There are apps for everything. Apps for travel, accommodation, navigation, language; everything you will need for your international trip. Make sure to download the right ones before your trip!
Below are a list of every single app I used while traveling South and Central America. Again, download these apps BEFORE your trip and secure logins + passwords.
Travel
- Skyscanner
- I use this app for booking almost all my flights or checking flight prices.
- Secret Flying
- Find cheap flights!
- Uber
- Uber is international, ya’ll. Use it! It is cheaper and safer than taxis.
- Google Maps
- Surprisingly, this is my favorite app for finding things. I find it to be the most accurate.
- Maps.me
- Download offline maps of cities BEFORE you get there!
Accommodation
- Hostelworld
- Find Hostels easy. Not all hostels are listed on this app. Sometimes I wait to book hostels if I’m traveling during slow season. Hostels can be cheaper in person. Don’t be afraid to negotiate — especially for multiple nights! (Use HostelBookers or Booking.com if needed)
- Airbnb
- My favorite app for booking places to stay especially as a couple or with friends!
- Couchsurf
- I LOVE COUCHSURFING! Make a profile before you leave and ask friends to write you recommendations!! Spend some time on your profile. I recommend writing to couchsurfing hosts one week or more ahead of time. (Also great for meet-ups)
Communication
- Whatsapp
- You will NEED WhatsApp. Everyone uses it to communicate… except for Americans. Sign up before leaving!!
- Facebook Messanger
- Skype
- I have used Skype in the past to call credit card companies and 1-800 numbers. I rarely use it, but it is nice to have in emergency.
- Google Voice
- Receive calls and texts from anywhere in the world (connected to your local number).
Financial
- PNC/Charles Schwab
- Before you go on a trip, EXPECT everything financially to go wrong. Expect your cards to be declined. Expect to need to access all your accounts and/or make international calls. Make sure to have all your account information and emergency numbers for all your banks/credit cards! I used PNC and Charles Schwab (no foreign fees) debit/credit cards and apps.
- Paypal
- Venmo
*There are some really great apps for budgeting for your trip/tracking all your spending. I’ll be honest: I don’t track anything. (lol)
Learning the Language
- Duolingo
- It’s great for practicing Spanish and other foreign languages during or before a trip!
- SpanishDict
- If you’re going to a Spanish-speaking country and plan to dive into the language, I recommend SpanishDict! The app has very single verb conjugation you will never need and more!
- Google Translate
- Google translate is good for quick translations or reading signs/menus. Use the camera option to read signs and menus easily.
Reading + Writing
- WordPress
- I often create blog posts on my phone using the WordPress app. I recommend creating a blog to document your travels (even if it’s just for friends and family!) You’ll be grateful to have the record after the fact.
- Hoopla + Libby + Overdrive
- These are all great apps to read books FOR FREE using your library card. Make sure to sign up before you leave! I personally use Libby most often.
- Notes
- Quick journal notes using apple notes.
Entertainment
- Spotify
- I use the paid version to download playlists for when I am offline. It’s great for long bus rides and airplanes (without WiFi).
- Podcasts
- My favorite podcasts
- Netflix + Hulu
- I recommend downloading your favorite movies and shows for when you are without WiFi.
- I recommend getting a VPN, so you can watch your favorite shows no matter what country you’re in. You can get a cheap VPN for a couple dollars a month. It’s worth it to protect yourself and valuable information (and use Hulu!) Double win. I recommend Express VPN!
- Card game apps
- Games that do not require wifi. I’ve played HOURS of spades on my phone on bus rides. You’ll want a variety.
Photo + Video
- Lightroom
- I love Lightroom presets! You can find Lightroom presets off Pinterest and Etsy. This is the best app for editing photos for beginners! You can also use VSCO, Snapseed, Huji cam (retro effect), Lomograph, Retouch (edit people out of your pictures)
- IMovie
- I use iMovie for editing videos. You can edit videos on your phone!
- Google Photos
- Saves all of your photos in case of emergency. They save automatically when you’re connected to WiFi.
- Canva
- I use this app to create YouTube and blog designs.
Self Care
- Headspace
- Great for guided meditation! (Calm app is good as well)
- YouTube
- I use YouTube for yoga videos while I travel.
Other Favorites
A list of some of my other favorites + some favorites sent to me from other travelers:
- Been
- Happy Cow
- ResiRest
- Tripit
- Postagram
- Alltrails
- My World Heritage Passport
- TrabeePocker
- ExpressVPN
Thank you so much for reading! Any other apps you can’t live without?? Post them in the comments <3 Thank you so much for your support! Click subscribe if you’d like to follow my travel journey! xoxo
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