How to Really Get Off The Beaten Track

Throughout the evolution of travel the term ‘get off the beaten track’ hasĀ becomeĀ synonymous with the idealistic wanderer who desperately craves a new perspective onĀ the already overĀ worn tourist trails. Perhaps theyā€™ve watched movies like Into The Wild and The Beach a few too many times, longing for that special place in the world that hasnā€™t yet been ruined by tacky bars and cheap knock off sunglasses. Or maybe they want to be the first personĀ to explore an exciting new destination, before hostels and hotels open up the market to the hordes of vacationers and holiday goers.

Itā€™s no wonder thatĀ phrases such as ‘get off the beaten track’ and ‘off the grid travel’ have become so appealing to travelers thatĀ look to the world as a place of mystery and discovery. The sense of desperation to claim these hidden hideouts has also been accelerated in our ever increasingly small and interconnected world. Every year untouched and untainted locations are becoming more difficult to find and even more expensive to travel to as people push the boundaries to find their own personal paradise.

But finding a spot thatā€™s truly off the tourist trail is a lot more difficult than it sounds. You canā€™t simply jump on a random bus in El Salvador or Cambodia and let it take you out to the middle of nowhere unless you have some idea of what lies ahead. Particularly in some of the sketchier places around the world you always need to consider your own personal safety first. So with that in mind here’s a look at how to really get off the beaten track on your next trip!

 

Get Off The Beaten Track

 

Do Your Homework

Yes itā€™s probably true that if itā€™s written in a guidebook, or posted all over travel blogs, that the location isnā€™t as secluded as youā€™d like, but it pays to get a wide selection of opinions. There is plenty of information that can still lead you to a quiet corner of the world without worrying too much about an overflow of ambitious travelers following the same advice. With the abundance of travel blogs out there these days, try to throw the little guys a bone and search deeper than the first Google page. Chances are you’ll find some bright up-and-comer who’s discovered the next best thing.

 

Hire/Buy a Motorbike or Car

By far the best adventures we have had on this trip come from our travels via motorbike. Whether itā€™s renting bikes to get around the island of Phuket,Ā cruising through the Cambodian countrysideĀ or buying a bike in the Philippines to tour the whole country beachĀ by beach. Being able to stop when you want to stop, for as long as you want to stay, really increases your level of freedom on the road. With the right research and information youĀ can find all those spots that only locals get to, or that travelersĀ can’t access because tourist transport doesn’t service the area. Plus, it can save you a lot of money in transport costs if you hire your own bikeĀ for a day and hit up a bunch of different spots.

 

Get off the beaten track

 

Travel Slow

The beauty of slow travel might not appeal to everyone, but when youā€™ve got the time itā€™s the best way to get off the beaten track. Most people who have limited time choose the top tourist spots, so they rarely have time to explore their widerĀ surrounding. And rightly so if youā€™ve got a tight schedule. If you were only in Cambodia for a week then youā€™d prioritize Angkor Wat over little Banlung. However, if you were there any longer Iā€™d say definitely pencil it in. All around the world there are hiddenĀ locations on the fringe of major tourist attractions just waiting to be explored. Traveling slow also gives you more time to do your research and find the best/cheapest ways to get out to the locations you want to explore.

 

Get Off The Beaten Track

 

Make Friends With Locals

Part of traveling slow also gives you the added opportunity to lay a few extra roots in each spot that you stay. In doing so you get the chance to meet locals that know their countryā€™s secret spots better than anyone. Not only will they give you the local perspective on these places, but youā€™ll also learn a lot more about the culture and history of the country youā€™re staying in. Local friends are also great because they have the hook ups for places to stay and eat in area that have yet to be saturated with tourists. And they speak the local language, so it’s always easier to travel with them. Broaden your horizons away from the standard backpacker crowd, there are so many awesome new local friends out there waiting to meet you!

 

Get Off The Beaten Track

 

Learn the Language

This is a little easier said than done, especially if youā€™re off to somewhere completely linguistically different to your native tongue; like Vietnam or Indonesia for an English speaker. But give it a shot, learning a bit of the language will definitely help you navigate local transport and negotiate good deals on places to stay and eat. Cuba would not have been the same for us without being able to speak some moderate Spanish, and weā€™ve heard others struggle to escape the delicately mapped out tourist route without having a few more words than ā€˜dos cervezas, por favorā€™. Do a quick Google search for the top phrases, write them down in a notebook and then take them out to practice for a day. You’ll be speaking like a local in no time… sort of!

 

There are always more ways to get off the beaten track if youā€™re willing to sacrifice a little more. Sometimes youā€™ll have to be prepared to ditch the modern day comforts of hot showered hostels and breakfast-includedĀ backpackers, but you’ll unlock the true meaning of exploration and discovery as you find the locations that inspire a new generation of travelers.

How do you get off the beaten track?

11 thoughts on “How to Really Get Off The Beaten Track”

  1. Great tips guys! We found that getting a motorbike was really the best way to have our own adventures. The other thing that I would say is slow travel really helps — on teh days when you aren’t checking out the ‘must-see’ temple or museum, and just wandering the backalleys of hutongs in Beijing, that’s when the real adventure happens — no motorcycle or any other special prep needed, just time. Sadly, too many visitors never have the time to let adventures happen…

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  2. Great post! The tourist hotspots are so for a reason, we shouldn’t forget that, but I also love going to quitter places for relaxation and exploration, it’s a great way of getting to see the culture instead of just the sights. Great tips, all ones I have/ will use in my travels šŸ™‚

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    • Definitely agree, Gemma. The popular places are popular for a reason and usually have something to offer. Unfortunately, they are sometimes so overcrowded with tourists that they ruin whatever natural beauty they once had! Getting off the beaten track is definitely a good way to go, at least every once in a while! Thanks for commenting!

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  3. Thank you for some great tips. It is always easier to get to know the destination when getting away from the tourist areas. šŸ™‚

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  4. I love the idea of combining slow travel with learning the language. What better way to collect with locals? Especially if you are in a smaller town. Thanks so much for such a great article!

    Reply

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