It is a social network that bridges the gap between tourists who want free accommodation during a trip and people who would like to receive these visitors. Created in 2003, the website couchsurfing.org already has 4 million users.
It’s a cheap and fun way to get to know other places or people from all over the world. The literal translation would be “couch surfing”, but the service goes beyond providing a place to sleep.
The intention is that you get to know the city based on the experience of your host, who should serve as an informal guide.
Casting couch – The opinion and tips of those who have already used the social network
friend help friend
- Who: Jacqueline Oshima22 years
- Where have you surfed: Dublin, Berlin and Marrakech
For her, the experience rescues people’s solidarity. “We live in a society full of fear and prejudice, and, in fact, human beings are generous by nature”, she says. TIP See if her expectations match those of your adventure partner. “I’ve already surfed on my way to a professional conference, so there was no point asking someone who wanted to go clubbing for shelter,” she says.
Not everything is flowers
- Who: Ana Freitas23 years
- Where have you surfed: London and Brussels
Ana warns that there are also problems. “Getting to know the person and accepting their hosting rules takes a lot of energy. Not to mention the possible lack of privacy” TIP “Big cities, like São Paulo, have weekly meetings, which are a good way to get started in the network, since by meeting people you can ask for positive references from others and for yourself”.
Shared Interests
- Who: Shannon Garland29 years old
- Where have you surfed: São Paulo
“I met a woman here, in Brazil, because she also likes to hike. This type of activity can be very good for someone who is new to a city”, explains the North American DICa “To get more details about someone, send a direct message on the site. It’s also a good idea to write to others who have stayed where you want to go, confirming the references in the profile”.
More testimonials from those who have already ventured around the world on other people’s sofas – or received people at home.
Ligia Helena Nunes, 29 years old
He never stayed on anyone’s couch because he was always traveling with his mother or friends who prefer to stay in hostels. But she already used couch surfing a lot in her wanderings around Europe. “I got precious tips and went to couchsurfers parties. In general, people are very willing to receive others in their cities”. In São Paulo, she only had one Englishman on her sofa, but she has already accompanied several gringos passing through here and enjoys exchanging experiences with them. Sometimes, of course, there are cultural shocks – but you have to take it with good humor. “A Norwegian who stayed at the home of a friend of mine was very natural in front of us. We would say: ‘So and so, put on some clothes and we’ll have lunch’, and he would take off his pajamas in front of us (laughs)”, she recalls.
TIP: “From a financial point of view, if you travel with more people, you can find affordable accommodation options. I would only experience staying at someone’s home if I was traveling alone”
Victor Diniz, 28 years old
In August 2011, after passing through Thailand without meeting any locals, Victor and his friends decided to take up couch surfing. They wanted to have some contact with residents of their next stop: Hong Kong. “Even though we were in a large group of four people, I ended up meeting a guy who was excited to welcome us. He gave me his phone and instructed me to buy a chip at the airport”. From then on, it was a series of phone calls and directions (bus, metro, minibus) until we arrived at the host’s house, a 50-year-old university professor fascinated by travel and travelers. “The first thing he did when we entered the house was open an Atlas and ask us where we lived, what our city was like, the customs, economy”. The shot ended up backfiring. In addition to the apartment being smaller than it looked in the photos, it was far from the city center and there were a lot of people staying there – which made showering and going out a real odyssey. “Deep down he was a nice guy, but he suffered from OCD with cleanliness and he lived in an apartment that, by Western standards, was small,” says Victor.
TIP: “Plan ahead. Without knowing what you want, it’s hard to sift through profiles looking for those people who really match you. Another problem is that surfing in a group reduces the possibilities. Traveling alone, or with a partner, it’s easier to find a sofa”
Richard Sanches, 28 years old
She got in touch with couch surfing through a friend with whom she shared an apartment and who used to receive people there. At first, he was wary, but he soon joined in and maintains a friendship with his first guest to this day. “It was in 2008. It was Gilles, a Frenchman our age who came to spend his holidays here. We identify a lot in many aspects and ended up becoming true friends. I recently traveled to Italy for work. I had two days off in Europe and decided to spend them in Paris. It was Gilles’ turn to reciprocate the support. It was, without a doubt, the best way to discover Paris in such a short time”