5 Times Saying No Makes for a Better Vacation

One of the most common pieces of advice that you will hear while traveling is to get outside of your comfort zone and to try new things. While this is fantastic advice, it is so easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options there are when planning your trip and while you are abroad. “No” has a bad rap for being negative, but sometimes it is the best way to avoid self-sabotage. It’s okay to say no and can mean that you have a better trip if you know when to do it.

 1. You’re Having a Good Time

There can be so many things on the must-see list that your days can easily become a constant check-list of activities. It’s hard to have a good time when you are always rushing around. If you arrive somewhere and it’s even better than you expected, say no to leaving. Don’t rush off from a good experience just to check something off the list. It’s not worth it! It’s okay if you planned for 2-hours at the park but take three. Part of the great thing about travel is learning about new things you enjoy doing and having the time to do them.

Don’t Say No If

You’re going to miss the last bus or train home. Or you have booked tickets in advance to something that is hard to get into (e.g., Studio Ghibli in Japan or Alhambra in Spain).

2. You Can’t Afford It

This seems obvious but if you can’t afford it and have to put it on credit, skip it. Every major travel destination has advertising that makes it seem like if you miss this one activity, your vacation will be ruined. It won’t be. There are affordable options most places that will allow you to fully experience a city or area.

Don’t Say No If

No really, never go into debt for a vacation. The stress later on won’t pay off.

3. Microplanning or “Death in Details”

Everyone knows someone that does this, and it’s easy to be guilty of it as well. But, say no to planning your day down to the minute. A guideline for what you hope to see each day is great but very rarely does travel go as planned. Creating an itinerary like this is a recipe for disaster and burnout. Phrases like “trip of a lifetime” and “it might be my only time being here” get thrown around. Even if that is true, you can have the trip of a lifetime without scheduling in every last thing. Leaving space in your itinerary also gives you flexibility in how much time you spend on each activity and can allow you to revisit favourite sites.

Don’t Say No If

If you have anxiety about not knowing where to eat and exactly what you are doing, then go ahead, microplan. Just be prepared to be a bit more flexible while actually traveling and don’t put the anxiety on your travel partner(s).  Traveling with children may be another good reason to microplan.

4. It Isn’t Ethical

I get that the selfie with a tiger/monkey/insert-endangered-animal-here is cute and adorable but these practices have an effect on the wild population. Every time someone pays for a photo with an endangered animal, it gives incentive for this practice to continue and adds fuel to the wildlife trade. Many of these animals are poorly treated and will have short lifespans. So before you participate in something like this, consider the impact that will have long-term. I’m specifically thinking of monkeys and other primates here but there has been discussion on if elephant trekking is ethical. Ethical wildlife travel can provide locals with jobs and incentive to protect local wildlife and habitats.

In addition to ethical wildlife travel, there are other considerations when traveling to be a responsible tourist.  Responsible travel can include everything from reducing your trash output to hiring locals.

Don’t Say No If

I would always say no to violating my own sense of ethics. The best way to see animals is to try and make time to go to their natural habitat. If you can’t, before you travel try to find some reputable animal sanctuaries or volunteer opportunities. These experience would be more enriching than just a photograph on the street with an animal anyways.

5. It Doesn’t Look Safe

Especially in developing countries, there are things that locals do that you probably should not participate in. Just because you are in another country does not mean that all of a sudden seatbelts aren’t needed. The same laws of physics still apply there and in an accident you can still die. So, say no to unsafe behaviour. If the thought “my mother would kill me if she knew” comes into your mind, do a quick double check that you aren’t taking unnecessary risks. If the beach looks too beautiful to believe but no one is swimming there, ask some locals about it because rip currents are a thing.

Don’t Say No If

No vacation is worth dying or coming back badly injured. Trying new things is great but don’t let the adrenaline high cost you.

When Not to Say No

It isn’t always a good thing to say no. Sometimes we avoid things because new can be scary.  Don’t say no to something just because you have never tried it before. Traveling is a great time to try out new foods and activities. If you aren’t sure you will like an activity, try it out on a smaller scale. For example, instead of spending an entire day doing something, try to just book in for an hour or two to see if it’s your cup of tea. If it’s the food that’s intimidating, try taking a food tour to get expert advice on the local cuisine as well as a variety of options.

5 No’s 1 Yes

There you have it five times when saying no can make for a better vacation. It’s easy to overindulge and have regrets about that packed itinerary or overspending. Saying no to these things gets easier with time and experience. Any other times you wish you had said no while traveling? Leave a comment below!

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