So...what exactly do I mean by a "tourist trap"?

Picture this. Imagine you are scrolling through Instagram, and you start seeing photos of this beautiful geothermal spa... steam is rising off the water, Icelandic mountains can be seen in the distance... you can almost feel the still peacefulness of the setting. You've been planning a trip to Iceland, so you add this magical place to your itinerary. The morning of your scheduled visit, you awake feeling invigorated and excited to explore this new location.

Fast forward... you arrive. The line to check in is out the door. You finally make your way through only to find swarms of other tourists in the locker room, so crowded that it takes you an hour to find an empty locker and change. You make you way carefully out to the lagoon, surrounded by people rushing to the locker rooms, the restaurant, and the traditional café that overlooks the property. Now if you're like me, by the time you've gotten to this point, you are stressed to the max and your peaceful envision of this location has totally vanished. ----PAUSE. So yes, I am describing the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. I will go into more depth about this travel destination below, but I just wanted you to get the idea of what this article will entail.

This blog post will go into further detail about the top 5 locations I have been that were somewhat disappointing due to their glorified tourist marketing tactics, which you don't always see online or in social media.

That being said, I would never advise against going to these places. They are clearly popular for a reason and often do hold value to being visited. However, I would like to make you aware of how important it is to really do research on destinations prior to booking a trip, and to be prepared for the over crowding leading to a less than fulfilling experience.

The top 5 tourist traps that I fell for ⬇

1 - Blue Lagoon, Iceland

So regardless of my rant above, I would still recommend visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. It really was beautiful, in fact it is considered one of the 25 wonders of the word. I was lucky enough to go early and miss the major crowds for part of my visit. My tips would be; go in the off season if you can, go very early in the morning, and go on a week day. If you're really feeling luxurious, maybe even book a room with them which offers private access to the geothermal pool.

entrance to the Blue Lagoon ^

So even though I did enjoy my experience, the following reasons are what made this feel like a tourist trap, and are things people should be aware of before going --- Nicely put, I felt like I was at a water park.

I was lucky enough to have a time slot booked for earlier in the day, however I still had to stand in line to enter.

Once I entered the facility, it was a pretty seamless process. I was able to change, find a locker, and shower easily (they require you to shower before entering the pool to prevent contamination).

The pool is very large so it is easy for people to spread out, but it did start to become very crowded very quickly. There is a stand inside the building where you can purchase (overpriced) snacks and beverages, and there is a bar in the lagoon water itself. They offer floating therapy and massages, which I signed up for (have to get the full experience!) The massage was nice, but it wasn't particularly a "stand-out" experience. I'll leave it up to you whether you take on that endeavor. 😉

Between the large groups of people throughout the establishment, the tourist catered amenities (souvenir shop, refreshments, spa, etc.) and the over crowded locker room, I definitely felt like I was more inside a tourist trap than anything else.

Again, would I still recommend visiting this unique landmark? Absolutely. Just be aware that the magical empty, vast blue water you see in Instagram photos is not reality. 🙃

2 - Machu Picchu, Peru

Peru is truly a magical place. The vast mountains and vegetation are beyond what words can describe.

Let me start by saying to get to Machu Picchu, I chose to do an Inca Trail Trek. This experience was absolutely incredible. We were part of a small group partaking on a 4 day trek. We didn't see many other people along the trail, other than at the camp sites at night. It was a peaceful and educational experience to witness the history of this sacred land and trail.

admiring the view along the Inca Trail ^

The peace and quiet (unfortunately and surprisingly) ended on the final day when we reached Machu Picchu. Once we arrived at the Sun Gate, which is the overlook of the entire mountain, all other treks and tour groups began to arrive around the same time. We had to wait in line to get that "famous shot" with Machu Picchu in the background. Although, I have to admit, the view was pretty incredible.

view from the Sun Gate ^

Once we finished the short walk from the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, this is when the realization of tourism set in. The site was packed. After spending so many days of stillness on the trail, it truly was like culture shock. The buses and train cars full of people, the lines waiting to get into the site, restaurant, and shop were endless. The site itself was also very crowded, making it difficult to hear our tour guide and to snap photos. As fascinating as it was to see this historic site, the crowds honestly made me feel sad and took away from the overall experience. I was imagining a more intimate experience, and was hoping to learn a lot at the actual site, but this was not possible.

You may wonder, why would the crowds made me sad if they are there for the same reason? Because it was obvious that many people had taken the quick train/bus just to be able to "say they were here" and have photos for proof. It was a discouraging atmosphere.

Similarly to the Blue Lagoon though, I would never discourage or not recommend seeing Machu Picchu. If you do want to experience a richer history and have a more intimate experience, I highly recommend completing one of the many multi-day treks that are offered, if you have time. It will certainly help you feel more connected to the site.

3 - Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is located along the Colorado River, right outside of Page, Arizona.

The site is considered part of Glen Canyon, belonging to the National Park Service. The parking lot, however, belongs to the city, and therefore requires a fee.

From the parking lot, it is approximately a 1.5 mile walk to the overlook. The overlook features fencing for safety, and quite a few vantage points for photos. The overlook was crowded. My heart always falls a little when I see people only taking photos of themselves at a natural site, making themselves the focus of the photo. I love taking pictures of myself at locations like this, don't get me wrong. It just isn't what I choose to focus on given the natural beauty of the setting.

Not only were the crowds a disappointment, but there was quite a bit of litter. Plastic bottles that had fallen over the fencing, becoming wedged between rocks. Overall, the tourist drive of this location, again....a famous photo opportunity, slightly took away from the enjoyment of being there.

So...should you waste your time going to see Horseshoe Bend? Despite what I wrote above, YES. It really is a natural wonder in my opinion. It reflects the true magic of nature itself. The canyon was formed by water following the path of least resistance. Surrounded by a dense sandstone, the sandstone functioned as a barrier, forcing the water to follow the sharp bend throw softer rocks.

4 - African Safari, Tanzania

I have mixed feelings about this one, and wasn't sure if I should include it. But here is my story.

After my Kilimanjaro climb, I wanted to make the most of my remaining time in Tanzania. We decided to add a safari to our itinerary, and visited the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater itself was formed 2.5 million years ago when an extinct volcano collapsed on itself. The inside of the crater is approximately 12 miles across, and is home to over 25,000 large animals.

The experience was certainly interesting, as we saw various wildlife and species within the 5 hour timeframe. The natural environment

While they do limit the number of permits per day for the Crater, it still seemed a little overdone. It was a long day that seemed to drag on a bit. Every tour group stops at the same lake and restroom facility for lunch, which really opens your eyes to how many people are there at a given time. Like I said, I wasn't sure if I should include this as I do feel it is more personal preference. I just didn't feel enthralled or mystified by the experience. It could also have something to do with the fact that I just finished a 7 day trek up and down a mountain. 🤷🏻‍♀️

5 - Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

Okay...if you are in or near Yellowstone, do NOT miss this opportunity. The Grand Prismatic Spring offers so much to learn about nature, and is as beautiful as all of the photos you see around the internet. However... be prepared for LOTS of people.

There are two vantage points from which you can take photos. You can be on level ground with the spring, on which there is a built path to walk along. Or you can view it from slightly higher (I recommend this option) on an elevated platform. A path leads to here from the parking lot.

No matter which option you choose, it will be crowded. Patience is key in this setting. Just try to focus on the raw beauty of this natural element rather than the crowds of people around you, and you will make the most of this experience.

It is the largest hot spring in the United States, and is the most photographed thermal feature within Yellowstone (hence the crowds). Visit this website for some fun and interesting facts about the Grand Prismatic!

So, there you have it. Those are (some of) the top destinations I've been to where I felt the tourism was heavy and targeted. Again, I can't say this enough, I wouldn't discourage anyone from visiting any of these destinations....this post is simply intended to warn those before arriving. The peaceful, pretty, simple photos you see on "the gram" aren't always accurate. 😉

Cheers, and happy adventures, my friends!