. For countries outside this list like the US, Canada, and Mexico, you’ll need to get a separate Huawei hotspot device.

Overall, the Huawei E5576-320 Portable 4G is relatively affordable, making it a great option for budget-conscious digital nomads. Like the Skyroam Solis Lite, the Huawei E5576-320 Portable 4G is simply a no-frills low-cost mobile router. Basically, this mobile hotspot device focuses solely on connecting your gadgets to the internet, no matter where you are.

Best mobile hotspot for remote areas: Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L Wi-Fi Hotspot

Verizon’s Jetpack MiFi 8800L is one of the best mobile hotspot devices on the market. Like the previous models, this one also comes in matte black and gray and is a plastic oval that’s about the size of a deck of cards with a touchscreen front. It has two external antenna ports plus a USB-C port.

It can connect up to 15 devices at once and has a built-in battery that lasts up to 15 hours. On top of these, the Jetpack MiFi 8800L also works great for digital nomads who want to explore extremely rural areas. This is because unlike other units that can only see 3G in these remote places, Verizon’s wifi hotspot can actually still offer 4G LTE.

If you’re worried about data overage charges, don’t be – Verizon offers unlimited data plans for Jetpack MiFi 8800L devices. So whether you’re working on the go or just want to stay connected while traveling, Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L is the perfect solution.

Best low-cost prepaid mobile hotspot: ZTE ZMax Connect MF928

As long as you have a compatible AT&T or T-Mobile prepaid service plan, you can use the ZTE ZMax Connect MF928 hotspot. Like most low-cost mobile hotspots, this device also comes in the form of a tiny black box that’s roughly the size of a playing card. Unlike the more expensive options like the Skyroam Solis X, it has no dedicated indicator for battery life or signal strength.

However, the ZTE ZMax Connect MF928 offers a special feature. It has a pair of TS9 antenna ports, which could be used to attach an external antenna to boost the signal. Its LTE covers AT&T and T-Mobile but doesn’t include Verizon and other foreign providers. Moreover, the hotspot’s internet speed tends to flounder when it reaches LTE performance. It becomes more problematic when additional you try to add more than two devices at a time, with the issue being more obvious when you’re having Zoom calls.

I appreciate the wifi management options, though. I like the accompanying mobile app, which sends me updates on data usage and allows me to tweak the hotspot’s settings.

The ZMax Connect MF928 supports up to 10 devices at a time and can last up to 10 hours, making it ideal for international travelers and digital nomads who need to work remotely while on the road. Overall, the ZTE ZMax Connect MF928 is a great option for those who need a reliable and affordable mobile hotspot device.

How to maximize your mobile hotspot plan

Mobile hotspot plans evolve all the time. If you add a hotspot data plan to an existing “unlimited” phone plan, Verizon gives you up to 50GB of high-speed data, 40GB from AT&T, and 40GB from T-Mobile. Once you consume that, the carriers tend to “deprioritize” your data or start to throttle it randomly.

So if you’re an AT&T or Verizon subscriber, the best way to make the most of your mobile hotspot data plan is to add your hotspot line as a separate line to your pre-existing phone plan. That offers you the most data for your budget.

Reality check

Admittedly, some of the devices listed here are pretty old. That’s because mobile hotspots have not exactly progressed as quickly as other technologies. While I’m not thrilled over this lack of innovation, I’m still grateful that these mobile internet devices are available to make our lives easier. However, I’m hoping to see more wifi hotspots with the most advanced 5G technologies out in the market soon and making our digital nomad life easier and more convenient!

Conclusion

Talking about portable hotspot devices brings back memories, particularly one that started out cold and daunting. I was driving around the Ring Road in Iceland when the roads got narrower and icier. Everything was foggy, and I had no idea where I was since I couldn’t see anything. I couldn’t tell where I was going. Eventually, I realized that I had been driving in circles for hours on end, and it felt like there was no way out.

Thank goodness I had my mobile hotspot device with me, which turned out to be a lifesaver. I used it to help me navigate the Ring Road. The fact that I had something with me that allowed me to still be able to communicate with my family and friends as well as help me navigate the unknown place offered me an invaluable sense of comfort and relief.

Truth be told, I would have felt a lot less safe traversing that road in Iceland without my mobile hotspot device. It just felt better because I knew I could rely on something in case of emergencies–or in this case, led me to a spectacular town with hot springs that soothe my frayed nerves and sore muscles.

These days, it’s hard to imagine life without the internet. Whether I’m working from a cafe in Barcelona or a hotel in Bali, I need to be able to stay connected. Plus, mobile hotspot devices have been a lifesaver. On more than one occasion, I’ve been out and about without any wifi, only to find that my mobile hotspot device has come to the rescue.

I’ve also used mobile hotspot devices to stay connected when travelling through remote areas where there is no cell service. So if you’re looking for a way to stay connected while on the go–whether you’re trying to check directions, find a nearby restaurant, or just stay connected with friends and family–I highly recommend investing in a mobile hotspot device. You’ll never know when you’ll need it!

Less than 20 years ago, I took my first trip to Spain.  Today, I arrived again in Spain.  But this time, the trip was completely different.  I made a list on the plane of some of the differences.  The future of travel is exciting, thanks to technology many barriers we used to face are being removed.

My first trip to Spain – pre 2000 

– I went alone on a study abroad trip and took months to prepare

– Packing took 3 long weeks and it ended up being all wrong

– I had to get a visa for long term travel

– I was not used to speaking or getting by in a foreign language

– Mobile phones didn’t exist, or were not at least mainstream

– Email was new, and we only had an account with our school

– Internet cafes were just popping up, there was no such thing as a computer at home

– Facebook didn’t exist

– I had to buy a phone card, not a SIM card

– I had to buy my ticket approximately 3 months ahead of time

– My ticket and itinerary had to be sent to me in the mail, snail mail – and it was my only copy – I could not lose it!

– I had to go to the Spanish embassy in Chicago to get my visa

– My ticket cost approx. $300 USD round trip Milwaukee to Madrid

– I drank wine on the plane at 20 years old without being asked for ID. And it was free.

– My journal was in a notebook

– I carried books to read

– It took 6 weeks to get pictures sent to Spain to show my host family photos of back home

– They were just building a metro line to the airport in Madrid

– I had to go to Milwaukee to a national bank to change US Dollars to Pesetas

– I carried travelers checks in case my money was stolen

– I didn’t know anyone prior to arriving, and when I arrived I only met my host family

– I stayed in hostels without wi-fi and had paper maps for directions

– I was scared sh*tless

Most recent trip to Spain – 2015 

– I decided the day before I was going

– Packing took 20 minutes with everything I needed

– I bought a ticket on standby last minute

– I already had my passport ready, it’s always in my backpack

– I casually rolled up to the airport and changed my flight when I arrived to a more convenient time

– I speak Spanish (from having lived in Spain)

– (even if I didn’t) I’m just not afraid to look around, ask for directions, or find someone who speaks English if I need it

– I am over the novelty of free wine and not being carded.  And the wine is no longer free 

– My phone tells me how to get from the airport in Madrid to the bus station

– I have an app to buy a bus / train / plane ticket when I land

– I haven’t had to print anything – it’s all been electronic and on my phone

– I can text my friends via Google Voice, Whatsapp, Facebook, iMessage, and my regular cell phone plan without extra charges

– I can call my friends via Skype, Whatsapp, Facebook, and my phone – without having to get a SIM card

– My ticket cost $240 each way (standby)

– My journal is a WordPress blog

– I listened to books on the Audible app on my phone

– All of my pictures are digital and accessible within minutes

– A metro ride from the airport to the bus station is 6 stops, 30 minutes

– For local currency, I wait to land in Madrid and then I take out Euros from the ATM at the airport

– I carry a backup credit card in a separate location from my primary one in case it’s lost, stolen, or canceled

– I use online banking

– If I lose my computer, everything is backed up in the cloud

– I met people online via Facebook before I left and I’ll meet them when I land

– I’ll be working from a co-working hostel

– I can talk to my doctor on the phone or Skype and view medical results online 

– I feel bliss

What will the next 20 years bring?  What will future trips look like?  

– I will use a service like AnyPass to manage my travel for me and carry a digital passport (non government) to live and work anywhere I choose

– My phone will work wherever I am with an integrated international plan, without changing SIM card

– I’ll be able to pay for everything, internationally, with my phone

– I’ll no longer carry a credit card

–  More people will speak more languages, and a shared common language will become more ubiquitous

– ??  What does the future look like for travel?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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As much as I love adventure and I love finding my way, it’s also nice to be able to just go.  I love knowing that more and more people are doing the same.

This lifestyle still may not be for many, but for those for whom it is or will be – welcome.

I was recently in the archaeological museum in Montreal at a Marco Polo exhibit.  I didn’t know much about Marco Polo until this exhibit.  But what I learned inspired me.  There were many explorers and adventurers.   What is so interesting to me, side note, is that every one has a different story about the past.  Some people didn’t believe Marco Polo’s stories, some people said he was wealthy while others said he was poor.  Maybe it’s up to our interpretation – as with, arguably, all stories.

Marco Polo’s stories, however, were written and popularized while he was held in prison trying to leave China.  Had he not been in prison I wonder if he would have taken the time to write so much.

But his words inspired the famous journey of Christopher Columbus.  His stories were translated into many different languages before ever even leaving prison.

Why were people so fascinated?

Marco Polo’s message was to see the world in a new way.   Also, his books were used for learning about trade and commerce opportunities.

There are always new things to discover, new places, new people, and new experiences.  The world maps were still being formed at that time and the idea of some of the things Polo saw in China was so far fetched that they seemed impossible.  What are those unknown waters and lands today?  Are we so caught up in the world we know that we don’t wish to explore.

I caught the tail end of the guided tour, where the guide finished by saying “If he (Marco Polo) were alive today he would tell us to travel.  To see the world in a new way!  To experience, to tell, to share and give back by sharing the stories of our adventures.  

I thought – Why would the world want to listen to me?  There is SO much noise out there and I am not doing anything new.  But, each of us has story to tell.  I do have something unique to share – I have MY stories, stories that I hope will help others see the world in a different way, and inspire them to set foot on their journey and their travels.   Everyone has a story – tell yours.  

Some people would say I’m not seeing enough. There are bus tours, walking tours, shops!

But the entire experience to me is all part of it. Yes I worked until 3 pm today in the hostel.  I only just came out of my hole.

But, I walked onto the cobblestone streets of the one of the oldest cities in North America.

I’m at Paillard having a chocolatine and a latte.

Last night I was out until late listening to drunk locals carry on about their great city.  I literally got a tour of Quebec at midnight from a tour guide who didn’t ask for a tip but who instead bought ME a beer.

That’s the real history. That’s the real culture. That’s the real Quebec.

Two local men arguing over a pint over the greatest local spots.

People who were willing to let me practice French and to teach me a few words – versus today they immediately switched to English when they heard me fail to pronounce “chocolatine” properly.

The streets are crowded with tourists today. But I feel very content knowing that I got to taste the heart and soul of the city.

Now back to my chocolatine!