Traveling is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to break out of their bubble and experience something new. But, while you are abroad, following your soul and exploring a new setting, where you stay can have a massive impact on your trip.

Whatever your budget for accommodation, each option can give you a different impression. Cities really come alive when you are staying in a hostel in the center of town but a fabulous nights’ sleep on a comfy hotel bed might just set you up for a long day of exploration. Equally, a tent is the perfect portable home when you are hiking but a caravan won’t limit your wardrobe and cooking choices quite so much.

So, whether you are looking for the pool and breakfast buffet experience or you are willing to rough it in the wild, here are the pros and cons of 7 accommodation types.

Staying at a Hotel

You say holiday, you think hotel. Hotels have long been the established way to visit anywhere. You get a nice bed, a concierge to explain the local attractions and breakfast too. The biggest advantage is that sites like TripAdvisor take no time at all in ranking and evaluating each hotel in the area so you will have a pretty good idea what to expect when you arrive.

The main downside to a hotel is that some can be very insular. If you are traveling to get to know the culture of a place, finding yourself in a familiar chain like the Radisson or the Hilton is probably not the best way to find new things. Another thing to consider is the cost. There are plenty of great places on the cheap but, generally speaking, if you want something near a town center or right by the beach, you should be prepared to spend more.

Renting a Local Apartment

Even if you are only staying for a few days, renting an apartment is a brilliant way to get lots of space to yourself and find something a little closer to the action. If you are traveling in a large group, an apartment is usually a better idea than a hotel as it will give you more privacy and space to socialize at night. In cities like Singapore, finding an HDB for rent no agent fee is certainly a perfect idea for integrating a little more with the locals without spending a fortune.

There are some downsides though as apartments may be in residential areas where you will be expected to keep the noise down. Equally, these areas may be a little further out meaning that you will need to travel further to explore your location.

Tent

The great outdoors holds huge appeal for lots of people and if you are determined to find yourself in a vast expanse of land with nothing but nature as far as the eye can see, a tent will be vital. Hiking is the best way to return to nature and routes like the Pacific Crest Trail are popular as you can edit your travels according to your abilities and time frame.

The downside to a tent is the lack of temperature control you have. Taking a lot of layers is a must and a small battery powered fan could be the thing that makes your stay a little more comfortable. Do check with the local authorities where it is okay to make camp and remember to leave any site as you found it.

Caravan

A step up from the tent, a caravan gives you the perfect chance to road trip without the hassle of setting up your tent every night or searching for a suitable hostel or hotel. The draw here is that you can cover much more distance than you can while walking and still discover some amazing places. Caravaning is ideal if you want to take the kids or any extended family as everyone will be able to sleep more comfortably.

You get what you pay for with a caravan and if you are willing to spend extra then you can get an amazing space. However, size can be a problem and may limit where you can go and which roads will suit you best. Don’t forget that the bigger the caravan, the heavier it will be so steeper inclines may well be out of the question.

Hostel

A classic option, the hostel provides a bed, sheets and hopefully a locker too (but don’t hold your breath). Hostels are often characterized as dumps filled with drunken teenagers but the reality is that a lot of people have caught on to this cheaper accommodation and hostels are really upping their game. The services might be basic and the bathrooms may be shared, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a single room or enjoy a good night sleep.

If you are a light sleeper, the major downfall of a hostel is that sharing a room with 11 other sweaty, snoring bodies may just affect your circadian rhythms. The vast majority of people are very considerate but that doesn’t stop 1 weirdo getting up at 5 a.m. and spending 3 hours quietly getting dressed. Hostels are what you make of them so researching a brilliant one and paying a little extra to get a fantastic service is worth your time and money.

Couchsurf

If you want to find accommodation on the cheap and make new friends at the same time, couchsurfing is a perfect solution to both needs. The biggest plus here is that you will meet new people instantly and may even make friends for life. Add to this the fact that you can experience a new culture as it is lived – not just as it is presented to tourists – and couchsurfing might just top anybody’s list.

The main concern here is that you will be putting yourself in the house of strangers and that might just freak some travelers out enough to avoid this strategy. As much as it would be lovely to trust everyone equally, you are already a little more vulnerable as a tourist. Reading up on some tips before you consider couchsurfing is a good idea and make sure that you read the host’s profile thoroughly and ask all your questions before booking in.

Boat

Sailing is by far the best way to discover island nations like Greece, Indonesia, Malaysia and anywhere in the Caribbean for that matter. Having a small yacht you can pootle up and down in is just what you need to enjoy fresh open sea air punctuated with beautiful harbors and isolated coves. Try flotilla sailing first to get your eye in and then, with a sailing qualification, you will be able to rent your own boat and plan your own trips.

While boats are perfect for traveling when the seas get choppy things can get interesting. Safety is key on a boat so you must have the right qualifications to start with and accept that bad weather might affect your trip. The other small issue is that you will have to compromise on the space you have. A boat is just like a floating caravan and unless you are willing to spend a lot more, will likely be a tiny space.

Whichever accommodation type you go for, remember that this is likely to be one of the defining choices of your trip. Cheaper might mean that you can afford to take another incredible experience in but spending a little more could just put you in the mood to do more adventurous activities and discover more.