Couch Surfing

My boyfriend and I are planning to travel through the US, central America and South America. I was considering couch surfing to save some cash, but would love to hear what peoples thoughts are on it. Am I better off sticking to hostels?

I also thought it would be a great way to meet locals and find out some cool places to visit. Reply to this

I've couchsurfed in loads of different countries, it's my favourite way to travel coz like you said you meet locals and see a side of the place you wouldnt normally Reply to this

Love couchsurfing!! It is a good way to get to know the other side of a place... And meet locals or sometimes expats... In fact I am couchsurfing in Bahrain at the moment, and getting spoilt by my host! Reply to this

We're heading to South and Central America this year and plan to couchsurf as well. We are really excited about the experience, we hope to get a new insight into the countries we visit from like-minded and aged people. Can't wait!! We are looking at couchsurfing extensively in cities and larger towns, only using hostels when somewhere smaller.

Look forward to hearing how your experience couchsurfing goes, mags, especially as not too many people mention it much when blogging.

Have fun!! Reply to this

i have to agree with Stephanie, If using couchsurfing " Just" to save money you will not get any enjoyment out of it, the experience of meeting a host from a different culture and especially one you can get along with is great.

getting to see the country from a local perspective is great as well as having someone experienced with the area to send you off the beaten track at times is great.

I haven't CS'ed yet but i have hosted a couple from Canada and a Italian lady in the last 12 mths and we remain great friends today. Its an experience that cant be passed up if it isn't " abused" Reply to this

We have hosted 4 times and our recent summer trip through Northern Europe we did a good mix of camping and couchsurfing. It was an incredible experience. Mostly stayed with couples/families as I was travelling alone with a 4 year old. It was nice to sightsee during the day and then hang out with the locals/eat/drink wine while my daughter played with other children. Higlhyl recommend it! Reply to this

We've got to agree with everyone before us here, Couch Surfing is great, we have hosted and surfed with many great people, and made some good friends. You get a chance to see a different side of a place, and get a locals perspective of living there. It is about more than just saving money though. Reply to this

Hi there!
I'm french and I'm a couchsurfer, and I lived for 2 years in GUatemala and go back there every year for at least 3 months...
Well don't forget that the main point of CS is not "saving money" but sharing with the people you meet... Eventually you will save up money, but don't use it at a hostel-free system.
As far as I know, hostels are not so expensive in Guatemala, so in fact CSers travellers around there are more interested in knowing people than in saving money since it's not such a big waste. Guatemalan CS community is very active, there are always some travellers around to travel with for a while, or to have a coffee or beer with. Local CSers are very active too, organizing meetings in both Antigua and Guatemala City. There's also an active community in Quetzaltenango/Xela....
Wow there are all such good people! Salvador is also quite active, I don't know about the other countries.
If you've never been on CS, and feel weird with some hosts, follow you sixth sense to avoid problems 😉
Maybe try to get into some meetings where you live to have an idea about what is the mood in that strange community 😉

Enjoy central America!
Milie.

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Well,
I shot a film in FInland I made some friends for life, while saving a lot of budget money.
Couchsurfing is FANTASTIC!!!!

Veronica

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