Save Money When Traveling By Knowing The Culture
We’re all hoping the pandemic will be over soon and that international travel will be as easy as ever. Unfortunately, the reality is that budget travelers are going to have to struggle for a while longer. Even once things open up again, there will be a need for caution.
So, while it will be simple for someone with money to book a luxury room in a hotel, a budget traveler won’t be able to rely on crowded hostels, packed buses, and street food to get by. This also means a temporary end to sharing expenses with strangers and getting helpful tips from backpackers.
There is, however, another way to travel through a country with a small budget. You need to get to know the culture beforehand. Here’s why.
Language is powerful
Any place which sees a fair amount of tourism has its fair share of opportunists. And there is nothing wrong with locals taking advantage of a tourist’s stronger currency and loose pockets by charging disproportionately high prices. Most tourists won’t know the difference.
If you go into a country without being able to speak a bit of the language, you are going to fall into these traps no matter how savvy you think you are. You won’t be able to negotiate and will constantly be confused by whoever is trying to sell you a product or service. Furthermore, language is a powerful connector, and locals will feel far more inclined to help you out if you make the effort.
It is important to remember that speaking a language is not just about saying certain words. There is culture inherent in it that makes communication more complicated. The best way to learn a language is by hearing it spoken, which is why so many second language speakers learn a lot from watching TV.
The app Lingopie has taken this concept and turned it into an incredible technique. Read this review of Lingopie, and get an idea for yourself of how effective it is. The app gives you access to thousands of TV shows from different countries, along with interactive subtitles to help you learn.
This way, you learn not only how the language is spoken, but a sense of the culture as well. This will help you save money on taxis, accommodation, tours, and more.
Local food is cheap
Traditionally, budget travelers have eaten street food as both a way to connect to the culture and save money. While some may be willing to go straight back to street food post-COVID, many of us will want to wait a while. The thing is, street food doesn't have to be the only cheap option.
When we eat local food at restaurants aimed at tourists, we implicitly agree to a huge markup simply for making it more accessible to our tastes and language. In reality, local food is naturally very cheap. You just need to know what locals eat and where they get it.
Do your research beforehand to find out what the average local eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will then be equipped with the knowledge of what to look for and how much it should cost. You’ll find that you don’t need Bali street food to get affordable and delicious fried rice, or Thai street food for cheap tom yum.
Getting in touch with the culture is the most organic way to save money when traveling. It means you are able to avoid tourist traps while living like a local.
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