Want a cheap vacation?

I just wanted to give a plug to helpx.net. I've told a lot of people about this place, and everyone is always excited to hear about it, and probably a little surprised they never have before.

It's like CouchSurfing but generally less sketchy and more involved. People from across the world post if they have a place for a traveler to stay, and will give them room and board in exchange for some work (typically for free; if not then for a very small sum).

A lot of people have farms, either organic or not (although if you're looking to do an organic farm stay wwoofing may be better). Many have some kind of small business; and quite a few just want to share their lives and country with a traveler. From Bedouin in the Jordanian desert to rice farmers in Thailand to a friendly family in Fiji, there are places everywhere.

I'm going to Mancora, Peru for spring break through HelpX. We'll see how it goes.