Couchsurfing: ¿Que es y para que sirve?

¡Hola chicos ! 

¡Ya estamos de vuelta con un nuevo tema!

Debido a la gran acogida de esta nueva forma de viajar, hemos decidido hablar sobre el popular programa de intercambio cultural llamado Couchsurfing

¡Vamos a por ello ! 

Primero: ¿Que es Couchsurfing?

Es una red de viajeros a nivel mundial, que te permite hospedarte con locales en ciudades y pueblos a donde quieras viajar.
Ademas de dormir gratis, tienes la oportunidad de conocer mas de cerca la forma de vida de cada ciudad así podrás, como su descripción lo dice, "compartir verdaderas experiencias de viaje". 

Bien, ahora que ya sabemos que es y como funciona lo siguiente seria ¿Como ser un Couchsurfer? no, no , no la pregunta indicada es ¿Como ser un BUEN Couchsurfer? 

Bueno lo primero seria registrarse. Lo puedes hacer dando clic aquí.
Luego deberás llenar la información, siendo veraz y sin mentiras.
En tu descripción habla sobre tus gustos, lugares que has visitado, idiomas ( si es que hablas mas de uno)y cosas que te apasionan. Muestra lo amigable que puedes ser. 

Encontraras una sección donde deberás elegir entre si puedes o no dar hospedaje a viajeros como tu. 

En mi caso, la opción que elegí es la intermedia. Es decir no siempre tengo espacio para hospedar a alguien pero algunas otras si, eso también lo puedes poner con la opción "Podría aceptar invitados" o " Maybe accepting guests"

Adicional a eso se te dará la opción de "Verificar" tu cuenta haciendo un pago anual. Aunque esto ayudaría a las oportunidades de encontrar alojamiento no es un requisito indispensable. Lo que jugara aquí sera la reputación que tengas. 

Tu reputación.

Como todo buen programa de viajeros, Couchsurfing cuenta con un apartado para que las personas que se quedaron contigo o te hospedaron hablen de su experiencia. 
Esto es buenísimo ya que nos permite ver que clase de persona voy a hospedar o va a hospedarme. 

Se un buen anfitrión o huésped. Se espera que el viajero al que se hospeda tenga algo que aportar a casa, no monetaria mente pero si culturalmente.  
Así que se extrovertido, colaborador y educado. Se un buen amigo. 

Otra cosa útil que puedes hacer es ofrecerte como guía te tu propia ciudad. Así conocerás mas viajeros y ganaras mas buenas recomendaciones. 

Cuando quieras hacer un viaje, ve a la barra de búsqueda y pon la ciudad que quieres visitar. Te saldrá una lista de los Couchsurfers disponibles ademas de eventos que podrían interesarte y la opción de "Hangouts" que sirve para compartir un café o una cerveza con quien este disponible. Casi como una aplicación de citas. 

La frase que se usa en cada búsqueda me encanta " Tienes amigos en ( la ciudad a la que vayas), solo que aun no los conoces" 

Y es así. 

Con Couchsurfing no solo ahorraras en alojamiento si no que también conocerás y harás amigos de todas partes! 

Tendrás increíbles experiencias y recuerdos inolvidables.

En fin, hay mucho que puedes aprender viajando de esta manera. 

Ahorras y ganas experiencias memorables. 

¡Completamente recomendado ! 

Si tienes experiencias usando este programa cuéntanos en un comentario y no olvides compartir la información para que mas personas se contagien con el bichito viajero!

No olvides seguirme en nuestra pagina en Facebook que se vienen mas sorpresas ! 

¡La semana que viene estaremos llegando a Colombia! Ya les daremos datos sobre costos y rutas para ello. 

No dejes de seguirnos y sera hasta una próxima entrega. 

Buenas rutas para todos. Edisson :)

¡Colombia ! ¡Ahí te vamos ! 

Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Backpack. Low Cost

Are you crave out and meet the world on a journey that could change your life ?
If you are reading this means that the answer is yes , then what is stopping you?
MONEY! 
This is a common factor among travelers and more than one of us has the same problem but there is always a solution , so here I bring a small guide ! 10 low-cost destinations for backpacking !

Lets do it!

1- India

According to a BBC report which reads :

"If you want to spend little , it is an ideal place because the transportation is very cheap, the street food is very good and can be stopped at very cheap hotels anywhere in the country. And if you can spend a lot more, India offers all that  tourist with money may want "

India can offer countless possibilities and low costs for countries where handled American dollars or Euros because the national currency, Rupee , is very economical and offer you the chance to spend a day around 9 dollars including food , lodging and transportation. Backpackers hostels can be found in all major cities . This attracts countless tourists every year who remain delighted with the places and people they found on their way through this great country.

2-Guatemala

The Central American country is a potential leader in terms of prices because the cost per day may be 6 $ for a backpacker . Although this is usually less .

While it is a country where you have to be careful because it is something unsafe, especially the capital of the same name which is best avoided , will not fail to surprise you with its scenery and amazing places like the Mayan Tikal ruins or majestic Lake Atitlan or lake of volcanoes.

A recommended destination!

3-Indonesia

Well, although getting here is not the most economic of the world, this destination in the West is still one of the most cheapest and amazing for independent travelers. The official website of BBC tells us :

" It has a very wide range of activities that has made it, long a favorite destination for independent travelers looking for a different alternative to organized travel and tours. In this sense offers a number of advantages such as beaches or water sports that you can practice a more than reasonable price "

So do not be scared off by the ticket price , which is as expensive as it once there, things change and you would take home many incredible memories.

4-Bolivia

The South American country is one of the most economical but getting to there is not much.

While prices are not the same as before by the large influx of travelers, Bolivia remains a country dedicated to backpackers so a budget of between 12 and 15 dollars a day are more than enough to visit this country.

Incredible scenery await you as Lake Titicaca, the highest in the world or the Uyuni Salt Flats who in the rainy season becomes in the most biggest mirror of the world, joining heaven and earth in just one.

Picture courtesy by Vale Freyre

Definitely a must-see destination for any traveler.

5-Cambodia

The country has become in a big point  visited by independent travelers in recent years . Although maybe get here is not so easy and inexpensive, this destination definitely worth the effort.

With incredible landscapes , accommodation between three to five dollars per night and good and cheap food in the streets, Cambodia is a must destination for those who enjoy natural landscapes , culture and gastronomy. You can cross the country by bike or a motorcycle , if your preference , while admiring the vast fields of rice and landscapes memorable !

6- Colombia

The coffee country is one of the most economical for a nomadic traveler. Food, lodging and souvenirs can be found for $ 11 a day. The many possibilities this destination offers from extensive forests to pristine beaches attract thousands of tourists every year.

Of course take your precautions when traveling to this country on for the issue of FARC but if you take the councils that give you such as avoiding Chocó , a small town on the coast that is currently populated by guerrillas or also avoiding places near the Colombian jungle you will have the best in this beautiful place.

Cabo San Juan , Tayrona Park or the enigmatic Caño Cristales and the River of 5 colors are definitely some of the destinations that await you here.

7-Tunisia

The African country is a must-see destination if you want to experience something different at a low price .

Enjoy golden beaches cost 60 % less than the US

In addition to the wide variety of things to do you will meet a country full of different cultural facets. Definitely a place that should be on your list .

8-Thailand

This is a completely unmissable destination and one of the cheapest ! Although air travel can be very expensive , once here you can walk around this country for $ 13 a day enjoying some of the most beautiful beaches in the world , sacred temples and amazing scenery ! Thailand , the birthplace of Muay Thai, is a popular destination for independent travelers and has to be on your list to visit.

9- Iran

Actually this should be at the top of our list but here is . Far from what we imagined , Iran is one of the most charismatic countries and who best treats its visitors, especially the nomadic travelers . The daily budget is around $ 25 a day considering that if you get accommodation in a family home, which almost always happens , this will down.

You'll get a huge experience visiting this destination.

10- Malaysia

And in the last place on our list, but not least important and seductive, the paradisaical lands of Malaysia.

amazing white sand beaches and crystalline waters such as Redang Island , considered the best in Southeast Asia, await you at a reasonable price of 25 to $ 30 per day.

Mobilizing the country is simple and economical as the company AirAsia , the low cost airline most important of the entire continent , is based in Kuala Lumpur.

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There are many options in this dazzling country you should not miss if you want to live an unforgettable experience.

In short , there are many options to traveling cheap and enjoy your trip . Here are some destinations that forums such as the BBC and more backpackers forums recommend  , but when embarking on a journey must take into account many aspects , being the economic, a decisive factor. So I hope this list will help you to choose your next destination.

No more, I hope this guide will help you and if so do not forget to share it to infect more people with the backpacker spirit.

Do not forget to leave me your questions and comments below and will be until the next delivery.

Greetings and have many more adventures!

Good routes to everybody . 

Edisson  :)

How to choose your first traveling backpack?

Hey there Backpackers! Are you going to leave on a travel?
How should you choose yout first backpack?

Well, it seems a simple enough question, but, choosing a backpack can become a tedious job and find the balance between price and convenience can become a real headache.


Now , this post will not give you the ideal Backpack for you, as this is more one own decision, since each must choose between capacity, size , price and brand but I can give you some advices you could Watch.
So what steps have to follow to choose correctly?

Remember, your backpack is almost the principal thing on your trip and this will bring your groceries and necessities. In addition, as a traveler, you will walk a lot , so this should be comfortable and not hurt if you carry loaded for long.

So, then we go with the first point !

First:
When you decide to be backpacker or traveler it is understood that all you 'll need is in your backpack and then grows the importance of choosing the capacity, measured in liters , that this has .

This does not mean shalt bring the whole house in the backpack , so you should see the primary and only what is necessary for your trip . The rest will come in the way.

I personally use one of 70 liters and me worked very well , considering that i measure 1.70 and this is more or less my height.

For a man, one of 70 or 80 liters would not bad, and for a woman , one of 50 or 60 liters fit perfectly .

DO NOT overload the backpack!

Come on, if the backpack has a capacity marked by something must be . Do not overload as this will affect the backpack, which in the worst case may  break it, it also directly affected your back and may you take away the desire to travel.

Second:

You fits. Far from what we could hear about whether loaded is different than empty , it has to fit in with your physiognomy , we directly talking about your hips and back .

Ideally, the backpack is directly above your hips , not half your tail, so the lower belt may be on your hips and not on the waist. This will help to distributing weight to your legs and giving a break to the back. This never hurts .

Third:

The details. this is actually a very important factor .

Belts, material and shape of distribution are of great importance when traveling for example : the epaulets .

What if these be very thin and unpadded ?

Remember that, you will carry  considerable weight and if you dont have comfortable support you will end with a severed shoulder , ok maybe that's not happen, but yes wounded and painfull .

So, the epaulets must be cushioned, padded, resilient and comfortable in the neck area .

Belts : In its entirety, must be easy to fit and not have to take off your backpack to adjust something. obligatorily should have the chest strap , as this helps to distribute the weight .

 They have to be sliding and padded in the case of the lumbar or lower belt.

Closures : Double closure forced , so if one fails the other will save you , besides that provide ease in packing or put a lock and give security, indispensable on your journey.

Back : The back or part to your back has to be padded , with belt height adjustment to regulate the load and if you may need ventilation system (very common in new backpacks )

Frame : It must be internal . This gives stability to the backpack and the ability to distribute the weight . The carbon fiber frame is commonly used and is a huge help to carry the weight of the backpack all day . Do not buy one if it does not have a frame.

Material: Must be of good material. Recalls that in the trip will spend many things to your backpack, and be abused in many places ( poor :( ... ) so it need be strong and of good material .

Waterproof : This is an important factor because, unless you will go to a place where no rain ,at all, this will need to be waterproof . This tends to raise the price. But we have other option , like mine, which are those that come with a rain cover . These are cheaper and work perfectly .

Compartments: It is essential that our backpack can divide sections so we can distribute our luggage. In addition this will allow us to keep things of quick use in a place that does not need to empty the backpack to get them.

As Fourth and last : The Price

Well, we can not clearly say something about this but , first , not buy without comparing prices before

Do not buy the first thing you see and neither the cheaper as it could get out expensive.

An approximate price could range between 120 and $ 200 for a good quality backpack .

So when choosing , review these steps since that backpack will accompany you for long.

In order, to tastes and colors, there are plenty , but as we saw there are certain things that can not be overlooked when buying a travel bag.

I hope this information will help and save in certain doubts that have touched us all .

If you have any experience that you would like to tell us , Leave her in the comments below and do not forget to share this information to infect more people with this traveler spirit and to have a lot of adventures more !

Traveller, until the next delivery and Good routes ! Att Edisson