What we do

Third Compass helps you find experiences that are genuinely off the beaten path. We look for routes and providers that avoid the obvious bottlenecks, favor smaller groups, and choose better timing. The result: trips that feel more yours, and less like everyone else’s checklist.

How we choose

  • Offbeat first: priority to alternatives that break from the standard loop.
  • Smarter timing: off‑hours, shoulder seasons, and dispersion by neighborhood.
  • Right‑sized: smaller groups, clearer capacity limits, and “look with care” sites.
  • Proof, not vibes: we publish why something made the cut, in plain language.

A gentle nudge

Think of Third Compass as a friendly guide. We quietly steer you away from overtourism and toward off‑beat, well‑timed choices that make your trip—and the place—feel better.

Sustainability, practically

We treat sustainability as good trip design: fewer bottlenecks, more local value, choices that age well. If a provider backs this up with conservation fees, community partnerships, or caps, even better—we note it.

How we keep the lights on

The guides include affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission. We only link to options that match our criteria; money doesn’t buy placement.

Why “Third Compass”

North doesn’t always show the way. Third Compass is a second opinion—an extra needle that points you to routes you might actually prefer.

Read the full Third Compass origin story

Transparency

We keep a living page that explains our criteria, examples we declined, and how to suggest edits. Hold us to it.