If you’re wondering, “Is Worldpackers safe?”, I’m here to share my own personal insights, experiences, and tips for trying a work exchange through this platform!

Work exchanges are one of my favorite ways to travel! I’ve talked about this many times on this blog, but I am so passionate about this topic.

For anyone who wants unique, affordable, and culturally immersive travel adventures, definitely consider a work exchange.

You can live with locals, try new things, and get free accommodation in your country of choice.

There is no easier and cheaper way to volunteer in a foreign country!

Save $10 on your Worldpackers membership with code GABBY

Websites like Worldpackers make it so easy to find a work exchange online.

It’s totally normal and probably even smart to be skeptical of experiences you can book online. The internet is an endless virtual space, so how do you know if your work exchange is legit?

This article will address the question, “Is Worldpackers Safe?” based on my personal experiences.

I’ve done 3 Worldpackers work exchanges and 7 work exchanges through another platform called Workaway.

In addition to those 10 work exchanges, I’ve travelled to over 35 countries and lived abroad multiple times.

It feels a bit presumptuous to call myself a “travel expert”, but I do have 10+ years of first-hand experience with living, working, travelling, and volunteering abroad.

So here are my honest opinions on Worldpackers, its legitimacy, and if it’s safe or not.

Read my top 50 budget travel tips for the best ways to explore the world on a budget.

What is Worldpackers?

Worldpackers is an online platform that connects travelers with work exchanges around the globe.

It’s a super straightforward way to find work exchanges abroad!

Different types of work exchanges you can find on Worldpackers include:

• NGOs
• Farms
• Eco Villages
• Permaculture Projects
• Hostels
• Eco Lodges
• Homestay
• Guest Houses
• Holistic Centers
• And more!

How does Worldpackers work?

You can browse through all of the work exchange options online for free and see what their work exchanges are like. Read reviews, see their photos, and get inspired!

To actually organize your work exchange, you just have to sign up for a Worldpackers membership.

Memberships start at $59 USD for one year, (you can save $10 with promo code GABBY)

Once you have the membership, you can directly message as many hosts as you want to apply for their work exchange.

Once you and a host both agree on the dates and terms of the work exchange, it’s all set! You just have to buy your flights and get there.

Read my comparison of Worldpackers vs. Workaway, the two most common work exchange websites.

Is Worldpackers safe?

Worldpackers is very safe because all the host are carefully selected and monitored by the Worldpackers team. But all experiences in life come with a little bit of risk, which is important to keep in mind.

You are traveling to foreign countries and staying with people you’ve never met. It’s intimidating, especially when you try it for the first time.

My first work exchange experience

I was so nervous before my first work exchange in Ecuador. I flew into Quito at night, took a taxi to a random neighborhood in the dark, and knocked on the door of a random couple’s home. I had no idea what to expect.

As terrifying as that was, the Ecuadorians welcomed me into their home and made me part of the family for 2 weeks. I learned lots of Spanish, explored the Quito area, and worked at the family lodge.

It was one of the most culturally enriching and valuable experiences of my life, and it made me fall in love with work exchanges.

But to have special experiences like this, there is a bit of trust involved.

No, you haven’t met your work exchange host before. They are essentially, a stranger from the internet.

But the only way to know if the experience is right for you is to just do it. You really have to take a leap of faith and be prepared for the unexpected.

Luckily, Worldpackers makes it very safe to travel the world in this way.

Here are some of the reasons why it is safe to travel with Worldpackers!

Hosts are verified and monitored by the Worldpackers team

Worldpackers carefully checks and monitors the hosts that are advertised on their website.

Any random person can’t just apply to be a host and get listed immediately.

The Worldpackers team verifies every work exchange by checking their addresses, references, and documentation.

The team also closely monitors the hosts on their website to see how they perform over time. A host’s engagement and reviews are always checked to ensure the work exchange happens according to plan.

Worldpackers cares deeply about the safety and satisfaction of the traveler, and I think it shows.

The average rating of all the hosts on Worldpackers is around 4.8 out of 5 stars!

Read next: 22 Solo Travel Tips: How To Travel The World Alone

Worldpackers offers support and structure

Organising something like a work exchange without the help of Worldpackers would be a nightmare.

The website formalizes the agreement so you have a record of your work exchange dates, hours, and benefits.

This is a great way to keep track of the position you applied for and ensure it lives up to the set standard.

The Worldpackers team is also available for assistance if needed. You can call or email them 7 days a week to chat with someone (three languages offered as well).

I’ve never needed to ask Worldpackers for help, as my work exchanges have always been fine. But I’ve heard their customer service is excellent, should you ever need guidance.

You can also select a plan that includes WP Safeguard, which is their version of travel insurance that covers your travels if you need to leave a work exchange for any reason. More info on that later!

You can connect with the Worldpackers community

The review system on Worldpackers is also super helpful.

You can read reviews left by other travelers to see what they thought of a work exchange.

Hosts can also leave reviews for travelers, which is handy to read (issues are not always the hosts’ fault).

You can also directly message other travelers if you have further questions about their experience.

I’ve had quite a few people message me on Worldpackers to ask about my experiences, and I was happy to share my thoughts!

Worldpackers is a public web platform, so there is no guarantee that every traveler who signs up is genuine. But the majority of people on there are just like me or you – they just want to travel the world, have cool experiences, and be safe in the process.

The Worldpackers website also has tons of resources like articles and videos with authentic tips made by other travelers (including me)!

Read next: 20 Amazing Places To Travel In Your 20s

Top Tips for Finding a Safe and Enjoyable Work Exchange

Though Worldpackers is safe as a whole, there are still some things you can do to hopefully make your experience better.

A bit of pre-trip research and planning goes a long way.

To make it easier, I’m going to share my top tips for finding the best work exchanges and traveling safely.

Consider what type of experience you want

Choose your work exchange based on the type of environment you want.

In my experience, the job description and tasks you’re assigned are less influential on the overall experience than the environment.

It’s the people, the location, and the overall vibe that make or break a work exchange.

So think about the type of experience you want first. Then think about the type of work you want to do.

Here is a quick rundown of possible work exchange experiences and what they are like. This is just a general overview from my own experience – every work exchange is unique!

Hostels

• Social, fun, centrally located, communal dorms and facilities
• Great for solo travelers, backpackers, making friends, enjoying nightlife, exploring a city without your own transport

Guesthouses / Eco Lodges

• Similar to hostels but slightly more chill or nature-oriented, upscale clientele and facilities
• Great for a relaxed stay, meeting locals, making a few friends

Farms / Permaculture Projects

• Can be social, educational, laid-back environment, generally located in more isolated places so better to have your own transport
• Great for learning practical skills, spending time in nature, wholesome community vibes

Homestays

• Cultural experiences, not always social or centrally located, living in a local home and neighborhood
• Great for couples, language practice, immersive and authentic experiences, those with their own transport

NGOs / Local Businesses / Holistic Centers

• Generally well-organized and official, can be social, authentic local cultural experiences
• Great for resume building, learning or practicing skills, structured environment

Read about my experiences in hostels, homestays, and eco-lodges, and permaculture farms!

Consider a social experience for your first trip (or a solo trip)

If it’s your very first work exchange, I would highly recommend doing a social experience like a hostel or a group permaculture project.

Having other volunteers who are in the same boat as you can easily put your mind at ease when you first arrive.

You’ll also have a much easier time making friends, getting out of your comfort zone, and exploring your new area with company.

I learned that when I did my first work exchange in Ecuador, which was essentially a homestay. It was culturally immersive, but I did feel a bit isolated at times.

A month later when I worked at a hostel in Peru, I had a completely different experience. I made so many friends and had an absolute blast exploring Cusco.

So if you’re just trying work exchanges for the first time, or you’re traveling solo and want to make friends, consider a social environment as it makes the transition easier.

Chat with your host in-depth before agreeing to volunteer

Before you officially agree to a work exchange, you can have an open chat with your host to cover any questions you may have.

This is a great time to get to know them! Add them on social media or WhatsApp and just get a nice conversation going.

You can tell a lot about your host just from chatting with them online. If there is anything you’re unsure about, now is the time to ask.

Read reviews

Reading reviews is the best way to see what other travelers think of a work exchange. Many reviews are quite detailed.

Some of the best and most popular work exchanges through Worldpackers have hundreds of reviews.

You don’t necessarily have to pick the work exchanges with the most reviews for a good time.

My first two work exchanges I did in Ecuador only had 1-2 reviews, and they were great. Some hosts are new and haven’t had time to host many volunteers yet.

But if it’s your first time volunteering and you’re wondering “Is Worldpackers safe?”, I would maybe pick a host with lots of good reviews.

That just means they have lots of experience hosting travelers, and you can rely on the good ratings of others to feel more comfortable.

Read next: Are Hostels Safe? FAQs + Tips From Personal Experience

Contact other travelers for advice

Worldpackers also allows you to directly message other travelers.

So if you’re interested in a specific work exchange, you can see what other people have already worked there. Send them a message for questions or tips about that work exchange.

This is a super helpful way to get more information from a real person who has been to the work exchange before.

Organize your transport in advance

This is a great example of a question to ask your host when chatting beforehand.

I always recommend figuring out how to get to your work exchange in advance. That saves you from feeling stressed or lost when you arrive at your destination.

Hosts will always recommend the easiest, safest, or most affordable ways to get to their location. They may even pick you up from a bus stop or airport themselves!

Work exchanges in a city or popular tourist area are easy to get to via public transport or taxi.

But work exchanges in remote areas may require a bit more planning. So make your arrival easy and just plan this step before you go.

Bookaway is a handy website for researching transport options when you travel.

Think about your transport in the area

It’s also important to think about your transport once you arrive at the work exchange.

How will you get around and explore in your free time? Most work exchanges are only 20 hours per week, and exploring on your days off is encouraged.

Again, work exchanges in cities are easy as there is usually public transport you can use.

Ask your host what the options are for getting around if the work exchange is in a remote location. Do you need to have your own car? Is there a local bus or bike rental?

You don’t want to end up isolated at your work exchange, without any knowledge of how to get around.

Do lots of research on the area

Similar to the last point, I would recommend researching the area where your work exchange will be.

This just gives you an idea of what you can do there, what things cost, how to get around, and if it’s touristy, safe, etc.

You can ask your host these questions as well for some local insight. And you will, of course, learn all this once you get there.

But my mind is always more at ease when I know a little bit about what to expect. If you’re like me, a bit of pre-trip research will make you feel safer once you arrive.

Get travel insurance

Travel insurance is an essential part of any trip abroad. It just gives you peace of mind knowing you’re financially covered if there is an emergency.

For US residents, I recommend Squaremouth Insurance. This easy-to-use website compares different travel insurance plans based on the filters you set.

I used them for a trip to South Africa and got 100% reimbursed for my emergency medical expenses.

Squaremouth Insurance is my go-to website for finding the best plans.

Consider Worldpackers insurance (WP Safeguard)

Worldpackers also has their own insurance that is specific to work exchanges. This insurance covers your expenses if you need to leave your host for any reason.

Work exchanges are a unique way to travel, and regular travel insurance likely won’t cover this.

There are three levels of Worldpackers Insurance you can get, and they each automatically come with the different plans. So consider which insurance you would prefer when you sign up!

WP Safeguard

• Included in solo trip Worldpackers plans ($59 per year membership)
• Worth up to $59 USD
• Covers 3 nights of accommodation if you need to leave your host

Extended WP Safeguard

• Included in pack Worldpackers plans ($109 per year membership)
• Worth up to $199 USD
• Covers 7 nights of accommodation if you need to leave your host

Prime WP Safeguard

• Included in pack plus Worldpackers plans ($139 per year membership)
• Worth up to $399 USD
• Covers 14 nights of accommodation if you need to leave your host

Read more about the different types of memberships and plans on the Worldpackers website.

Don’t forget you can save $10 with the Worldpackers Promo Code GABBY

Consider the language barrier

Another way to feel safe on your work exchange is to be prepared for any language barriers.

If it’s your first work exchange and you’re a bit nervous, I recommend choosing a place where you can speak the language.

This means you’ll at least have an easier time getting around and communicating with people.

But if you do want to improve on any language skills, work exchanges are the perfect way to do that. I would recommend having a basic knowledge, though. Going into a foreign country with zero language skills can be tough, unless your host speaks your language.

Trust your gut

My final safety tip, and arguably the most important, is to trust your gut.

If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe at your work exchange, trust your instincts and get out of there.

Because Worldpackers is such a highly regulated website, I think bad experiences are quite rare. But that said, bad experiences can still happen anywhere, anytime. That’s life!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you ever need it, either at your work exchange or online to the Worldpackers team.

If you do have to leave a host, the Worldpackers team is there to provide assistance (and refund some of your extra costs if you have the insurance).

Never put yourself at risk!

So is Worldpackers safe?

In my experience, Worldpackers is actually one of the safest ways to travel because you can create deep connections with locals and the place where you are staying.

I’ve always felt much safer staying with a local than just staying in a standard tourist accommodation.

Having the knowledge and guidance of a local can really enhance your exploration of a new country. You feel safer branching out of the standard tourist zone when you’re with someone who knows the area.

Hosts always share their personal tips and recommendations because they want you to have a great time.

When you’re doing a work exchange, you actually have a boss and coworkers who care about you. This adds an extra layer of safety that you don’t get when you’re just traveling for fun.

Plus, a work exchange allows you to stay somewhere for longer. Spending more time in a foreign country allows you to get more comfortable there.

I highly recommend work exchanges for countries that you’re maybe on the fence about in terms of safety.

For example, I did a few work exchanges in South Africa, Guatemala, and Morocco. In each place, I had such an incredible time because I had local friends to stay with.

They showed me around their area, gave me the best recommendations, and took me off the standard tourist trail. I never felt unsafe once!

Of course, every experience is different, and you really have to trust your gut to see if things feel right.

But if you’re willing try, I honestly believe work exchanges are the coolest and most rewarding way to travel.

Thanks for reading my guide and opinions about “Is Worldpackers Safe”

Read about more of my past work exchanges for first-hand experiences and tips!

Work Exchange In Guatemala: How I Lived On Lake Atitlan For Free

Work Exchange In Morocco: How I Lived In Marrakech For Free

Learning Permaculture in the South African Forest

Volunteering on a Chicken Farm in East London, South Africa

Volunteering in the Wild Coast of South Africa

7 Incredible Volunteer Opportunities Around The World

Work Exchange In Portugal: How I Lived In Porto and Only Spent 200 Euros

Mindo, Ecuador: My Volunteering Experience