New Zealand Accommodation Like a Local
Being part of the community, wherever you're travelling, is the best way to become more ingrained and aware of the culture. That, and your fondest memories will almost always include the people you meet, unique activities and conversations had (not the souvenir shops or double decker bus tours). You also spend less money by travelling locally and you end up being a more mindful traveller.
New Zealand is the perfect country to really embrace the idea of local travel. Its combination of being far from everything and being a top tourist destination with thousands of activities means you're never at a loss for kind people and new experiences. Here are six ways to travel New Zealand like a local:
Connect with people locally via €real world€ resources. Essentially this means finding a hiking group through Twitter or networking event on MeetUp. New Zealanders are famous for being some of the friendliest people in the world and will be happy to give you advice or even take you on a tour should you show up to a locals' event like this!
Use an online traveller network. Sites like Couchsurfing (not just for surfing couches! or Triptropping are incredible resources for like-minded travellers and locals who want to get together and experience New Zealand together.
Explore markets. New Zealand is filled with markets selling everything from crafts to produce. This means you're shopping with locals, eating local foods, and chatting with local farmers and artists. For a true Kiwi experience, stick to neighborhood markets rather than those smack in the middle of a city.
Travel during off-peak times. Even if you visit New Zealand in the height of summer, you can still wander off the beaten path by visiting museums during the early morning or doing walking tours at night. If you're nocturnal, some of New Zealand's best views can be seen in the dark.
Get outside. While being active might be New Zealand's number one pastime, locals are just as adventurous as the tourists, so get out and go mountain biking, hiking, fishing or kayaking. You'd be surprised how many Kiwis you'll meet along the way.
Avoid generic hotels. While every once in a while it's great to wind down and be catered to, there are also tons of options like renting an apartment or staying in a B&B. These options are a little more low key and allow you to really soak up the culture and meet people in the area.
If you start doing a little research online before your trip, you can find the perfect New Zealand accommodation to let you really experience the country like a local.
New Zealand is the perfect country to really embrace the idea of local travel. Its combination of being far from everything and being a top tourist destination with thousands of activities means you're never at a loss for kind people and new experiences. Here are six ways to travel New Zealand like a local:
Connect with people locally via €real world€ resources. Essentially this means finding a hiking group through Twitter or networking event on MeetUp. New Zealanders are famous for being some of the friendliest people in the world and will be happy to give you advice or even take you on a tour should you show up to a locals' event like this!
Use an online traveller network. Sites like Couchsurfing (not just for surfing couches! or Triptropping are incredible resources for like-minded travellers and locals who want to get together and experience New Zealand together.
Explore markets. New Zealand is filled with markets selling everything from crafts to produce. This means you're shopping with locals, eating local foods, and chatting with local farmers and artists. For a true Kiwi experience, stick to neighborhood markets rather than those smack in the middle of a city.
Travel during off-peak times. Even if you visit New Zealand in the height of summer, you can still wander off the beaten path by visiting museums during the early morning or doing walking tours at night. If you're nocturnal, some of New Zealand's best views can be seen in the dark.
Get outside. While being active might be New Zealand's number one pastime, locals are just as adventurous as the tourists, so get out and go mountain biking, hiking, fishing or kayaking. You'd be surprised how many Kiwis you'll meet along the way.
Avoid generic hotels. While every once in a while it's great to wind down and be catered to, there are also tons of options like renting an apartment or staying in a B&B. These options are a little more low key and allow you to really soak up the culture and meet people in the area.
If you start doing a little research online before your trip, you can find the perfect New Zealand accommodation to let you really experience the country like a local.
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