Unlocking Hidden Gems: Discover the Magic of Airbnb Experiences with Locals

Aug 6, 2024

3 min read

Seeing the beauty and educating yourself on the places you travel to are among the best things about vacation. Besides the food! Food and sightseeing go hand in hand. If you're anything like me, you’re researching and Googling all the things there are to do and all the experiences you want to have in a new place. I love a good excursion or a popular activity that everyone raves about, but there’s nothing like experiencing an excursion or activity through the eyes and knowledge of a local who simply wants to show you their home.

Now you may ask, "JENNA, WHY WOULD I WANT TO HANG OUT WITH LOCALS WHEN I CAN JUST BOOK MY EXCURSION WITH A TOUR GUIDE? I don’t know them. They don’t know the activities I want to do." WRONG! Although they may not know you or your interests yet, their passion and knowledge are unmatched. There is no one better to show you the real side of an island, town, or city than a true local.

Hanging out with locals, especially if you’re on a solo trip, can be exciting and thrilling. If you’re into that kind of adrenaline, then go for it—I sure did. This is not only recommended for solo travelers; it’s recommended for everyone! Now, I don’t know if I’m late to the game, but Airbnb is not just a place to book stays; it’s also a place to book experiences with locals. SHOCKER! I KNOW! I don’t know how I came across this, but in one of my many searches as I prepared for my first solo trip to Hawaii, I learned about something called "Airbnb Experiences."

Now you may ask, "WHAT IS THAT, JENNA?" Oh, it is simply the most fabulous idea for exploring a location from the perspective of a local while saving money. Many excursions and activities in tourist areas charge an arm and a leg, while locals are willing to show you their island at a cheaper rate and in a more intimate setting. It’s honestly a win-win. They make money while teaching you about their home, and you save money while getting a more intimate experience and connection to your vacation spot.

So if you know me, you know that I have no self-control, and when I learn about something fascinating, I overdo it. Well, I did just that in Hawaii. I lived off Airbnb Experiences, and it was the best decision I ever made while vacationing.

AirBnB Experiences I did as a Solo Adventure Traveler:

Hike, Beach, Lunch, Photoshoot
Jet Snorkeling (didn't even know this was a thing and definitely NOT offered as a regular tourist attraction)
Food Tour (Half the rate when compared to tour attractions)
Jet Snorkeling (again because the experience was PHENOMENAL)
Reiki Healing Session on the beach at sunrise
Private Surf Class with Go Pro Camera attached (at half the rate and extra time when compared to tourist booking attractions
Another Hike with beach and sunset

It is important to note that all of these experiences included pickup and drop-off and a great tour guide who offered to take pictures with their phone or mine while sharing personal stories of their hometowns.

Long story short, if you didn't know about Airbnb Experiences, now you do! Go seek out some fun things to do on your next trip. I learned so much more about the island in a much more personal way. I met some great people along the way that I probably wouldn't have met if I had done a large tourist attraction offered by the hotel. Airbnb doesn't sponsor me! This is genuinely a great resource and experience that I think everyone should take advantage of if they don't know about it.

OOOHHHH, and wait! If you're interested in providing others with experiences in your hometown while they're traveling, you can become that AirBnB Experience Local Tour Guide too and make some money! At the moment, they have a pause on new hosts but once it reopens, go for it! If it weren’t for the fact that NYC makes me so anxious, I would SOOOOOOOO become a tour guide for the holidays because there is nowhere more beautiful than NYC during the holiday season. But NYC stresses me out and scares me, so I won't do it, hahaha! But if you're passionate about the tourist attractions in your hometown, then get that money, honey!!!