adminHow to avoid tourist traps? You know them well—those places everyone talks about, constantly labeled as “hidden gems” on social media. You’ve already dropped a Google Maps pin because, of course, you can’t miss this spot if you’re in the area! And then, finally, you’re there—along with a crowd of other tourists. After all, you’re well aware that you’re “just” a tourist yourself, even though you secretly hope to be seen as a traveler.
A tour bus just pulled up, releasing a group of people dutifully following the guide with the umbrella. A tuk-tuk drops off a family trying to make the experience even more special by using a “unique” mode of transport. Once in a lifetime, you know?! Then comes the pièce de résistance, the moment you’ve been waiting for… and your jaw drops in disbelief.
Wait, is this it? What on earth justifies the high entrance fee? Oh, right—the quickest way out is through the souvenir shop!
Congratulations, you’ve just fallen for one of the not-so-hidden pitfalls of mass tourism: the tourist trap. You feel cheated, and the only hint of positivity from the surroundings comes when they’re sure they’ve squeezed every last penny out of your wallet.
But the big question is, how do you avoid these places?
With these tips, you can save yourself from disappointment!
1. Avoid places known for mass tourism
If you’re planning to visit a specific destination, take a moment to research which places are commonly included in the ‘excursions’ offered by major tour operators from large hotels. You can cross these off your list without feeling guilty. For every one of these spots, there’s often an alternative that’s more beautiful and far less crowded.
For example: During our road trip through Mexico, we wanted to visit Maya temples. Naturally, Chichen Itza is the ultimate bucket list attraction. But since all the massive hotels in Cancun and the surrounding area offer excursions to this site, you can guess what to expect: you’ll be stopped by people trying to sell you fake tickets, forced to park in an overpriced lot because the main parking is supposedly full, pay a ridiculously expensive entrance fee, wait in line for an hour to enter, and then wander down endless lanes of souvenir stands before exiting through the official gift shop.
Alternatively, there’s another Maya site, Calakmul, that’s even more impressive. The entrance fee is a tenth of the price of Chichen Itza, and there are only a handful of cars in the free parking lot. Why? Because the big tour operators don’t come here. These are the places you should be visiting!
Tip: the majority of the people don’t like hiking, like I last noticed on Hawaii. So if you walk just a bit further than the closest highlight. You’ll be surrounded by just a handful of people instead of the queuing that you had to face in the beginning!
2. Read reviews!
This is a geat help to detect tourist traps you want to avoid! Don’t be swayed by beautiful photos and clever marketing—check out reviews on TripAdvisor or Google Maps instead. Reviews aren’t always 100% “authentic,” but they do give you a general impression of a place. For every stunning spot, there’s always a Karen complaining that her drink had two ice cubes instead of three. And the other way round, for places where most people had a negative experience, you’ll find a few overly glowing reviews—likely from the owner’s family. Still, reviews usually offer enough information to form a clear picture.
3. Follow blogger websites!
If you want to avoid tourist traps look for blog sites where the writer(s) share values and principles that align with your own. Bloggers have made it their job to research and discover the best spots. However, there’s a catch—many posts are sponsored by tourism boards. While the best blogs remain critical, some simply echo what they’re told. Once you’ve found a few trustworthy blogs, though, they’ll become your best travel guides! With this in mind I wrote an article about Paris. I absolutely love this city, but it’s also never stopping tourist trap alarm here!
4. Get over your social reflexes
As humans, we naturally want to belong, to connect with a community. There’s no shame in that—it’s just who we are. But it’s precisely this reflex that’s often exploited. After your trip to Mexico, colleagues will undoubtedly ask if you visited Chichen Itza or those beautiful Playa del Carmen beaches (note: every grain of sand there is covered with tourists, so I wonder how you even see the beach).
This bit of social pressure often pushes you to give in to tourist traps, even if you suspect they won’t be your thing and you would rather avoid them. Push past it and do your own thing! Show your colleagues photos of your unique discoveries afterward. Who knows—they might be inspired to seek out quieter spots next time.
One exception for me was Petra in Jordan. This is one of the rare places that was even better than the hype suggested.
Not all who wander are lost, but some end up in tourist traps
5. Buy a reliable travel guide
In travel guides like Trotter or Lonely Planet, you often get information on tourist traps or tips on how to avoid the crowds. However, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. Being mentioned in Lonely Planet can sometimes lead to increased crowds, which inevitably results in higher prices.
A small side note: if you do end up at a busier or more popular spot, avoid stepping into nearby bars or restaurants. Bring your own lunch and go eat somewhere farther away in the evening. Tip: never choose a restaurant with photos of dishes on the menu—often, the simpler, less-translated menus offer better food!
The same goes for accommodations. Book a small hotel or guesthouse in a quiet area to avoid the inflated prices associated with tourism!
The most well-known tourist traps
Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco had the most online reviews globally mentioning the term “tourist trap.” To be honest, I didn’t find it particularly special either. While we were there, we wisely opted for a restaurant in a different neighborhood instead. Tourist trap successfully avoided, if you ask me!
Las Ramblas in Barcelona
Terrible! I can’t find any other words for it. Everything is overpriced, and the charm is completely absent. If you’re not careful, you’ll become an easy target for anyone with less-than-honest intentions. When I hear a place being touted as a must-see in the city, well… let’s just say I know better, and I hope you do too!
Hollywood Walk of Fame
LA was the start of our road trip through the western states of the US. My expectations were high—let’s kick off with a bang, I thought. So, on day one, we headed straight to Hollywood! A crowded, dusty street filled with underwhelming sights resembling names engraved on stars. A few street performers were pitifully cast to project glitter and glamour. With a pair of binoculars, you could barely make out the tiny “Hollywood” sign on the distant hill. How they manage to make this look so grand was the only thought running through my mind. And it seems I’m not the only one who feels this way… Hollywood pops up on every tourist trap list on the internet!
Times square New York
Times Square in New York—I initially thought it might be jetlag causing my disappointment, but no, this isn’t even a proper square. It’s just a chaotic intersection and the mecca of sensory overload, with all those loud neon ads. Plenty of souvenir shops, overpriced prices, shady characters selling their junk, and if you want decent food at a fair price? Better head further afield… there, all the tourist trap checkboxes are ticked! Oh wait, one more: wear your backpack on your front instead of your back if you don’t want anything you carry to disappear.
Some disappointing spots
Finally, here are some spots where you can’t help but think, “Is this it?”
Checkpoint Charlie (Berlin), The Little Mermaid (Copenhagen), Moulin Rouge (Paris), Manneken Pis (Brussels), the narrowest street (Prague, which isn’t even a street but an alley leading to a restaurant), Juliet’s balcony (Verona), New York Café (Budapest), Temple Bar (Dublin).
Got your own tourist trap story? Feel free to share it in the comments below this blog!
