Anyone miss vegan traveling?
As I prepare for my upcoming trip, I thought that it would be a good time to share how I plan and travel as a vegan. I’ve prepared vegan guides before (Amsterdam and Iceland), but never really talked about my pre-travel process. These tips are particularly important now that everything is opening up again.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have been born into a family that taught me to travel from an early stage in life. Learning the rules of the road early has made the transition to vegan travel easier, but this greatly depends on the country visiting and not everyone runs with the same luck. The truth is, immersing yourself in a culturally different country can sometimes be complicated for a traveler with dietary restrictions. As travelers, vegans face obstacles that a person with an omnivorous diet and without allergies does not usually encounter… But nothing is impossible, I’ve been a vegan traveler for almost 6 years and I’ve picked up some tips along the way that I’ll be sharing today.
If anything, the takeaways from this post should be to 1. plan ahead, and 2. prepare for the unexpected. Those two things together create a synergy that will prepare you, and make traveling a breeze. After my last trips, I have outlined a series of steps to follow to prevent unpleasant experiences.
How to Travel as a Vegan
1. COVID-19
Let’s get this one out of the way first. For all of us who love to travel, 2020 felt like an eternity after not being able to move for such a long time. Fortunately, we’re already seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with some countries gradually opening their borders and the vaccination plan that is being implemented.
But this doesn’t mean that things are going to go back to the way they were, especially because not all countries are at the same level of progress in the fight against covid. Some airports have chosen to close down all their restaurant’s and some countries still have curfews and restrictions. Like I said above, the key to traveling is to PLAN AHEAD and to do your due diligence in terms of research (I’ll go more in depth below).
Let’s also not forget that traveling and moving to other areas increases the risk of contagion, especially with the new variants. So ideally, out of respect for the country that you’re visiting, travel to places where the virus is controlled and where the vaccination rate is high.
2. Plan ahead
Airplanes & airports
There’s no way around this, airports are difficult and expensive. Most travels out of Puerto Rico require some sort of layover, so I always opt for carrying snacks and one simple meal like a sandwich or overnight oats. Some restaurants at airports have vegan options, but this can vary per terminal, and sometimes there are massive lines/waiting times.
For long flights, some airlines offer complimentary meals. If you have any dietary restrictions you just have to call a couple of days ahead to let them know. For shorter flights, some offer snacks and meals to buy, but always research and plan ahead for availability.
Lodging
My preferred method of lodging is rental homes/apartments; most of my travels involve moving around a lot, so homes and apartments with kitchens work best for me. Being able to cook for yourself on trips can save you a lot of money, and it can also be really helpful when it comes to road trips and long hikes.
However, cruise ships are very accommodating and there are certain hotels and hotel-lines that have turned vegan-friendly through the years. For hotels, check VeggieHotels, but also don’t be afraid to reach out to a certain hotel and ask.
Tourism & activities while traveling
Riding elephants in Thailand, taking camel rides in Morocco or Dubai, swimming with dolphins in a dolphin cove, are all tourist attractions that contribute to animal exploitation. Animals should not be an attraction for anyone, especially when they’re physically and psychologically mistreated at the expense of entertainment.
Sometimes tourist companies can promise guided tours with visits to animals in “freedom”, but in the end it can be far from that. Research the hell out of a tourism package so that they don’t sell you a product that comes with abuse by advertising it as “natural reserve”.
If you really wish to see animals during your trip, watch them in their natural state or through a legit sanctuary. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing animals in freedom enjoying their life.
Food in general on travels
When traveling by cruise, food is covered and my experience is that they are extremely accommodating to your every need. But that’s not the case when traveling by plane.
The way that I plan for food on my trips is by reading vegan blogs, Happy Cow, and Pinterest. As I gather information, I drop pins into Google Maps identifying vegan, vegan-friendly and vegan accommodating places. As of today I don’t have dietary restrictions beyond veganism, and although I mostly eat plant-based, I try to not limit myself even more during trips and just embrace the vegan food that’s available.
I recommend planning lodging and activities around available places to eat. As well as renting apartments or homes with kitchens if you’re able to cook for yourself.
3. Get to know the place your traveling to
If you are going to a country that is really unfamiliar to you, taking a look at the traditions as well as the regional ingredients can help you get an idea of what you might face. There are some countries that are much more vegan-friendly and allergen-free than others, that’s why planning ahead is key. Find out about the typical dishes of the country offered in restaurants, as in some cases they can be vegan or veganized easily, as well as the type of cuisine, the most used ingredients, if it’s a country rich in fresh vegetables or if it tends to eat more processed products.
It’s also a good idea to know what the country’s traditions are so that you can avoid some visits, like meat/wet markets, restaurants that solely focus on animal derived ingredients, and animal-related attractions.
4. Carry snacks and meals
Let’s say there are no vegan hotels or restaurants, and that fruits and vegetables are not abundant. Your solution will have to be bringing snacks from home, and staying in rental homes/apartments with kitchens so you could cook for yourself.
For snacks, dried fruits, nuts, cereal bars or any food that can withstand extreme temperatures and a long time in your luggage. These can come particularly handy for road trips and hikes.
As for meals, finding lodging with kitchens and doing some grocery shopping can save your life. This option is also cheaper than eating out at restaurants for every single meal, so this is my go-to even when there are restaurant options available.
5. Toiletries
Hotels and rentals often provide things like soap, shampoos, conditioners and lotions. But more often than not they contain animal derivatives, and are not cruelty-free. When in doubt, it is better to avoid them and use our own vegan products. So I find it easier to bring toiletries and cosmetics from home; one less thing that I have to worry about while traveling.
Remember that liquids must be carried in individual containers with a capacity of no more than 3 fl.oz, and to follow TSA guidelines.
6. Travel partners
Travel partners can make or break your travel experience, but also your relationship. Differences can create many conflicts throughout the trip as we get exposed to extreme situations like tiredness, finances, etc., that push our emotions to the limit. I will say this, when traveling with other people, conflict is inevitable; but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be kept to a minimum.
When travelling with non-vegans it’s important to set boundaries and express your expectations for the trip beforehand. Make your partner(s) part of the planning process and show them the restaurants that you wish to visit. You have to make sure that there are fundamental points shared: the same taste, intentions and way of eating.
As harsh as this may be, it’s truly best to avoid travelling with people who’re not understanding your lifestyle. If they’re not accommodating in your everyday life, they’re certainly not going to do so while traveling. Choose your travel partner(s) wisely!
7. Prepare your mindset
There are many ways to do veganism, in my case I like to keep it pretty much plant-based. But when it comes to traveling, if the food that’s available to me is mostly processed, I tend to not fuss about it. So if you have any limitations while being vegan (100% plant-based, raw, SOS, only eating at vegan restaurants, etc.), I truly suggest to loosen up and embrace what’s available.
Loosening up does not mean throwing veganism out the window, it means to not restrict yourself towards the vegan food that is available. This is not only going to make the trip less stressful for you, but also for your travel partner(s). Have fun!
Check in with me
Make sure to follow me on Instagram to see more behind the scenes of how I prepare for my trip, travel photos and the amazing food that I’ll have there.
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