Backpacking & Food: From Varanasi, India to Mt. Mayon, Philippines

Backpacking will teach you the value of money faster than any finance class ever could. When you are living out of a backpack for months at a time, your daily budget dictates everything, especially what you eat. If you love backpacking and food adventures, you start looking at restaurant menus like a detective, trying to find the best calorie-to-cost ratio.

The Ultimate Guide to Budget Travel | Backpacking and Food

One of my most intense budget-travel experiences was in India. I ended up staying at the goSTOPS hostel in Varanasi. If you’ve ever been to Varanasi, you know it is an absolute sensory overload.

The colors, the heat, the constant noise, the spirituality of the Ganges—it hits you all at once. The hostel was a lifesaver. It was a safe, vibrant little bubble where backpackers from all over the world would sit around in the common area and swap survival tips.

Most of our conversations revolved around food. “Where did you eat today?” “How much did it cost?” “Did it make you sick?” We would literally draw little maps for each other on paper napkins, pointing out the best street vendors for cheap samosas and lassi.

From Varanasi, India to Mt Mayon, Philippines

Fast forward to a completely different kind of trip in the Philippines. I took a journey to Albay to see Mt. Mayon and the Cagsawa ruins. I actually got to see the volcano before its recent eruptions changed the landscape.

Seeing that perfectly symmetrical cone looming over the old church ruins gives you this weird mix of awe and a little bit of fear.

Exploring volcanoes makes you incredibly hungry. The Bicol region is famous for spicy food, especially anything cooked with coconut milk and chilies. Sitting at a small local eatery near the ruins, eating spicy Bicol Express while staring at an active volcano, is a core memory.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Travel Dining

Looking back at those backpacking days, I realize that the anxiety of not knowing how much a meal would cost in a new city was a big driving force behind Travel Food Finds. We wanted to take the guesswork out of eating while traveling.

Whether you’re staying in a hostel in India or grabbing a quick meal after hiking in the Philippines, knowing the menu prices beforehand just makes the whole adventure a lot less stressful.

To read more about global food guides, check out our comprehensive global street food guide for your next trip.