On a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I made what I thought was a simple decision: I booked a tour through Viator to visit the vibrant beach town of Sayulita. I’d seen beautiful pictures, read glowing reviews, and figured, how bad could it be? Well, let’s just say it was bad enough to earn me a well-deserved “I told you so” from every travel advisor out there.
The day started with a painfully slow three-hour ordeal just picking up other guests. That’s three hours of circling through traffic, wasting precious vacation time sitting in a cramped van instead of soaking in sun and culture. Once everyone was onboard, I expected the excitement to begin. Unfortunately, what followed felt more like a checklist of tourist traps than a thoughtfully planned itinerary.
We were taken to a jewelry store and a tequila distillery—both clearly designed to funnel tourists into spending money rather than offering any real cultural insight. The tour guide, who we hoped would enrich the experience, offered little more than a few rehearsed lines. No stories, no local lore, no depth.
Then came the biggest disappointment: lunch. We were herded into a restaurant outside of Sayulita, far from the charming town center we were eager to explore. Instead of dining at one of the cozy beachside spots lining Sayulita’s cobblestone streets, we were stuck at a generic spot with limited options. The magic of Mexican cuisine, the one we had dreamed of experiencing authentically, was completely missing.
After nearly seven hours of wandering around places we didn’t ask to see, we finally arrived in Sayulita—tired and frustrated. We were given exactly one hour to explore. One hour in a town known for its surf culture, colorful shops, boho vibes, and rich history. By then, we had no energy left to really enjoy it.
Rather than endure another grueling, multi-hour drop-off route, we cut our losses and called an Uber to take us back to our resort—an hour away. The tour was supposed to wrap up by 3:00 PM—we thought we’d have the whole evening to relax and enjoy our resort. Instead, we didn’t get back in our Uber until after 6:00 PM, and it would’ve been even later if we had stayed with the group. So much for a stress-free day in paradise.
This entire experience was a hard reminder of something I already knew but failed to act on: never underestimate the value of a trusted travel advisor.
A good travel advisor would’ve steered me toward vetted tour operators with real insight into the local culture, ones who skip the gimmicks and focus on creating memorable, meaningful experiences. Advisors often have personal connections, insider tips, and firsthand knowledge of what’s worth your time—and what isn’t.
What I thought was a quick and easy transaction by booking online cost me an entire day of vacation, not to mention the frustration and regret.
Lesson learned: Your vacation time is valuable. Don’t gamble with it. Work with someone who knows.
