Flights to Santa Marta, Santa Cruz Province from

If you're not prepared, air travel can be a real challenge. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a trouble-free start to your time in Santa Marta. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between airlines, the general rule of thumb is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, and items that could injure passengers, such as firearms and swords, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by wearing layers, and wear slightly roomy, flat shoes like slip-ons.
• The result of sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long-distance flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and feet moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will make your trip to Santa Marta easy and painless. Below you'll find some top tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronics will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.