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The Broke Backpacker

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Our new free tool: get alerts when a sold-out hostel opens up

Quick version: we built a free tool called HostelWatch to help you find a place to sleep when your hostel pick is sold out. Tell it which hostel you want and which dates, and it emails you the moment a bed frees up. It only takes about 30 seconds. 🔔 Set an alert for free After more than a decade reviewing hostels, we've learned one thing: backpackers are flaky. They’ll plan, plan, plan, just to change everything last-minute. They change their mind, meet someone, or hear about a new,...

Southeast Asia is one of the easiest places in the world to travel, but it's also one of the easiest to fuck up in. Examples include: trying to cram six countries into three weeks, spending all your time in tourist bubbles, renting a motorbike without a clue what you're doing... The list is endless. Rookie mistakes are part of the deal when you're travelling. And Samantha has made just about every single one there is to make in Southeast Asia. She's got a few great takes on some of her...

Every year, something truly extraordinary happens in the Sea of Cortez. Tens of thousands of mobula rays gather in massive schools known as “fevers,” their wings rippling through the water like a living storm. Sometimes, they leap from the sea in synchronised arcs. Sometimes, they glide just beneath the surface in swirling silver formations. And sometimes, if the timing is right, apex predators arrive! Orcas and other hunters charge through the schools, sending the rays scattering into...

If you've spent any time travelling around or researching about Bali, you've probably heard of Kuta. It's one of the island's most famous spots, but these days, it feels more like a trashed, commercialised mess than the kind of place we'd send you if you were looking for the Bali you've seen in your dreams. But head east to Lombok and you’ll find another Kuta entirely. White-sand beaches, rolling green hills, cheap warungs, good surf and some seriously laid-back island vibes 😎 They say Lombok...

Egypt is incredible. But... It's also loud, chaotic, relentless... It's a place that can catch even the most experienced of travellers off guard. Knowing how to deal with touts, when to haggle, what to wear, and a handful of local quirks can be the difference between an exhausting trip and an unforgettable one. So we released a piece about it that may or may not contain a few hot takes. We hope you like it (or hate it 😈): 👉 READ: Egypt Travel Tips You Need to Know Majestic. Egypt rewards...

Here's an unpopular opinion: you don't need hidden gems to have an incredible trip. Of course, we ALL love the feeling of exploring a place untouched by tourism, that’s not the question. But sometimes you want to see the big sights. They’re usually famous for a reason. The real travel hack is often not about finding places nobody knows, but rather about learning how to visit the places everybody already wants to see. We’ve applied insights like this to help you plan a sick, crowd-light...

Tucked away in the Irish Sea sits a tiny island that somehow flies completely under the radar despite having some of the most incredible scenery in the region. But everyone seems to forget this island exists. Or maybe they only remember it for a bunch of maniacs racing motorbikes at 300km/h once a year. But the Isle of Man deserves a hell of a lot more. We've got a feeling it won't stay secret forever... 👉 See What Everyone's Missing 👀 All of this. All to yourself. One of the best things...

If you ask someone to think of Japan, the first image in their head is probably of Tokyo. They think neon lights, bullet trains, endless crowds... But some of the country's greatest adventures happen far away from the cities. And smart travellers that do their research are starting to pick up 😉 Hidden in the mountains of Japan lies the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage route that's been drawing travellers into its forests for over a thousand years. 👉 Discover Japan's Ancient Pilgrimage Trail...

Alex on a donkey pub crawl

There are countries you hear about your whole life… and then there are countries like Lesotho: a mountain nation entirely surrounded by South Africa that sits just above 1,000m, full of Basotho traditions, wild landscapes, and a pace of life that feels worlds away from the beaten path. Resident Broke Backpacker and seasoned vagabond, Alex, has just returned from five days getting to know this underrated corner of Africa. It might not be the cheapest destination, but Lesotho more than makes up...

Choosing a hostel as a woman is a different calculation. Safety, vibe, who else is staying there... it all matters a little more. But it doesn't mean it should stop you from staying in one, because hostels are still generally very safe spaces. You might just need a little more preparation beforehand. So, with the help of a friendly badass lady traveller, we put together a guide to the best hostels for women so you don't have to figure it out on your own. [READ] Hostels for Women:A Lady's...