From Backpacker to Homeless: My Koh Tao Hostel Crisis
What’s almost as fun as celebrating Christmas and New Year on a tropical island? Well, definitely not nearly becoming homeless as you enter the new year 😅. That’s exactly what happened to me in 2024. Want to know how it all went down? Keep reading!
There you are, standing on a foreign island on the other side of the world, carrying an overstuffed backpack. You’ve finally escaped the rushed routines of daily life in the Netherlands, only to find yourself on the brink of homelessness.
Your parents already held their breath when you boarded a plane alone for the first time to celebrate the holidays abroad. But Koh Tao, Thailand, is incredibly safe—nothing bad could happen, right? Or so you tell yourself. Yet, on January 1, 2024, you face a serious problem: just one more night in a nice, air-conditioned hostel room before you’re out on the streets. How did it get to this point?
As a backpacker, you learn to go with the flow. Things don’t always go as planned, and you can’t anticipate everything. The beauty of this lifestyle is that it opens you up to spontaneity and adventure. In the Netherlands, you’d have to double-check your already packed schedule before making plans. When you're traveling, you live in the now.
And that day was no different. With a pounding headache from the night before, you sit in a small breakfast café and suddenly realize that all accommodations on the island—and all boats to the mainland—are fully booked. You can almost feel the rough sand on your skin and imagine a future backache, because it looks like you’ll be spending the next few nights on a hard beach lounger.
Living with uncertainty is never easy, but embracing spontaneity and adventure is something else entirely. Sure, this situation could have been avoided, but then I would have missed out on a valuable lesson.
We all make mistakes. Life is unpredictable. But sometimes, going through difficult situations teaches you just how resilient you are. And more importantly, it reminds you to leave space in your life for unplanned adventures. In the end, a kind hostel owner offered me a place to stay, proving that things tend to work out—even in moments of panic.
We should step out of our comfort zones more often, seek adventure, and trust in the kindness of others. That’s what traveling teaches us.
How to Avoid This Situation?
Keep in mind that the holiday season is extremely busy. Prices go up, hostels fill up fast, and last-minute planning doesn’t always work. If you’re traveling during this time, plan ahead!
Book your accommodation early to avoid ending up without a place to stay.
Think ahead about how long you want to stay and when you plan to leave.
Secure a boat ticket to the mainland in advance, as they sell out quickly.
Also, consider where most backpackers will go after Christmas and New Year. Popular spots like the overwater bungalows in Khao Sok get fully booked fast, as many travelers head there from the islands. The same goes for boats to other islands in southern Thailand. Planning ahead will save you a lot of stress—and possibly a night on the beach! 😉
