Wheres best for a first time backpacker
Hello,
I've never been travelling on my own before and I'm looking for a bit of advice in terms of where to go.
I don't think I could deal with all the binge drinking 18yo's in South East Asia in Thailand so I'd need quite a lot of convincing to head to SE Asia
In terms of what I want from the trip:
- Meet similar aged people
- Visit lots of beautiful scenic places
- Do lots of trekking/walking
- Keep up with my running as much as possible
- Not really interested in drinking lots or taking lots of drugs!
Any experiences or advice to help me out would be brilliant!
Many thanks
Ahh I think you would be wrong to write of SE Asia, it really is the backpacker mecca!
Thailand and Australia would be my picks. Aus has whole networks of buses catering to that market and there are tons of backpackers (hostels) with dorm beds. A huge number of 18-20-somethings especially up and down the more populated east coast. The possible downside can be seeing the same people over and over as it's quite an incestuous travel scene. Much of the real epic scenery is outback and out west so good if you can make the effort. Aus is not cheap though - similar prices to the US/UK in many cases, but it's helpful to join with others, do self-catering and find ways to keep the budget down.
Thailand is just about as backpacker friendly and much cheaper, but of course there are some minor challenges with language and cultural differences. It's also easy to recognize the beaten path follow the others, but that can make it all the more rewarding to strike out on your own a bit. There are cheap public buses going all over the place and the odd train ride can be fun alternative. Read up on scams, especially for Bangkok and some of the southern routes. For example never leave valuables unattended or stick them in the luggage hold of a bus, and anyone randomly approaching you on the street with some kind of smooth talk should be ignored. Also beware those buckets of poison on party beaches.
If you are really open to somewhere not these two, then maybe Mexico, Costa Rica or South Africa might appeal?
Have you thought about a tour with G adventures for example? Meet people and go from there?
Thousands of travellers go to south east Asia each year ranging from the 18 year old gap year person looking to party as much as possible, to people in their 50's. You are not that unique and will meet plenty of people similar to you. Destination choice and accommodation choice will make ambig difference in terms of what kind of people you meet.
Central America is a really good suggestion based on your initial requirements.
Nepal is a good choice for trekking which can be easily organised (tea houses mean no carrying food, tent etc.). Personally I wouldn't recommend India for a first time traveller, as it can be a tough place. Its also a bit of a love it or hate it place.
Have you also considered South America? It's a great continent for travellers, and there's a lot to discover on the classic routes in the Andes countries. In 12 weeks you'd never run out of things to do charting a route somewhere between Colombia in the north and Chile in the south. I don't suggest all those countries in 12 weeks, but you could do Colombia -Ecuador-Peru, or Chile-Bolivia-Peru, or some other combination of countries.
If that budget has to include everything...flights, insurance plus 4 weeks travel..your options are pretty limited.
Mexico? Maybe Guatemala? If you can get resonably priced flights to (say) Cancun, pretty easy to head down to Guatemala overland from there.....
Some of those activities are not cheap.Especially diving....