I actually cover how to get started in this series of articles I’m doing called: The Art of CouchSurfing Awesomely Series:

http://www.cruisesurfingz.com/2010/12/art-of-couchsurfing-awesomely-series.html

Just to give you context, I’ve hosted and surfed with CouchSurfing about 100 times over the last 5 years, so I’m happy to share my knowledge.

Roy
cruisesurfingz.com

I think it’s unfair to say all (insert race here) men on CouchSurfing are looking to host only single females. When I was travelling with my ex-girlfirend I sent requests to other couples and I had good responses.

Sometimes single men AND women prefer not to host couples because there’s a different vibe. It can be awkward being the “third wheel”. Just try asking other couples and I’m sure you’ll be fine. Good luck

Great post!

Thanks and keep up the good work!

I hear what you’re saying, and I’d like to clarify my point.

I very much believe in social media and online connections as a way to get to know people. I don’t see online as a way to separate from people and have been using all my social media profiles to connect with people in many different ways.

The distinction I’m making with Couchsurfing is because couchsurfing references and friendships are used by the community as a form of evaluation. If I don’t know someone well enough to give them a real evaluation, one that can help others when making a choice whether or not to allow that person into their homes, I don’t want to add that to my profile.

Bottom line, I usually don’t feel comfortable telling another person to accept someone in their house without having real world solid experience with that person. No matter how much I know about them from online. There are exceptions, and like i said, that doesn’t stop me from having them surf with me, after which, I happily give a wonderful reference.

It’s really only recently that the CS world and the blog/social media world have begun to overlap. I’d say the first three years of my CS experience, this was the case. So to add them as a friend didn’t provide any more information than you’d gain by reading their profiles.

Lately, though, I’ve been running into many more bloggers and people I know from other social media sources on Couchsurfing. Since I already know them from elsewhere. We generally have other blogger friends in common, and often they’ve met friends of mine elsewhere, I don’t feel the need to pore over their CS profiles as closely.

As for couchsurfing with a child, I may be more cautious, but that doesn’t get in the way of finding countless amazing people to meet for drinks, host and stay.

Really good question.

A couple things I can suggest. Check out the CS Groups. You can do a search from the main Groups page to find travelers of all types and interests.

One of the larger ones I know geared specifically for solo women is the Independent Women’s group. There you can find plenty of women to answer questions and also many looking for travel partners.

I also recently reviewed The Art of Solo Travel: A Girl’s Guide on Matador Goods. The author, Stephanie Lee, couchsurfed extensively on her one year trip.

Some other suggestions. Start surfing with women only. Some people feel more comfortable with couples. Make sure whoever you surf with has solid references. You can also make an arrangement to meet people before arriving at their place, perhaps at a CS meetup or to meet for a drink or dinner. If you don’t feel comfortable with the arrangement, find somewhere else to stay.

In all cases, traveling solo or not, always have a Plan B. It never hurts.

As you gain more experience with the site, choosing hosts and gauging your own comfort level will become easier, too.

It took a while to get the hang of it, but if you’re ever in doubt, you can always ask an ambassador or really anyone who you think might be able to answer your question. Or feel free leigh@matadornetwork.com