7 Types of Friends to Travel With

I went on a trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya with some friends. Let me tell you, travelling with people is not an easy thing. You have to choose wisely when assembling your squad. They have to be similar enough to you that you can engage and enjoy activities, while at the same time be a little bit different so there can be some positive contribution to the group that you couldn’t achieve on your own!

The first thing you need to do is know yourself well enough to recognize your tolerances. What can/can’t you handle? What is your tolerance threshold? For myself, I know I need to travel with adventurous people. I indulge in new experiences and will max out my trip by doing as much as I can! I move quickly because I don’t like wasting time. Meaning, I can’t travel with lazy people. I need to be around people who can cooperate to share responsibilities. But regardless of what my preferences are, here are the friends with those handy skills you should probably consider taking on your next adventure…

The Free Spirit

This is the friend who will go where ever the wind takes them by making spontaneous decisions and following through. The best thing about having them around is you get the thrill of life. They have the knack of taking the opportunity that is presented to them at that moment in time and just diving right into it. You can trust them to push you beyond your comfort zone to experience new and wonderful things!

The OCP – Obsessive Compulsive Planner

Usually this friend is the one who is perceived to have “a stick up their ass.” A stickler for time and planning, this is a handy person to have in your group. They will be the ones who did their research and made bookings at the biggest party, busiest tourist attractions, and epic restaurants all at a discounted price. They will make your group, as a whole, more productive and ensure you all see and do the things you wanted to.

The Survivor

This is the person you lose at the bar and miraculously show up at home by the next morning. They can McGyver their way out of any situation. Lost in a city with no money? No problem, they’ll get you home.

The GPS

This is your buddy that looks at a map once and knows the shortcuts to…anywhere. With a great sense of direction, your group will rarely find themselves lost. They know the most efficient and economical route.

The Sweet Talker

More often than not, this friend always manages to get what they want regardless of the challenges. They will make sure to haggle down merchandise to the best possible price and they will speak up if your group is getting cheated. They can diffuse a tense situation and still manage to get you what you want

The Photographer

Typically while travelling you get caught up in all of the new and exciting sights and activities. Good thing you have a friend there who can document everything you are experiencing. In the moment you feel annoyed because taking and posing for pictures take time. But that sense of annoyance quickly turns to euphoric joy as you view your visual journal of your trip!

The Gastronome (aka the Foodie)

This is your friend who always knows the best places to chow down regardless if it is a street vendor or a Michelin Star restaurant. Part of experiencing culture is tasting its food. You can trust this person to seek out the best food your location has to offer. Foodgasms for everyone!

Depending how you travel you may need all or none of these! The most important thing is to take in your experiences as they are happening and enjoy the company of the people you are travelling with. Our life’s moments fleet into memories really quick. So take every opportunity and make the most of your trips!

Happy Travels!