After circling the globe and living around the world backpacking through more than 100 countries and territories, I have decided that it is the time to share all of this experience to help others so that they, like me, can have the same feeling of living the adventure of a backpacking trip.
There are two main goals of this site. The first is to give advice about how to backpack economically and effectively which, for many, can be considered an art!! Basically, I do everything, or almost everything that I would like to do on a trip, but in the most economical way, just as any other backpacker does.
I will try to be as detailed as possible in explaining everything from the basics of how to begin to prepare a trip, how to find cheap flights, which sites to use to reserve hostels, how to save money on food during a trip, and how to find the appropriate travel insurance for backpackers. Basically, I will be covering all of the steps that a backpacker needs to do to have a great trip at a relatively low cost. Much of what I say might seem very obvious to the most experienced travelers, but, believe me, I have met many people traveling who, although they have minimal experience and knowledge about backpacking, venture off into the world with nothing but their courage… and, the truth is, I admire this as well!!
Anyone can backpack as there are trips to suit any size wallet. Nowadays, luxurious backpacking is becoming “fashionable” where the travelers use taxi as their principal mode of transportation and stay in hostels that are more expensive than 3-star hotels!! However, there are still other backpackers that travel the world hitchhiking and staying in the houses of strangers using couchsurfing and finish their entire trip with minimal cost. For others, like myself, there is a middle ground where I try to save on transportation and accommodation, but I don’t keep my wallet closed when it’s time to have fun and adventure. For me, as long as it takes you out of your comfort zone, it is worth trying.
My idea is that I can help anyone; from someone that has never traveled or done a backpacking trip before to someone that has already traveled a lot but still might find some good advice on this site that can help him or her on the next adventure.
And as a philosopher once said: “I know that I know nothing.” Even after all that I have already traveled (but believe me, compared to some people that I’ve met, I’ve still only seen very little of the scope of the world), there are still a lot of things that I do not know as I am always learning and developing myself as a person. Because of this, on all of my pages, I will have a section for comments so people can critique, offer better ideas, give suggestions, or simply ask questions which I will try to answer the best that I can.
My second goal of this site will be to give advice and ideas about how to get out of your comfort zone, just as the address of the site says. There are many interesting activities that I’ve done over the course of my years on the road that I hope might interest some people.
I describe activities like how to be a volunteer for the World Cup and the Olympics, how to participate in a Divermaster Trainee program in Thailand, how to make a living as a ski and snowboard instructor, and many things that I will mention later on in this page.
Ahh, but I don’t like backpacking!! It’s a thing for vagabonds, very uncomfortable, and difficult as I have to always be walking and using public transportation while carrying my bags. I like my comfort and therefore this site won’t help me!!
As I have already said, although I really like backpacking as it is the most economical way of seeing the world that I have found, this does not mean that I don’t like other forms of travel. For me, the important thing is to be in a new place with the opportunity to meet other people and to see cultures and customs different from those that I already know. Therefore, the type of the trip doesn’t matter to me whether it be a package to Disneyland, a luxurious beach resort with my family, a Caribbean cruise, or a ski trip with friends. I like to explore the world, however it may be.
Saying this, I am sure that many people, regardless of whether or not they are backpackers, will find interesting and important information on this site.
Everyone that travels needs travel insurance and I discuss an excellent and affordable company that I always use, no matter what kind of trip I do, whether it is adventurous or not. Everyone also likes to stay in contact with their family when abroad and I give advice about how best to do this. Additionally, I give advice about what you should not forget to put in your backpack, even if your “backpack” is a Louis Vuitton!! I talk about the best way to deal with money abroad as well as what to do during your trip. Certainly, no matter what type of trip I am doing, I always do a Free Walking Tour if they are available in the city that I am visiting… if you have never heard of them, I will explain them more on my site as they are something not to be missed!
I will also keep a Blog with some advice about specific locations, general travel information, and some interesting stories that have happened during my wanderings.
Well, that’s all for now folks. If you would like to know more about me and how I “left the system” to begin traveling around the world, continue reading below.
I hope you enjoy the site and happy travels!!
The Out of Your Comfort Zone was created to share practical tips on how to travel in an economical, authentic and enriching way. Here, you will find strategies, inspirations and real experiences to backpack the world without spending a lot — living each adventure intensely, as every true backpacker knows how to do.
