10 Tourist Traps I Won ’ t Fall For Again — And 10 Worth The Hype

We ’ ve all live there – standing in a long line , paying way too much money , simply to walk away feeling completely disappointed . Travel can be amazing , but not every famous patch know up to its Instagram fame .

After years of globetrotting and making my average share of fault , I ’ ve learned which tourist attractions deserve your time and which ones be exactly clever marketing trap .

1 . Skip It : Overpriced Gondola Rides in Venice

My wallet yet suffer from the memory ! Those iconic gondola rides in Venice price a humble fortune – around €80 for just 30 minute – and often feel rushed and impersonal .The canals come hence crowd that gondoliers sometimes indicate over traffic jam .

Many boats today smash music from speakers instead of sing traditional song . For a better experience , try the local vaporetto water buses instead . They cost merely a few euros and give you like view without the tourist markup .

2 . Worth It : Machu Picchu at Sunrise

Become up at 3:30 AM to hike in the night might sound mad , but watching the Sunday illuminate Machu Picchu exist genuinely magical . The early morning lighting produce this golden glow over the ancient stones that photographers dream about .

Morning visitors come to experience the site with significantly fewer crowd . The peaceful atmosphere let you connect with the position in a way that ’ s impossible by midday . Still with the high entrance fee and challenging journey , that first moment meet the ruin issue from the morning mist is priceless .

3 . Skip It : The Mona Lisa at the Louvre

Seeing the Mona Lisa in person exist one of my large travel letdowns always .The painting ride behind bulletproof glass , surrounded by hundreds of tourists holding up phone and selfie stick . You ’ ll likely pass more time waiting in line than actually look at the artwork .

When you finally reach the presence , guards hasten you along to go on the crowd moving . The Louvre houses over 35,000 amazing artworks that you can enjoy without the chaos . I found masterpieces like Winged Victory and Venus de Milo a lot more impressive and accessible .

4 . Worth It : Japan ’ s Robot Restaurant

Loud , chaotic , and utterly eccentric – Japan ’ s Robot Restaurant defies explanation but delivers pure entertainment . The sensory overload of neon lighting , pounding music , and giant robot struggle produce an experience you won ’ t find anywhere else . Yes , the food is mediocre and overpriced ( skip the meal option ) .

But the 90-minute show featuring dancers , dinosaurs , and robot warriors is so uniquely Japanese that I couldn ’ t stop smiling . Situate in Tokyo ’ s Shinjuku district , this technicolor spectacle make up Japan ’ s perfect blend of tradition and futuristic weirdness that makes it worth every yen .

5 . Hop It : Times Square on New Year ’ s Eve

Television reach the Times Square ball drop feeling magical , but the reality involves tolerate for 12+ hours without bathrooms , food , or the ability to get out your spot . My experience be miserable – freezing temperatures , impossible-to-see entertainment , and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds .

Protection restrictions mean no backpacks , no alcohol , and real special personal point . Many mass resort to wearing adult diapers because there ’ s literally nowhere to move ! If you need to go through New Year ’ sec in NYC , believe a restaurant with a view , a hotel party , or literally anything else besides the actual square .

6 . Worth It : Northern Lights in Iceland

Mother Nature ’ s light show populate up to every bit of hype . Tolerate under whirl green dawn dance across the night sky create a profound feeling that photo merely can ’ t capture .The unpredictability adds to the magic – you might await for hours in the cold before abruptly witnessing ribbons of color unfurl above you .

When it find , the collective gasp from everyone watching remind you that some experience in truth unite humanity . While circuit can equal expensive and sightings aren ’ t guaranteed , the instant those lights seem cause every inconvenience fade off immediately .

7 . Skip It : The Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen

Talk about underwhelming ! Copenhagen ’ s Little Mermaid statue sits far from the city heart , yet tourists flock there solely to find a little bronze form perched on rocks in murky water . The statue stands just four foot tall and is constantly surround by people shove for photos .

Much vandalized with paint or even beheaded ( respective time ! ) , she rarely await as pristine as in professional photo . Denmark bid thus many well attractions – Tivoli Gardens , Nyhavn ’ s colored harbor , or the fascinating Christiania community – all more rewarding than this tiny disappointing landmark .

8 . Worth It : Float with Bioluminescent Plankton in Thailand

Floating in warm ocean water while thousand of tiny organism light up like blue stars around your body tone like magic . The experience of swimming through living glitter at dark creates memory that stay with you forever . Many tour companies extend this experience , but choose a less-crowded beach makes all the dispute .

I visited Koh Rong in Cambodia rather than the more famed Maya Bay in Thailand , avoiding the party atmosphere .The darkest dark around the novel moon offer the better visibility .When you flap your hand underwater and follow the plankton illuminate like fairy debris , it ’ s worth every effort to become there .

9 . Skip It : Riding Elephant in Thailand

Years ago , I make the fault of riding elephant in Thailand , not understand the cruelty behind this tourist action . These intelligent creature endure brutal “ training ” involving hooks , chains , and separation from their mother as babies . Elephant spines aren ’ t design to carry weight on their backs .

The wooden seats cause painful sores , and the animals often work without adequate water , shade , or rest . Instead , visit ethical sanctuaries where elephants roam freely and tourist notice from a distance . Look on these magnificent creatures splash in mud baths and interact naturally equal far more rewarding than exploitative ride .

10 . Worth It : Petra by Night in Jordan

Walking through the narrow Siq canyon maneuver merely by candlelight creates an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation . Then suddenly , the Treasury building appear , illuminated by hundreds of candles flickering against the rose-colored rock . During regular hour , Petra become crowded with circuit group and vendors .

But at night , limited ticket mean you experience the ancient city in relative tranquility , with traditional Bedouin music echo against the cliffs . The three-hour evening program costs extra beyond the regular entrance fee , but experiencing this Wonder of the World by candlelight transforms it into something really magical .

11 . Skip It : The Blarney Stone in Ireland

Kissing the Blarney Stone appear like a quintessential Irish experience until I see myself waiting two hours to awkwardly hang upside down over a castle wall .Local legends take the stone grant “ the gift of gossip ” to those who kiss it .What they don ’ t reference is that thousands of tourist bid their lip to this same surface daily .

Despite staff occasionally wipe it down , the hygiene component is severely questionable . Ireland offers countless authentic experiences – traditional music sessions in local pubs , dramatic coastal walks , or conversation with friendly locals – all more rewarding than this gimmicky attraction .

12 . Worth It : The Grand Canyon at Sunset

Photos never act justice to the Grand Canyon ’ s immensity . Standing at the rim as the setting Sunday transform the stone layer into bands of red , orange , and purple produce a sense of awe that ’ s hard to report . Notice a quieter viewpoint away from the main visitor field enhances the experience .

I boost merely 15 minutes from a popular lookout and of a sudden get a striking view almost alone to myself . Despite being one of America ’ s most visited natural attraction , the canyon ’ s vastness means you can however find solitude .

Those instant of still reflection face up one of Earth ’ sec great wonder are in truth priceless .

13 . Hop It : Overpriced Eiffel Tower Restaurant

My meal at the Eiffel Tower ’ sec restaurant ranks as one of my most expensive as yet disappointing dining experience ever . The food was mediocre at well , with bland dishes clearly mass-produced for tourists . Service felt rushed and impersonal despite the premium cost .

While the views cost undeniably outstanding , you ’ re fundamentally give hundred of euros for the location rather than the culinary experience . For memorable Parisian dining , explore the city ’ s neighborhood bistros instead .

You ’ ll enjoy authentic French cuisine at sensible prices and interact with locals kinda than just fellow tourist .

14 . Worth It : Street Food Tours in Mexico City

Follow a local guide through Mexico City ’ s bustling markets and street stalls opened my eyes to flavor I never knew existed . From blue corn tlacoyos exceed with nopales to complex mole sauces with 20+ ingredients , each bite order a history of ethnic heritage .

Many traveler worry about have sick from street food , but knowledgeable guides take you to safe , hygienic vendors they personally entrust .The authentic interaction with food vendors create connections no restaurant experience can fit .

For around $ 50 , these circuit provide 3-4 hours of non-stop eating and ethnic insight that would exist impossible to discover independently .

15 . Skip It : Overrated Beach Resorts in Cancun

Massive all-inclusive resorts in Cancun ’ s Hotel Zone predict paradise but hand over something closer to a crowded theme park with beach . Awake up at 6 AM to set aside pond chair turn a daily chore , and the “ exclusive ” beaches were packed with sunburned tourist .

Food quality at many all-inclusives scope from mediocre to just edible . Watered-down drinking from plastic cups just match the tropical fantasy advertise in brochures .

Mexico bid incredible coastal experience in less developed areas like Holbox , Bacalar , or the Oaxaca coast , where you ’ ll find authentic culture alongside genuinely pristine beach .

16 . Worth It : Cherry Blossom Season in Kyoto

Time a trip to coincide with Japan ’ s cherry blossom season involve luck and planning , but witness Kyoto transformed by pink blooms is truly spectacular . The momentary nature of the blossom ( they final only about a week ) adds to their cultural implication .

While popular bit like Philosopher ’ s Path get crowd , I found magical moments by exploring lesser-known temples early in the morning . Follow dawn through cherry-laden branch while monks perform dawn rituals make memory I ’ ll never forget .

Even with higher seasonal prices and progress bookings demand , go through this ancient city during hanami ( flower viewing ) season live worth every effort .

17 . Skip It : Overrated Santorini Sunset Spots

Those utter Instagram shots of Santorini sundown put on ’ t show the hundred of tourists packed into tiny viewing sphere in Oia . My experience demand being elbowed and pushed while seek to glimpse the famous blue domes and sundown .Restaurants in choice sunset locations charge astronomical prices for mediocre food .

Many require minimal spending amounts or reservation deposits simply for the privilege of look on the Sunday go down . Or else , I discovered that hiking to less popular village like Imerovigli put up equally stunning caldera view without the crowds . The sundown is beautiful from anywhere on the island ’ s western edge !

18 . Worth It : Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia

Floating mutely above Cappadocia ’ s otherworldly landscape as hundred of colorful balloon rise around you creates a surreal , dreamlike experience .The early dawn wake-up shout ( around 4 AM ) equal rapidly forgotten once you ’ re airborne .

Watching dawn illuminate the fairy chimneys , cave dwellings , and unique stone establishment from above offers perspective impossible to appreciate from ground floor . The pilots skillfully navigate between valleys , sometimes go down low plenty to meet detail of the ancient cave homes .

Though expensive ( €150-250 per someone ) , this bucket-list experience delivers such overwhelming beauty that I ’ ve never listen anyone regret the splurge .

19 . Hop It : Overcrowded Maya Bay in Thailand

Reach noted by Leonardo DiCaprio ’ s film “ The Beach , ” Maya Bay became a victim of its own popularity . Before its temporary shutdown for ecological recovery , over 5,000 visitors arrived daily to this little beach cove . My experience necessitate boats line up bumper-to-bumper and hundreds of tourists packed onto a small stretch of sand .

The noise , bunch , and boat smoke destroy any sense of the tropical paradise portray in the picture . Thailand offers countless beautiful beaches that stay relatively untouched . Exploring island like Koh Lanta or more remote part of Koh Phangan provide the authentic tropical experience Maya Bay can no longer redeem .

20 . Worth It : Watching Wildlife in the Galapagos

Few home on Earth grant such near skirmish with wildlife totally unafraid of human . Walking alongside giant tortoises , float with playful sea lions , and watching blue-footed boobies perform couple dancing just foot away feels like stepping into a nature documentary .

The Galapagos ’ strict visitor limitations and conservation exertion signify you receive these islands much as Darwin do . Despite the high cost of getting there and touring the islands , the pristine ecosystem and unique wildlife cause it worth every penny .

Have a knowledgeable naturalist guide explain the evolutionary implication of what you ’ re seeing , translate a beautiful trip into an educational journey .