Best way to meet fun people - could be ex-pats, locals, or other overlanders?
 

Hi all, I am planning a drive to South America trip in my FJ Cruiser (Home - Ushuaia or Bust, Drive to South America).

Basically despite lots of "maybe"s from friends, I think I will be doing most of this trip alone. I am a pretty personable guy, and love to get local knowledge anywhere I go. I can and will travel alone - but I get tired of talking to myself after a while if you know what I mean. Also I'm not always the best at just meeting random people, especially when I'm kind of stressed in an unfamiliar environment. Unless I'm drunk, but we all know the pitfalls of that as a socialization strategy.

So I would love to hear advice on various ways to get plugged in and meet people.

For example, I have female friends who love to go on yoga retreats. So you end up meeting a group and hanging out with them for a while. I do really well in these kinds of situations, where it's a group connected by some common interest. But I'm not really that into yoga. So I'm looking for the same types of things but in areas I'm interested in.

So far here's what I've got:

Dive trips (usually a fun group)
Renting a room with locals or expats
Camping and meeting nearby people
Posting on Facebook ex-pat forums for the countries I will be driving through -
asking for advice
Trekking/hiking (also usually a fun group)
couchsurfing.com (my friend does this, but I feel guilty because I've never offered my couch)
cooking classes? (never done one - but it seems like fun)

So basically I'm looking for more ideas along these lines. Something either with a group of people (ideally not all sun-burnt tourists down for a few days) focused on learning or doing something. That or meeting ex-pats and locals and finding out the really cool stuff to do, off the beaten path, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

- Matt

Couchsurfing hangouts
 

Couchsurfing app on phone has a feature called Hangouts which is handy for meeting both locals and fellow travellers. You're not actually requesting a couch to surf, but can view or post hangouts and see others who have done the same in your area

I find using hotels and guesthouses recommended in Lonely Planet guidebooks a fairly good way of meeting other travellers.

Worth considering
 

There are a stack of websites whereby you can stay somewhere for a while during which you earn your keep; general work around farms and that kind of thing.
The websites all seem to have international advertising from those who are offering this type of accommodation/board and lodging.

There is at least one website that offers camping in gardens of private residences.

HU meetings and HU community function
 

Look into the HU meetings that we organise down here, check out the HU community function with a lot of South American cities listed. Learn spanish.

See you bier

Thanks for the ideas! I will look into HU meetings, the couchsurfing app and possibly working some to earn my keep.

Trying to learn Spanish since May or so. I'm slowly slowly picking it up. I may sign up for a week of intensive Spanish classes somewhere on my trip as well.

There's meeting other travelers and gringos, and then there's meeting local folks who live in the country you're visiting. Different approaches to each. In SA, you should have your Spanish to the highest level you can manage. Concentrate on your language learning from now until you leave. I found very little English in most places where I traveled in Peru/Ecuador the last two years. Street food vendors, central plaza, motels, historic places, guides at archaeological sites, and asking directions; that's where I met and interacted with residents of the local country/economy. Your Spanish doesn't have to be fluent. Latino culture is very forgiving.

Finding other travelers: I found other travelers at places like the coast/beach areas, kayaking area in Ecuador, and sometimes in a big city. I met a number of bicycle travelers on the road and stopped to chat. I was surprised how few travelers I met, especially motorcycle travelers, but I stayed away from the more coastal tourist areas. Ecuador Ex-pat communities have more English speakers.

I'm sure other more electronically connected gringos will have other ideas for you. Buen viaje!

I personally think the best places are Youth Hostels and Backpacker Hostels. Usually a wealth of information from the local manager and visitors travelling through - everything from work to some weird out of the way things to see that guide books don't know about. Any place that has a common area - lounge, kitchen, bar is always good for exchanging stories of things seen / to see / to avoid.
Often you'll find someone wanting a lift or is travelling your way and you see them a few days later to swap more ideas.
Downside is cost - but I've often found them better than staying on a campsite as far as facilities go.
If you wild camp its pretty hard to meet anyone other than at fuel stops.

HU Communities - almost 800 worldwide, and they're all eager to meet travellers! They're also motorcyclists and travellers themselves, so understand what you're doing and want to help out. Contact them!

I lived in Xela, Guatemala for months at a time while taking intensive Spanish classes. My recommendation would be to connect with people at these schools, they often do afternoon and weekend excursions. Another way would be to find local trekking companies that do hikes and things. It's a great bonding experience to go on short trips together. Finally, find out if any local places have 1/2 price weekly drink or food specials. I know a place in Xela that has 1/2 wine on Wednesdays. Lots of travelers congregate there. Also, trivia night is pretty big in that city.

To connect with locals, try to stay with a host family when you land in an area. Again, language schools will connect you with locals as well. Ask for a younger teacher if possible, as he/she might invite you to come out after class.

Thanks a lot. These are the exact kinds of responses I was hoping for and I am taking them to heart. I am definitely looking for a week of intense Spanish somewhere. I've been taking Spanish for 6 months and it's starting to click. But a week of immersion could really help I bet. Please keep any advice coming ;)

Also Xela = Quetzaltenango right?

From my experience, hostels are an easy way to meet new travelers. There's also Airbnb, which is great for long-term stays anywhere in the world - but it depends on a host, some are friendly and will hang out with you, others won't care that much.

airbnb
 

i live and work in Colombia
and tried the Airbnb over the Christmas holidays in Bucaramanga department de Santander i was the worst experience in accommodation i have witnessed in my life
i have lived possibly 5000 nights in hotels or other accommodation other than my bed in my life time
My first night was in a apartment that did not fit the description i payed for and it was beside a freeway on the 8 floor i had travelled 800 km on my bike and wanted rest
13 hour on Colombian highways and was forced of the road twice by lunatic drivers in my lane coming right at me
i asked for a change in apartment and the agent put me in another apartment
and again it did not fit the description and no internet for 2 days
dont do airbnb in Colombia during holidays
Colombians wil try to sell you a hole in the ground
stick to hotels during holidays

Always carry a bottle to share and tobacco to spare (if you use), preferably something from your own country - if not, a good whiskey, cognac or rum.

Stop where you see foreign bikes or cars and chat them up. Ask them where to stay and best places to hook up with others.

Meeting people when traveling alone is easier than when traveling in a group - and the further you are away from your own part of the world, the easier it gets.

I find it easier attract positive attention when riding an inferior vehicle, maybe a classic of some sort... an old Ural with a side car, a classic Vespa scooter, a cafe racer, an overloaded 250 enduro... If you and your bike looks intimidating, few will approach you. Vulnerable, quirky, unusual, interesting...you won't be left alone.

Lots of flag stickers and a map that shows your route does wonders.

@suzzer99: how was it?

You did stop blogging in central america, did you reach the south? What of the suggestions did you use on your trip?


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