Everything You Need to Know to Plan a Safe and Smooth Vacation

To have an unforgettable experience—as vacations should always be—the most important thing is to have reliable and secure information.

Traveling, discovering new places, tasting local flavors, walking through streets full of history, feeling the warm sand under your feet, or touching the ocean water are ilusiones (hopes) that are renewed every year with the arrival of vacation time.

But with the rise of social media, the number of “tourism agents” and offers promising perfect experiences at every destination has also grown. Between dream hotels and irresistible promotions, it’s easy to get carried away by emotion, and what begins as a plan full of ilusión (excitement) can, in some cases, turn into an experience very different from what was expected.

According to the UN, tourism in Latin America grew by 3% between January and June 2025. This means many families started traveling again, groups of friends discovered a dream destination, and solo travelers sought new adventures. The United States and Mexico continue to solidify their positions as favorite spots for those soul-recharging getaways.

Orlando, Florida, is one of the favorite vacation destinations, whether for families—where magic for the children takes center stage at every turn—or for adults and teenagers who love the adrenaline rush found in each of its parks and attractions.

Leo Salazar, public relations manager for Visit Orlando, always recommends consulting the organization's website, which offers a free guide and acompañamiento (support) for all travelers. “At visitorlando.com, you will find wonderful free vacation planning services; you can communicate via email, telephone, or live chat. Additionally, we have personalized itineraries, which are created by artificial intelligence, and valuable tips from our travel agents”.

Key Points to Check Before Clicking “Book”

- Verify the provider's identity:

Make sure the hotel, rental, tour, or agency is officially registered or recognized in the destination country. Some fraudulent agents imitate real companies or create very convincing websites. You can search for the company's name, its tourism registration or license in the country of origin, look for recent reviews, and avoid paying outside of official platforms.

- Pay through a secure channel:

Prefer credit cards or recognized payment platforms that offer protection. Avoid bank transfers via email or to unclear accounts. If you pay by card, you have more support if you need to file a claim for fraud; making a “direct” transfer to an individual is harder to trace.

- Check the confirmation and conditions:

Request written confirmation (email, reservation number, establishment name). Verify cancellation policies, changes, and refunds. A reliable provider will send clear data: address, phone number, conditions. If the details are strange or the “offer” says it expires quickly, it could be a warning sign.

- Review the website or booking platform:

Always make sure the URL is legitimate, that it has the security lock (HTTPS), and that there are no spelling errors. Vacation rental scams often use professional photos, very low prices, and apply pressure to book quickly.

- Consult official tourism sources:

Before traveling, check the pages of the country's ministry of tourism, the embassy, or the consumer protection office for alerts or recommendations, which are often reported. These entities may have lists of authorized operators, area alerts, or specific advice.

Red Flags That Should Set Off Your Alarms When Booking a Trip

• Offers that are too good to be true: Prices far below what you've found in your searches or extreme discounts without a clear explanation.
• Pressure to pay immediately: Messages indicating 'last spots,' 'today only,' or requests to make a decision without giving you time to verify.
• Request for payments through informal channels: Asking for transfers to personal accounts, payments via little-known apps, or cash deposits.
• New profiles or those without a verifiable history: Agents or pages with few reviews, no comments, or recently created profiles.
• Lack of concrete information: No legal company name, no physical address, no tax ID, or no contract/confirmation provided.
• Every trip begins long before you get on the plane: it starts when you decide to take care of yourself and plan calmly. Get informed, check every detail, and choose with confidence. That way, your next vacation will be as safe as it is unforgettable.