➡ Section #9 – It’s a Party & I’ll Cry if I want to!

Tours & Parties Await

           It’s a party and I’ll cry if I want to. Those were always funny lyrics for me to hear because I didn’t understand them. why would I cry if I was having a party? This same idea can be seen when you are traveling. Why would you cry if you were out traveling? I assure you that when tours go wrong and you have no friends around those lyrics may begin playing in your head?

          Tours and parties are both part of many travelers’ trips. Finding the right tour company can make the difference between you loving a country or possibly not wanting to return. A country with no nightlife may also not pique your interest for further visiting. This section is all about finding the right party spots and how to spot a tour guide worth hiring. How can I find the right tour guide? You are not alone when thinking about this topic. I have personally had amazing tours and I have also had tours that I would like to have missed and watched reruns of the worst tv show on Netflix instead.

Booking Tours

           When booking tours there are two different ways to go about. The first method is using the internet and apps for booking the tours. Booking apps like Expedia, Tripadvisor, Viator, and many others are great options. They have reviews that you can cross-check and compare. I have used each of them for many tours around the world and have had a lot of success. However, this has not always been the case. You need to make sure to find out the contact number to the actual tour company after booking through the app and you need to contact them directly. I have one simple rule when using booking apps, “Never Assume Anything.” Always double check your pickup date and location a day before your tour. This can help ensure there are no miscommunications on the day of the tour.

Are Local Guides Okay?

          The next option is to book a local tour guide. You will find them all over the streets holding signs and trying to stop you as you walk down the street. I use booking apps 90% of the time but sometimes you can work out deals with these individuals that can end up being great bargains. This is not the usual though and most of the time the deals are the exact same or more expensive and they will always have an excuse for the price increase. Booking beforehand and having all my questions answered via email has always seemed to be the better way for me but every traveling adventure is different so keep both in mind.

Party Spots

          How do I find the best party spots? Facebook groups are my go-to way to find parties. You can meet and have conversations with locals’ weeks before you arrive. If you can find some locals beforehand and exchange WhatsApp numbers, then you can have the inside track on the happening party spots. Hostels are another great way to find parties. There is always someone in a hostel looking to party and finding the party has always been rather easy when staying at a hostel. Stay away from asking random locals on the side of the road where to party. This is another one of those commonsense ideas, but I have literally watched young backpackers walk around and ask where the party is at. You may get lucky a time or two and find the party this way, but you are also opening the door wide open for mischief.

Traveling Facebook groups can be used for both booking tours as well as finding the local parties. Some of the notable groups I have used before are Southeast Asia Backpackers, Australian Backpackers, and Bolivia Roadtrippers. Partying can be awesome and, in many countries, it can put the cherry on top of a great trip but remember to be smart and always be aware of your surroundings. Good luck and enjoy your next traveling journey.

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