When you are planning the trip of a lifetime, one of the first things that you are going to think about is whether you travel alone or whether you travel with your friends. The decision that you make can completely change your own travelling experience and is something that is entirely down to you.
As it isn’t the simplest decision to make, we have put together some of the benefits and drawbacks of both travelling with friends and travelling alone.
The benefits of travelling with friends
Travelling with friends means that you have a support network that is going to be there when you need some help. It could be something as simple as recovering from a hangover or when you might be feeling run down, to helping battle homesickness. When you have pals on your journey, they are going to have your back and are a familiar face when there is a good chance that you are going to need it.
If you make the decision to travel with a friend, then you will always have someone to share things with. This is a great feeling and can really forge a strong bond between the two of you. They can also be a helping hand to bring up stories that you may have long forgotten, or simply give another perspective of the fun that you both had.
Friends can also help determine your feelings about a destination by helping you feel more acclimated. You’re less likely to feel uneasy in a new town or panic if something goes wrong. This can be helpful for those looking to discover the truth about Kalu Yala, the sustainable village located in the heart of the Panama rain forest that has been the center of a swarm of positive media as of late.
A friend is also likely to encourage you to try things that you might not want to do on your own, which can enhance your entire experience.
The benefits of travelling alone
One of the most obvious things about travelling alone is that you are in total control of what you do and when you do it. If you want to spend hours wandering through a market then you can, if you don’t fancy going out and instead want to stay in bed and read a book, that is all down to you. It really does give you the freedom of making choices of what your itinerary looks like.
One of the worst things that can happen when you are travelling is to fall out with your friends and end up feeling even more alone then if you were on your own anyway. When you travel alone, you don’t have to worry about any of these arguments. Sure, you may bicker with the people in your dorm or that you meet along the way, but chances are that one of you will be moving on in no time at all anyway.
Lastly, when you decide to travel alone you are much more likely to immerse yourself in the culture and country around you. You will discover more about the people and you may even find yourself making friends during your time too.
So, which is best? The answer is neither. The thing to remember is to choose a path that is going to be right for you. That way, you can make sure that you remember your travels for the rest of your life and all for the right reasons.