Tired of trying to avoid tourist traps and scams at popular tourist destinations instead of enjoying your day?
Traveling offers an incredible opportunity to explore new cultures, landscapes, and experiences. While popular tourist destinations have their appeal. However, venturing off the beaten path can lead to even more rewarding adventures.For the curious traveler, uncovering hidden gems and unique experiences is key to creating unforgettable memories.
However, many a times, we end up into so called “tourist traps”. And it ruins our vacation experience, sometimes also hits our confidence as travellers. These traps could range across a lot of experiences like – ending up paying more for a local experience like, say, taxi or boating. Or, sometimes local guides promising us to take us on a tour to this beautiful offbeat place, charging a hefty amount. And we not seeing anything much at the end of it. Sometimes we might be approached by cons for help in the name of charity or offered something like a flower or a wrist band like a friendship band. That looks like a good gesture at first. But as soon as we accept it, there might be a demand for money from the person who offered it.
Here are some tips to help you avoid tourist traps and discover the true essence of your destination, enjoying your holiday to it’s best.
Research and Plan Ahead to be well informed and avoid tourist traps
Proper research is essential for avoiding crowded tourist spots in order to avoid tourist traps. And finding lesser-known attractions. Often, the crowded tourist places are the ones which are full of tourist traps. And if you think, it makes sense, as they are overflowing with tourists – thus becoming the best place to target maximum tourists. So, how do you choose the lesser known and offbeat places to travel? Start by reading travel blogs, guides, and forums to gather insider tips from experienced travellers. Prepare your travel gear for outdoors and indoors, too. If you’re taking an expensive smartphone, protect it with a solid case from a company like GetCasely. Also, look for recommendations on local eateries, hidden trails, and cultural events that aren’t widely advertised.
Planning ahead allows you to create a flexible itinerary that balances popular sites with off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Connect with Locals for the right information to avoid tourist traps
Engaging with locals can provide valuable insights into your destination and insight to avoid tourist traps. Residents often know the best spots that tourists miss, from quaint cafes to secluded beaches. Strike up conversations in local markets, parks, or social venues. Our most favourite way to connect to locals is via our homestays. Whenever we have been to homestays, we had very hearty chat with the owners who often provide us insider information on the local surroundings, places to see, avoiding crowds and avoiding tourist traps. Our most cherished memories interacting with locals are from our stay at Little Chilli Shimla, Yaswant Niwas Jodhpur and The Norwood Greens while exploring Palampur.
You can also engage with local shopkeepers and your taxi drivers or guide whom you hire from authentic sources. Often times our taxi drivers have turned into guides for us. Like how ours did on our 6 days trip to Uttarakhand, or our 9 days trip to Kashmir.
Use language apps or learn a few basic phrases to help break the ice. Platforms like Meetup or Couchsurfing can also connect you with locals who share similar interests, offering an authentic glimpse into their daily lives and traditions.
Explore Less Popular Neighborhoods to beat the crowd
Tourist hubs are often crowded and expensive, but exploring less popular neighbourhoods can offer a more authentic experience. Also, it can help avoid tourist traps. Venture beyond the main attractions and wander through residential areas, where you can find local shops, markets, and eateries. These neighbourhoods often have their own unique charm and provide a deeper understanding of the local culture. Plus, you’re likely to encounter fewer tourists, making your experience more personal and enjoyable. For example, when in Europe, we often encountered people trying to scam us in Paris, particularly during our night tour in Paris, near Eiffel Tower. Or, while exploring the popular spots exploring the streets of Venice.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons to avoid overpricing
Traveling during off-peak seasons can significantly enhance your experience. And also help to avoid tourist traps. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also benefit from lower prices on accommodations and flights. Off-peak travel allows you to explore at a leisurely pace and interact more freely with locals. Additionally, certain destinations showcase different aspects of their beauty during various seasons, offering unique experiences that peak-season tourists might miss. Also, since the crowd is less, it is easy to be more vigilant. And the prices are not exaggerated.
Prioritize Sustainable Travel for authentic experience
Sustainable travel practices not only protect the environment but also enrich your travel experience. Support local businesses, eat at locally-owned restaurants, and stay in eco-friendly accommodations. Participate in community-based tourism initiatives that benefit local populations and preserve cultural heritage. By prioritizing sustainability, you can enjoy your travels while contributing positively to the places you visit.
Capturing the Journey to reflect upon later
As you venture beyond tourist traps, documenting your journey can create lasting memories. Take travel photos, keep a journal, or create a blog to share your experiences with others.Reflecting on your travels helps solidify the memories and can inspire future adventures. Sharing your stories and tips can also assist other travelers in finding their own unique paths.
The Beauty of Authentic Travel
Traveling beyond tourist traps opens up a world of authentic and enriching experiences. By researching, connecting with locals, and exploring lesser-known neighborhoods, you can uncover the true essence of your destination.The beauty of travel lies in the unexpected, the hidden gems, and the personal connections made along the way. So, step off the beaten path and let your curiosity guide you to unforgettable adventures.
Some personal experiences with tourist traps
Of all the destinations that we have visited, we have found most tourist traps at the highly popular tourist places. That are often overflowing with crowd. The two destinations that would top for us were Kashmir in India and Europe. Her are some of our own personal experiences with tourist traps that I would like to share from different destinations that I have visited, for your general awareness on their nature and our experience. The good news is that these tourist traps are so popular that you will get tons of information about them on the internet if you do a little reading before heading to a new destination.
Our experience with tourist traps and scams
- Being overcharged for boat rides on Dal Lake in Kashmir
- Again, being overcharged for taxis in Kashmir. Local taxi association not allowing taxis from other towns to ply in their region. As a result, you will be forced to take the locally available taxi, at the rate they want to charge
- Often, pony guys luring you to take the pony ride, telling it’s too far, too difficult or too much to travel to certain destinations – again, in Kashmir
- Someone offering you a flower or a wrist band as a goodwill gesture and then asking for money as soon as you accept it – often in crowded streets of popular European destinations like Paris.
- A person offering you seeds to feed the pigeons in Venice and then asking for money. Actually, feeding pigeons in Venice is an offence !!
- Local taxis, autorickshaws etc. taking you through rounds of streets to increase the bill before they drop you to your destination. Often seen in India’s metro cities.
- On one of the several trips to Goa, we were offered some cookies by a lady to purchase. She claimed she worked with the church and that the cookies were made by underprivileged kids. And the sale money was to be used for their benefit. However, the local shopkeepers were watching, and signalled us not to fall in the trap. As she was a con lady. On close examination we saw that the cookie packet was not sealed, it was stapled and the cookies seemed to be purchased from a local store!!