Diana A.

Meet The Locals: Best Way To Travel Cheap When travelling, it could be tempting to take the easy way out and plan the entire trip in advance or have the hotel you’re staying at arrange everything for you from accommodations to entertainment, tours, meals and souvenirs. Travelling this way will give you peace of mind and assurance (a few clicks and a credit card and you’re all set!) but if you’re looking to travel cheap (and have an adventure while you’re at it) this route is not the way to go. The entire purpose of travelling is to discover the unknown and while doing so, learn new things about yourself and the world around you. Plus, more and more travellers are looking for authentic, real-world experiences away from the tour buses and the crowds - so unless you’re travelling with young children, babies or the elderly who require constant care, there’s another, better way to explore while you’re on holiday. One amazing tip that will make this so real for you while saving you loads of money is: Meet and Hang with the Locals On one of my earlier trips to Bali, Indonesia, I was overwhelmed by the hotel prices in the tourists’ districts of Seminyak, Kuta and Legian. I was on a tight budget and USD 50 per night in a standard hotel room would set me way back, breakfast or no, and as a female solo traveller, I wasn’t too keen about staying in a hostel. Luckily for me, I had a group of local friends who were happy to explore the streets with me, and we did so by foot and on motorbike. We spent many happy hours exploring Kuta’s many back lanes for Homestays and Guesthouses while having the most awesome conversations. In the end, I found a place that gave me almost everything that a hotel room would – minus the concierge, bellboys and on-site restaurant. I paid USD 20 for my room per night and it came with a bathroom, air-conditioning, local TV, and a large bed, plus it is walking distance to everything that a girl on holiday would need! I cut back majorly on food – instead of dining in a fancy restaurant every night where a plate of fried rice would cost USD 10, I ate with my local friends in the warungs for just USD 2. Instead of fancy cocktails, we opted for Bintang Beers by the beach (USD 3 per bottle) and instead of a beach club, we rented a bean bag for USD 3 and hung out the entire day by the sand and sea. So how do you make friends with the locals when travelling? This might be a little daunting but don’t worry – with our tips, you’ll soon be wondering the streets like a regular local and saving tons of money in the process! 1. Use Technology There are plenty of free websites and applications that can connect you with locals when you travel (we don’t mean Tinder!) Leave them a message and arrange for a meet-up! This will save you loads of time when trying to talk to random strangers on the streets, and users on these sites would most likely be looking for travellers to host or hang out with too! Pro Tip: Locals would know of amazing secret places that most tourists wouldn’t – set aside some time to discover these haunts with your local friends for a truly authentic experience away from the crowd! 2. Learn the Local Lingo You don’t have to speak the language fluently – learn a few keywords that you can use in sentences to help you communicate and express yourself. Don’t worry if you get it wrong, you’ll probably end up having a good laugh anyway and we promise you that the locals will appreciate the effort! 3. Break The Ice Most locals in tourists’ districts anywhere in the world would love to spend some time chit-chatting with the odd traveller. Find a way to break the ice – invite them to take a picture with you, ask them about their shops, and get them to talk a little bit more about their town or ask for tips. You’ll end up making a new friend before you know it! 4. Stay In A Hostel This is a great option for those who don’t need their own space – you’ll meet new people the minute you set foot in the hostel. Choose a place with great ranking and reviews and preferably one with its own bar. You’ll connect with like-minded travellers in no time and while they might not be local, they might already know of the more local things you could try and do during your visit. 5. Hire A Local Tour Guide The internet is a great place and with the existence of networking sites, you can join the local expat or community groups in the area that you’re travelling to for free. Simply post that you’re looking for a local tour guide to take you around and voila! – you’re set for a great private tour at an incredible price, inclusive of lunch, an air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver and a new buddy to boot! Throughout the trip, be sure to ask him as many questions as you can as well as recommendations and tips on where to go and what to see. Whether you do end up making lifelong friends and unforgettable memories, nothing could really replace these unique experiences that you’re about have. The important is to have fun and stay safe while living out your travel dreams!