Something to do

Australian Aaron is working in Samoa for six months. He is originally form Alice Springs. He decided to escape the heat of the Central Australia to the one of the most peaceful countries in Pacific. 

He heard about couchsurfing from his co-worker and decided to sign in, because he has a lot of free time on his hands. “I live with an Australian man who is really nice and I also know few expatriates in Apia but other than that I don’t have that many friends in here. I have hosted few times in here and I have gotten some useful tips about traveling overseas from the surfers and I am planning to stay with one them in New Zealand later this year. 

What I love about couchsurfing is that it really does give benefits for both: the ‘surfer and the host.” Aaron says. I haven’t gotten that many requests and I believe it is because of the location. Samoa is not that popular backpacking destination as any big European city. There isn’t that many things to do around here in addition to island hopping, but I am happy to help the surfer to get the best out of his stay in here” Aaron says. 

Aaron's Samoa

Samoa is known for its beautiful beaches. “Lalomanu and Sua Trench are my two favorite beaches!” Aaron says. They are both located in the West on Upolu Island.

 

“I also like Aganoa Blowholes, Manese Beach, Lake Lanooto! And the sliding rocks. The sliding rocks are just ten minutes drive from my house so if I finish early at the office I can take my surfer there.” He says. For those interesting in Samoan culture there are few museums in Apia. "But don't hold your breath! They are very small." Aaron says.

 

Diving should be amazing all over the island as well. I don’t dive but I do know the dive masters on the island, so I can even book the dives for the surfer in advance if he or she wants. Sport fishing adventures are more my sort of thing, but none of my guest have been interested in that yet.” He says.

Learning languages

Mexican Carlos studies marine biology in La Paz, Mexico. He has been hosting few times and does it mainly to improve his English.  He claims that his English is not good and is hoping to get to practice it with the surfers. “La Paz is quite a small town and all the tourists here seem to stay in the hotels. I think backpackers bring life into this place.” Carlos says. 

Carlos lives with his entire family. There are eight people in the house and most of the time the children of the neighbors are in the house. Excluding Carlos, no one speaks English. Staying at Carlos's house is good for a person who is learning Spanish, because Carlos studies in a daytime. "Everybody else will be in the house every day, talking just Spanish to you." Carlos says smiling.

He is hoping to do some traveling in the future as well and is planning to surf on other people’s couches as well. “Building a network is important, because I haven’t been outside of Mexico and really need good advice how to travel in different countries and maybe even places to stay on the road.” He explains. 

Carlos' La Paz

Carlos has been living in La Paz all of his life and hence he knows what to do and where to go for fun. “We have a great variety of beaches in La Paz and in all over the state." Carlos says. La Paz is located in the very Southern point of Baja California, Mexico.

 

“Most of the tourist who come to La paz do sea activities. Activities like scuba diving with giant manta and sea lions, swimming with whale sharks or viewing the whales from the boat.” Carlos says. “Surfing is popular thing to do in Playa Los cerritos which is quite near to La paz city. People who are into diving go to Cabo Pulmo and Espiritu Santo Island. They are both very close to La paz as well, but you may need to rent a car to get there.” He adds.

 

“The most popular place in La paz city itself is El Malecon: a boulevard next to the main beach. On El Malecon you can see the tourist and Mexican families walking after dinner time.” He says.

 

In addition to the sea sports there are several things to do. “There are lot of hills around the city, so hiking is recommended. You can spend your time just enjoying events on the beach and our unique cuisine of the region northern Mexico in one of the restaurants along El Malecon.” Carlos adds.

Safety first!

Mexican Arturo lives in La Paz with his wife and two daughters. He found out about couchsurfing a year ago already, but his wife wasn’t as excited about an idea getting a random person to stay under their roof. He wanted to host so that his daughters would get to know different people from countries they have never been and so that they could practice their English with the surfers as well. Eventually his wife came around and let him to set up a profile on couchsurfing.com. Mexican peso is quite weak currency in the world and to have a month long holiday in Europe for four people is very expensive. “So I decided to invite the world to our home instead!” Arturo says laughing. “Also I think it is important for my kids to get to know people from another countries, because soon they will go to university and maybe they can study abroad if they have right contacts.” He adds.

 

Arturo has a big house, but there is only room for female surfers for a safety reason. “I have two female teenagers in the house and I don’t want to risk their safety. I saw the same rule on someone else’s profile and decided to use it. I have gotten few request to stay at our place from male surfers who clearly didn’t read my profile properly. I replied and explained why I couldn’t host them and I think they understood me perfectly.” He says. Arturo’s family is also very busy with other relatives visiting and hence they would like to get the requests well in time so that they have enough time to organize the house for the surfer.

Arturo’s La Paz

“La Paz  is know for its beautiful beaches: El tecolote, Balandra and Coromuel beaches.” Arturo lists the best of La Paz. “The most common things to do around here involve some water sport action, like kayaking and camping on the beaches is very popular especially during the school holidays.”

 

There are few good, but small museums in La Paz: The whale museum (El Museo de la Ballena) and the national museum. There isn’t that much to do around here even though this town is a very popular holiday destination. I guess tourists stay at the luxurious resort and where they get out of their sun beds to get another cocktail. It is a shame that they don’t see the city if they stay at the resort.” He says. “Couchsurfing is the best way to see the La Paz especially if your host can take you camping”. He adds.

Repect your host!

Tania lives in Mexico City and she has hosted only once. She has lot of time after she broke up with her boyfriend and couchsurfing brings lot of new people into her life. Her friend told her about Couchsurfing and took her to a weekly dinner with other hosts and surfers in town. She felt welcome and liked the idea meeting new people every week and at the same time being part of a strong couchsurfing community. “I have been so busy with couchsurfing events that I haven’t had time to miss my ex-boyfriend and I don’t feel like there is a big empty space in my life anymore.” She says smiling. 

She has hosted only once and had a good experience. She has been showing around Mexico City to other surfers as well, but she wants to host only when she has time and energy to do so. She is also worried that there may be people using her generosity or treat her and use her place as a hostel.