NEVER BEEN BACKPACKING BEFORE? SEEKING ADVICE?
WE HAVE BACKPACKED TO OVER 50 COUNTRIES AND 6 DIFFERENT CONTINENTS AND THESE ARE OUR TOP 10 BACKPACKING TIPS!
1. PACK LIGHT
One of the biggest differences between ourselves and new backpackers is how much we are carrying. New backpackers are strapped with massive 50L packs on their backs and another 30L on their front, sometimes you may even see a third bag like a purse or computer bag; this is a sign you have packed too much.
People wear clothes all over the world so you will be able to find the essentials and/or wash your clothes just about anywhere!
The easiest way to cut back on how much you are lugging around is by buying clothing made from merino wool or microfiber materials that wick moisture away from your body. They pack light and keep your clothes dry and stink free!
By packing a small bag you will find benefits such as:
a. No checked-luggage fees
b. Easy to carry causing little to no back pain
c. Better for tight travel (ex. collective taxis, small buses)
d. Save money on laundry
e. Less items to keep track of
f. Quick and easy pack up
g. Ready for adventure anytime/ anywhere
Now that being said, it can be difficult to pack this light when you are planning on camping and need to pack a tent, sleeping bag and cooking utensils but if you just plan on hostel jumping, there is no need to pack a huge bag!
Over the years I have reduced what I carry down to a 28L pack and I’ll carry a tote bag or something I can easily fold up and shove into my backpack. In my carry-on size pack, I am able to carry my laptop, charger and hard drive, clothing, and any hygiene products I would need.
2. DON'T PREBOOK EVERYTHING
Nothing is more adventurous than being ready at the drop of a hat to do something new! The reality is you can’t do that if you have prepaid your accommodation and activities for the next week. Some activities such as gorilla viewing in Uganda or buying Machu Picchu tickets in high season need to be done ahead of time, but not everything needs to be organized.
You want to leave yourself with time to relax and play it by ear in case you get a great recommendation you didn’t plan on visiting or you just meet some cool people you would like to travel with, you will be able to change your itinerary worry free.
3. KNOW WHAT HOSTELS YOU ARE BOOKING
Hostels have become extremely popular in recent years but it is important to know what amenities are available and the type of vibe the hostel is going to have. Some accommodation will advertise themselves as hostels but won’t have the requirements needed to be a proper hostel.
What makes a hostel? A good hostel will be located somewhere central, close to downtown or transportation services, a kitchen, shared and cheap accommodation. It is wise to read the hostel reviews because this will give you an idea of what previous travellers thought of the service and amenities.
4. HAVE A REALISTIC BUDGET
One of the most common mistakes for new backpackers is setting the wrong budget. Everyone has different comforts and luxuries that they enjoy while travelling and how often they enjoy them is important when building and following your budget.
Some people are shoe-string travellers that volunteer for free accommodation, some people are avid tour takers and like to spend money on activities everywhere they go, some people can’t go without hot water or clean clothes; it is important to know which person you tend to be.
Costs you will want to keep in mind when building your budget are accommodation, food, transportation, cash withdrawal fees, tour prices and gratuities. It is a good idea to always have some cash on you because a lot of places are operated by cash only and will not have stocked bank machines and you don’t want to be stranded with no access to your funds.
There are many tools and travel blogs online to help you research how much expenditures will cost in your desired destination(s) but it is important to know your limits and important to maintain your budget while travelling. Checking your budgets regularly while backpacking will help keep you on track and understand where you are saving or spending too much.
5. DO YOUR SAFETY RESEARCH
You should always be self-aware while backpacking and that starts at home when you are planning your trip.
In Canada, and most first-world countries, the government has travel advisories for countries around the world, ranked by a grading system. This is a great way for you to get familiar with the country(s) you plan on visiting and any potential threats you may experience while on that continent such as natural disasters, terrorism or political unrest. A country may be graded as ‘High Danger’ due to a number of factors and it is useful to know why. For example: Both El Salvador and Bosnia and Herzegovina have ‘High Danger’ warnings although El Salvador is from a high rate of violent crime and Bosnia is due to war-remnants. Educating yourself from travel advisories is a great start to planning a safe and enjoyable backpacking experience.
6. BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS IN ADVANCE
Booking your flights early is great for a number of reasons. The first being you have secured a seat for a price you can afford. Sometimes when booking flights last minute you can end up paying more than average and setting you back on your budget. By booking your flight in advance, you don’t have to build flight prices into your travel budget. Secondly, you know where you are flying into and you can begin to plan and research where you want to go and what transportation services are available to get you there.
7. LOOK FOR BED BUGS
It only takes a moment to check but it will save you from week’s of itching and discomfort. We recommend flipping pillows, pulling back comforters and checking the seems of mattresses to avoid any contact with those little buggers!
When we were in Fiji we unfortunately experienced bed bugs, so we are speaking from experience! We did not prebook our hostel, as per usual, but we had done some research on where the tourist area was and figured we would be in the clear, that was not the case. Hostel owners and workers may be aware of the bed bug problem so it is best to just look for yourself. This is another great reason to check the reviews of the hostel you are booking!
8. KEEP LOW EXPECTATIONS
The best way to enjoy yourself anywhere is to have low expectations because it is harder to be disappointed and you’ll find yourselves pleasantly surprised on a regular basis. Having low expectations is a great tip when you are travelling the world because many places you will visit won’t follow the same protocols or have the same amenities as home. Poorer countries can make the best places to backpack because they are affordable, the people have a great appreciation for community and the differences always keep things interesting! For example when we are backpacking, we keep low expectations so every time toilet paper is provided, a toilet has a seat or a hand washing service is offered, we are always pleasantly surprised!
9. WALK IT OUT
Walking is one of the best ways to get familiar with the area you are staying for free! By walking around the town/city you can find markets, parks, churches, bus stations and even historical landmarks all while getting free exercise!
We may walk 20 km so we can get to know the area and find where the locals eat! We always come across famous landmarks listed on the city’s must see list! When we are in large cities or tourist towns we always opt for the ‘free walking tours’ because there are always fun, informative and more suitable for our budgets!
10. BRING A FISHING ROD
If you are checking a bag, you should definitely pack a fishing rod! When we were in Africa, we packed a rod and found ourselves in fishing in 6 out the 9 countries we backpacked! Fishing is a great affordable activity you can do in almost every country, it takes you down to the water and it’s a great way to meet the locals.. you might even be able to catch dinner!
