The five types of travel companions: The Party Animal

This person probably came up with the idea of your trip together between tequila shots on a Saturday night.  They’re always looking for a party, no matter where, when, and with whom.  Always a blast to hang out with, The Party Animal is the first person you text when you’re looking for a good time.  They’re great to be around when you hang out one-on-one, but they’d prefer to be at the center of attention in the middle of the dance floor.   This person has a pretty laid back attitude, and probably expects your trip to involve a lot of boozing with the locals and staying out until the wee hours of the morning.

Pros:  The Party Animal is really fun to be around.  Like Party Animal, there’s never a dull moment when you’re hanging out with them.  If hookups with hot locals are what you’re looking for, traveling with this friend is your best bet of finding them.  And if you’re traveling in a place known for its wine, beer, or spirits, this person’s sky-high alcohol tolerance makes them a great drinking buddy.

Cons: If you’re into sightseeing, prepare to cut your daylight hours in half.  Spending mornings hungover is pretty typical in college, but when you’re traveling, hangovers can significantly infringe on the amount of time you have to explore.  Also, if all your friend is looking for is a good party, you won’t necessarily be doing all that much exploring or mingling with the locals.  The Party Animal is just as keen on hanging out at backpacker bars as local spots, so you could end up spending the entire time with other drunk backpackers.  Lastly, unless this person is disguising some deep underlying sense of responsibility, traveling with them can be risky.  Finances and safety are always a concern, but more so when boozing is the primary objective.

The bottom line: Like with the Homebody, The Party Animal may be a better companion for a beachy resort trip.  When you do travel with them, you’re likely to have tons of fun and go to lots of parties, but your surroundings may end up looking a lot like the bars in your hometown.  As when traveling with The Adventurer, make some provisions for your own security, and prepare to spend many of your daylight hours in bed.

The five types of travel companions: The Adventurer

This person is a bona-fide backpacker and travels with only what they can carry with both hands free.  They’re truly “down for whatever,” and unlike The Tourist, think that guidebook is a dirty word.  They’re the kind of person who will land at an airport with no idea where they’re staying at night or what they’re doing in five minutes.  They’re quick to mingle with the locals and fellow backpackers, and have a knack for finding holes-in-the-wall in new cities.

Pros: Adventure!  There’s rarely a dull moment when traveling with The Adventurer.  You’re sure to test the limits of your comfort zone, experience new things, try new foods and meet new people.  If you have an adventurous streak, chances are you’ll have a blast with this person. You’re more likely to venture off the beaten path and find the hidden gems of your destination.

Cons: If you’re hyper-organized, or nervous about traveling, a trip with The Adventurer will probably feel like a nightmare.  Even for the seasoned traveler, the uncertainty of this kind of trip becomes exhausting after awhile. If your finances are limited, a no-rules attitude can be tough to adhere to, and running out of money in another country is really unpleasant.  Lastly, an aversion to any sort of guidebook or information makes it more likely you’ll miss out on some cool historical sites, or other important travel info, such as traveling tips for women or visa information.

The bottom line: If you’re an adventurer, you’ll probably enjoy traveling with an adventurer.  If you’re not, but have a laid back attitude, traveling with The Adventurer will probably give you a rich, exciting experience.  It’s best to do some of your own planning and information beforehand to avoid ending up in a real pickle, but unless you’re a real stickler for structure, I’d say give this friend a shot.

Have you ever traveled with a friend who is really adventurous?  What was your experience?