My pregnant wife and I just took a trip to Tulum to relax and unwind a few months before our child is born. Before we lefts we got some side eyes from friends saying things like “it used to be great there but it’s influencer hell now” and “it’s not REAL Mexico”, etc. Yeah, no shit. We’ve travelled before to countries and renting cars, driving all over, staying in tiny towns for cultural experiences. That’s not what we wanted. We rented a nice room in a tiny boutique hotel that wasn’t too expensive. All we’ve done is lay on the beach in perfect weather, eat good food, do yoga, and chill. We don’t party and have steered way clear of that desperate scene. We’re here to relax. It’s like people think that unless you’re renting a truck and driving through the far reaches of Oaxaca to find the one true unspoiled mezcal, then you aren’t in Mexico. Is it touristy? Sure. Is it relaxing- hell yeah. Get off your high horses, travel snobs. You can have both, you know.
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You can go on holiday wherever you want and do whatever you want.
You really don’t need to justify your actions to the internet.
If you’re in Mexico then you’re in Mexico. It’s that simple.
It’s like going to an All Inclusive resort. Is it generic, where you could be on any beach? Yup. But it’s also a good way to just go and relax, not have to worry about racking up extra costs, figuring out where to eat, etc. Sometimes we just want to be somewhere where there’s nothing to worry about.
Agreed. I’ve lived in two foreign countries to completely immerse myself in the culture and language. I’ve traveled quite a bit in Central and South America, and Europe.
We are going to the Caribbean for a long weekend to go to an all inclusive resort and I doubt we leave the property on this trip. Both of us are overworked right now. The most difficult decision we want to make is beach or pool, and which restaurant for dinner. If others don’t want to take that kind of vacation, they don’t have to.
I’m not even sure what you mean? Unless you’re eating McDonald’s and burgerking in the country you’re visiting it’s authentic.
Real mexico is ending up in two different suitcases
You get to take the journey you like. And sure at some spots tourists will be there but this idea that you can somehow become not a tourist and emerge yourself in the culture etc. Is bullshit and always was. I mean you can go for three months alone and get to know people but that’s not the usual holiday. So you’re doomed to be a tourist anyway. And sure influencers exist but why would anyone let that stand in the way of a good trip…
Nowadays, nothing feels authentic, and as a tourist, you will often encounter fake or staged experiences wherever you go.
Agree. Much like the people in samegrass who shit on cities they’ve never been to because they don’t have “culture”. Travel and culture is what you choose to make of it, and it’s only for you, no one else (unless you’re a travel writer/content creator).
Those people that say things like that ‘Oh dont go to a resort rent out a little villa in a cute town to get the real experience’
Uhh no thanks, im gonna to to that resort, sit my ass in a pool for a week straight, drink 900 beers and overeat everyday thank you very much
when I was in my mid twenties and working at a super boring job, I loved to travel and do it the “authentic” way, not planning too much, avoiding tourist traps, engaging with locals, staying in hostels or with people I knew. It was lovely, but I was absolutely one of THOSE people who turned their nose up at group travel tours, all inclusive resorts, and people who didn’t want to truly experience different cultures.
Then I started working in a high stress field and I understood the appeal of a vacation on a beach where I didn’t have to go anywhere or make any decisions and all my needs were taken care of for me, and I look back on the old me like I was kind of an asshole.
Just let people live and be happy
Sounds like vacationing and not traveling.
Vacationing is for relaxation and traveling is for exploring and experiencing the culture. People have confused the two and completely lost the context of either.
What is real mexico? Or any country? Countries can be many things.
Places are touristy usually because they’re amazing places! Miami Beach, New York, Paris, Rome, they’re all amazing cities to see! I find food to be worth using Maps or Yelp to find good places. A lot of the easy places near the major sites are overpriced and lower quality.
Move to a place if you want authentic.
I don’t care where people go, but people that just go on Disney world like locations are missing out and being charged way more money
Some people speak out about it because they know old white people that are basically afraid of the local population and look at the them as others
Traveling to Cuba to sit on a white sand beach and drink mojitos for 7 days straight is perfection
I love Sonoran cuisine, went to Hermosillo. Outside of food there is a hill as far as tourist attractions. Wen’t to Cabo San Lucas, was offered drugs every five minutes. I’d choose Hermo. There’s no such thing as authenticity
Yeah, I always kinda roll my eyes when I see posts in travel or city dedicated subs from travellers who want to experience a city like a local and only want to do things that locals do.
Rich people problems.
By that logic, Disneyland isn’t “real America” and people that come here should go stay in a barn in Ames Iowa.
I think another thing they’re referencing is the cost. If I wanted to lie on a beach in the sun I wouldn’t go to Tulum or Cabo as so many places are essentially American pricing in Mexico which as mentioned are inflated because of the influencer culture. Normally if you mention you’re going to one of these places it’s not assumed you are renting a peaceful boutique hotel away from everything and getting a good rate on stay and food, that’s probably why people are reacting like that.
Who are you arguing with?
Not cool of your friends to be snobby like that. Sounds like you and your wife know how to vacation though, as in that you know very clearly what you want out of your downtime.
Many countries need those “tourist traps” in order to have a bustling tourism industry and usually many of those areas tend to be safer for those not familiar with what areas to avoid. I completely get it and I like doing a mix of touristy activities and more “hidden gems” when I travel. I haven’t done too much international travel but I will absolutely be sticking to the safer, ‘proven’ areas during my next few international trips. Your girl is not tryna get killed abroad.
That being said, I will say that the one time that I turn my nose up a little is when people go to places such as my ancestral homeland (India) and act like they’ve been there/understand the culture when they have been in the most western parts of the nation. I don’t expect them to put their safety at risk by going to random areas in India (that would be reckless) but at the same time, don’t try to act like you “know” the culture/country when you’ve only stayed in areas accessible to the wealthy.. You going to the Taj Mahal and staying at a 5 star hotel is not the same as someone who has gone to villages etc.
Idk if Jamaica removed a lot of their culture just for the approval of tourists. I would be upset too. It’s like being going to somebodies house but being upset with their pictures or even choice of music and entertainment as not allowing you to relax on your own terms.
My dad was a nice guy, but so clueless in some respects. We went to a Native American museum in Santa Fe (?) and he kept complaining because the artifacts were “too modern.” I said, “Dad, you realize that Native Americans are still around, right? And their lifestyles have changed a bit over the years!!” He didn’t seem to hear me.
But you could have scored internet clout points by getting that mescal.