When most people think of a guided tour, they think of overcrowded buses and hordes of tourists. Most worry about not getting a personalized experience so they opt for planning a tour on their own. However this just simply isn’t true anymore. Gone are the times of boring tours jam-packed with people. At The Real Deal Tours, we offer great customized guided tours that are jam-packed full of fun instead. Touring in small groups with local guides gives you the perspective of a true local!
First off, we are talking about activities only here. Just the fun parts of your vacation. If you are looking for an all-inclusive tour to Morrocco or an African safari, this is not our expertise. We do not organize hotels, or airfare or all-inclusive circuit tours. If you want an all-inclusive tour package from start to finish, you should be searching for a site like TourRadar. We are discussing tourist attractions and things to do once you arrive at your destination.
For those of you used to traveling on your own, good for you! TripAdvisor, AirBnb, and all the OTA’s make it easier for you to customize your own vacation these days without relying on a Travel Agent all the time. However, sometimes it is just better to go with a guide to get the best experience or book with a travel agent to ensure a smooth experience. There is something to say about planning with a professional.
At The Real Deal Tours, we are Activities Specialists. Our job is to experience all the fun things to do in each destination so we know all about them and can help you choose the right activities for your travel tribe. That said, we have experienced these destinations both on our own and with a guide. These are just a few reasons we recommend booking at least one or two guided tours on your vacation. Yes, even if you are travel savvy. Not convinced? Well here are few more reasons to book a guided tour when on vacation!
8 Reasons You Should Consider Booking a Guided Tour
1. Safety First!
For those of you visiting a destination for the first time or traveling alone, booking a guided tour whether private or with a small group will give you security in a new place and help you get familiar with the territory. Booking a small group tour is a great option for solo travelers who want to meet new friends in a safe setting. Everyone has horror stories about people getting lost on vacation at least once. Usually, because they chose to go off the beaten path or plan their own tour. While this can be a great experience, sometimes it is nice to have a local who speaks the language and has a lay of the land.
2. Convenience
This point goes without saying. While planning a trip/tour can be fun, it can also be a huge pain in the butt. When booking a guided tour, you don’t have to spend a lot of time and frustration planning the details of the itinerary. Just leave it up to a travel professional. A great tour guide will know all the hot spots and points of interest. Sometimes it is easier to let someone do the dirty work so you don’t have to. All you have to do is pack, and get to the airport on time!
3. Get More Out Of Your Tour
When taking a tour with experienced guides, you will see far more animals and learn far more about the local culture than exploring on your own. Even if you are a biologist or naturalist only local guides truly know about their home. A local guide can bring local history and places to life and offer far more insight than most guidebooks. The trick is to find those expert guides – and traveling with a knowledgeable tour operator helps you do just that. Local guides know where to look and when because they have years of experience in that particular region.
4. Learn the History
Landmark sightseeing & city tours are best experienced on the first day of your vacation. An economical option like our Hop on Hop Off tour in Panama is a great way to get a taste of the city on your own terms. But a more in-depth small group tour like our Panama Canal & City tour in Panama is our top recommendation. Either tour will give you a taste of what areas you want to explore more in-depth on the rest of your vacation. However, local guides can offer you extra little tips like where to find the best local restaurants, bars, or where to find affordable souvenirs. Sure you can explore the city on your own and chat with the locals, but guides work with tourists every day, so they have honed in on what people really like and what they don’t.
5. Save that Money
If you fear that guided trips will cost more than going on your own, consider the fact that tour operators can arrange group discounts on admissions to various attractions. Most people think that planning their own tour can save them money. However, this sadly isn’t always the case. Most of the time there are hidden entry fees, transportation costs and so on that can add up quickly. At that point, you may as well find a guided tour that saves you money and provides the best value.
6. Live like a Local
Do you think that tourist attractions are too touristy? Well okay, you can be right there. But there is another side that you should consider. Many tourist attractions and activities are created by locals with dreams to bring more tourism to their destination. This creates more jobs for their community and boosting the economy in the entire region. Without their creative minds, that lovely beach destination with the cool hotel you are booked would probably not even exist today. I mean, imagine the Riviera Maya before Xcaret? California without Disneyland? Tourist attractions help the region you are visiting grow into what they are now. So show them a little love and support and give some of those tourist attractions a try. Learn to live like a local on your trip and fall in love with your destination and those that make it special.
7. No Language Barriers
Anyone that has traveled to a foreign country and tried to communicate in a different language usually has a few funny stories about the mishaps they encountered. Sometimes these language barriers cause an even bigger problem and can end up costing you a lot of frustration and money. Even in an English speaking country, finding your way around can be a challenge. Add in a foreign language and things can get messy fast! Save yourself the headache and book a guided tour so you and your family can sit back, relax, and enjoy the fun. If you are heading to Costa Rica, you may want to read our previous blog about the common slang used in Costa Rica.
8. Satisfaction Guaranteed
Tour operators want their customers to come back and buy more tours. Good ones will do their best to make sure the customers who bought a guided tour have an amazing experience. Good guides want you to back home with an overall understanding of the country you have just visited. Tour guides want return customers and will do everything in their power to ensure people have a fun time on their tours. Also, most have a great cancellation policy so you are never left in a bind.
Once someone does a tour they usually think; been there done that. But, Are you sure? Many people think that just because they did a zip line tour in Cabo San Lucas, they have already checked that experience off their bucket list. But a canopy in the rainforest in Costa Rica, or a canopy in islands of Bocas del Toro or even a canopy in Puerto Vallarta are all VERY different, so we recommend you give them a try in each destination.
At The Real Deal Tours, we connect you with amazing, authentic, personalized tours that are unique to each area. We love our customers and want to do everything in our power to ensure they have a safe, fun tour. So next time you are thinking about exploring on your own, try booking one of our fantastic guided tours instead. Sit back, sip that piña colada and enjoy everything your beautiful destination has to offer!
Did you miss last weeks blog? Read it here: https://www.therealdealtours.com/blog/blog/earth-day-2020-10-simple-ways-to-show-our-planet-love-every-day/?doing_wp_cron=1588117133.8771240711212158203125