Saudi Arabia: My Unexpectedly Dull and Pricey Adventure

I recently spent six days in Saudi Arabia, and unfortunately, it turned out to be one of my most disappointing travel experiences.

3 min readtravel
Saudi Arabia: My Unexpectedly Dull and Pricey Adventure
I spent 6 days in Saudi Arabia

It sounds like our friend here had a bit of an unexpected journey in Saudi Arabia! Sometimes, when you're chasing adventure and dreaming big, the path you take doesn't always lead to the epic glow you were envisioning. It's totally understandable to feel a little deflated when a destination doesn't quite match the super cool vibe you were hoping for, especially when you're looking for that main character energy. Every trip is a chance to explore, and even when things are a bit dull or pricey, it’s still a part of the big adventure story!

We all have those moments where we expect a place to be the "Big Boy" of excitement, full of awesome activities and surprises. And when it turns out to be more about vast landscapes and quiet evenings, it can be a real head-scratcher! Even during Ramadan, when things might be a little more laid back, it’s a bummer when you’re looking for that spark of fun and the answer is just "eat, go to cafes, and smoke hookah." That’s definitely not everyone’s idea of a squad goal! And when your Airbnb costs a small fortune for just a decent spot, it adds another layer to that feeling of disappointment.

But here’s the thing about adventure: it’s not always about what you find, but about how you experience it. Even if Saudi Arabia wasn't the burst of sunshine and energy this traveler was hoping for, it’s still a story to tell! Every experience, even the "dull and pricey" ones, shapes our journey and helps us appreciate the truly epic moments even more. It’s a reminder that not every destination will be a perfect fit for our personal vibe, and that’s okay! The world is huge and full of diverse experiences, and sometimes, the most valuable lesson is learning what *isn't* your cup of tea. Keep that adventurous spirit alive, and keep dreaming big for your next escape!

From travel

… and it’s the most boring and expensive country I’ve ever been to. I flew in to Jeddah from Istanbul to finish off my Middle East tour and I was disappointed. I did not do much research before hand of Saudi because I like to be surprised for whatever reason I was under the assumption that Saudi was the “Big Boy” of the Middle East and they would have more things going for it but outside of Riyadh and Jeddah all I saw was large landscapes of desert.

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