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The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing the Caribbean Like a Local

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Your bags are packed, you are ready to go, all that is left is to make the final touches on your Caribbean itinerary. Except, if you want to really understand the culture of the Caribbean, it is best to forget strict timings, take off your shoes, and just go with the flow.

For more ways to make the most of your trip, read on for the ultimate guide to experiencing the Caribbean like a local.

1. Know how to stick to a budget.

Locals in all places tend to know the tips and tricks essential to living on a budget day-in and day-out. If you really want to experience this region like a local, then it is critical to overlook the tourist traps and those things deemed “must-sees” and instead open yourself up to getting into the local groove.

To visit when there is the least amount of tourists, opt to travel during the off-season (during the North American fall and winter), as you will not only be able to bypass hoards of tourists, but you will also be able to save up to 30% on the costs of your accommodation.

Additionally, one of the best ways to keep your costs down and to get some exercise (see #2) is to choose to walk around your locale as much as possible. After all, the weather is so perfect, you may as well take advantage of it as much as possible!

When walking around a new destination, you are able to witness and appreciate the slower, more authentic moments of the local’s life, and you are more likely to find yourself facing opportunities to speak with new friends. Those from the Caribbean are known for being friendly and hospitable, and they regard the broader community in the same way they do their family, so put on your walking shoes and get out there.

2. Ensure you stay healthy.

For many people, traveling to a foreign destination means forgetting all about health and wellness; however, if you want to stay healthy while in the Caribbean, it is indeed possible. Your first step is merely to believe that you can do it and to create a plan in advance so that you are prepared upon arrival.

Luckily, the Caribbean is usually considered a healthy environment with an abundance of clean water which means the “tropical diseases” that many other places experience aren’t a problem for those who visit these islands. However, it is always recommended to stay up-to-date on any travel warnings and health recommendations.

In addition to walking as much as possible, do like the locals do and make swimming a daily activity. Whether it is in your hotel pool or in the sea (it does have an 83-degree year-round water temperature!) getting in some laps surely won’t feel like a chore in the Caribbean.

In fact, it is hard for anything to feel like a chore when you are in a place that has such a fantastic work-life balance. This is one of the main reasons that foreigners are interested in second citizenship programs to the Caribbean and consider securing Antigua citizenship by investment or a second passport in St. Kitts, for example.

3. Always opt for the local food and drink.

 

When it comes to really living the local life in the Caribbean (or wherever you are traveling), the key is to always opt for the local food and drink. Not only is Caribbean cuisine delicious, but it will also be the most cost-effective way to eat. By consuming the local specialties, you will get a deeper insight into the country and its people.

So, what should you be eating and drinking?

While all the countries in the Caribbean have their own variations of dishes, you can be assured that fish is one of the most important staples for everyone in the region. Due to the proximity to the ocean, Caribbean cuisine is known for its usage of fresh fish, conch, and other seafood.

Additionally, other local specialities include jerk chicken, roast pork with rice and beans, pepperpot (a rich and thick stew), and goat stew. Whatever dish you opt for, you can guarantee that it is going to include a lot of spices. Throughout the Caribbean, you will notice small roadside cantinas which offer home-style dishes — make sure to indulge in at least one meal here. And don’t forget to try the rum!

Have you ever traveled to the Caribbean? What do you do to ensure you are able to live more of a local life when traveling? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comments below!

 

 

AUTHOR BIO
Kal Kennard is a Partner at Citizens International, a white-glove specialist firm offering private client services necessary for citizenship investment into the Caribbean. Based in the Caribbean for the past 15 years, she is an experienced consultant who works directly with many professional partners and advises clients worldwide.

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Sydney’s Culinary Trends in 2018

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Sydney’s Culinary Trends in 2018

Sydney's Culinary Trends

With so many food trends popping up every day, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the things to try and satisfy your hedonistic need. If you happen to be a fan of Sydney’s culinary trends in particular, you’ll be glad to see some of the foods that will take over the internet in 2018. No matter if you’re a coffee junkie, vegetarian or lactose intolerant, you’ll find most of these food choices quite acceptable. Here are some of the most popular culinary choices that originated from Sydney.

The rise of mocktails

Sydney - Mocktails

With the rising number of individuals who prefer gluten-free, low-cholesterol and other healthier products, there is a notable rise of non-alcoholic beverages in Sydney bars. The whole point of a cocktail is to mix the “kick” of alcohol and refreshing effect of juices to create the ultimate refreshing adult beverage. However, the whole game changes when the majority of tourists don’t want even the slightest pinch of alcohol in their drink. So, what’s a bartender to do? It’s simple, make them a mocktail – a non-alcoholic version of the cocktail. Mocktails have all the features of a cocktail – unique look, amazing garnish, and colors – but they contain 0 percent of alcohol. So, what’s not to love?

Whole fish meal

Sydney - Whole Fish Meal

When it comes to food trends, there is one thing to keep in mind – they tend to change frequently. In most cases the lines are blurring between the conventional and unconventional method of preparing food. It’s time to accept that some of the dishes that will take over the culinary world in 2018 might be out of the ordinary.
Whole fish dining is quite familiar to those who fancy Japanese cuisine, but to us, it’s definitely something we’re not used to. At least not yet. By removing the entrails, and only that from a fish, the chef then seasons it while adding a couple of dressings and sauces to the mix of spices. Afterward, the fish is ready for the cooking process. Chefs from all around the world are serving some of the most expensive types of fish in their restaurants this way. And the customers love it! If you haven’t tried whole fish dining yet, you’ll have more than plenty of opportunities to do so, as this trend will stick in 2018.

The coffee culture

Sydney - Coffee

Starbucks coffee is great for one thing- to get your daily portion of caffeine when you don’t have the time for a real coffee break. Luckily for real coffee lovers, Australians aren’t too fond of Starbucks products.

Aussies love their coffee brewed every way possible, as long as it’s brewed right. There are a lot of quality coffee suppliers and one of the best is certainly Coffee Galleria with white label blends to suit every need. People in Sydney will never give up their cup of quality coffee. Many are familiar with different brewing methods from aeropress to Chemex, which are at home-friendly as well. This is what makes their coffee so popular.
And speaking of popular, did you know that you’ll be seeing more private coffee brands of premium quality in 2018? The trend of home brewing goes back to traditional methods of brewing coffee, and has inspired many coffee shops to change their menu. So, go ahead order your Macchiato, Mocha, Piccolo or the regular Flat White coffee and experience the real taste of coffee.

Seafood out of the ordinary

Seafood fans will love the fact that restaurants from all around the world will be adding fish to their menu. But why would they do that?
Because food trends dictate what we see in our favorite restaurant’s menu. With an increased demand for lobster, urchin and other seafood dishes in Sydney’s most prized restaurants, the rest of the world has no choice but to follow this trend. So, if you enjoy fish more than any other meat, you’ll be glad to hear that this trend of focusing on seafood dishes is yet to be popularized. Although not as rich in protein like beef or pork, fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids which are extremely beneficial to our health.

Every gourmet knows that food trends dictate what we see in the menu of popular restaurants in our vicinity. But we always have a choice to make and filter what we ingest to stay healthy. Luckily, this year has some promising food trends that will satisfy even the most demanding food lovers.