When planning a new trip, I’m always excited. Not only for the vacation, but also for the research.

Yes I know I’m the exception to this, but I love finding out what there is to do and to see in a new place.

I find that bloggers often give me the best information. They have traveled to the location and can tell you what the highlights are, the logistics of getting to and from a location, and some of the costs to anticipate. 

But I Have Questions…

Many travel bloggers only visit a location for a handful of days and can really only see a few attractions. So, is the “best restaurant” actually the best restaurant? OR is it just the spot that was highlighted in a previous blog and they decided go and liked it.

Then next blogger who comes along sees that and visits that restaurant and inevitably writes a similar recommendation.

Could this whole travel blog writing just be a self perpetuating wheel that spins out the same recommendations over and over and over again?

It should be obvious that we, as visitors, don’t see or understand the whole picture of a location. 

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Inspiration For Writing Local Travel Guidebooks

I found a local travel blog, Sol Bungalows, before arriving in Bocas del Toro that was written by expats that have lived in the area since 2015.

They know Bocas.

Like any of us that live in a place for years, you learn the best things to do and see, where to eat, what is hype for the tourists and what is truly worth doing. I only needed their blog to help plan our trip.

This was easy, but I’ve found that most locations do not offer something as comprehensive and straight forward as Bocas.

I usually have to read multiple blogs, compare what they say, look beyond what is already written and then come up with a list of things that actually appeal to me and my family.

This all takes time.

Not everyone has the time for this level of research AND not everyone is as crazy about vacation planning as I am, right?

Light Bulb Moment

This got me thinking. Why not incorporate what the locals already know, instead of trying to act like I am an expert after a few days or even a month of visiting a place?

During this trip I have started meeting with expert guides and expats that live in the places I’m visiting and interviewing them.

During the initial interviews, I’ve already received incredible insights into locations that would not have been known or understood through simple research online.

Before going into the interviews, I research the top attractions. Then, I get a local’s perspective on whether or not they are worth a stop and why. I also have them share about other things to do that do not show up elsewhere.

I can’t wait to share this new more inclusive and collaborative format moving forward. 

My First Local Travel Guidebooks

I am starting off with Cartagena. During our walking tour of the city, our guide was incredible. I reached out to her with my idea to incorporate local voices into future location overviews, and she graciously accepted.

Check out our very first local travel guide here: Cartagena Guidebook: Travel Recommendations from a Local Expert

We have a few more that have been published lately!!! Check out some of our most popular local travel guidebooks:

• Stavanger, Norway: Ultimate Guidebook With The Best Honest Tips
• Barcelona Travel Guide: The Best Insider Tips from a Local
• Quito: The Best Family-Friendly Guide to Ecuador’s Amazing Capital
• Local Bozeman Guide: Insider Tips to the Picturesque City
• Ultimate Guidebook to Panama City, Panama From A Local
• The Best Family Guide To Yellowstone National Park
• Visiting NYC With Kids: The Ultimate Travel Guide For The First Time Visitor
• Complete San Luis Obispo Travel Guide: From A Local

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