By traveling frugally, you can stay for longer at your destination or even afford to visit more places. One of the most costly travel-related expenses is food. Feeding yourself is certainly necessary, and experiencing the local cuisine is an important part of immersing yourself in a new culture, but you don’t have to break your budget to indulge. There are plenty of ways to eat on the cheap and still enjoy local favorites.
Research the local cuisine in the location you’ll be visiting. Identify the key dishes that you want to experience, and look for restaurants that offer them. Then, explore coupon and deal sites to find discounts for restaurants that offer your local fare of choice.
At the market, you will find local and regional foods, but at far lower prices than those that you’d pay for prepared meals. If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, purchase these regional foods and prepare them yourself. If you don’t have kitchen access, take advantage of the market by trying regional produce and baked goods at remarkably low prices.
Ask them where they would go for an affordable meal. Tourist traps are all too easy to find and highly overpriced. Locals are likely to send you off the beaten path, where you’ll not only find a cheaper meal, but also one that’s more in line with what the locals really eat.
Sure, you want to experience local cuisine while you’re in town, but that does not mean that every meal has to be special. If you hotel offers a continental breakfast, fill up on the bagels, fruit, or other offerings, and then treat yourself to a smaller, less-expensive restaurant meal later in the day.
You’re on vacation, so you should not have to completely abstain from alcohol unless this is your personal choice. If you do choose to drink, do so in moderation. You’re less likely to make wise financial choices after you’ve had a few beers. Choose local beers or wines to get the most out of the experience.
Eating great food from different cultures is one of the key reasons people love traveling. With a little attention to detail and these tips in your back pocket, you can enjoy the good eats and stick to your budget."
