Do you want to travel to Patagonia but you’re worried you’ll be lonely? Don’t worry!!! Check out these pro tips on how to make friends while traveling in Patagonia!
Remember, travelers are often out of their routine, and open to meeting new people and trying new things. How exciting!Â
1. Visit a Patagonian hot spring, stay awhile…
On our third day of cycling we stopped at a hot spring to soak our weary legs. The water was hot and soothing, just what we needed! We found the warmest pool and started conversations with the other travelers enjoying the soak. We met some amazing people from Finland and the UK, and had dinner and drinks with them multiple times throughout the trip. It is such an amazing experience meeting travelers on the road, all of us sharing in each other’s company, and learning about each other’s lifestyle and all the different ways people can live!
Recommendations:Â
2. Stay at a Hostel, and have a drink, or two in the common area
Sure, if you’re on a trip with the charming man of your dreams then a single or double room all to yourselves is perfect and appropriate, but if you are looking to make friends and connect with others, then it isn’t the perfect option. In Villa Amengual, we stayed at Hostel Michay and it was jam packed with cyclists. We spent the entire evening gathering drinks around our table and chatting with other travelers. It was great to hear their stories and learn about what they were doing! Next time you travel, consider booking a night or two in a hostel to spice things up and meet some friends.Â
Recommendations:Â Â
- Hostel Michay – a lovely bed and breakfast style hostel in Villa Amengual, Chile.
- Hostel world – A website for searching for hostels in any new destination.
3. Say hello and give some love to the furry neighbors
The locals are often very talkative and friendly. Sometimes, they’re furry, lovable, and in need of some attention! Sharing mutual joy in animals is great for the animals, because naturally, they love it, but it’s also a great way to relate and start chatting with other travelers.
4. Don’t be to strict with your travel plans
We’ve all been there….
Me: “We just have to get to the museum for our tour at 2:30 pm!”Â
Well, yes, maybe we do, and maybe we should, but sometimes it can make travel all the more spicy and exciting if we break away from the plans a bit and leave space for prolonged and unexpected interactions.
5. Warm your tushy, by a wood-fired stove
Sitting at your own table is a bit closed off, consider instead standing and heating yourself at a lovely wood fired stove, warming your booties and opening yourself up to others that also want to warm their booties and perhaps others dining alone nearby.  It’s a wonderful world of people out there and you never know who you might meet while warming your booties.
Recommendations:
- Almost any restaurant, or hostel, will have a wood-fired stove. Yes!
6. After you make some new friends, follow up!
Am I writing this one for myself? Well, maybe… I can be terrible at follow-through on social media. It’s something I am working on…. But really! Once you have made some friends, connect with them on social media and follow up later. You could have a new friend to visit in Finland or the UK. You have now unlocked the ability to go to a new place, and to have a friend and local guide. Cha-Ching!Â
Wondering why it’s even worth it to make friends while traveling? Here are just a few great reasons why you should make some travel friends and give them some love!
it’s worth the effort. =D