If you’re researching how to travel cheaply and have more authentic experiences around the world, you’ve probably come across Couchsurfing — a platform that connects travelers with locals willing to offer free accommodation. But, like anything involving human exchanges, Couchsurfing has nuances that deserve attention.
I’ve used Couchsurfing on three trips so far, and in all of them, I was hosted by men. I didn’t have any issues with any of these experiences — and I believe this is partly due to the way I chose my hosts: always selecting those with many positive reviews, especially from other women. But, once one of my hosts changed his mind at the last minute, and I had to find a place to stay at 7 pm while dealing with food poisoning.
That said, it’s important to be realistic: everyone will experience Couchsurfing differently. I’ve heard negative reports from both women and men — including situations where hosts confuse the platform’s purpose with something closer to a dating app. That’s why it’s worth repeating: being careful when choosing your host is essential.
Before you close this tab thinking couchsurfing it’s a scam, take a breath. The idea behind Couchsurfing is beautiful when it happens as it should: it’s about hospitality, cultural exchange, friendship, and trust. That’s why, in this article, I invite you to learn more about how Couchsurfing works, its benefits, real risks, and how to prepare to experience it in the best way possible.
Couchsurfing is an online platform that connects travelers with local hosts willing to offer free accommodation — literally. There is no charge, nor any expectation of exchange for voluntary tasks. Sometimes, the space offered is a couch; other times, it’s a mattress on the floor or an extra room. But what really matters here is not where you sleep — it’s the exchange that happens there.
It may seem strange to imagine someone opening their doors to a complete stranger, but believe me: it happens, and a lot. And it’s more common than it seems.
I’ve used Couchsurfing three times so far — twice in Vietnam and once in New York. In New York and the first time in Vietnam, my hosts explained that they had used the platform a lot as travelers and saw these stays as a way to give back to the community. My second Vietnamese host, on the other hand, had never left the country. He simply enjoyed meeting new people and used the visits as an opportunity to practice English with his music students. In this case, he asked if I could help him with that — I agreed right away and even ended up making brigadeiro for them. It was amazing.
To be totally honest, I initially sought out Couchsurfing to save on accommodation and, in one case, to avoid the hostel hustle and get some rest. But in Vietnam, I ended up spending even more — because I stayed away from the center and went out a lot with my host. In other words: the initial goal didn’t exactly work out as expected, but no regrets.
After creating a profile (small fee per year), you can search for hosts in the city you plan to visit.
Each profile comes with reviews from other travelers, photos, and descriptions that help you understand who is on the other side of the screen and what you’ll be getting (a private room, a couch in the living room, or a shared room, for example). If you identify with them, just arrange the details and… voilà: accommodation guaranteed. Make sure you have common interests with these people and read all the rules. For example, if the person is vegetarian and wrote that they can’t cook meat in their house, you’ll need to respect that.
In addition to accommodation, Couchsurfing also offers local events and meetups — ideal for those who want to socialize without necessarily staying at someone’s home.
Seu perfil é o seu cartão de visita — e, na plataforma, ele vale mais do que mil mensagens genéricas. Invista tempo preenchendo tudo com atenção: fale sobre seus interesses, estilo de vida, por que está usando o Couchsurfing e o que você gosta de compartilhar com outras pessoas. Seja honesto, autêntico e humano.
Fotos importam: inclua imagens que mostrem você em contextos reais (viagens, hobbies, amigos), evite fotos muito posadas ou genéricas. Isso ajuda a passar confiança.
Outra dica importante: avalie quem já te hospedou ou te recebeu. As avaliações são o que mantém o ecossistema funcionando — e quanto mais detalhadas e verdadeiras forem, melhor para todo mundo.
Your profile is your business card — and on the platform, it’s worth more than a thousand generic messages. Invest time in filling it out carefully: talk about your interests, lifestyle, why you’re using Couchsurfing, and what you like to share with others. Be honest, authentic, and human.
Photos matter: include images that show you in real contexts (travels, hobbies, friends), avoid overly posed or generic photos. This helps build trust.
Another important tip: review those who have hosted or received you. Reviews are what keep the ecosystem running — and the more detailed and truthful they are, the better for everyone.
First of all, it’s important to remember: you’re staying for free — but this is not a hotel. In most cases, the person hosting you is there for the exchange. This means they probably want to talk, go out to eat, or even show you some hidden spots in the city. And that’s the beauty of the experience. I’ve heard hosts mention that a guest arrived and left without even saying “good morning.”
Be respectful of the host’s space and routine. Ask if you can use the kitchen, keep the place tidy, and don’t treat the house like a paid accommodation. It’s also a nice gesture to bring a small gift from your country, cook a typical dish, or simply offer a good conversation with attentive listening — these little things make the stay memorable for both sides.
It’s also worth setting boundaries clearly from the start: some hosts love to hang out, others prefer more privacy. Asking is always better than assuming. The key is to maintain a balance between the traveler’s freedom and the host’s hospitality.
