What Does It Mean to Travel With Purpose?
Traveling mindfully is more than just crossing destinations off a bucket list. To travel with purpose, you must take it slow, seek local connections, embrace sustainability, and practice awareness. You’ll be making a positive impact not only on the community but also on yourself.
Essentially, you should travel like you mean it, a phrase I have often used in my own adventures.
This transformative way of travel can alter your world outlook. Staying mindful and getting involved can teach you lessons about culture, community, tradition, and appreciation.
Although the list is endless, here are 11 great ways to travel with purpose, whether that means choosing eco-friendly stays, volunteering with the local community, or simply putting your phone down.
Observe, Don’t Just See
At a new destination, the first thing many sightseeing tourists do is grab their phones for photos. They’ll spend so much time finding the best angles to leave quickly after getting the perfect shot, never looking beyond the tourist lens.
When traveling, it is important to practice staying present in the moment and learning from your surroundings. To travel with purpose is to go far below the surface. Smell the air, watch the scenery, feel the breeze, and let it fully immerse you.
Choose Sustainable Accommodations
It’s not hard to travel with purpose – it can be as simple as picking eco-friendly accommodations. While traditional hotels may feel more familiar, choosing sustainable places to stay is an excellent way to make a difference.
If you are looking to lower your carbon footprint, consider staying at local guesthouses, eco-lodges, or homestays, as they can help reduce energy use and waste. For example, Costa Rica has several eco-lodges powered by renewable energy, making for a truly memorable and sustainable stay.
Seeking out smaller, eco-conscious accommodations also allows travelers to connect with their hosts, connecting further with the local community and building meaningful connections.
Connect with the Locals
As mentioned before, some lodgings help you meet locals through hospitality, but there are many other ways to meet locals while traveling.
These include supporting local businesses and going on tours with local guides. You can even attend community events and take cultural classes, from making local crafts to learning traditional folk dances.
If you’re looking for a total cultural immersion, never say no to conversation with a friendly local – they might teach you something brand new!
My favorite local interaction was in Bali. They told me that in Balinese, there is no word for the future, so they only focus on the present. That is an excellent outlook on life – stay mindful and go slowly – exactly how you travel with purpose.
Stay Present in the Moment
Our phones are a serious distraction, and social media is the ultimate peacekiller. We spend so much time focusing on the lives of others that we forget to live our own.
One way to travel with purpose and stay present is to disconnect. This means turning off the phone and finding ways to remain mindful, such as journaling, meditation, or engaging in peaceful reflection.
Staying present is a great way to practice gratitude and awareness while traveling, as we take in the incredible world around us. You learn to take in the small details of a monument or the unique flavors of local cuisine, adding more to your travel experience.
Try Volunteering or Giving Back
Volunteering is a powerful way to engage with local communities and practice meaningful travel. It is an extremely rewarding and life-changing way to see the world.
Whether you’re helping out at a farm, a sustainability initiative, or an English school, your time can make a big difference and travel with purpose. It’s not all about money; it’s about the effort you put in and the wisdom you take from the experience.
However, it’s crucial to make sure volunteer work is ethical. Always research the opportunity before applying, checking for past reviews and their impact on the local community.
Looking for great ways to volunteer? Check out worldpackers.com or workaway.com.
Appreciate and Protect Nature
In many countries, one of the main tourist attractions is nature-based travel. From Indonesia’s komodo dragons to gorillas in Rwanda, there are many opportunities to take a closer look at some of nature’s most iconic wildlife.
Seek out the sanctuaries and preserves that ethically protect local flora and fauna. For instance, you should never be allowed to touch, ride, or bathe with elephants at sanctuaries in Thailand.
You can also make a difference when you hike, just by leaving no trace you were ever there. Take litter with you, keep your voice down, and respect plants and animals.
Learn Through Culture, History & Storytelling
Taking tours and visiting museums is an easy way to travel with purpose. I don’t mean the tours that show you Instagrammable photo ops, but the ones that teach you something new.
Wherever you go, there are educational museums and historical sites where you can learn more about local history. There are also guided tours, whether it be of the region, an important landmark, or filming locations for a popular movie.
Last time I was in Italy, I went to Crema, where Call Me By Your Name was filmed, and did a full-day tour of all the sites. We learned about the history, the local owners, and what drew the director to the area.
However, my favorite way to discover a new place is by taking a free walking tour, which blends important facts with entertaining stories about the city you’re in. With passionate local guides, the tours are always fun and memorable.
Turn Off Maps and Get Lost
How many times do you look down at your maps app in a new place to see where you’re going? Why do we always have a destination in mind without bothering to enjoy the journey?
When we slow travel, we get to uncover more about local life. A man peddling fruit on the street, a cute store, or a friendly cat family are the small details that make a trip a little extra special.
Don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path. Ditch Google Maps, leave room to be spontaneous, and explore with no endpoint. Take the time to really travel with purpose here. You will likely find some hidden gems.
Taste the Culture
The best part of visiting a new country? Trying the local food! Food tourism is booming right now in places like Italy and Japan – and for good reason.
Just because you’re traveling with purpose doesn’t mean you can’t indulge! Many platforms, such as Airbnb and Viator, offer food tours to explore locally-owned restaurants and try famous delicacies.
I like cooking classes, because you not only eat the food but also prepare the dishes. Learning through cuisine gives us a peek into local flavors and traditional meals, as well as their importance.
If you are ever in Hoi An, Vietnam, I highly recommend the Bay Mau Cooking Class!
Travel Like You Mean It
Traveling purposefully means focusing on intention, contribution, and mindfulness wherever you go, from letting a sunset fully engage your senses to teaching English to children at a local school.
You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to care.
Forget the luxury eco-resorts and wellness retreats, you don’t need them to travel with purpose. As long as you do your best to give back, that is the most purposeful travel of all.
Your Turn
What is your favorite way to travel with purpose? Have you had experiences in the past? Let me know down below or on Instagram!
For destinations to avoid, check out The Top 10 Most Stressful Tourist Destinations I’ve Ever Visited.
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