One of my more controversial travel opinions is that not all tourist traps are bad. Sure, they might be overpriced and crowded, but that doesn’t automatically strike them from my bucket list.
Videos by TravelAwaits
I can name two tourist traps that I’m dying to experience. The first is paying for a seriously overpriced glass of champagne atop the Eiffel Tower… which costs close to $30 and comes in a plastic flute. Second is San Francisco’s Tonga Room restaurant, home to a lagoon and fake thunderstorms. I wouldn’t go for the menu—I’d go for the kitsch factor.
Some tourist traps speak to us, making them worth the hassle and price tag.
Still, that’s hardly the case across the board. You need to know the tell-tale signs that you’re about to book a bad tour before you waste your precious time and budget on a subpar or downright awful experience. These are the tell-tale signs that you’re wading into tourist trap territory—in the bad way.
Note: These signs apply to pre-booked tours that you can reserve online, like TripAdvisor or Tours by Locals, along with tours/workshops/experiences that someone offers you at a popular destination, whether via a resort concierge or on the street. For the purpose of this article, I’m focusing on self-booked tours—not multi-day trips planned with a travel agency or company.
7 Tell-tale signs that you’re about to book a bad tour or experience
Sign #1: Details are vague
A tried-and-true tour has its itinerary hammered out—usually thanks to years of experience and feedback. Guides don’t necessarily need to account for every minute of the tour, but they should have a quick-but-detailed rundown to give you. It should include information like where the tour goes, whether you need tickets, and how long it runs for. In short, whoever is selling the tour should have their elevator pitch ready to go.
One of the most important things that I look for is taxes. For example, if you visit many of the Riviera Maya’s larger cenotes, you need to pay a small visitor’s fee. A subpar tour doesn’t tell you, thinking the tiny fee isn’t a big deal. A good tour tells you that from the jump so that you can come prepared. A great tour factors it into the price and covers it for you.
Sign #2: Certifications aren’t displayed/shared
I’m a huge advocate for booking tours that are organized by locals. Locals are usually more qualified to give tours—and I’m not just talking about the fact that they grew up in the area. They often have additional certifications and qualifications that make them stand out. For example, in Athens or Barcelona, pro guides who have put together great tours tend to have academic qualifications that make their tours stand out.
This tip applies to more hard-boiled tours, like ancient archaeological sites or historical places with millennia of history. However, I think it’s worth looking for some type of pedigree when you book a tour—like a badge of excellence from TripAdvisor.
Sign #3: It’s a cash-only offer
Cash-only tours are always a red flag. Companies that put together high-quality tours always accept payment via card and/or major apps like PayPal. If someone is offering you a tour that’s cash-only, think twice. Are they associated with a company? Can you find information on their tour online or via an app? Once you hand over the payment, you usually have no recourse when it comes to leaving feedback… or getting a refund, in the case of a poor experience.
Sign #4: You don’t see any reviews
That brings me to my next point. Even if someone approaches you offering a tour in-person, they should have some type of card or pamphlet that gives you information on the experience. You can use it to search for the tour company online—and dig into reviews. If you only see a webpage or a PDF but don’t see any reviews (or an option to post one), think again.
Sign #5: Your group has over ten people
Five years ago, I wouldn’t have flagged tours with more than ten people as a problem. Today, I highly recommend you avoid large-group tours. First, they’re usually very general and won’t give you a personalized experience. Second, they can clog the site’s infrastructure for both locals and other tourists, making life harder on everyone. Third, you’re stuck with a large group of fellow travelers… and there’s usually at least one who you’d rather never see again.
Sign #6: You’re stopping at souvenir shops
One of the most common stops on large-group tours is souvenir shops. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—locals often benefit from getting more foot traffic, and they partner with large tour groups to do so. But please pay close attention to the overall balance of the tour.
Are you stopping at a souvenir shop in a scenic village? That’s a solid trade-off for those who don’t want to shop. Are you stopping at multiple roadside markets on your way to a popular destination? That sounds a little less fun. Are you stopping at a rural outpost that adds an exciting element to your trip that you wouldn’t normally have seen? That’s a cool experience that you wouldn’t have gotten any other way.
In other words, there are layers when it comes to souvenir shop stops. I’m generally suspicious of them, but they can absolutely be a treat when done well.
Sign #7: The energy is very low
Your guide should be full of energy. Your guide should be passionate about the topic. Your guide should make you feel excited about what’s about to happen. If you notice their energy is low, think again about booking the tour. If you’re already on the tour and the guide’s energy is low, you still have time to back out.
I’m serious. Don’t let a social or financial obligation force your hand—this is your vacation, and if a tour isn’t cutting the vibe, you can leave. After all, the tour guide’s energy is visibly low from the start; it’s unlikely things will get better later on. (The exception might be a very early wake-up call—few people are at full energy at dawn.)
