The Most Popular Backpacking Routes Around the World
What is the most important part of planning your backpacking trip? Deciding where to go. While I usually let airplane deals lead me on where to go, you might want to check out the most popular backpacking routes around the world.
The sad truth is that you won’t always find hostels and a backpacking culture in every corner of the world. Why travel somewhere with a backpacking culture? Hostels provide social and educational settings to enhance a short or long-term trip.
South East Asia
The Mecca of backpacking. South East Asia is considered a haven for backpackers because of the abundance of hostels, safety of the region, English being widely spoken, tourist infrastructure, vast amounts of transportation options, and being extremely budget friendly. If your nervous about your first backpacking trip, maybe it’s your first solo trip, South East Asia will be the best starting point for you. It’s truly one of the easiest regions of the world to travel and has a diverse range of activities to choose from.
Thailand
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Malaysia
Indonesia
Philippines
Myanmar
Singapore
Popular Routes:
The Banana Pancake Trail is generally regarded as the most common backpacking route through Continental South East Asia. Backpackers often start in Vietnam or Thailand and make their way through other continental countries Loas, Cambodia, and Malaysia. More adventurous backpackers may stop in places like Myanmar or Borneo.
Since The Philippines and Indonesia are islands nations that depend on flights, routes through these countries are not as straightforward.
Central America & Mexico
Central America is the most common backpacking destination, only second to Southeast Asia.
Mexico
Belize
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
(Sail to Colombia)
Popular Routes:
You’ll find most backpackers going from north to south or vice versa. Many choose to start in Colombia or Mexico because of plentiful flight options. For those starting or ending in Colombia, opt for sailing through the San Blas Islands, a highlight of any Central America backpacking trip. Travel to previously skipped El Salvador is becoming increasingly popular. Some backpackers may skip over Honduras, but missing out on a trip to the Bay Islands to take a scuba diving course would be a mistake.