Growing up, I got to travel like a local. Part of my first-generation immigrant upbringing meant that come summer, when my friends went off to Disneyland or Europe, my two younger siblings and I boarded a long-haul flight to Pakistan.
For a few weeks every year, we would visit Karachi — Pakistan’s roaring metropolis — and live like the locals. Waiting for monsoon rains, eating peanuts and french fries out of bags made from newspaper, playing cricket in the streets, and adopting the social and cultural norms.
While it would have been nice to visit Greece or France, our holidays were a lot of fun, and as culturally immersive as things get. You know that famous saying — when in Rome? Well, we didn’t visit Italy, but intentionally or unintentionally, my parents taught me the tenets of that phrase and culturally immersive travel. Self-importance had no place on our vacations, and we didn’t get special treatment because we were visitors and we certainly weren’t allowed to call ourselves that or behave as such.
If you want authentic travel experiences — this is my top tip for traveling like a local — it’s a state of mind. Behave like a tourist, and you’ll get treated like one.
Something as simple as making an effort to speak the local language can go a long way. Put on airs, and you’ll create a distance between yourself and the people you are visiting instead of forging a connection. A lot of people take themselves too seriously while traveling or feel entitled. For an authentic travel experience, it’s always better to be gracious and not to expect special treatment. Here are my tips for how you can travel like a local, throw yourself into the mix and still be respectful of the culture.
Choosing a destination
Don’t worry so much about the budget while choosing your destination. If you’re crafty, it’s possible to live cheaply in most cities and countries. Of course, some places are more budget-friendly! When I want an authentic travel experience, I opt for smaller towns or destinations as they often fall off the radar of avid tourists.
These smaller destinations aren’t always easy to get to, but that’s part of the adventure. If that makes you uncomfortable, why not try a group or private tour in these smaller hidden gems? They may not have the attractions and sites of big cities, but wouldn’t you much rather go on a walk with a local guide than stand in a queue with tourists?
I know a lot of people love to see and do as much as possible on vacation (or kick back and do nothing at all), but if you really want to experience and live in a place — even if only for a few days — you need a different approach. Sometimes it helps to have a base for the duration of your trip, for example, a homestay, and enjoy activities nearby you.
I find it helps to pick a focus for your trip. I’ve done a few dancing vacations in Italy and New York, and having a routine helped to root me.
I had my favourite cafe and places I would grab food from, the local business owners got to know me and would often eat with me or have a drink. They would ask me questions about myself and share the most incredible insider tips. You get to know somewhere through the eyes of the people that live there, and it happens in an organic way that isn’t contrived.
Avoid places popular with tourists
Some of the top destinations in the world are popular for a reason, but they come with crowds. So if you want to be surrounded by locals, then you need to avoid those destinations.
If you are planning on visiting a famous city or country because it’s been a life-long dream, you can still have local travel experience. If it’s possible, before you plan your trip, try to find out from locals how they like to vacation in their own cities or countries. There may be some beach they know of or a restaurant or nature trail that hasn’t found its way onto Instagram.
Do some research
Not the kind of research that involves flipping through the pages of a guidebook or looking up a list of things to do. A couple of weeks before your departure, start reading the local news for the place you are visiting. Learn more about the history and geography of the region you’re visiting.
Imagine being able to talk to the locals you meet about their home on a meaningful level? It’s a great ice-breaker and gives your interactions more depth.
Wanting to travel like a local may give you a way to accentuate your adventures, but have you ever asked yourself why you want to explore the world in this way? If it comes from a place of wanting to build genuine connections, then you can’t just think along the lines of how locals can make your experience better.
Having a handle on the geography and current affairs of a destination will give you some invaluable insight. It also shows the locals you’re interested in their country and will encourage them to open up to you. Likewise, don’t have any preconceived prejudices or opinions about the locals based on what you’ve heard or read online.
Use local transport
Be it buses, rickshaws, cycles, trains, trams, or on foot, there’s no better way to fully immerse yourself in a destination than by traveling as the locals do. Make a conscious decision to use public transportation as much as possible.
Local food
This one goes without saying. Ask the locals where to eat. Tell them you want to eat where they go, not where they tell the tourists to eat.
Attempt the language
You can’t be fully proficient in every language, but learning a few essential phrases and the basics are important. These days there are lots of apps you can download to help you as well. Not only will it make life a little easier for you, it shows that you respect the locals and that you are trying which is what matters the most.
Ask the locals right questions for recommendations
Now that you’ve mastered your language skills, this has to be the best tip I can offer. Instead of asking locals for general tips and recommendations, get to know them instead. Ask them specific questions about their life, not personal questions mind you! Ask them about their routine. A local buddy will help you uncover your destination better than any guidebook.
Here are some examples:
- Do you do anything before work?
- What sport does everyone love watching here?
- What do you like to do after work?
- What’s your favourite take out place?
- What’s your favourite thing to do on the weekend?
- What does your perfect Sunday afternoon look like?
- When friends and family visit, where do you go?
- What’s the one local restaurant you can’t live without?
- Where do you go on a Friday night?
- Tell me something that not many people know about your home town?
So, the next time you take a trip, try out one of our tips for more authentic travel experiences. Do you have any suggestions for traveling more locally? Share them in the comments with us.
