Determine your style of travel
There are many ways to travel to fit many budgets.
Which one suits you best?
Extreme (Geronimo!)
Extreme or adventure travel requires very careful planning.
Take the time to find out as much as you can about your destination and the type of extreme activity that interests you:
- How physically demanding will it be?
- Are you in good enough shape? (Come on, be honest with yourself!)
- Is the location politically unstable and therefore potentially dangerous?
- What language do they speak? It will be easier to get help if you learn a few local expressions (like "There's a snake in my boot!").
The best way to prepare is to get advice from people who have already done what you want to do.
Pack light (they don't always have camels or donkeys around to carry your stuff).
Fly and flop (Hééééé Macarena!)
This type of travel with its "all-inclusive" format does not require much preparation and does not pose much risk (except that you might gain some weight in record time).
However, you will certainly have a more enjoyable experience if you do some advance research on the locations that interest you and the activities they offer (e.g. beach volleyball, trapeze, swimming with dolphins, aerobic dancing) (aerobics on vacation! Something's wrong with this picture…).
So you want to laze around, but not all the time? If you want to combine sun tanning with some culture, look for guided tours. They're simple and you can choose how much visiting you want to do!
This type of travelling is great for people who travel alone or outside the country for the first time.
Backpacking (When in Rome…)
This type of travel may involve staying in the country, so you won't lose any money on the exchange rate. You can visit on foot (or by bike!) the hotspots in other provinces such as the Rockies, the Prairies, the Maritimes or the Yukon, and for cheap if you choose to camp, tour by bike, couchsurf or stay in youth hostels.
Whether you are travelling in Canada or another country, shop at local markets and grocery stores instead of eating in restaurants.
A great way to cut costs is to travel in a group (careful, three's a crowd!). Many tourist spots offer cheaper group rates starting with 10 or 12 people. National parks also have a lot to offer at affordable prices!
