Hey Everyone:
I am a 22 year old male and I am planning a trip to South America for november. I am pretty adventurous guy and am looking to have fun and want to do it cheap. This would be my first backpacking trip. The problem is, well I have heard a lot of storys that backpacking alone, might be lonely and dangerous. Considering this, I was thinking of changing my plans and going with a tour group. I know that booking with a tour group would be a drag because I can't go where I want and have to follow them, but it would be safer and less lonely. So whats is it really like going it alone in south america, easy to meet people, fun, lonely or would the tour group be the better idea?
Thoughts/ideas/comments/helpful hints would be great thanks?
Jay
Reply to this If you stay in hostels i'd be surprised if you would spend much time alone (aside from the occasional bus journey). There are usually lots of lone travellers and it is easy to hook up with someone and get a travel buddy.
Travelling alone at night is never recommended, but if you go out from a group from a hostel make sure you go back with them, and don't let them go alone unless they get a taxi. That's the same for anywhere in the world.
I doubt you'd get lonely, forums are a good place to find a travel buddy by saying "I'm arriving in .......... on ......... and i'm looking for a travel buddy". You'll get offers.
Stay away from the tours, don't let them take your freedom (and cash)!
Reply to this thanks happy. Its good to know about the hostels and how easy it is to meet people, I think that will be half the fun of it. Just meeting different people and having a good time with then and backpacking I know I will have more fun then a tour. Thanks hap
Reply to this Hi, I plan to do a 6 month trip in South America starting from January 08 and I am also looking for buddies. Could someone tell me which forums (apart from this one) are a good place to meet people?
Cheers,
Tom
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