Should I book tickets for trips and excursions before I arrive?

Definitely wait until you get there at least. It's nice knowing the flow of things like classes and how to get to places before booking trips and flights and things like that.

Hi Audrey,

I'd say in general, it's better to wait until you arrive, unless you're planning a trip to a really popular place that requires reservations well in advance (like the Inca Trail) or traveling during peak season (Easter, Carnival, etc). Unless you're going to a very high-volume place or trying to travel when everyone else is on vacation, too, you're not really going to save that much money by booking super far in advance.

If you absolutely have your heart set on doing something, there's no reason why you can't plan and book it in advance, but for weekend trips and other smaller excursions I'd recommend waiting until you get there. In many places, bus or train tickets can typically be purchased the day of a trip, or a few days in advance, so there's no reason to stress out about buying them way ahead of time. Once you get to your destination and get a better sense of your schedule and how local transportation works, you'll be better prepared to plan your trips, plus you can get local advice on the best way to do it and the best places to go!