If you’re the kind of person that loves to travel the globe, you’ll know that there are so many routes to travel. You could shell out your hard-earned money on the most luxurious destinations and the most expensive hotels, you could backpack your way through hostels and to your most desired countries, or you could just buy a one-way ticket to somewhere and see where you end up. More and more people are choosing to stray away from the tourist destinations and travel off the beaten path, but is this really the right decision? We go through the pros and cons.

Pro: You get to experience real travel

When you stay on the tourist path during your traveling adventure, you normally only see the things that tourist boards and governing bodies want you to see – and normally what they want you to pay for. While these are normally amazing attractions that really do need to be seen to be believed, traveling off the beaten path allows you to experience real travel that you decide on yourself. You never know; by doing this, you may find attractions that are even more beautiful and even less crowded.

Con: It’s difficult to plan your next move

When you travel off the beaten path, you normally end up in the middle of nowhere, away from major transport hubs. If you don’t speak the local language, this could make it extremely difficult for you to plan your next move. You may be so deep into a destination that getting out of it and onto your next stop could take you days or even weeks, and this can be pretty scary for people who like to plan where they’re going, where they’re going to sleep, and what they’re going to eat.

Pro: You can immerse yourself in local culture

One of the best ways to really see the world and see what each destination is like is to immerse yourself in the local culture. These people do not put on a show to entice tourists, and they do not have tourists as their main customers. Because of this, they are completely authentic, with many of them following local traditions or religions. This can be a great way to see how other people live and to see how different the world can be in certain areas.

Con: It may not be as safe or as well connected

While there’s no doubt about the fact that traveling is completely safe, it’s normally safer for tourists when they are in the main areas of the country or destination. These areas are normally full of hostels and restaurants, and there are normally people nearby who speak your language. When you take yourself off the beaten path, these things become less common, and this can make you feel less safe. Of course, this isn’t always the case.

Are you planning on traveling off the beaten path? It will certainly be an experience, so make sure you are well prepared.