Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Meeting new people and cultures gives you a broad perspective. Thinking about traveling alone might be a bit scary, especially for our moms, who think of all the negative things that could happen, but as long as we let them know that we are doing fine, they can stop worrying about us.
Jonathan Kubben Quiñonez is a 27-year-old guy from Brussels, who is traveling the world with a “Mom I’m fine” sign. His Instagram account @momimfine has become very popular with over 164,000 followers. Don’t you think he is the most thoughtful son out there?
Brazil
Source: @momimfine
Jonathan Quiñonez’s Instagram bio says: “Whatever your age if you have a Latin mom and a passion for adventure, you will have to find a way to tell her that you are fine. This is my way”. Taking pictures with a “Mom I’m fine” sign everywhere you go is the coolest way of checking in with your mom. If you are thinking about traveling, we’ll share with you some really useful travel tips
Tomorrowland
Source: @momimfine
Jonathan surely knows how to have fun; he went to the Tomorrowland music festival held in Belgium. Here’s tip number one: Before you go on a trip it is very important for you to scan passport pages, credit cards, your driver’s license and personal ID in case your bags are lost or stolen.
Skydiving
Source: @momimfine
Before packing for your new destination, you should check the weather forecast in order to know what sort of clothes you need. You should also think about all the activities you want to do during your trip, just like skydiving in Playa del Carmen, Mexico!
Peru
Source: @momimfine
In this picture, Jonathan went to explore the breathtaking Peruvian countryside. If you are traveling abroad for a long period of time, this tip is extremely important! You should visit your doctor and ask him if you need any travel vaccines. You should also have a medical check-up to make sure you are healthy.
Titicaca Lake
Source: @momimfine
Think about all the things you’d like to do in your trip and organize your itinerary to take advantage of the time you’ve got, considering your budget and the places you want to visit. In Jonathan’s case, he chose Latin American countries, which are great budget travel destinations.
Machu Picchu
Source: @momimfine
When you are traveling, you need to take all your belongings and the important things you need, so you should know the baggage restrictions required by the airline. There are some items that are prohibited on airplanes so you should also take that into consideration. Visiting Machu Picchu, the historic Inca city is a must for those who love traveling to historic places!
Cartagena, Colombia
Source: @momimfine
Whether you’re staying at a hotel or hostel you should book ahead of time. If you choose a hostel there are many chances that you might meet new people, but you need to be forthcoming, don’t be afraid to say “hi, where are you from?” to a complete stranger. Here’s another beautiful picture of Cartagena Colombia.
Huyana Potosi Mountain
Source: @momimfine
If you are traveling to a whole different country then you should read about the culture, or get a travel guide in order to know about the region’s beliefs and trends. These travel guides also have very useful maps with different locations and they show you the best possible ways to get there. Jonathan probably did his own research on the countries he was about to visit.
Caribbean Sea
Source: @momimfine
Find out which currency is used in your destination and the exchange rate. Having a credit card might be a good idea because they are safer to carry than cash, but you need to be aware that there is a fee for the exchange transaction. There are many beautiful islands in the Caribbean Sea where you can do scuba diving, just like Jonathan did.
Volcano in Costa Rica
Source: @momimfine
Purchasing a factory unlocked phone might be a little more expensive but due to the fact that no changes are made to the hardware and software, these phones can be used with any cell phone provider. In Jonathan’s case, he needs a cellphone to upload all these Instagram pictures.
San Andres, Colombia
Source: @momimfine
Before you travel you need to make sure your travel documents are in order. If you need a visa, make sure to apply early because depending on the country, the process can be complicated. Jonathan made the right choice visiting Colombia, which is a beautiful and diverse country with many attractions.
Cuba
Source: @momimfine
If you are going to travel by yourself, then you need to have an open mind and be willing to talk to strangers in order to make friends. If you are lucky, you can meet other people who are also traveling by themselves and you can go sightseeing together. Visiting Cuba is like traveling back in time; the colorful streets of cities like La Habana and Trinidad are definitely worth seeing.
Antioquia, Colombia
Source: @momimfine
Keeping a travel journal is a great way for you to enhance your memories and find inspiration. If you are going on a long trip, this is a great way to remember every detail about your journey in order to share the story with your family and friends when you get back. In Jonathan’s case, he’s got all these pictures to help him remember all the places he’s been to.
Rio de Janeiro
Source: @momimfine
If you are traveling alone, you have to learn how to be patient with yourself if something goes wrong, you need to know your strengths and accept the fact that not everything will go as planned, but it is important to have faith and know that everything will be alright.
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Source: @momimfine
It is extremely important for you to travel with a budget; According to lonelyplanet.com, you need to start your budget with the biggest expenses first, then you can work out a daily cost base on room rates and meal costs and you should also budget for activities, museum entry fees or souvenirs.
Peruvian jungle
Source: @momimfine
Foursquare is a location-based social networking website for mobile devices, it can be very useful if you are at a café or restaurant and don’t know the Wi-Fi password. Other users have probably checked-in there so the password is probably available in the comments.
Salkantay Mountain
Source: @momimfine
We hope you enjoyed these pictures of Jonathan’s Quiñonez’s travel destinations and the tips that can help you if you are traveling alone. He’s definitely the most thoughtful son. If you’d like to see more of his pictures, follow him on his Instagram account @momimfine.
Panama
Source: @momimfine
If you have to wait for hours in the airport, then make sure to bring books and magazines to keep yourself entertained; you can also listen to your favorite music or walk around and see the different shops at the airport. Panama is a great country to visit; it is home to an abundance of tropical plants and animals.
Costa Rica
Source: @momimfine
If you want to feel safer when you travel, then you need to get a travel insurance. There are many types of travel insurances; they can cover medical expenses, cancellations, loss or delays. If you are looking for a cheap option, then you should consider Allianz Global Assistance. In this picture Jonathan is in Costa Rica, a beautiful Central American country with many natural reserves.
Providencia Island
Source: @momimfine
If you’re traveling to a foreign country and don’t have an international data plan, there are many helpful apps that will allow you to download maps onto your device and use the Wi-Fi and GPS capability on the device for turn-by-turn navigation.
