Only visiting during winter.
Since the country is expensive, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons March through May and September through November.
Not renting a car.
The best way to visit New Zealand is by car.
Things to do and places to see are often spread out with no direct public transport option.
Overlooking the North Island.
No trip to New Zealand is complete without exploring the North Island.
It’s just as naturally beautiful as the South Island but in a very different way.
Packing mainly casual clothes.
Credit: Courtesy of Amy Louise Bailey
New Zealand is indeed a place to embrace nature and explore incredible peaks, forests, and beaches.
Staying within your comfort zone.
This is the place to get out of your comfort zone.
Stewart Watson/500px/Getty Images
5 Best Countries for Solo Travelers
Not planning your itinerary in advance.
Not buying a local SIM card.
Roaming rates can be extortionate in this corner of the world.
Anna Jackowska/Getty Images
Remember to tape your original SIM to the inside of your phone case so it doesn’t get lost.
Condensing your trip into less than two weeks.
Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure
Forgetting your motion sickness pills.
Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure
The waters can be rocky and roads can be windy.
Get ahead of it by picking up some motion sickness pills before you hit the road.
Not speaking to the locals.
New Zealanders are down-to-earth and friendly, and a smile goes a long way.
