Top 10 Overrated Things to do While Traveling

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I, like many people in the world, love to travel. If you are an avid traveler too, you probably have noticed like I have that we don’t all have the same idea when we say “I like to travel.” While I respect different people’s choice of destination and activities, some choices continue to baffle me. Here is my top 10 list (in descending order) of questionable choices, activities, or travel styles that I find simply overrated. If there is something I missed, add it in the comments.

#10 Going to a Destination via Cruise Ship

I start with this because it is the only item on the list for which I have no personal experience. However, it doesn’t take a genius to realize the downfalls of traveling by cruise ship. For starters, when you are at sea, it is the equivalent of staying in a nice hotel (see #6) and not going outside to actually experience the country. When you finally do arrive somewhere, you are unloading with a horde of five thousand other tourists pushing and shoving to make the most out of the time they have in this place. What would be worse, is being in an overpriced tour sold to you by the cruise ship (see #2). There is absolutely nothing unique about doing the same exact trip that five thousand people are doing. If I haven’t scared you away yet, maybe their recent safety record or appalling food quality (independently tested) should.

#9 Bring Excessive Luggage

As any wise traveler will tell you, MAKE A LIST and stick to it. Now, I am not saying not to bring extra socks or an extra shirt just in case. However, you are on vacation and there are many things you can do without. Extra baggage will only slow you down and make it impossible to do some of the more impulsive things while traveling. While I like to have a “home base,” whether it be a hotel or hostel, it is also important to be mobile, especially during longer trips. I have heard that things like “travel de-humidifiers” exist…. come on….really?! You can handle a little humidity for a few days or traveling might not be for you. I am proud to say that I used everything I brought with me on my last four trips and packing light has been a huge help. Now, many travelers don’t understand what is meant by ‘light’ so here are some rules of thumb:

1-2 days: Bring a small backpack

3-5 days: Bring a large backpack

6-12 days: Bring a travel backpack or a very small rolling luggage

12+ days: A combination of the above, and consider washing your clothes while traveling. Trust me, that hassle is not as big as the hassle of pulling up twenty kilos up three flights of stairs.

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Three More Things to do in (Southern) Seoul, Korea (Near Express Bus Terminal) (pt.2)

Julio Moreno South Korea , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Seoul is the city I currently live in, so naturally, I have a lot of great things to say about it. Here are three more things to do in Southern Seoul using the Express Bus Terminal Subway Exit as a reference point. I am using that station as a starting point because it is a good central location in the South side of Seoul, and a likely location for visitors who take the long distance buses to locations outside of Seoul to places like Yeoju (King Sejong’s Tomb). However, you can of course see these any time you are in southern Seoul. This is essentially a “part 3” post, so in case you missed the first two articles, they are here, and here.

1) Bongeunsa Temple and Temple Stay

Bongeunsa is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Seoul. Despite what websites like tripadvisor might tell you, it is actually quite easy to find a Buddhist temple in Seoul. However, just like you wouldn’t tour just any regular church, most Buddhist temples are meant for meditating or praying, not tourism. This one however is quite impressive for its size and history given that it is in the heart of Seoul. Most of the other important temples in Korea, such as Haeinsa Temple near Daegu (article coming soon) or Bulguksa Temple near Gyeongju (also coming soon) are quite far from the city and are deserving of a trip in their own right. Bongeunsa however, is perfect for people on a “time budget” who don’t have an extra day to visit far away temples.

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Three More Things to do Near or Inside Sian Ka’an (pt.2)

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The Yucatan Peninsula is not only awesome, but far enough from the violence that often makes the headlines in Mexico. Here, few people are fearful of drug lords and turf wars, so feel free to explore around a bit. The Sian Ka’an (what is Sian Ka’an? click here) area is just filled with things to do which could take a month to really explore it all. Since we don’t have that long, here are three more things to do (in addition to the other three mentioned in this previous post):

1) Visit the Ruins of Muyil (Chunyaxche) (inside Sian Ka’an)

This is a bit of a cheat because I didn’t personally go here. However, it would be foolish to simply ignore this and not mention that it exists just because I didn’t plan my visit with enough time. These ruins are a few kilometers into Sian Ka’an from the west side (from the modern city of Tulum). They are not as big as the famous Chichen Itza ruins, but were also once a Mayan city. They take about an hour to explore by most accounts, and is just fifteen minutes away from the main road (there will be signs).

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Three Things to do Near or Inside Sian Ka’an (pt.1)

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Sian Ka’an is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. If you haven’t seen my post, read that article first. However, now that you are in the area, what else should you do? Furthermore, inside of Sian Ka’an, what is there to do? Fortunately, these questions have very satisfying answers.

1) Track Dolphins and Sea Turtles (inside Sian Ka’an)

As you enter the town of Punta Allen, you might see some signs for “eco-tours.” Some of the town people have grown an appreciation for observing the wildlife, without harming it. In this spirit, they offer a boat ride to see some dolphins and sea turtles. The longer tours can also include viewing eagles in their nests, and crocodiles. The boat also navigates through rivers fenced by mangrove trees. It is quite a surreal experience.

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Sian Ka’an

Julio Moreno Mexico, UNESCO World Heritage Site , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment
Sian Ka’an

Mangroves 3Location: (Near) Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Visited: January 3-7 2011

Background and Opinion:

In a few words, Sian Ka’an is the Amazon of North America. No amount of praise can do justice to the beauty that is Sian Ka’an. This Biosphere Reserve is on the Yucatan Peninsula and is home to so many species of animals, including mammals like pumas, jaguars, dolphins, and manatees. In addition, development within this area is strictly regulated making for a pristine and truly natural environment. If nature isn’t enough, on the western side, there are some fairly untouched Mayan ruins, so go fulfill your need to act the part of Indiana Jones just this once.

Sian Ka’an is a fairly large reserve, so it was not possible to explore all of it. I took the east most route into the reserve, which is a very thin peninsula that goes from Tulum to Punta Allen, 50 km inside Sian Ka’an. The drive has thus far, been the single most memorable one in my life, surpassing the route between the Angkor Temples, along Pacific Coast Highway, or along the Okinawan coast in Japan.

Imagine this: You are driving along a single dirt road. You don’t see people or cars for the next two hours after entering the ‘Arco’ (Gateway). Then suddenly you hear noises in the dense forest next to you. When you stop to investigate, you see some large eyes and what looks like a monkey. He scurries away. As you try to find it again, you see it and about five of its family members cross the single dirt road. Or, imagine that you finally reach a small town deep inside a forest, and the first person you talk to asks “want to go see some dolphins?” Final scenario: You reach the ‘welcome center’ 10 km inside of Sian Ka’an, and are told there is an observation deck up some stairs. While you are up there, you look in all directions and see nothing but palm trees, a huge lagoon, and the Caribbean Sea as far as the eye can see, without a human in sight. If all three of these excite you, Sian Ka’an is for you.

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