Comments on: 4 Ways To Be A Traveler, Not A Tourist

By: Tourist vs. Traveller: Pest or Guest | The Broke Backpacker

Tourist vs. Traveller: Pest or Guest | The Broke Backpacker — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:49:01 +0000

[...] There are lots of resources online for travellers wishing to get the most out of their trip, including this list of four ways to be a traveller rather than a tourist: http://www.vagabondish.com/4-ways-to-be-a-traveler-not-a-tourist/ [...]

By: Anji

Anji — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:34:35 +0000

I couldn’t agree more! There is nothing like travelling like a local! When I went to India I was amazed with the beautiful culture but what I noticed is that I was trated as a tourist which changed the whole experience of living in India. So I decided to dress like them and wear a bindi and eat with my hands….all to resemble them as much as possible! And once you live like one of them and try to behave like them the taste of the place is so much more authentic!
They key in living like a local is talking to people and getting to know them and their lifestyle. That is why concepts such as home swapping are becoming more and more trendy!
Nice article Amanda!

By: sharon

sharon — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:57:31 +0000

My best times are in a little village in Cahuita, Costa Rica – I am able to camp on someone’s property (10 times) and get water access. It is close to the rainforest, has jungle right near by (500 metres!!!) and then the beach. I help out with the kids health program, local ESL and teaching computer literacy. Best thing is the “one love” with indigenous, blacks (who were former Jamaican slaves, and the respectful Europeans and French-Canadians who have adapted to this way of life….and keep it in its natural state. Been able to start to do in Panama, Dominican Republic with the Haitians and hope to do in Kenya – counting the local elephant populations and living in tents (or shacks on stilts). LOVE IT.

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:14:28 +0000

the biggest thing I feel that separates a “tourist” from a “traveler” is, respect. As the beginning anecdote explains, the women in the book shop was loud and in a hurry, not very respectful, “oh hurry up I need to leave, give me something quick quick!”. It’s also hard to be a traveler and not a tourist when you’re on a “tour” like she was.
Tip #2 is spot on. I spent a week in Barcelona a few years ago and loved it. But there were a ton of things I didn’t get to experience while I was there, and that is the biggest reason I want to go back.
Finally, while the “tourist” sights are something everyone needs to see, that’s where it should end. See it and move on. As enthralling as Old Town Square in Prague is, I would never, ever eat at a restaurant near there. One place was charging almost 100Kc for a coca-cola, that’s $5. No thank you. Wandering a several blocks down a side street yielded an excellent restaurant with truly authentic 3 course meal for around $10. Much better.
Whenever in a foreign place, do as the locals do.

By: Ana Viajera

Ana Viajera — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:20:30 +0000

As a travel writer I always seek to discover the heart of a place. I think that’s what sets the traveler apart from the tourist.

By: Mark Shea

Mark Shea — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:20:54 +0000

‘Sometimes it is good to just get away from all the tourist attractions and just explore with no agenda. Sometimes these adventures lead to the best holiday experiences.’

Art of Travel Video

http://www.overlander.tv/2011/the-art-of-travel-bali-travel-video-guide/

By: JEremy

JEremy — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:28:24 +0000

While I agree with points 2-4, once in a while it’s interesting to keep a studied ignorance, at least until you get there. It’s nice to arrive without knowing anything beyond how to get to you hotel/hostel/couchsurf/whatever.

We did this when we went on a month-long excavation to Jordan. We decided that since we’d have to be with a group of people, we’d rather not build any expectations which would lead to disappointments.

We read a good bit about general cultures, what and what not to do with locals (esp. since it was our first time in a muslim country), and what vaccinations to take, but that was it.

The experience was great. We couldn’t just do our own thing, but the lack of meant that we were never really frustrated (except for when we were stuck in traffic).

I think the line between tourist and traveller is a hazy one. I see a traveller more as taking travel as their lifestyle rather than a holiday from their job. I feel like a traveller not because I’m not a tourist, but because I’ve been living abroad in different and will continue to do so until I die (I hope). While travelling, I will also take touristy holidays to relax from my constant travelling, perhaps even to my own country.

It’s funny how you can both be a traveller AND a tourist.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:47:09 +0000

Call yourself a traveler if it makes you feel better, but please don’t use it as an excuse to be cheap-arsed as that is just boring!

By: Terran

Terran — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:22:15 +0000

Can we just say a traveler is a very experienced tourist? That the difference between a traveler and a tourist is that one has more experience with different situations and can handle themselves better while visiting different places…

By: Am I the only person in the world who hasn't traveled extensively? - airfare, hotels, car rental, backpacking, resorts, cruises, vacations, airplanes, international... - Page 3 - City-Data Forum

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:02:38 +0000

[...] which can be anyone, anywhere, not just "travelers". Which finally gets to the distinction between "tourist" and "traveler". Which one do you want to be? "He did not think of himself as a tourist; he was a traveler. [...]