By Jennifer Schultz
There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist when we travel. However, we should also make an effort to immerse ourselves in the local culture. We often get to our destination and are excited to go and view all the top tourist attractions, but we may miss out on some of the small gems just down the street. That’s why it’s important to take your time and learn what the locals love about a destination. See below for our top tips to travel like a local.
Here are 7 ways to live like a local when you travel:
1. Learn the language basics
It’s important to try and make an effort in the local language, no matter where you go. Start with the niceties. Learn to say:
Thank you
Please
Where is the bathroom?
Good morning
Good evening
Even if you are not great at picking up languages, starting with please will let locals know you are at least trying to be polite as you ask for help. Be ready to pronounce things badly and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself while attempting new pronunciation techniques. Laughter is accepted worldwide as a common means of communication!
There are great apps to learn and practice languages all over the world, and for those who want to take things beyond a few phrases, online language schools are a fantastic option. For Spanish, French & Italian, the courses at Freestyle Languages are perfect for travelers, with a focus on real-world phrases and slang with topics and language approaches that will get you confidently chatting with locals in no time!
2. Stay in locally-owned accommodation
Boutique hotels often come with much more charm, unique designs, and extremely friendly, helpful staff.
Another tip to travel like a local, is to stay in locally-owned accommodation whenever possible. Whether this is a boutique hotel or an apartment, this will give you more of a local experience, as opposed to staying in a chain hotel. Plus, if you book an apartment you have the perfect excuse to visit the local market and do some basic cooking in your flat. You might also consider joining a home exchange group that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the community.
Once you're settled in your room, it’s time to stretch your legs! Fill your water bottle and check out a nearby park, or other unique green spaces on offer. Traveling can take a toll on our mind and body so it’s important to refuel by getting out into nature whenever possible!
Pro-local travel tip: depending on where you are, be sure to keep an eye out for cyclists; in Vienna, for example, cycling paths are green while walking paths are not. If you’re walking on a cycling path, you may be encouraged to move (with some vigor!) by the locals.
3. Try the local cuisine
Traditional homemade dinner in Costa Rica
As a rule, it’s good to eat as close to the ground as possible. If you're in Italy, make sure to taste Tuscan wine, eat plenty of olives (and olive oil!), and maybe even try wild boar. Make sure you also make a second attempt if you find a food you are not keen on. Sheep's cheese is an acquired taste, but once you have developed the palate for it, you will never forget just how luscious that tangy bite can be. As well, another great local travel trip is trying foods in places that are known for specializing in that particular morsel can provide a totally different (and much tastier!) experience than what you remember.
Around the world. there are so many incredible foods to sample (moussaka in Greece, Aji de Gallina in Peru, tagine in Morocco, and mole in Mexico to name a few!) Seeking out the best local restaurants that specialize in certain dishes can be a great way to get off the tourist trail and meet warm locals who are eager to share the meals they are most proud of. Being willing to dive into local cuisine is a surefire way to win the hearts of fellow foodies around the world and travel like a local!
4. Use local transportation
Back rides from Cambodia to Vietnam
Local transport can be an awesome way to explore. It helps you immerse yourself more in the destination, and it’s also great for people watching. Plus, it's a perfect way to practice slow travel.
To that end, be smart about your goals. If you have the time to travel the length of Manhattan, take the regular bus and do some sight-seeing along the way. If you need to take the subway in Tokyo, or one of the 11 tube lines in London, download the app and be ready to navigate the systems.
Local transport requires you to do your homework in advance. This may mean getting a metrocard before you get to your destination or learning the route maps ahead of time. Don't hold up the locals while you figure things out!
Another great way to travel like a local is on two wheels. Renting a bicycle can be a fun, active, and interesting way to see all the in-between places that many folks zoom by.
Again, be sure you know what you’re doing before jumping on a bicycle in a new city or locale - road rules can vary around the world, and some cities are far more bike-friendly than others.
5. Participate in local activities
Before traveling to a destination, look into what type of activities or events the destination is known for. For example, if you plan a trip to Malta, try going in February so you can attend Carnival. And be sure to bring your hiking shoes! February is a great time to hike the islands.
Volunteer work in Torres del Paine by Timothy Dhalleine
Perhaps you also want to see the Northern lights in Iceland. If so, you should aim to visit during the fall or winter, instead of the summer, so you have the best chance of seeing them!
When you arrive at your destination, you can also look for activities that will help you meet locals. Perhaps you can attend a yoga class or cooking classes. Maybe there are live music events or local festivals going on that you can participate in.
Finding an organization that you’d like to donate some of your time to is a great way to give back and experience a cultural immersion that few tourists do. Just be sure to watch out for the pitfalls of voluntourism when seeking out such opportunities.
6. Make New Local Friends
Picnic in the lushus Costa Rican mountains.
There are many ways to make local friends while traveling. To start, home-swapping and homestays are a wonderful way to meet the locals. If you need help finding something at a grocery store or a market, ask. A conversation may follow that leads to the chance to meet for coffee. This applies to anything you do as well - don’t be afraid to spark up a conversation on a train, at a cafe, sitting in a pub, or browsing around a store. In many countries, locals are extremely warm and relish an opportunity to chat with new and unique faces! Learning about a place is all about learning about the folks who live there and how they do so.
You might also ask to join in games of soccer or celebrate the work of an excellent kite flyer in a park near your temporary home. If it leads to a local coffee, cup of tea, glass of wine or a beer, go for it!
Lastly, another great local travel tip is to consider looking on social media for ways to join in before you get to your destination. Meetup and Internations can be great platforms to look for unique and sociable local events.
7. Shop From the Local Markets
Flea Market in Cuba
Wandering local markets might just be a highlight of your trip! When visiting these traditional markets, be sure to bring local currency. Not every local market stall can take credit cards or is interested in exchanging dollars. A simple passport pouch, wrapped around your neck and tucked under your top layer of clothing, is a terrific tool for keeping your cash at hand and secure. If you want to put some in a front pocket, that’s also fine but never keep cash in a back pocket or a jacket pocket.
Consider also carrying a collapsible bag that you can use to store your shopping. Buy your groceries early in the day for the freshest selection, take them back to your apartment or house, then come back to linger over non-food items.
Market in Morocco by Josh Telles
Markets are a great place to look for the work of local artists. If you're looking for a keepsake, find something that was made by the person running the stall. Each time you use this cup, plate, candle holder or scarf, you will remember this place and this feeling of immersion.
Finally, try to incorporate local market stops into your other sightseeing. Walking from Central Park straight south will take you through some interesting sights of New York. That flea market in Hell's Kitchen could provide you with a piece of jewelry that you will love for the rest of your days. And you would never have seen it from an Uber. Get out and stretch your legs!
Wherever you go on your next trip, these local travel tips are sure to take your experiences to the next level. Remember that as much as iconic sites are marvelous to see, unique moments interacting with locals and finding off-the-beaten-path treasures are often the stories that stick with you. See what happens if you prioritize quieter, more subtle moments and slower travel experiences on your next trip abroad. It just might change the way you travel forever!
More travel tips for you:
If you’re looking for the best Europe trip packing list, look no further! In this blog post, we’re sharing our comprehensive guide to packing for Europe so that you can embark on your journey fully prepared. We’re here to make sure your luggage remains light and your experiences unforgettable.