Going Local Travel

Tips on finding a local guide

2 Written by Vicky Baker on July 6, 2009 – 5:35 am

Guardian Travel’s Been there team asked if I had some tips on finding a local guide for a reader who was heading to central America. Here’s what I had to say. See the original article for further advice.

The first place I’d look to find a independent local guide is LeapLocal.org, an online database full of such types and which is committed to helping local communities benefit from tourism. Unfortunately, there’s limited entries for central America at the moment. Although I did find a local guide in Guatemala who can arrange hiking and kayaking trips across the country.
More options can be found on Localyte.com, a fast-growing site that promises to help you ‘travel like a local’. An abundance of locals have listed themselves on the site – from those owing tour companies to those who don’t work in tourism, but are keen to pass on their insider knowledge in their spare time. Next to each profile there’s an ‘ask a question’ button to contact the person directly, so you can get some good tips here too.

For staying safe, find out as much as you can about the person and their hiking experience in advance. If you’re going truly off track, you need someone who knows the area inside out. Problems can arise if there are price disputes, so be sure to clarify costs from the outset; depending on your guide’s situation, you may have to pay their expenses. The advantage of going with a tour company is that they are used to working with tourists and are prepared for all eventualities. Going it alone means making those preparations yourself. Be sure to ask lots of questions so you know what to expect and what to pack. Above all, be flexible and enjoy going with the flow.