As beautiful as the world’s wonders are, every traveler knows there is nothing quite as beautiful as a stranger turned friend. Hostels don’t just provide us with an easy budget travel hack, they also give us these magical moments of novella-type human connection that, at the end of our journeys, can lead us to true friendship.

HandyHostel’s team is full of world traveler hostel-lovers, and we are always willing to share some of our awesome stories with you. Below is an effervescent story from one of our teammates, Raphaelle St. Pierre, and how her first-ever experience of solo traveling in hostels led her to a new lifelong friend. 

“As a first-time solo traveler, there is a lot of unknown and plenty to be scared of, but the desire to see the world and experience new things is sometimes too grand to be ignored. I knew that I could not wait for friends, family, or the “stars to align”. With a persisting voice of curiosity, I decided to take the leap. Off I went, planning my first-ever solo trip to Costa Rica. I still remember the loud thoughts of fear, wondering if I would be lonely just before the trip’s departure, and doubting if I was doing the right thing. As soon as I stepped foot in that airport though, there was no more denying it, I was all in on myself. 

Although there’s no guarantee, hostels give solo travelers hope. Hope to not be alone and find like-minded people to share unique experiences with. My preference was to meet other travelers, so I booked a social hostel in the lively beach town of Tamarindo. After a test of patience with an overnight bus ride, I arrived at my destination. Although I didn’t know it yet, I had booked an all-female dorm that would change my life. 

Arriving back to my room in the early afternoon, on my first day, I was met with the faces of four beautiful girls. One, an extravagant-looking type on a self-discovery journey from Sweden; another Canadian girl with the best stories; and an introverted yet witty German girl. However, it was the loud, funny, and not to mention, stunning British girl who would end up being a part of the next two years of my life! 

After the first moments of exchanging names and inviting me to a night out, she casually whips her head around and in all seriousness, asks me, “Can you get my back?”, in her northern English accent, while handing me a bath towel with a self-tanner on it. I was immediately taken aback by how open and genuine she was. But of course I did, because girl code, right? 

From that first dynamic interaction, we went on to spend the next 72 hours together. Between tracking down my stolen cell phone, going to the hospital, a surfing session, and modeling bikinis for a local business owner, it was like one long and never-ending moment of adventure. 

After the three days that felt like a lifetime, we had to say goodbye. The truly heartbreaking part of traveling. But it was bittersweet for me because I knew this was only the beginning of something. We went on our respective ways but kept up with one another’s crazy adventures. Soon enough, we were both back home. And as the rush of traveling exited my body upon return, I came to the realization that I had met my best friend. 

Just three months later, we were back together for a trip to the Quintana Roo region of Mexico. Reminder, the most time we’d spent together was only 72 hours, and here I found myself about to be with her 24/7 for the next 2 weeks. My friends and family all had the same question: what if you don’t get along? A valid question, but I was confident in our friendship. With the natural social atmosphere of most hostels, I knew I would never feel alone for long either. I did end up making so many new friends, but I also became closer than ever to her. And, we’ve gone on to share even more adventures together! 

Since Mexico, I traveled to her small hometown in Lancaster, England, to stay with her family, and we also spent 6 weeks traveling through hostels in Columbia! Now she has a trip planned to Montreal, Canada, so she can meet my friends and family, who cannot wait to meet the girl I have been traveling the world with!

If you are open to it, hostels can make a simple trip life-changing. I will never regret taking the risk of my first solo trip and choosing to stay in hostels, because it brought me a best friend.

Hostels provide a lot: cultural immersion, affordable accommodation, and language exchanges, but at their heart and inception, is their ability to bring one another together. They help connect those who share a love of travel, and help fulfill our hearts’ desire for adventure! “

Join HandyHostel’s Family of Traveling Souls, like Raphaelle, in our desire to elevate the most beautiful part of hostels and what they offer for your travel: their Beyond-Bed Experience! Check us out on our Social Media and on our official Website. Join our travel revolution!