These tips are for many common models of Garmin Nuvi GPS devices. If you have a newer model Nuvi or have a Garmin model other than a Nuvi, the tips outlined below may be different for your particular device. Please refer to your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your device on how to enable/disable maps and also how to perform a search in a different location.


In most emerging countries there is a lack of a central address system which can make navigation more difficult. However, there are several other ways programmed into your GPS for finding a destination.

You can navigate by the following methods:

  1. Touching a location on the map
  2. City
  3. POI – Point of Interest
  4. Street Intersection
  5. Latitude and Longitude
  6. Your own saved waypoints

Most of these methods are easy to figure out by simply experimenting with your GPS, but if you need more help please refer to your owner’s manual. Remember these tips are for only the most common Nuvi models. (See top paragraph)

Before trying to navigate to any location do the following: from the main screen of your GPS choose

At the main screen, choose the following: Tools → Settings → Map → Map Info You will now see a list of all maps installed on your GPS including your new map from GPSTravelMaps.com. Uncheck all maps except the one you would like to view.


While viewing your map be sure to use the + and  buttons to zoom in and out. If you want to see more detail ZOOM IN. If you want to see a larger area ZOOM OUT. If you are zoomed out too much you may not be able to see roads; fix this by simply zooming in.


Using any of the navigation methods listed above, your GPS will automatically search for destinations near the area in which you are currently located. If you want to view a map of a country in which you are not currently located in, you should follow these steps:

  1. At the main screen choose “Where To?.”
  2. Now there should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says “Near…” Touch that button.
  3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose “A Different City.” Then select “OK”
  4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. If you have a newer model GPS you may need to type the name of the city in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Choose “Done” when you have finished typing in the city name.
  5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
  6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Hit the arrow button at the bottom of the screen to scroll down until you see an icon for “Browse Map” (“Browse Map” is different than the option to “View Map” from the main screen.)
  7. Select “Browse Map” and you should now see your desired map.

How to confirm that your new map is installed on your Nuvi:

  1. From the main screen on your GPS choose “View Map.” You will see a map of your current location when you do this.
  2. Touch the “-“ button several times to zoom out. Zoom out as much as you can.
  3. Then drag your finger across the screen to pan to the country you would like to see. There should be a rectangle around that country if it is the only checked map in the “Map Info” menu.
  4. Touch in the middle of the rectangle then starts zooming in. The more you zoom in the more detail you will see on the map. If you can’t see roads, keep zooming in.


To view specific points of interest:

  1. At the main screen choose “Where To?”
  2. There should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says “Near…” Touch that button.
  3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose “A Different City”. Then select “OK”.
  4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. If you have a newer model GPS you may need to type the name of the city in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Choose “Done” when you have finished typing in the city name.
  5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
  6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Select whichever fits your needs best. Select “Points of Interest”.
  7. You can now select several categories of POIs or spell out a name. For example, if you want to find hotels select “Lodging,” restaurants choose “Food,” gas stations, choose “Fuel,” etc. You can also choose “spell name” and type in the name of the POI you would like to see.
  8. After making your selection you will see a list of hotels, gas stations, or restaurants, etc. relating to whichever category you choose.


You can use the Address search function on your GPS to search for a street, but the “house number” portion of an address will not be recognized by your GPS in countries where there is no central address system. To search for a street name do the following:

  1. At the main screen choose “Where To?”
  2. There should be a button at the bottom of the screen that says “Near…” Touch that button.
  3. You should now see a screen that shows several choices. You should choose “A Different City”. Then select “OK”.
  4. You should now see a screen where you can type in the name of a city in the country you wish to view. Choose “Done” when you have finished typing in the city name.
  5. You will now see a screen that shows a list of cities. Select the city you typed in.
  6. You will now see a menu with several icons you can choose. Select “Address”.
  7. Do not type in anything for the “house number.” Just leave this screen blank and select “Done”.
  8. Type in the street name that you wish to search for and select “Done”.
  9. You should now see a list of street names. Select the street you typed in. You may see the street you typed in listed several times. You can select any one of the listings to view that street.
  10. You can now select “View Map” and it will show you that street on the map. Once you are in the country you can select “Go” and your GPS will navigate you to that street.

If you have any other questions visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Or send an email to Support. You can also contact us here.

Are you interested in helping us keep our maps updated? Visit sending tracks to find out how you can send in your tracks and POIs and receive a free update.


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