The world is full of different places to visit. Whether you are the type who likes adventures or just exploring a new city, you will never run out of sights to see and discover. In order to make your trip truly fun and memorable, you need to blend in and act like you are a local. You may think that it is easier said than done. Not really. Here are some tips in how you can act like a local on your next vacation.
How To Act Like A Local On Your Next Vacation
Ditch the bus tour
There are benefits of riding a bus tour. First of all, most of the guides are knowledgeable and you will gain a lot of information from them. However, the downside is that you’ll miss out on handling the transactions yourself. Most guided tours will take care of your itinerary, tickets, meals, and rest stops. This will work for you if you a terrified of being with people and lazy. However, if your aim is to get to know the place and the locals, skip the bus tour and do the touring yourself.
Befriend a local
One way to act like a local is to be friends with a local. On your next travel, look for a tour package that will allow you to partner up with a local. According to a study conducted by an airline, 8 out of 10 American vacationers feel self-conscious about looking like a tourist when abroad. You can check out websites like Skout and Couchsurfing in order to meet new local friends in other places.
Stay in a house instead of a hotel
This is very much self-explanatory. If you stay in a hotel, you will most likely stay in an area with high tourist concentration and meet other tourists. Work out with your travel agent to have you stay in a hotel or look for one yourself. A better option is to book on Airbnb.
You can still find a house that is near most of the attractions but is quiet and in a district inhabited by locals. The good thing about this option is you will have more privacy, space, and access to your hosts.
Stay In A House Instead Of A Hotel
Take public transportation
Taking public transportation is a good way to discover most of the attractions without getting on a tour bus. It will give you a feeling of being a local as you can see the places where they go about with their daily lives.
Do advanced reading
You don’t need to buy a guidebook although it can come in handy. If frugality is in your blood, you can always go to the library. You can do a Google search of your destination. You can check out blogs by ex-pats as they may have a lot of tips that they would happily share.
Learn about their local customs and key phrases
The people in the destination you are going may know how to speak English. It can be a gesture of goodwill if you can learn how to say “hello” or “thank you” in their language. Your accent won’t matter but the important thing is that you are trying.
Eat local food
Let’s face it. You may not have tried some of the local dishes in your destination country. But you need to sample them in order to give you a feel of being a local. Anyway, you can still eat your favorite delicacies in your home country.
Don’t hang out with other people who are exactly like you
Just like staying in a hotel, hanging out with people like you will place you in an establishment full of tourists or ex-pats.