Lodging

  • At times, spring for a nicer hostel/hotel – we admit that we are not the hard-core travelers ready and willing to brag about the $3 deal we got for a bed in a bar that hosts around-the-clock cock fighting. However, we are still on a budget so the average hostels often lacks some creature comforts. As a result, we found that stopping and splurging for a nicer place (one with hot water, mattresses not made of solid wood, and lacking “the last couple was murdered in this bed” feeling) for a couple nights helps put a smile on our faces. Now, we are not talking about a Hilton or anything outrageous, but sometimes spending a few extra dollars makes a difference to one’s attitude.
  • Long-term rentals – Renting longer term provides cheaper per day rates.  We stayed 3 weeks in Lima where we found an apartment for $240/week.  The place was 2 bedrooms and included a kitchen which meant we could cook our own meals to save even more money.  As an added bonus the apartment was in a residential neighborhood so we lived a bit more like the locals. Caveat: stay a night or two in a hostel to check out your rental options before booking long-term or it could be a very long stay in a loud neighborhood.
  • Check out Couchsurfing: It was great for a few reasons – we saved money, we made a new friend, and we learned quirky and interesting things about the area we would have never been able to find out on our own. We purposefully looked for someone older and well-traveled instead of the shared house/student accommodations.
  • House-sitting can be a wonderful alternative and a great way to see the world.  Check out these 2 great articles for more information:

Comments

  1. Shawn says:
    October 28, 2011 at 4:19 am

    Hey Guys,

    Good info. My wife and I just finished our one year trip and can definitely relate to some of the places for staying. We had some amazing experiences in Central Asia and Turkey staying with locals in their homes (not Couchsurfing).

    We are now back in the US but are already thinking of leaving………..

    Shawn

    Reply
    • Warren says:
      October 28, 2011 at 7:32 am

      Hey Shawn,
      Thank you for reaching out and sharing. Looks like you all had an absolutely amazing adventure. Staying with locals whenever possible changes how you see a place and makes it magical. Staying in hostels or hotels simply does not hold a candle to that experience. Glad you all checked out the site and thank you for sharing a bit of your journey with us.

      Reply
  2. Debbie says:
    July 3, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    LOVE Couchsurfing! Sometimes I get shy about approaching locals, with CS it’s like I have a built in network of friends anywhere in the world. Once I met up with two locals even though I didn’t need a place to stay, and I saw the city through their experienced eyes.

    Plus, it’s a great budget plan.

    Reply

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