Top 14 'Friendship-Forging' Backpacking Spots to experience for solo travelers ready to meet their trail family
Solo travel is one of the most liberating experiences a person can have. It’s a journey of self-discovery, a chance to move at your own pace, and an opportunity to say "yes" to whatever wild adventure comes your way. But let's be honest, the idea of being completely alone for weeks on end can be daunting. What if you get lonely? What if you want to share that jaw-dropping sunset with someone other than your Instagram followers?
Here’s the secret that seasoned solo travelers know: you’re rarely ever truly alone unless you want to be. The world is filled with vibrant, welcoming hubs where other adventurers, just like you, are eager to connect. This is where you find your "trail family"—a temporary, and sometimes permanent, tribe of like-minded souls who become your confidantes, dinner companions, and partners-in-crime. They’re the people you meet in a hostel dorm, bond with on a grueling hike, and end up traveling with for the next three countries.
These friendships, forged in the heat of adventure, are some of the most profound you’ll ever make. So, if you're ready to pack your bag but are nervous about going it alone, this list is for you. I’ve curated 14 of the absolute best backpacking destinations around the globe where the social scene is thriving and finding your trail family is all but guaranteed.
1. Cusco, Peru
Cusco isn't just a city; it's the bustling, high-altitude base camp for some of the world's greatest adventures. Every single traveler here shares a common goal: to witness the majesty of Machu Picchu. This shared purpose creates an instant, electric sense of camaraderie. The city is packed with social hostels, lively bars, and tour agencies, all designed to bring people together.
Whether you're acclimatizing with a pisco sour, joining a free walking tour, or signing up for the Salkantay or Inca Trail treks, you'll be surrounded by people on the same wavelength. The conversations start easy: "Where are you from?" quickly becomes "Which trek are you doing?" and before you know it, you're making plans to explore the Sacred Valley together.
- Pro Tip: Stay at a well-known social hostel like Loki or Wild Rover for your first few nights. Their organized events and rooftop bars are legendary for a reason. Even if you move to a quieter place later, it’s the perfect launchpad for making initial connections.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
While Bangkok has the chaos and the southern islands have the full moon parties, Chiang Mai has the soul. This city in Northern Thailand is a global hub for backpackers and digital nomads, known for its laid-back vibe, incredible food, and endless activities. The atmosphere here is less about frantic partying and more about genuine connection.
You can spend a morning learning the art of Thai cuisine at a cooking class, an afternoon ethically visiting an elephant sanctuary, or a few days trekking through the jungle to visit remote hill tribes. These are all small-group activities that foster easy conversation and shared experiences. After a day of exploring, everyone gathers at the night markets to share stories over a plate of khao soi.
- Pro Tip: Sign up for a multi-day, small-group trek. Spending two or three days hiking, sleeping in remote villages, and sharing meals with the same group is a surefire way to turn strangers into close friends.
3. The East Coast of Australia
The journey from Cairns to Sydney (or vice versa) is a rite of passage for backpackers. It's a well-trodden path for a reason: it’s incredibly fun and impossibly social. You'll constantly bump into the same people as you make your way down the coast on the Greyhound bus, staying in the same network of hostels.
The real magic happens on the multi-day tours that are staples of this route. Spending three days sailing through the pristine Whitsunday Islands or four-wheel driving across the sandy landscapes of Fraser Island (K'gari) creates an intense, shared-adventure bubble. You’re disconnected from the outside world, living on a boat or in a rustic camp, and bonding becomes inevitable.
- Pro Tip: When booking your Whitsundays or Fraser Island tour, ask about the "vibe" of the specific tour operator. Some are geared towards non-stop partying, while others are more focused on nature and relaxation. Choose the one that best fits your travel style to find your kind of people.
4. Medellin, Colombia
Once known for its dangerous past, Medellin has undergone a remarkable transformation and is now one of the most innovative, vibrant, and welcoming cities in the world. The "City of Eternal Spring" has a massive and thriving backpacker community, drawn in by the perfect weather, friendly locals (Paisas), and electric energy.
The El Poblado neighborhood is the epicenter of traveler life, with countless hostels, cafes, and salsa bars. Taking a salsa class is practically a requirement, and there’s no better icebreaker than awkwardly (and hilariously) learning a new dance with a group of fellow beginners. Joining a tour of Comuna 13 to learn about the city's history and street art is another powerful, shared experience.
- Pro Tip: Don't just stay in El Poblado. Join a free walking tour of the El Centro district to understand the city's complex history. The conversations that spring from this experience are often deeper and more meaningful.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
With its sun-drenched hills, historic trams, and melancholic Fado music, Lisbon is pure magic. It also happens to have one of the best hostel scenes on the planet. Hostels in Lisbon aren't just a cheap place to sleep; they are social hubs that excel at creating a family atmosphere.
Many hostels host nightly communal dinners, where for a few euros, you can enjoy a home-cooked meal and unlimited wine with 20 new friends. Afterward, the hostel staff will often lead a pub crawl through the winding streets of the Bairro Alto district. It’s a seamless, easy way to find a group to explore the city with. As my friend and fellow traveler Goh Ling Yong often says, the best travel experiences are the ones you share.
- Pro Tip: Even if you're not a big partier, attend the beginning of a hostel pub crawl. It's a great way to meet people in a relaxed setting before the night gets too wild, and you can always peel off with a smaller group for a more low-key evening.
6. Antigua, Guatemala
Nestled in a valley between three towering volcanoes, the cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings of Antigua are impossibly charming. This city is a magnet for solo travelers, offering a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and social opportunities. It's a major hub for Spanish language schools, meaning many travelers stay for weeks, creating a real sense of community.
The ultimate bonding experience here is the overnight hike up the Acatenango volcano. It’s a seriously challenging trek, but standing together above the clouds, watching the nearby Fuego volcano erupt with plumes of lava against the night sky, is a moment that will connect you to your fellow hikers forever. You start as strangers and end as a team who conquered a volcano together.
- Pro Tip: Pack warm layers for the Acatenango hike—it gets freezing at the summit! And don't worry about your fitness level; the guides are amazing, and the sense of group accomplishment is what makes it so special.
7. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a city of stunning architecture and deep history, but for many backpackers, it's famous for two things: ruin bars and thermal baths. This combination of chaotic nightlife and daytime relaxation makes for a perfectly balanced social scene.
The city’s famous ruin bars, particularly the legendary Szimpla Kert, are sprawling, eclectic mazes where it’s easy to strike up a conversation with travelers from every corner of the globe. During the day, heading to the massive Szechenyi Thermal Bath is a unique social experience. You’ll find yourself chatting with new friends while soaking in the healing mineral waters.
- Pro Tip: Join one of the many boat parties on the Danube River. Seeing the magnificent Parliament building lit up at night from the water, drink in hand, surrounded by a hundred other happy travelers, is an unforgettable experience.
8. The Camino de Santiago, Spain
If there is one place on Earth designed to create a trail family, it’s the Camino de Santiago. This ancient network of pilgrimage routes stretches across Spain, and thousands of people (or "pilgrims") walk it every year for spiritual, personal, or adventurous reasons. You walk alone during the day but reconvene with the same familiar faces every evening in the communal pilgrim hostels, called albergues.
The daily ritual of walking, finding a bed, washing your clothes, and sharing a "pilgrim's menu" dinner creates an incredibly powerful and immediate bond. The simple greeting of "Buen Camino!" connects you to every single person on the path. You share blisters, stories, and profound moments of self-reflection, forming friendships that feel like they’ve lasted a lifetime.
- Pro Tip: Start with the final 100km from Sarria if you're short on time. It's the most social section of the trail and is all you need to receive the official Compostela certificate in Santiago.
9. Queenstown, New Zealand
Welcome to the adventure capital of the world. Queenstown is a playground for adrenaline junkies, and nothing bonds people faster than a shared near-death experience (or at least, one that feels like it!). Whether you’re bungy jumping, skydiving, or white-water rafting, you’ll be doing it with a group of equally terrified and excited travelers.
The adrenaline rush is a powerful social lubricant. The nervous chatter before the jump and the euphoric celebration after create instant connections. In the evenings, the entire town buzzes with energy as everyone gathers in the pubs and restaurants (often queuing for the famous Fergburger) to relive the day's insanity.
- Pro Tip: Book a combo package that includes a few different adrenaline activities. You’ll likely spend the whole day with the same small group, solidifying the friendships you make.
10. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Of the three Gili Islands off the coast of Lombok, Gili Trawangan (or Gili T) is known as the "party island," but it's much more than that. With no motorized vehicles, the island has a wonderfully slow and simple pace of life. You spend your days cycling around, snorkeling with turtles right off the beach, and your nights watching the sunset from a beanbag chair.
Because the island is so small, you're constantly running into the same people, making it feel like a tiny, friendly village. It's also a world-class and affordable place to get your scuba diving certification. Spending 3-4 days with the same instructor and a small group of students is an amazing way to form a tight-knit crew.
- Pro Tip: Join a "booze cruise" or sunset boat trip. It's a classic Gili T experience and a fantastic way to meet a large group of people in a fun, relaxed setting.
11. Hoi An, Vietnam
The entire Vietnam backpacker route is incredibly social, but the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An is a special kind of trap—in the best way possible. Travelers intend to stay for two days and end up staying for a week, captivated by the lantern-lit streets, incredible food, and relaxed atmosphere.
This slower pace means you have more time to form real connections. You can join a lantern-making workshop, get clothes custom-tailored (a great conversation starter), or simply grab a 20-cent Bia Hoi (fresh beer) at a street-side stall and watch the world go by. The daily convergence of travelers at An Bang Beach is also a perfect, low-pressure place to meet people.
- Pro Tip: Rent a bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside and rice paddies. It’s a beautiful way to spend a day, and you can often team up with people from your hostel for a group ride.
12. Patagonia (El Chaltén, Argentina & Torres del Paine, Chile)
For the adventurous souls who love a good hike, Patagonia is the holy grail. The trekking hubs of El Chaltén in Argentina and Puerto Natales (the gateway to Torres del Paine) in Chile are crawling with solo travelers looking to team up. The sheer scale and challenge of the landscape create a powerful sense of community.
In the hiker-focused hostels, the common rooms are filled with maps, and the air buzzes with talk of weather conditions and trail beta. It’s incredibly easy to join a group for a day hike to Fitz Roy or form a team to tackle the multi-day "W Trek." You'll share gear, food, and endless encouragement on the trail, forging friendships in the heart of some of the world's most stunning scenery.
- Pro Tip: If you're tackling the W Trek solo, stay in the shared refugios (mountain huts) rather than camping. The communal dinners and dorm rooms are a fantastic way to meet fellow hikers from all over the world.
13. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
If your idea of connection is less about partying and more about personal growth, Ubud is your sanctuary. As the spiritual and cultural heart of Bali, it attracts a more mindful, wellness-focused crowd of solo travelers. The community here is built around yoga studios, healthy cafes, and spiritual workshops.
Start your day with a drop-in class at a world-famous studio like The Yoga Barn, where you’ll flow alongside dozens of other travelers. Afterward, everyone spills into the on-site cafe, and conversations about life, travel, and spirituality flow as easily as the kombucha. It’s a different kind of trail family—one that might just inspire you to start your own meditation practice.
- Pro Tip: Stay in a guesthouse or homestay with a communal breakfast area. Sharing a plate of banana pancakes and a cup of Balinese coffee each morning is a gentle and authentic way to connect with your fellow guests.
14. Dahab, Egypt
For a truly unique, off-the-beaten-path social experience, head to Dahab. This chilled-out bohemian town on the Red Sea is a world away from the bustling resorts of Sharm El Sheikh. It's a haven for scuba divers and freedivers, boasting world-class reefs and the infamous Blue Hole.
The entire town is built around a laid-back, sea-centric lifestyle. You’ll spend your days diving with your group and your evenings relaxing at seaside restaurants, sitting on cushions, and sharing stories with the diverse, international community of divers, yogis, and artists who call this place home. The vibe is incredibly welcoming, and it’s one of those places where you quickly feel like a local. I've seen travelers, much like Goh Ling Yong, arrive for a week and decide to stay for months.
- Pro Tip: Base yourself at one of the many dive centers for a week. Whether you’re taking a course or just doing fun dives, you’ll quickly be absorbed into their social circle, which often includes group dinners and desert excursions.
Your Adventure Awaits
Traveling solo is a brave first step, but it’s a journey you'll never have to take alone. The world is full of incredible places and amazing people waiting to share the road with you. Whether you find your tribe while conquering a volcano, learning to salsa, or simply sharing a beer in a hostel common room, these connections are what transform a great trip into an unforgettable chapter of your life.
So, take the leap. Pick a spot on this list, pack your bag with an open mind, and get ready to meet your trail family.
Now I want to hear from you! What are your favorite destinations for meeting fellow travelers? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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