Travelling has evolved a lot since our adolescent days. Visiting touristy attractions were possibly the main agenda back then, but most of us now are no longer satisfied with the mere act of ticking off these iconic sightseeing places.

Instead, an increasing number of travellers are craving for an authentic local experience and immersing themselves in the lives of natives.

Perhaps the need to “escape” is no longer present for we now feel the need to educate ourselves with foreign cultural experiences – which really isn’t a bad thing. From living in a local town, partaking in cooking classes, sampling street food to walking whenever possible, here are 13 ways to live like a local while one is on a vacation.

#1 AIRBNB

For a true-blue experience of living like a local, rent either an entire apartment or private room from the locals. We highly recommend rent lodging website Airbnb for some local hosts provide the most amazing dining recommendations!

This enables travellers to get a taste of life as a local and explore surroundings of a foreign destination’s local neighbourhood like never before.

#2 COOKING CLASSES

Regardless of whether it is a half-day class, one-week workshop or a month-long course, cooking classes are a great way to learn about a destination’s culture and cuisine.

It is also during these interactive activities that you will pick up some lingo, make friends and also learn precious skills of replicating local delicacies.

Check out 7 Cooking Classes in Ubud (Bali) That Are Worth Travelling For.

#3 DITCH THE GUIDEBOOK

While a destination guidebook’s primary purpose is to facilitate one’s travels, we have also realised that most recommendations are geared towards touristy ones. To avoid tourist traps, we suggest you avoid over relying on the guidebooks and try an alternative route instead i.e. ask the locals you encounter for suggestions.

#4 DRESS UP LIKE THE LOCALS

Instead of sticking out like a sore thumb with very touristy outfits, why not do some research in advance on your designated destination and try to dress up like the locals?

Fake it ’till you make it! Avoid wearing tacky straw hats and floral printed shirt or else you might end up attracting pickpockets and scammers.

#5 EXCHANGE HOMES

There are several online websites such as Home Exchange and Love Home Swap that allow travellers to temporarily exchange their houses.

For those not in the know, it essentially means that you get to live in someone else’s home and the other party gets to live in yours. It’s a win-win situation and you get to save up.

#6 MAKE FRIENDS WITH NATIVES

You never know what striking up a conversation at wherever you are could lead to. Humans are inherently good by nature and chances are, your new friend could bring you to the coolest places in town.

Of course, always trust your gut instincts and never befriend someone whom you think is potentially dangerous.

#7 MOBILE APPS

Thanks to the advancement of technology, we now have access to the insider’s news at the tip of our fingers. Some app would feature only locally-owned restaurants while some provide tips on cities by locals themselves.

#8 PICK UP THE NATIVE LANGUAGE

Picking up a foreign language from scratch with no prior knowledge is tough, but it goes a long way when you know the key basic words.

Alternatively, why not take it to a whole new level by learning it from a language center? Your new lifelong skill could definitely help you heaps to blend in when travelling around.

#9 READ LOCAL PRESSES

For the most up-to-date information, browse through the newspaper stands and local hipster cafes for brochures and magazines. It is through these local presses that you will uncover a trove of information on the city’s upcoming events, hottest dining destinations and more.

#10 SAMPLE STREET FOOD

It is time to step out of your comfort zone and start sampling local street food on the streets itself!

This might be a daunting experience for the reserved, especially when the specific dish is particularly funky. But it is through food that you get to learn about a destination’s history, geography and demography.

#11 VISIT LOCAL GROCERS AND MARKETS

Visiting different local grocery stores and markets is an eye-opening experience. These places pose a great opportunity for travellers to check out the local communities and catch a glimpse of their livelihoods.

You are also bound to chance upon many products that you have never seen in your own hometown.

Source: Easy Tour China

#12 VOLUNTEER

Volunteering vacations are extremely common these days. If you have the time and energy to spare, why not join one of these service-based vacations where you can join the locals to build homes, teach kids or sort food donations etc.

Volunteers get to make a positive difference and meet new local friends.

#13 WALK WHENEVER POSSIBLE

While taking a private taxi could potentially save time, walking in between point A and point B (assuming it isn’t too far) could actually reveal many hidden gems you would have otherwise not known about.

Most local eateries are tucked away in small obscure streets and would be easily missed if you are driving or on a car.

Cooking classes are incredibly popular at The Island of Gods and we totally understand why.

Most half-day courses include free pick-up from Ubud area and a trip to the local farms and/or markets, before students are guided through an interactive experience on how to prepare mouthwatering Balinese classics. And of course, you get to eat whatever you’ve cooked during the lessons!

From Balinese Farm Cooking School, Jambangan Bali Cooking Class to Lorong Culinary Experience Bali, here is our guide to 7 Best Cooking Classes in Ubud, Bali. If you have never tried a cooking day class before, signing up for one while on a vacation sounds like a refreshing idea, yes?

Source: Balinese Farm Cooking

#1 BALINESE FARM COOKING SCHOOL

Balinese Farm Cooking School’s day class will have students visiting the local Balinese markets and harvesting their own crops at an organic farm before the cooking lesson commences.

One can choose from regular or vegetarian classes. Rates start from US$35 per pax, which includes pick up from Ubud and a complimentary recipe book./

Banjar Patas, Taro, Ubud 80561
Tel: +62 812-3953-4446

#2 CASA LUNA COOKING SCHOOL

Hailed as one of the world’s best cooking schools by The Australian, Casa Luna Cooking School is one of the most famous cooking classes in Bali. Interested participants can learn to prepare delectable Balinese dishes such as chicken satay, gado-gado and tempe curry etc.

Prices start from RP$400,000/ US$30 per head.

Honeymoon Guesthouses, JL Bisma, Kec. Gianyar, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 973282

Source: The Keepers Map

#3 JAMBANGAN BALI COOKING CLASS

If you are after an intimate homestyle cooking course, then Jambangan Bali Cooking Class will definitely fit the bill. Learn useful culinary techniques from natives and whip up eight tantalising Balinese dishes – you will get to devour them all after. The 5/5 rating on Trip Advisor was indeed accurate; it was truly the highlight of our one-week vacation in Ubud!

Fees are at a flat rate of RP$350,000/ US$26.50 per person and you can choose from either morning or afternoon classes.

Jl Kelabang Moding, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 813-3834-4388

Source: Living In Another Language

#4 LOBONG CULINARY EXPERIENCE BALI

An educational and fun-filled culinary lesson awaits at Lobong Culinary Experience Bali, where attendees will be guided from the beginning to the very end on how to prepare a plethora of delicious Balinese dishes from scratch.

Prices start from RP$375,000/ US$28.40 and there is a prevailing 10% service charge.

Jl. Raya, Kedewatan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 812-3651-778

Source: Trip Advisor

#5 PAON BALI

Paon Bali Cooking Class offers both morning and afternoon classes, but note that the latter does not include trips to the local markets. The English-speaking class is held in a local’s home compound; it will be a very unique and memorable hands-on experience.

Rates start from RP$350,000/ US$26.50 per person. Do bear in mind that Paon Bali Cooking Class is especially hot in demand due to its number one ranking on Trip Advisor’s Classes & Workshops in Ubud – hence reservations way in advance are highly recommended.

Kab. Gianyar, 80552,Indonesia, Jl. Raya Laplapan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 813-3793-9095

Source: Payuk Bali

#6 PAYUK BALI COOKING CLASS

Payuk Bali Cooking Class is run by local experience Balinese Chef Ketut Budi, where avid foodie travellers can unlock the secrets of Balinese cuisine from the comforts of a local traditional home! Learn how to make traditional Balinese coffee, coconut oil and whatnot. No prior experience is required and everyone is welcome!

Chef Ketut is imparting his culinary knowhow at just RP$350,000/ US$26.50 per person, whereby 5% of the amount will go to non-profit organisation Bali Child School.

Jalan Laplapan, Banjar Laplapan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 8987854

Source: Raw Food Bali

#7 RAW FOOD BALI

Raw Food Bali’s workshops are nothing like all the Balinese cooking classes we have just shared about. Instead, it aims to offer classes committed to raw food.

Interested attendees can expect three-hour courses such as Raw Food Fundamentals and Western Classics Gone Raw etc. Each class will have you preparing six recipes and going through two talks! Classes start from US$80 per pax.

Jalan Suweta, Ubud 80571, Indonesia

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best food places in Bali.