Vacations are wonderful, and being a tourist is perfectly acceptable. But what if you want to delve a little deeper? What if you wish to break free from the constraints of retail tourism and travel like a local? How can you vacation somewhere and immerse yourself as much as possible in the culture while remaining courteous and respectful?
Breaking away from our comfort zones, putting ourselves to the test, and immersing ourselves in a culture that is very different from our own is what traveling is all about. So, if all you want to do on your next international trip is travel in a group with other foreigners and eat burgers and fries, you’re missing out big time.
Step off the beaten path the next time your travels take you abroad and spend as much time as possible living like a native. Here’s how to do it:
1. Choosing a vacation spot
When it comes to choosing your travel destination, don’t be too concerned about your budget. Most cities and countries allow you to live on a shoestring budget if you’re resourceful. Of course, certain locations are more cost-effective! Smaller towns or sites, which are typically overlooked by passionate travelers, are ideal for an authentic travel experience.
It’s not always easy to go to these smaller sites, but that’s part of the fun. If that makes you feel uneasy, consider taking a group or private tour of one of these lesser hidden jewels. They may lack the attractions and sights of larger towns, but wouldn’t you rather go on a walk with a local guide than stand in a tourist line?
2. Use Public Transportation
Find the best local mode of transportation, whether it’s by bike, motorbike, foot, auto-rickshaw, maxi-taxi, or metro, instead of taking mass-tourist-transit. Having your own transportation allows you to not only explore local life and stop whenever you choose, but it also protects you from hawkers and “guides” attempting to defraud you.
Getting around on your own can be daunting at first, but if you, say, ride a motorcycle down a mountain and see the youngsters watching you as you pass, smiling and giggling at the amusing stranger on her way, the dread will fade.
3. Do some research
Not the kind of research that entails thumbing through the pages of a guidebook or looking up a to-do list. Start reading the local news for the place you’re visiting a few weeks before you leave. Get to know the history and geography of the area you’re visiting.
Imagine being able to have meaningful conversations with the locals you encounter about their home. It’s a terrific way to break the ice and add depth to your conversations.
While wanting to travel like a local may allow you to amp up your trips, have you ever considered why you want to see the globe in this manner? You can’t merely think about how locals can improve your experience if it comes from a position of genuine desire to develop true connections.
Knowing a destination’s geography and current events will provide you with invaluable insight. It also demonstrates your interest in the local culture, which will encourage people to open up to you. Similarly, don’t form preconceptions or prejudices about the locals based on what you’ve heard or read online.
4. Ditch the bus tour
We’re talking about the kind that you rely on to get you where you need to go. The bus tours have some advantages: The advisors can be really knowledgeable, and you’ll learn a lot, but the biggest disadvantage is that you won’t be able to handle any transactions on your own. Package tours handle itineraries, tickets, food, and rest stops for you; you simply board, disembark, and sleep when you’re not being lectured. It’s fine if you’re scared and lazy, but it’s not the best way to get to know a place and the people that live there.
5. Budget
Some places are well-known for their exorbitant prices. London and Hong Kong are two cities that come to mind. This isn’t to suggest you can’t visit Paris or Singapore on a budget; it just means you’ll have to go for a shorter period of time or be more cautious while you’re there.
If you don’t already have a certain trip in mind, you can choose your destination to fit your budget. For example, living on $50 a day in Tokyo, including accommodation, may be difficult, but not impossible. It would be difficult to spend $50 every day in Taipei. Both cities, though, have spectacular vistas and mouth-watering cuisine. Although London can be prohibitively costly, other places of England are significantly less so and may satisfy that old-world desire. The most well-known cities in a country are, on average, the most expensive.
6. Look for ways to connect
Begin friendships with locals by expressing interest in people and their lives, just like you would back home. Inquire about the things that are important to them—their family, faith, food, and hobbies—and be prepared to respond with your own inquiries. What do you have to say about your own culture? Share stories and melodies instead of actual items—they’re less expensive and take up less space in your suitcase! You can also use photographs from your phone or camera to illustrate your point.
7. Make a conversation with your taxi driver
She or he is well knowledgeable about the area in which you are. You should be cautious/consider your safety and not reveal too much information about yourself, but you can still inquire about restaurants and enjoyable things to do.
Bottom Line
By the time you return home, you’ll have a story to tell, new friends to remain in touch with, and maybe even some new recipes to try thanks to these pointers. Don’t be scared to venture into uncharted territory—go local and embrace a new culture with zeal!
Also Read: 7 Most Instagrammable Places In Africa