23 destinations to live like a local.
23 locally curated experiences.
Agadir, North Africa
Modern Morocco Reality: Unlike Marrakech or Fez, Agadir was rebuilt after the devastating 1960 earthquake that killed 15,000 people - locals measure time as 'before' and 'after' the quake. Beach Se…
Bariloche, South America
The "Little Switzerland" Complex: Bariloche embraces its European alpine identity so completely that locals casually mix German, Swiss, and Argentine traditions - don't be surprised when chocolate …
Brasov, Eastern Europe
The BRASOV Sign Obsession: Locals are fiercely proud of the Hollywood-style letters on Tampa Mountain - they'll correct you if you pronounce it wrong (it's brah-SHOV, not BRAZ-ov). The sign gets li…
Brisbane, Oceania
Bin Chicken Obsession: Ibis birds raid bins everywhere, locals have love-hate relationship and endless memes about Brisbane's unofficial mascot. No Daylight Saving: Queensland refuses to adopt dayl…
Cairns, Oceania
Stinger Season Reality: From November to May, deadly box jellyfish and Irukandji patrol the waters - locals wear full stinger suits for ocean swims and nobody bats an eye. If you see someone swimmi…
Chiang Rai, Southeast Asia
Eternal Spring Climate: Locals wear sweaters in the "cold season" when it's 18°C (64°F) - tourists walk around in t-shirts while Thais bundle up like it's Arctic winter. Spirit Gate Superstition: H…
Christchurch, Oceania
Shoe Removal Culture: Wearing shoes indoors is uncommon in most Kiwi households - look for shoe racks at entrances and always ask if unsure. Earthquake Resilience Identity: Locals call it 'Shake Ci…
Cochabamba, South America
The City of Eternal Spring: Cochabamba earns this nickname honestly - locals experience 25°C (77°F) year-round, but the altitude at 2,560 meters means you'll layer clothing like an onion. La Llajta…
Córdoba, South America
Fernet Religion: Córdoba consumes 75% of the world's fernet - locals drink it mixed with Coca-Cola (called "Fernando") in tall glasses with more fernet than cola, while the rest of Argentina waters…
Denver, North America
Mile High Adjustment: At exactly 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level, Denver's altitude hits visitors hard - locals recommend drinking twice as much water as normal and taking it easy the first 4…
Grenoble, Western Europe
The Bubbles Are Not a Joke: Locals call the cable car "Les Bulles" (The Bubbles) because of their egg-shaped design - these 1976 pods are the first urban cable cars in the world and locals use them…
Honolulu, North America
No Shoes Indoors: Wearing shoes in someone's home is practically a crime in Hawaiʻi. Locals leave slippers (flip-flops) at the doorstep without question - this borrowed Japanese custom fits perfect…
Kathmandu, South Asia
The Living Goddess Kumari: Kathmandu worships a prepubescent girl as the living incarnation of goddess Taleju - she's chosen through 32 physical perfection tests and must show no fear when surround…
Kota Kinabalu, Southeast Asia
"Bah" Everything: Every sentence ends with "bah" - locals use it for agreement, emphasis, greeting, and pretty much everything else. You'll hear "okay bah", "can bah", "let's go bah" constantly - i…
La Union, Southeast Asia
Surf Season Obsession: October to March brings consistent waves, and locals structure their entire year around surf conditions - businesses close mid-week if waves are good. Jeepney Fare Passing: P…
Lagos, Western Europe
Surfer-Local Divide: Town splits between locals who've lived here generations and surf nomads who arrived last month but act like they own the place - locals tolerate international crowd while main…
Liberia, Central America
Gateway City Syndrome: Tourists rush through to beaches (Tamarindo 1 hour, Papagayo 30 minutes), locals watch airport crowds vanish immediately, underrated city dismissed as layover stop. White Cit…
Nairobi, East Africa
Traffic Jam Culture: Nairobi's legendary traffic creates mobile economies - vendors sell everything from newspapers to roasted corn through car windows. Matatu Art: Public transport buses are rolli…
Perth, Oceania
Isolation Pride: Closest major city is Adelaide 2,700km away, making Perth one of the most isolated capitals in [Oceania](/continents/oceania), yet locals embrace geographic remoteness as badge of …
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Central America
Two Puerto Viejos Problem: Costa Rica has two towns named Puerto Viejo - this one (de Talamanca) on the Caribbean coast, and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí in the mountains. Locals have stories of confu…
Quito, South America
Soroche Reality Check: At 9,350 feet (2,850m), Quito's altitude hits hard - locals chew coca leaves, drink aguas aromáticas (herbal teas), and walk slower than anywhere else. Visitors pant climbing…
San Salvador, Central America
Bitcoin Legal Tender: El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 - you can technically pay for pupusas with cryptocurrency, though most locals still prefer cash a…
Yangshuo, East Asia
The 20 Yuan Note View: Locals are endlessly amused that tourists travel thousands of kilometers to photograph the exact karst landscape printed on China's ¥20 banknote - found in Xingping, they'll …