Overrated Countries (hotels, luggage, cheaper, trip)

[intelfan11315]

Originally Posted by mdp_az

Interesting. I think Mexico is one of the more underrated countries, at least from the US perspective. Most Americans only think of AI resorts, beaches and tequila when travel to Mexico. In reality the country is rich with geographic and ecological diversity, cultural history, incredible food and beautiful cities. Of course, it is full of picture perfect beaches, too.

Yeah, I have felt Mexico is underrated, even with lines like "I think Spanish from Spain is so much better than Mexican Spanish." In reality, if they really did know the difference they'd probably prefer Mexican Spanish. It is mainly a stigma. It isn't only USA though, Mexicans get looked down upon by South Americans too, they just don't really catch a break anywhere haha. I have always found Mexico to be extremely interesting, from mega cities like Mexico City to the Mayan Ruins to Guadalajara.

[pigeonhole]

Kudos burgler 09, I feel the same thing about Mexico, way underrated especially compared to Argentina (when I see all the threads on USCity Data on that country!). The only temperate beach with decent bathing temperatures (Bahia Blanca) is hopelessly overcrowded in the Southern Hemisphere summer! compare it to the thousand of miles of warm, paradise - like , pristine beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean sides of Mexico! and cherry on the cake, Mexico is close to the US!
I can't wait to discover the Mayan Peninsula (programmed 2013)!

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by jtur88

I thought the Thais weren't really very pleasant people, compared to Laotians, Malaysians, Chinese, and especially compared to the Burmese, for whom the Thais exhibit a pretty disgusting contempt. This is not meant to be overly condemning the Thais, it was just less than I had expected it to be, after all the hype. Yes, of course, there were a lot of very nice experiences there, but there were downsides that I thought made it, overall, a minus country.

Also, as for trekking, I found Thailand to be pretty badly damaged environmentally, especially the southern peninsula.

Yeah everyone goes on about how friendly the Thais are but apart from wanting to get your money, they didn't seem especially friendly. Some of the 'working girls' are also very aggressive. Why do they hate the Burmese so? Maybe due to illegal immigration? I wonder what they think of the Japanese, since some mistook me for a Japanese person.

Most of SE Asia is pretty environmentally damaged. Phi Phi Island, for instance, was so packed with tourists the coral reefs looked rather colourless and lacking in life. Nha Trang in Vietnam was even worse...They literally treat the waters like a rubbish dump.

Also I found the Thai language really annoying, to be honest. I'm glad I'm not Thai, having to listen to that all day every day. Also Thailand isn't all that cheap as I had expected. I was paying an average of maybe $8 a meal, and not at expensive places either. I came from Vietnam where I was paying $1-5 for very good meals.

The plus sides were of course nice beaches and lots of entertainment options. A lot of it pretty sleazy though, as you'd know.

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Why do they hate the Burmese so? Maybe due to illegal immigration?

The Myanmar government allows day-laborers to cross over into Thailand to work, and they're treated like slaves. It reminded me of the way Mexican field workers were treated by Americans back in the 50s.

These places seem like overrated countries for traveling:

Ireland
Portugal
Turkey
Brazil
South Africa
Egypt
Jamaica
Dominican Republic
Bahamas
Puerto Rico

[tvdxer]

Originally Posted by

These places seem like overrated countries for traveling:

Ireland
Portugal
Turkey
Brazil
South Africa
Egypt
Jamaica
Dominican Republic
Bahamas
Puerto Rico

Three destinations on your list (Jamaica, DR, Bahamas) please plenty of Americans with their beach resorts and warm climate, which are all they really want.

[djf863000]

To not be rude, but pick pockets in Paris and other Europe big cities are foreigners or second generations from northern Africa and Asia minor.

I grew up in France and when visiting Paris, I know what to watch for and how to have my things secure one me. Don't talk to any ladies around tourist attraction that says "You speak English?" This is a trick.

There is good things and bad things about France, same with the US.

Originally Posted by tvdxer

Three destinations on your list (Jamaica, DR, Bahamas) please plenty of Americans with their beach resorts and warm climate, which are all they really want.

At the same time, there are also plenty of Americans that find Jamaica, Bahamas, and Dominican Republic overrated and not worthwhile destinations, including me.

Places like Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Southern China, India, Parts of Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii etc. are much better tropical warm weather destinations.

[eureka1]

The fact that anyone could say Ireland is over-rated shows how really useless these lists are. It all depends on individual tastes and preferences. I don't go to beachy places but am happy as the proverbial clam in Ireland. Happy New Years everyone!

[pigeonhole]

My mum who has been to both says Thailand is way overrated compared to India (she's been to Bangkok/phuket in Thailand, Bombay/Pune/Goa in India):
I'm quoting my mum here:
- "India being a former British colony, English is more commonly spoked there"
- "Thai people despise the Farangs and put up big smiles because they are extremely greedy; on the other hand, Indian people despise Westerners , not for lowly materialistic reasons, but because of their spiritual beliefs [if that makes a difference?] but will always be extremely polite because they are pacifists"
- "There is a tsunami of tourists in Thailand so the country is much more damaged than India-it seems that the only tourists lately in Goa are male and female Tsahal soldiers"
-" India is way cheaper now than Thailand"

What do you make of that? (I've not traveled to these 2 countrues, so...)