Why does traveling seem to smudge our moral lines?
It all begins with a glance. A fleeting moment of eye contact across a sun-drenched piazza, a touch during a salsa dance in Havana, or the rush of adventure on an impromptu motorcycle ride through Bali. For some, these encounters are innocent. For others, they mark the start of a dalliance that might cross a line.
The usual boundaries fade when we’re far from home. Maybe it’s the lingering effects of a second (or third) piña colada, maybe it’s the anonymity, or perhaps even that seductive belief that vacations exist in a world separate from real life.
According to a new study, nearly half of American travelers have acted on that conviction. That’s right; according to a survey of 1,231 adult Americans conducted by Radical Storage, a staggering 41.3% of respondents admit to cheating on their partner on vacation.
The findings expose a troubling trend: travel may be both an escape from routine…and accountability. The survey also found that over half of those surveyed (56.5%) experienced “tourist syndrome” while away, which Radical Storage defines as, “the greater inclination to misbehave or be rude on vacation.”
Gen Z is the most prone to, shall we say, “YOLO’ing it,” with 72% admitting to behaving differently while on a trip. Additionally, 42.5% of respondents confessed to breaking the law on vacation—and 43.8% said they’ve bent the rules while traveling that they’d typically respect at home. Even statues aren’t safe from their antics, with 32.3% admitting to posing inappropriately for a quick photo op. Sorry, Michelangelo!
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But all this vacation-induced rambunctiousness raises a question: Why does traveling seem to smudge our moral lines, especially regarding cheating? It’s time to bring in the experts.
Why Do People Stray More on Vacation?
Betraying one’s partner during a trip isn’t as much about opportunity as about mindset. The same study found that 34.9% of travelers feel more flirtatious while away. One theory? These cheeky fantasies may stem from films and television glamorizing the idea of a holiday romance, subtly shaping our perceptions and expectations.
However, according to Sophy Singer, founder of the conscious matchmaking agency Sophy Love, travel itself creates a unique psychological and emotional setting that often leads people in committed relationships to stray.
“Rather than this being merely about the chance to act on desire, it is a result of deeper, often unconscious, emotional needs that arise when someone is physically ‘far’ from their partner,” Singer explains. “Only then does travel present itself as an opening to cheat.”
Exploration allows for a break from routines and the identities that define everyday life. “Often, when someone isn’t living a life or isn’t in a relationship aligned with their authentic self, the parts of them that feel constrained or neglected in daily life are exposed while they are on a trip,” she explains.
“Without the grounding of home life and routine, these parts can hijack decision-making and lead to impulsive actions. This creates a high that temporarily soothes the parts carrying deeper feelings of loneliness or longing for validation.”
Psychologists refer to this behavioral shift as the disinhibition effect. This term describes how individuals feel freer to act outside their moral boundaries when removed from their usual social framework. Without shared routines or mutual acquaintances to keep them in check, travelers often convince themselves that their actions exist in a separate reality where consequences won’t follow them home.
Liana Bell, the Head of Member Experience at The Bond, a matchmaking company in major American cities, agrees. “Travel often brings excitement—an opportunity to explore new places, far from the familiar environment where people might know you. Moreover, with the rise of social media, the idea of endless possibilities and new experiences makes the allure of betrayal even more tempting.” Said platforms often present a curated version of the truth, making expectations surpass reality.
Some who stray on a trip are even upfront about it: 40.6% of respondents excused their disloyalty and lousy behavior by arguing that, in the words of the survey, ‘a vacation is a time to let your hair down and have some fun.’
But betrayal while traveling isn’t always an impulsive decision. Singer notes that vacation infidelity often signals more than just a fleeting attraction. For some, it’s a symptom of underlying dissatisfaction; for others, it’s simply a way of testing boundaries they already wanted to cross.
Bell believes that the concept of “vacation mode” may not necessarily change people’s inhibitions but rather provide a chance to act on their desires. “Vacation mode” is defined as a psychological state where individuals feel more relaxed, carefree, and open to new experiences. It can amplify underlying issues or unexpressed feelings within a relationship, making us more aware of the potential for emotional revelations during travel.
Where Are People Most Likely to Stray?
While infidelity can happen anywhere, specific destinations may organically encourage it more than others. Some locations create the seemingly perfect storm for cheating, whether it’s the obscurity of a fast-paced metropolis, the romance of a European escape, or the indulgence of an all-inclusive resort (with those unlimited drinks package, oh my!).
Las Vegas is a prime example, with its neon glow, 24-hour casinos, and sometimes hedonistic atmosphere. It can be easy to embrace the idea that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” and, consequently, boundaries can blur—including, for some, relationship commitments.
Another hotspot is Ibiza, with its legendary beach parties and nonstop nightlife. The island’s high-energy culture fosters an environment where impulsive decisions and fleeting connections are not just normalized but encouraged. The same goes for Miami, where sun-soaked afternoons become sultry evenings, and social circles expand as quickly as South Beach horizons.
But it’s not just party destinations seeing a spike in vacation betrayal. Romantic cities like Paris, Rome, and Venice play on profound emotional and sensory experiences. Candlelit dinners, historic architecture, and the aura of romance woven into the cityscape can create the illusion of something inevitable, even fated (or literature nerds, shall we say star-crossed?).
All-inclusive resorts also provide a setting where the lines between relaxation and temptation can become fuzzy. With unlimited drinks, bikinis, swim trunks (hello, Speedos!), social pools, and activities like dance classes and cocktail-making, these resorts foster an easy, carefree atmosphere where meeting new people is inevitable.
Sometimes, so is crossing a line. Singer notes destinations like Cancun, Punta Cana, and the Maldives are often cited as places where travelers feel detached from their everyday selves, making it easier to justify actions they might otherwise resist.
What Happens When the Vacation Ends?
For many, vacation betrayal fades into memory as quickly as a suntan. A passing flirtation, a secret to tuck away, a brief indulgence in another life. But for others, the consequences loiter long after the suitcase is unpacked–like that blistering sunburn that no aloe can relieve.
According to Singer, when a partner strays while traveling, a range of internal emotions arise as they come home and must internally reckon with what happened. “A protective part of them might justify the conduct with something like, ‘It didn’t mean anything.’ Meanwhile, another part, concerned with loyalty and fear of losing their significant other, might feel deep remorse.” This leads to an internal conflict where secrecy, avoidance, dissociation, and sometimes emotional withdrawal with oneself and their partner can arise.
She emphasizes that infidelity while traveling is not about physical distance but rather about emotional distance. “It points to things that are unresolved within oneself and the relationship. My first piece of advice is to slow down and turn inward. This is an opportunity for growth and healing. Ideally, with a trained coach or therapist, spend some time compassionately connecting with those parts of you that led to these decisions.”
Bell shares that people often go to great lengths to justify their actions, but this doesn’t erase the guilt that may persist afterward. Guilt, when unchecked, can take a serious toll on someone’s mental well-being. She says, “Trust is the foundation in a relationship, and pretending or justifying bad actions only provides a temporary fix for a deeper issue.”
Additionally, the thrill of getting away with betrayal can create a dangerous pattern. “If someone cheats on a holiday and gets away with it, they may become more likely to cheat again,” says Bell. “The thrill may become a drug.”
But let’s refrain from all doom and gloom. Ariel Andersen, a couple’s therapist who has seen every problem in the metaphorical couple’s book, says there are ways to remain faithful to your partner while still fulfilling these desires and needs for spontaneity.
“Suggest you and your partner go on a vacation and role-play as if you haven’t met yet,” she explains. “You can agree to meet at the hotel bar, lock eyes, and let the new surroundings do their job. Sometimes, all we need in a stale relationship is a new environment to shake things up and remind us how green our grass is.”
Is Travel an Escape or an Excuse?
The journey of self-awareness following travel infidelity is not easy and requires proper guidance. “The work can be loving and gentle and will lead you to a deeper level of self-awareness and self-love that will inevitably bring you into a more conscious and sustainable long-term relationship,” Singer says.
At its best, travel is about transformation—broadening perspectives, embracing spontaneity, and stepping into experiences that change us. But when nearly half of travelers admit to making choices they’d never make at home, it raises a bigger question: Does travel provide a loophole for indulgence?
Perhaps the real issue isn’t that people behave differently while traveling but believe their actions abroad exist outside of real life. But the truth is, getaways end, and flights land. The temporary world that made those choices feel so distant eventually fades, leaving travelers with the reality and ramifications of their actions.
For some, the experience is a blip on the radar, quickly forgotten. For others, it may be a turning point or a realization that something has shifted, whether it’s their relationship or sense of self. Ultimately, whether travel is an escape or an excuse isn’t a question of geography but of intention.
Bell says, “Before going on a trip, take a moment to unpack your sincere intentions. They will dictate your long-lasting choices that could define your future.”
