Sure, you can post up at an high-end all inclusive resort in Cancun, never leave the pool side and never eat anything more daring than a cheese quesadilla. But honestly, Cancun is a tourist hub and likely most of the people that are staying in the budget hostels are also having the same, though less expensive, cheese quesadilla.

In a less touristy location, staying either at a hotel or a hostel, or eating in a cheap diner or a Michelin starred restaurant, it really boils down to the traveler.  Are they the kind of person who will seek out locals to interact with, who will search for out of the way food markets and dance halls, who will by pass the glitzy tourist offerings to experience true cultural events?  I will admit that with a higher class of service, there are greater options to just be pampered and avoid the true experience of the location, but if you’re staying in a budget hotel or hostel, there’s the temptation to just interact with the other travelers in your dorm room or on the discount package tour.

So if I can continue to fly first class and stay at a nicer hotels, I won’t turn down the opportunity. That’s just how I like to pamper myself if given the opportunity. But that doesn’t mean that my trip experience will be any less “real” than if I stayed in a budget guest house.  What are your thoughts on authentic luxury travel vs. authentic budget travel? Are both possible? How do you prefer to travel?