Backpacking around the world, whether in Southeast Asia, Europe, or South America, is a dream that so many citizens of first world countries indulge, yet so many never act on these dreams. You are one of the few who is embracing life and going to see the world, and that right there is an amazing step. You’ll see things you’ve never dreamed, do things you’ve never though you’d do, and come home with a tons of great memories and a better understanding of the world.

But just getting on the road is not always enough—sometimes we have to think about the way we are going to travel before we actually go—because if we do not, we risk making big backpacker blunders that rob us of experience, even if we never realize our mistake.

Since I love preaching to other travelers and pretending I’ve got it all figured out, let me slap you with a few of these now and save you the trouble.

1. Sticking to Tourist Centers

Easily, the biggest travel mistake I see newbie travelers, backpackers and tourists alike, is not getting out of the tourist ghettos. This is such an obvious experiential blunder, it hardly needs explaining. While these places can be fun and they offer a taste of a country that is evolving—after all, the realities caused by a tourist industry are no less reality—it is a shame to stay in a country and never get out to see what truly makes it different.

2. “Marrying” Yourself With Other Backpackers

In a similar fashion, many who brave out into unexplored territories drag a group of like-minded backpackers with them. That’s great you’re getting out into the thick of it, and a lot of backpackers are amazing people that are well worth knowing, but when you travel with a group of other foreigners—no matter how adventurous and enlightened—your experience is somewhat soiled.

Not only are you distracted from true appreciation of the experience by the vibe in your group, but you are much more likely to cling to the perspective, attitudes and behaviors of your home cultures. You won’t mingle as much with people from the country you’re visiting, and often, even if you do, they will be intimidated by the rapport and boisterous aura of the group.

Going it alone or in a pair can be the best decision when traveling, even if only on occasion.

3. Party, Party, Party

If you read any of my posts, you’ve probably picked up the idea that I like to savor the flavor of all kinds of alcohols when abroad (or at home for that matter) and embrace partying as a reality of intercultural communication. That said, it’s easy to get caught up in the party mode to a point where it becomes unhealthy very quickly, especially if spending a long time on the road.

Every country and city has it’s party scene and most have a lot to offer. Pace yourself, learn when it’s time too mellow out, and never forget that the world is rich with experiences that don’t need a good buzz to enjoy.

4. Shying Away from Local Cuisines

This is another common mistake I see that I’m probably less patient with than I should be, and while most of us at least try a dish or two, many backpackers cling to Western food establishments and avoid anything strange like it’s going to kill them (most times it won’t). In my own opinion, exotic foods are one of the best things about a new country, but even if you don’t share that perspective, you must admit that cruising to Thailand to eat hamburgers that are half as good as back home doesn’t make much sense.

You’re here for new experiences—the worst thing you can do is shy away from just that.

5. Moving Too Quickly

Finally, a horrible sin I see from the vast majority of the travel circuit is the smorgasbord trip—where they try to sample as many countries as they can in one month. Bad move. I did this myself on my very first trip to Europe, and I got home feeling like I needed to sleep for a month. Many cities I only saw for a day or two—just long enough to get a room, figure out where the restaurants were, and maybe spend a day cramming local sights that weren’t too far away.

Consider, instead, to travel like Tim Ferris in the Four Hour Workweek. Pick one location for a month or even up to a year. Get a part-time job, work online, volunteer, or study. Really get to know the place—the language, the sights, the culture, the food. Trust me, you will likely get more out of 6 months in one location than any trigger-happy traveler could get from a year traveling the world.