Traveling can sometimes be so expensive, especially if you want to visit a popular destination.
Work exchanging is such a great alternative to a traditional vacation, but it can seem like a strange concept if you’re just finding out about it.
If you’ve been asking yourself, is Worldpackers safe?, you’re in the right place!
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Is Worldpackers Safe?
There are so many factors that can make a situation safe or unsafe when you are traveling or even more so when doing work exchanges.
Who you are, where you are going, the environment, the culture, the work exchange host – all of these will affect how your work exchange goes.
The main thing to remember is that Worldpackers is only the middleman to finding opportunities around the world.
So is Worldpackers safe? For the most part, yes, but you need to pay attention to what you’re getting yourself into.
It’s your responsibility to research and do your best to make sure the Worldpackers opportunity is legit and fits what you want.
Though they do have many safety measures in place, you will never be guaranteed a 100% safe work exchange on Worlpackers or any other platform.
But also, it’s my opinion that Worldpackers has the most emphasis on safety out of all of the work exchange sites.
Want to get started with Worldpackers right away? Get $10 off with my code ‘MAPTREKKING’ or sign up with this link.
Worldpackers Safety
So what is Worldpackers? Essentially, it’s an online platform that helps you to travel more affordably while having unique experiences.
If you’re looking for an alternative to fast traveling (eg seeing a city in 1 day by checking off all the sights to take pictures with), then you need to try out travel volunteering.
It gives you the chance to travel ‘deeper’ to learn new skills, learn about the culture, try great food and so much more.
Worldpackers act as the middleman to connect travelers with local volunteering opportunities all around the world.
Because they are the connection point, they need to ensure safety so both parties have good experiences.
This is one of the advantages of using a paid platform, rather than a free Facebook group or other online forums.
There are no safety measures with those, so yes they could go well, but also could potentially be extremely dangerous (especially as a woman).
So is Worldpackers safe? So how do they ensure safety? What measures do Worlpackers take? Let’s get into it.
Verified Hosts
Each Worldpackers is individually reviewed by the Worldpackers team.
They chat directly with the host to make sure they align with the Worldpackers guidelines and meet the Worldpackers quality standards.
This vetting process is to ensure safety and make sure the hosts are legitimate.
Official Agreements With Hosts
After applying to different volunteering opportunities and finding one that suits you, you and the host will reach an agreement on what is expected.
As long as you arrange it all on the Worldpackers platform, you’ll get an official agreement that makes sure everything is clear and set in writing.
For safety reasons, Worldpackers emphasizes you should communicate through the platform to keep things safe.
Also, it is so you can get the agreement that will give you peace of mind that your trip is safely confirmed.
Focus On Women’s Safety
Worldpackers take safety seriously since 60% of Worldpackers users are solo travelers and 59% are women.
It’s clearly evident on their social media, website, and blog. Make sure to this section of their blog is solely dedicated to women’s safety.
24/7 Support
Since Worldpackers offers insurance (read more below), they have to have excellent customer service support.
You’ll need a quick response if something goes wrong with a host and then need to use the insurance.
They have a few different ways to contact them, their main email – [email protected], but if you prefer to use social media, you can message them on Facebook and Instagram.
They are also very active on with funny and informative videos on TikTok.
You can even message the Worldpackers team through the platform at any point when you are a member.
Whether you have questions or concerns, you can directly reach them at any point of your trip.
Worldpackers Insurance
To apply for the Worldpackers volunteering positions, you will have to purchase a yearly membership (US$49).
This is paid once annually, and with this, you get an unlimited supply of applications for volunteer opportunities around the world.
Also, part of this membership is ‘Worldpackers Insurance’ (WP insurance).
This is one of the ways that Worldpackers is leading the work exchange industry because NO OTHER PLATFORMS DO THIS.
Sorry for yelling, but I needed to emphasize that. Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it’s a huge bonus since it is included in the price you already pay.
As an example, a similar site called Workaway costs the same amount for a year but doesn’t offer insurance.
But maybe I got ahead of myself, what is WP insurance?
In case the Worldpacker host doesn’t follow what you previously agreed on, you can rely on WP insurance to keep you covered.
The Worldpackers team can help you find another volunteer opportunity nearby for you to continue your plans to work exchange.
If there are not any volunteering gigs close by, they will reimburse you for up to 3 nights in a shared hostel dorm.
It’s essential to note that Worldpackers insurance is not a replacement for travel medical insurance.
Make sure to cover yourself properly with a good policy. Use these 12 tips to find the best work abroad travel insurance.
I always love using Safetywing because it is so affordable but has good coverage.
If you’re on a budget, this is the perfect company because you can be covered for 4 weeks for as low as $40.
What You Can Do
Though Worldpackers provides some level of safety, it is also your responsibility to check into the work exchanges.
There is always unforeseen circumstances, but you should try to prepare for what you can beforehand.
The main thing is knowing what you are getting yourself into and proper preparation! These will go a long way.
Read The Description Thoroughly
This might seem silly, but you would be surprised how many people don’t bother reading the whole profile of a host.
It is very important since it tells you what to expect – the work, the accommodation, the food, etc.
When reading, make sure to pay attention to the tone that they use and the descriptive words. Try to ‘read between the lines’.
If you don’t get a good feeling about a place, there is probably a reason for that. Trust your gut!
For me, when I see that a host can’t communicate what they want in their profile (like giving a poor description), it could indicate that they don’t communicate well in person.
Open and honest communication is one of the biggest things for having a safe and enjoyable Worldpackers exchange.
Don’t Be Desperate
I’m a strong believer that desperation is the source of many work exchange horror stories.
Many times people ignore the red flags or a bad gut feeling because they are so desperate to get free accommodation.
I have found this even more so when you want a very specific destination, maybe a touristy hotspot in the high season.
It’s important to not let a host take advantage of you or provide bad/unsafe conditions, and if you are desperate you are more likely to accept this.
The main point I want to make is that you shouldn’t do a work exchange if your main motivation is to save money.
You need to have high standards to make sure you have a good and safe exchange on Worldpackers!
I talk more in detail about this in my article about how to be a good volunteer.
Video Call
This one is self-explanatory. Having video call(s) with a potential host is going to add another layer of assurance that the host is legit and communicates well.
This will also give you time to get further details about the Worldpackers exchange.
This way you can compare what the host says on the call versus what is in their profile.
You need to see consistency in their communication. Seeing this consistency makes me feel a lot safer!
Research The Location
Understanding the circumstances you will be living in is crucial. Of course, you can’t always find an accurate idea of the safety of a country online.
There are so many articles about how Albania isn’t safe, even the US travel government website states “exercise increased caution in Albania due to crime”.
Yet Albania is one of the safest countries I’ve ever traveled and lived in, especially compared to the US.
But there are still things you can find out about a place like, the climate and environment.
I recently went to Tunisia and my allergies went crazy, like nothing I had ever had before.
Make sure to check if there is an embassy or consulate that would represent your nationality or nationalities.
Also, look into political tensions like ongoing protests or disputed territories.
As an example, you should check into the circumstances in a country that shares a border with Russia.
Make Sure To Have Internet
Many Worldpackers opportunities might be in rural locations, which means your safety could be at risk if things start going badly.
Isolation isn’t always a bad thing. It is incredibly peaceful to help out in rural areas, but you need to make sure that family or friends know your location and current situation.
Having internet access means you can check in with loved ones and generally keep in touch with the outside world (very important if you are in an unstable region of the world).
How To Start Using Worldpackers
- Become a member of the Worldpackers community (get $10 off with this link!)
- Complete your profile and earn certificates in the Worldpackers Academy
- Apply to as many Worldpackers hosts as you like
- Get pre-approved, confirm your trip, and become an ‘Explorer’
- Travel and collaborate with your Worldpackers host
- Leave and receive reviews to become an ‘Expert’
- Live your life traveling with the Worldpackers Programs and Worldpackers Academy
Final Thoughts
So is Worldpackers safe? Yes, it is but you also need to put forth the effort to get a safe experience.
I hope this article has helped you learn more about Worldpackers safety.
Make sure to check out my comparison of Workaway and Worldpackers, the two biggest work exchange platforms in the world.
Don’t forget to get the Worldpackers membership discount too!
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