The Most Bizarre Travel Traditions You’ve Never Heard Of

Traveling exposes you to different cultures, customs, and traditions—but some are truly bizarre. While most people know about Oktoberfest or Carnival, there are plenty of lesser-known (and much stranger) traditions that leave travelers scratching their heads. Whether they’re rooted in history, superstition, or just a love for the absurd, these unusual customs make for unforgettable travel experiences. Here are some of the most bizarre travel traditions from around the world.

1. Baby Jumping Festival – Spain

Yes, you read that right. In the Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia, an annual festival called “El Colacho” involves men dressed as devils leaping over newborn babies who are placed on mattresses in the street.

The tradition, dating back to the 1600s, is believed to cleanse babies of original sin and bring them good luck. It’s definitely one of the most unique (and nerve-wracking) blessings you’ll ever witness.

2. The Monkey Buffet Festival – Thailand

In the Thai town of Lopburi, monkeys are the guests of honor at an annual feast. Locals prepare massive tables filled with fruits, vegetables, and sweets for the thousands of monkeys that roam the city.

The festival is meant to bring good fortune and thank the monkeys, who are considered sacred in Thai culture. But don’t be fooled—these monkeys have zero table manners and are known for stealing snacks straight from visitors.

3. Carrying Wives for Sport – Finland

Ever dreamed of carrying your spouse through an obstacle course to win their weight in beer? Welcome to Finland’s Wife Carrying World Championship, where competitors race through sand, water, and hurdles—all while carrying their partner on their back.

The tradition comes from an old legend about Viking men stealing wives from neighboring villages. Today, it’s just an unusual but hilarious sporting event.

4. Tomato Warfare – Spain

Spain’s La Tomatina is the world’s largest food fight, where thousands of people gather to pelt each other with tomatoes in the streets of Buñol.

The tradition started in 1945 when a random food fight broke out during a parade. Now, it’s an organized chaos of red pulp, with trucks unloading tons of overripe tomatoes for participants to throw. It’s messy, ridiculous, and an absolute blast.

5. The Toe Cocktail – Canada

In Dawson City, Canada, there’s a bar that serves a drink with a real human toe in it. Yes, a preserved, actual human toe.

The “Sourtoe Cocktail” is a long-standing tradition at the Downtown Hotel, where brave drinkers must follow one rule: “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe.”

The bar has had to replace the toe several times—because some people accidentally swallow it. (Don’t be that person.)

6. The Goat-Throwing Festival – Spain (Banned, But Worth Mentioning)

Once held in the Spanish village of Manganeses de la Polvorosa, this tradition involved throwing a live goat off a church tower into a crowd below (who were supposed to catch it with a sheet). Unsurprisingly, the event was banned due to animal cruelty concerns.

While it’s no longer practiced, it remains one of the most shocking travel traditions ever recorded.

7. Cheese-Rolling Madness – England

In Gloucestershire, England, hundreds of people chase a giant wheel of cheese down a dangerously steep hill in the annual Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling Race.

The event usually results in multiple injuries (because running full-speed downhill isn’t exactly safe), but the winner gets the cheese—and lifelong bragging rights.

8. The Blackened Bride – Scotland

Getting married in Scotland? Prepare for humiliation. In a tradition called “Blackening”, brides and grooms are captured by their friends, covered in disgusting substances like rotten eggs, mud, and spoiled milk, then paraded around town.

The idea is to prepare the couple for the “messiness” of marriage. It’s equal parts horrifying and hilarious—but at least it’s done with love.

9. Spitting as a Sign of Respect – Kenya

In the Maasai tribe of Kenya, spitting is a form of greeting and blessing. Elders spit on newborns for good luck, men spit in their hands before shaking hands, and it’s even a way to wish newlyweds happiness.

In many cultures, spitting is an insult—but in Kenya, it’s a sign of deep respect.

10. Finger Amputation to Mourn Loved Ones – Indonesia

Among the Dani tribe in Indonesia, women historically had to cut off part of their fingers when a loved one died. The practice was believed to help release emotional pain. While this ritual is now rare, it remains one of the most extreme mourning traditions in the world.

The Verdict: Travel Is Full of Surprises

From baby-jumping devils to toe-filled cocktails, the world is filled with bizarre traditions that make travel even more exciting. Whether you’re brave enough to participate or just want to watch from the sidelines, experiencing these unique customs is a reminder of how wonderfully diverse (and weird) the world can be.