Moving freely through the world is a privilege, one we hopefully all appreciate more in a post-COVID world. The past five years have also brought increasingly devastating storms and fires, disproportionately impacting communities often viewed by outsiders as tourist destinations. Together, these events underscore how fragile the world is and demand that we consider how travel can be mutually beneficial, rather than exploitative or damaging.

In my 20s, there were times when I was unaware of that privilege and centered myself rather than the people whose culture I was experiencing. It’s important to remember that as travelers, we are inherently visitors in someone else’s home. Being respectful is a way to support sustainable, safe experiences for travelers and locals alike. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned over the years and am still learning.

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”

Robert Louis Stevenson, Silverado Squatters

Follow the rules

This may seem very basic, but it’s incredible how many travelers behave as if the rules don’t apply to them. I was inspired to write an earlier version of this post after seeing the viral video of a woman climbing the Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá, which has been banned since 2008, as people below shout at her to stop and come down. It was embarrassing and appalling to watch, but it also reminded me of my own mistakes. When I was 20 and traveling in India, I visited the uniquely beautiful Baha’i Lotus Temple in Delhi. The temple receives millions of visitors per year, who are welcome to meditate quietly but are not allowed to take photos inside. Despite the rules being clearly stated, once inside, I put my camera in my lap and snuck a photo of the ceiling.

Looking back, I’m disappointed with myself for focusing more on sneakily snapping a photo instead of on being present and respecting the boundaries set for guests. Now I know better and hopefully this keeps someone else from committing the same error in judgement.

This tip applies to all situations and can have more material consequences than a prohibited photo – like when tourists trample dunes, sea grasses, or turtle nests at the beach because they failed to abide by clearly posted signage. Or, in extreme cases, breaking rules around drugs or weapons can lead to being incarcerated or otherwise in danger in another country.

Beyond the rules for specific sites, which are typically stated or displayed when you arrive, laws differ from country to country and there isn’t typically a primer when you land. Doing a little research can save you a lot of trouble and keep you from causing unintentional harm. The US State Department’s travel website enables you to look up any country and see local laws, visa requirements, safety tips and more.

Do no harm

This updated and expanded post on respectful travel was partly inspired by Bad Bunny’s new album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, through which he warns of the threats that unrestricted development and overtourism pose and speaks to the physical, economic, and cultural displacement often faced by host communities. Islands, with finite land and limited access to resources, are especially vulnerable to these threats. In many ways, tourism is an inherently extractive and polluting industry. Thankfully, many travelers are increasingly concerned with sustainability. From my own experience navigating the tension between mitigating the potential harms of travel and contributing to the economic benefits to host communities, here are a few things I suggest:

• Make sure your dollars stay local. Supporting locally-owned small businesses and avoiding resorts owned by non-native corporations are two easy ways to make sure your spending supports the local economy, instead of being extracted.
• Eat the local cuisine. I get it, I have been curious about the McDonald’s menu in India or been desperate for something familiar after battling travel-related GI troubles, but I really try to avoid giving my money to a multinational corporation when I’m traveling. And why waste a meal on something you can get at home?
• Book experiences with local guides. Sites like Get Your Guide and AirBnb Experiences make it easy to book experiences like tours, cooking classes, or guided hikes with someone who knows the area because it’s their home. If you can book directly with the guide, that’s even better! One of my favorite experiences ever was a tour of the local marketplace in Cartagena with guide Danny from Beyond the Wall. He shared his enthusiasm for his community, but also the history and politics surrounding the market, and how gentrification has negatively impacted it.
• Keep your carbon footprint small. Tropical and coastal destinations in many ways are bearing the brunt of climate change. Choosing non-stop flights and taking fewer, longer trips rather than many quick trips are great places to start. Carbon emissions from commercial flight are set to triple by 2050 amid surging travel and freight demand. But the International Council on Clean Transportation projects that emissions could be slashed by 85% through demand management, advances in efficiency technologies, and expanded use of biofuels. Taking trains, mass transit, or bicycling to get around your destination help reduce emissions as well as traffic congestion.
• My number 1 rule: No cruise ships. I’ve been on one cruise ever and honestly hated it, so this isn’t exactly a sacrifice for me. But, in my opinion, cruise ships embody the worst of tourism – pollution and waste, exploitative labor practices, experiences devoid of culture, and hyper-commercialized and superficial engagement with host communities.

“Quieren quitarme el rio y tambien lay playa. Quieren al barrio mio que abuelita se vaya. No, no suelte’la bandera ni olvide’el lelolai. Que no quiero que hagan contigo lo que le pasó a Hawai.
/ /
They want to take my river and my beach too. They want my neighborhood and for Grandma to leave. No, don’t let go of the flag, nor forget the lelolai. ‘Cause I don’t want them to do to you what they did to Hawaiʻi.”

Bad Bunny, lo que pasó a hawaiʻi, translated by @cristimadewhole

Do a little research

When I was in college, I heard a story about an acquaintance who thoughtlessly tried to order an “Irish car bomb” shot while studying abroad in Dublin. Needless to say the Irish bartender was not happy about an American glibly referring to their country’s painful recent past.

To avoid this type of harmful (and embarrassing) interaction, you can familiarize yourself with the broad strokes of a country’s culture, politics, and history, especially any wounds in living memory that you should be mindful of. I’ve also found that when I have more context for what I’m experiencing, it makes everything much more interesting and enriching.

Everyone’s preferred form of background research might be different and doesn’t need to be limited to skimming the Wikipedia page – you could listen to a history podcast, read a book from a local author (I love bringing a novel to read that is set in the city I’m visiting), or watch a sub-titled film from that country. Or follow a few local bloggers/Instagrammers from the area ahead of your trip. They’ll probably have great tips on where to go and how to interact with locals so you are respectful and blend in. Speaking of…

Dress appropriately

Clothes are so much more than covering ourselves, they’re enmeshed in culture, economics, and personal expression. It is impossible to have a clear cut list of do’s and don’ts because what is “appropriate” is highly contextual. Instead, here are some things to consider when building your packing list:

• What are the cultural norms where you’re going when it comes to clothing? This may differ by gender. Blending in is as much about being aware and respectful as it is about being safe. When I visited Egypt in 2010, I understood that shorts and a t-shirt were not ok. However, some of the outfits I packed, while technically covering my arms and legs were not in alignment with culturally acceptable clothing for women. The first day, I wore skin-tight leggings and a tank top with a semi-sheer tunic over it. The friend I was visiting made it clear that most Egyptians would not find my clothing appropriate and it could make me even more of a target for street harassment than my blonde hair or American accent. Luckily, I had also packed loose linen pants and cotton tunics which I relied on for the rest of the trip.
• Will you be visiting religious sites? Sites with religious significance often require more conservative dress than other areas. Sometimes you will be offered something to cover up with if your clothes are not sufficiently conservative (sometimes for a small cost/donation), but it’s best to plan ahead. In many places in the world – Rome, South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa to name a few – you should plan to have your knees and shoulders covered at minimum. Depending on the religion, women may also be expected to cover their head or hair when visiting a religious site, so it is good to always have a light-weight scarf on hand.
• Could your clothing choice be considered cultural appropriation? This is tricky. My best advice is when in doubt, leave it out. There are garments, textiles, and colors with cultural significance and travelers should be wary of ‘trying on’ culturally significant clothes for fun or for a photo opp. For instance, while covering your hair with a scarf is appropriate when visiting a mosque, wearing hijab if you are not Muslim could be found disrespectful and appropriating. Similar to applying a bindi if you are not Hindu. Do your research to understand the correct names and usage of different clothing and personal decoration. If you have a relationship with someone from that culture, they may offer to help you understand, but it is not their responsibility to educate you to prevent you from committing a cultural faux pas.

Learn more: Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation from Local Passport Family

Try to speak the language

More than half of the world’s population can speak two or more languages. Unfortunately I, along with 80% of the United States, am part of the remaining monolingual population. You don’t need to be a polyglot or possess a Babel fish to be a respectful traveler, just make an effort. I visited Egypt after taking two semesters of Arabic at university and learned quickly that my professor had been a very generous grader – I was no where near proficient with a terrible accent but even my broken Arabic was received warmly. Picking up a few key phrases can go a long way to demonstrate your desire to be a gracious visitor and help navigate a new place more comfortably.

To start, practice “hello,” “how much,” and “thank you.” Some version of lovely/excellent/very good will also come in useful, as liberal use of ‘thumbs up’ translates to ‘she doesn’t even go here!’ 😉 Below are some helpful videos that teach these and other phrases in each of the languages below:

• Thai
• Vietnamese
• Arabic (There are multiple Arabic dialects, these are generic phrases but it is best to research phrases for your particular destination)
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Mandarin
• Swahili (this speaker is from Kenya)

Don’t spread deadly diseases

Unfortunately, experts agree that the next global pandemic is a not a matter of if, but when. Learning from the COVID-19 travel restrictions, the countries that remained open to visitors at the height of the pandemic were disproportionately small island nations and lower-income countries, often with limited public health infrastructure. Limited infrastructure means that even a small outbreak can seriously tax public health resources and cause major disruptions, in addition to illness or death. A 2021 study found that volume of international travel was the greatest predictor of deaths from COVID in countries studied. Low- and middle-income countries are driven to accept tourists despite the risks due to economic need. As the kids say, it’s the neocolonialism for me.

A recent example was an outbreak in the island nation of Grenada in the Caribbean, which for the first nine months of the pandemic had only 45 confirmed cases and no deaths. In December 2020, an outbreak traced to a Sandals resort led to a tracing effort that included over 1000 contacts, resulted in at least 50 confirmed cases (see chart below), and led to new restrictions for Grenadians.

Staying up to date on your vaccines, staying home when you’re sick, masking when you fly or use mass transit and during times of high transmission, and abiding by travel restrictions are ways you can make the world a healthier, safer place for yourself and others.

cultural humility: a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual not only learns about another’s culture, but one starts with an examination of her/his own beliefs and cultural identities

Yaeger and Bauer-Wu, 2013

As a white, American, cis and straight, able-bodied woman, my view is limited. I encourage you to seek out the perspectives of other writers. A few travel bloggers I love learning from:

• Preethi B. Harbuck of Local Passport Family
• Erick Prince of Minority Nomad
• Stacey Marlene Valle of Deafinitely Wanderlust