| Backpackers, adventurers and world travelers | | | | #3) Facebook |
| have many common characteristics; however | | | | Find travel pages related to your destination and |
| there is one that is more prominent than the | | | | post a comment on the wall saying when and |
| others- the urge to connect and make friends. | | | | where to meet up. It is fun, easy and FREE! |
| Everyone who travels for adventure feels a need | | | | #2) Couch Surfing |
| to connect- whether it's with nature, the locals, or | | | | Couch surfing is a relatively new concept; |
| fellow travelers. | | | | travelers visit the couch surfing website, click on |
| For those traveling with laptops, or who can | | | | whichever city/country they are in, and connect |
| occasionally locate an internet café for a few | | | | someone who is hosting. The host will offer the |
| minutes, travel websites are a great place to | | | | traveler a place to sleep for the night for free. |
| connect and meet up with people. There are | | | | Because safety seems to be a major concern, |
| hundreds of travel websites, however not all are | | | | couch surfing allows travelers to review and rate |
| safe or reputable. | | | | each couch/host. If there is a host with over 300 |
| #5) TrekCafe | | | | reviews, all of which are good, chances are it is a |
| Trekcafe is not only a website to connect with | | | | safe place to stay. Couch surfing is a great place |
| fellow travelers, it will also help you plan your trip, | | | | to meet people who can show you the city, since |
| give you information about the country you are | | | | they are locals, and it is completely free! As a |
| travelling to, and provide photographs and blogs | | | | couch surfing rule, hosts may not charge you for |
| about your destination. You can book your flight, | | | | your stay: it is another fun, fast and free way to |
| find a hotel, and even see the current weather | | | | meet people of your adventure and find a safe |
| forecast! | | | | place to sleep. |
| #4) A Small World (ASW) | | | | #1) TravBuddy |
| A small world is an exclusive international | | | | TravBuddy is similar to Trekcafe, however |
| community of people who have a common | | | | TravBuddy is more popular. It currently has over |
| interest - travel. Here you may share travel | | | | 1,700 travelers and 170+ locals in the Costa Rica |
| experiences, information, become involved in | | | | network, and its members are more active in the |
| dialogue, seek travel advice as well as social and | | | | network. The people in this network are very |
| business opportunities. Unfortunately members are | | | | friendly and eager to make new friends. |
| accepted only by invitation; therefore you must | | | | TravBuddy also offers trip planning (hotel, car and |
| know someone who is a member to become a | | | | flight booking) as well as join the travel forum, |
| member. | | | | share photos, or create your own travel blog! |