Bored in another country? Is that even psosible?!

Most places around the world are packed to the brim with exciting activities, things to do, and places to explore, but if you’re not someone who plans in advance, you might find that you arrive in your destination and don’t know what to do.

It’s also possible that you arrive exhausted from a long journey, the jetlag kicks in and you don’t have a lot of motivation until you clear your brain fog.

But instad of looking through those NBA expert picks from your phone in the hotel room, if you find yourself stuck without ideas for what to do, use the following pick me ups, which are generally good for most countries. 

Things to do When You’re Bored in Another Country

Take a Walk

Exercise might be the last ting you want to do on your vacation, but taking a walk is an amazing way to get accustomed to the area and discover new things you wouldn’t have discovered if you were using a different mode of transport.

It’s a great way to get some fresh air and clear your head after a long day of travel, or if you’ve arrived in a place mid morning and are trying to hold out your sleep until the evening so you limit your amount of jetlag. 

Walking puts you on street level rubbing shoulders with the locals, so not only can you take in the vibe and atmosphere of the people and the place, you’ll also discover great local places – coffee shops, street art, hot dog stands, parks that aren’t in the typical tourist guide book.

If you’re someone who wanders and always gets lost, consider picking up a local SIM card at the airport when you arrive, or traveling with a portable hotspot so you can pull up Google maps on your phone and navigate back when you’re ready.

Try a Few Free Attractions

Sometimes the best things in life can be free!

Free attractions are a great way to get to know a city, as they are usually things like parks, beaches, and even museums. You can also hit up shopping precints to window shop, which can be a great authentic experience in some places.

Even museums which typically charge entry may often have certain days or certain hours where they offer free admission, or there may be free local festivals happening.

If you hit up popular local beaches there may be hobby sports happening where you can jump in and join a local game of soccer or volleyball, which also gives you a chance to connect with locals.

You can find out more about free attractions online, or you can ask your front desk or locals about free attractions. People watching is also free!

Explore the Market

Almost every city has a local market, and if you love finding things on a budget and supporting local businesses, why not head down and immerse yourself. 

Markets may only be open on particular days or hours, so this could be something you need to plan out in advance vs something you can spontaneously rock up for if you’re bored, but many are also always on. 

This is a great way to get accustomed to the culture and interact with people who live in the area. You can also pick up some fabulous local street food which may help to push off any feelings of travel anxiety, depression, or jetlag. 

Try to Book Something

If you find yourself bored in a hotel room, or maybe you’re bored because it’s raining out and you’re stuck inside, get excited about your destination by booking something.

You can book a multitude of things, including restaurants, game drives, spa dates, and these can be a great way to perk up your energy and excitement levels.  

Hotels and hostels will usually have brochure stands at the front desk where you can pick up ideas you may have missed in your initial research and planning at home, and will also usually be happy to help you make a booking.

There are so many things that you can do while on vacation, whether you have money or not. It all depends on how you view things and the overall purpose of your trip.