Wondering if Adopt A backpacker is a trustworthy platform? In this review, we’ll be diving deep into Adopt A Backpacker, seeing what it’s all about, and whether it’s worth signing up for.
What started out as a Facebook group offering a helping hand to travelers around the world who were stranded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, has exploded in popularity and been featured in Lonely Planet with over 10,000 confirmed adoptions.
Keep reading to learn more about Adopt A Backpacker.
What Is Adopt A Backpacker?
After hundreds of Facebook groups were created from the original Adopt a Backpacker WA (Western Australia) group and the idea went global with over 30,000 members, the Adopt A Backpacker website was born.
The founders, Miguel Fuentes and Nikki de Weerd, are a travel-hungry couple from the Philippines and the Netherlands, who are currently living in Australia. When everything kicked off in March 2020 they wanted to do their bit to help other travelers find a couch for the night.
We’re sure your memory doesn’t need jogging but around that time borders were closing more quickly than you could say CoronaVirus and flights were being canceled at the drop of the hat. On top of that, hostels and hotels were shutting their doors, meaning travelers were in a bit of a pickle.
The original idea was just to try and place a handful of homeless travelers who were stuck in Western Australia, but it turned out there were A LOT of people needing a bed and the community stepped up to deliver.
The platform acts as a community to bring together backpackers, travelers, and international students and connects them with local host families who open up their homes in exchange for light help around the house, such as gardening or babysitting. As a traveler, you can expect to do 2-4 hours of work per day in exchange for free accommodation.
Adopt A Backpacker isn’t just for those seeking a bed for the night, and the website offers different features to make your trip incredible, such as finding jobs and making friends.
When the platform soft-launched in January this year, there were already thousands of active users, and to keep up with the demand, a mobile app will be launched for iOS and Android users within the next 4 months.
What Makes Adopt A Backpacker Different?
Adopt A Backpacker knows what travelers need and have mixed it all together to make an easy all-in-one global interactive platform that is the first of its kind.
When we say it’s got everything, we really mean it. Need to find free accommodation via work exchange? Check. Job? Check? What about help finding travel buddies? Check check check.
You can even access travel guides for your destination to help you plan the perfect trip.
The type of jobs you’ll find on the platform include au pair roles, farm work, and hospitality.
How It Works
The first step to using the Adopt A Backpacker platform is to sign up and choose your profile. There are 7 different types of profiles to choose from including backpacker, au pair, local friend, regular host, au pair host, hostel host, and WHV 88 days employer (in Australia).
The “backpacker” profile is one of the most popular options and it’s aimed at those who are traveling and looking for free accommodation, to make travel buddies or find a job.
Once you’re signed up, you can check out the interactive map to find what you’re looking for — whether that’s someone to grab a coffee with, somewhere to rest your head for the night, or a backpacker to host and give you a hand at home.
Each individual gets user reviews as they use the platform, so you can check out what others have to say about them before connecting. This helps to limit awkward and unpleasant encounters.
Then, once you’ve found your perfect match, send or receive an adoption request, and use the Instant messaging service to arrange your experience.
That’s it! It’s quick and easy to sign up and you can find hosts, friends, or travelers within just a few minutes.
Membership Costs
You can pay for your membership on a 3-month, 6-month, or yearly plan. For each of the options, you’ll get the same features included, which are:
- Send unlimited adoption requests
- Full access to instant messaging
- Share your stories
- Unlimited posts in the “community wall”
Breaking it down, those who are trying out the platform will be best off choosing the 3-month option, which costs $11.99.
You’ll save 21% if you choose the 6-month option, and you’ll be billed $18.99 semi-annually.
The best value comes from the yearly package which saves 42% and costs just $27/.99 for 12 months.
You can get a 3 to 6 month membership COMPLETELY FREE if you sign up this summer. See what the fuss is all about and get full access to the website without paying a cent if you sign up before September 30, 2022.
Pros And Cons
Like with all platforms, it’s important to check out the pros and cons before signing up.
Pros
- Adopt A Backpacker has the cheapest membership options when compared to other competitors.
- The platform is easy and fun to use, with advanced web-app technology.
- Everything is in one place so it’s a one-stop-shop for traveling the world safely and cheaply while making memorable connections and experiences along the way.
- Did we mention the free trial of up to 6 months? A serious pro in our eyes.
Cons
- The platform is still just a baby in the great big world of the internet, having launched in the last 6 months. Because of this, members might not have many user reviews. However, there is an instant messaging service so you can get to know other users better before connecting in real life.
Final Thoughts On Adopt A Backpacker
Staying in a local’s home is a surefire way to make your traveling experience unforgettable, creating a makeshift family for a short time who will help you to see a destination from a new perspective.
Making connections is the best part of traveling and that’s exactly what Adopt A Backpacker aims for. You can form a friendship in the blink of an eye, find a job so you don’t have to end your travels before you’re ready, or stay with a friendly family who will fill the homesick hole you might be experiencing.
On the flip side, you can offer up your home and invite people from all walks of life through your doors, and learn more about different cultures and traditions.
Adopt A Backpacker is an easy, budget-friendly way to do all of the above, without having to trawl the internet separately for everything you need, saving precious time that you can spend exploring, and it gets a thumbs up from us.
