Some older travelers no doubt see hostels as the wrong place to find the privacy and comfort they've worked all their lives to achieve. Yet with a little preparation a hostel stay can be convenient, affordable, and a great place to meet new people.
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Truth: Hostels are generally open to people of all ages, and I've never been turned away for being beyond my 20s. Do I feel “old” when I stay at hostels? Sometimes, yes. But I've rarely been the only person over 40 staying at one, and I frequently meet travelers in their 50s and 60s who are staying in hostels.
Although in most people's minds, Youth Hostels are connected with young travellers, there is no maximum age for staying in a Youth Hostel. Youth Hostels are open to all travellers of all travelers , from students to retirees by way of families with children, who wish to experience a social adventure.
Is 60 too old to backpack? It helps you maintain your health, enjoy nature, see some great scenery, and enjoy some sunshine. If you're worried about being “too old” to hike, don't. Many people enjoy hiking well into their 60s, 70s, and even 80s.
There's no birthday you'll have that will signify it's time to retire your backpack and switch to being a regular old tourist. You could be 20 when that happens. You might be 60. There are entire families out there who are still backpacking.
Is sex common on the backpacker trail? Absolutely, especially places like Asia where a private room is as cheap as a dorm bed. If you want to find sex with a fellow backpacker, you'll probably have no problem, particularly in party towns. Sex definitely happens between travelers and locals as well.
Pack Weight for Backpacking and HikingA loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.
Here are ten more hostel etiquette tips to keep in mind:Only use the bed that's assigned to you. Take your phone call outside the room if another guest is asleep. Avoid conversing loudly if another guest is asleep. Dorm rooms, bathrooms and common areas are usually cleaned daily.
Also, most hostels place limits on how long you can stay. They're meant to be for short-term stays and if you're using it as a full-time place to live, you may be politely asked to leave. Hostels have everything you need to live but that doesn't mean it's advisable to do so.
Do hostels check your age? While most hostels don't have age restrictions, some sites may be unsuitable for young children or guests with disabilities. It is always good to check beforehand by viewing the relevant hostel page.
That can be beautiful, but it can also be annoying. You don't have much private space in a hostel room. It's impossible to escape other people completely. You might get a roommate that snores or comes in late every night.
How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh? The answer is: not more than 20% of your body weight, and ideally, it'll be about 10% of your body weight. If you weigh 200 lbs, you'd be fine with carrying 40 lbs for a day hike. If you're 160 lbs, you'd be okay with a ~30 lbs pack.