Fat Passport

Travel documents

 

There are three types of travel documents that may be required in order to enter a country:

• A passport is required for the vast majority of travelers who are planning on visiting third world destinations. If you don’t have a passport, then apply for one immediately. Passports can take weeks (or longer) to obtain.
  
• Visas are stamps or stickers placed in your passport, issued by a country to give you permission to enter. Visa requirements differ substantially by country: Some countries require that you have a visa for their country in advance; some countries will issue a visa (simply by stamping your passport) when you arrive. Visa requirements for US citizens are provided on the US State Department website.
  
• Vaccination certificate: Some countries in Africa or South America may require proof of yellow fever vaccination. US citizens can visit the US State Department website to see current requirements.

If a visa is required for your first stop, then of course you need to get it before you leave. If you are going to multiple countries, then it is often easier to get these visas on the road. Your guidebook can give you advice on this.

Once you have sorted out requirements for visas, you next need to determine which vaccinations are required.