The Great Bitcoin Travel Experiment

Picture this: A YouTuber on a globe-trotting adventure, armed only with Bitcoin and an adventurous spirit. That’s the reality for Paco De La India, who kicked off his ambitious journey in September 2021 from Bengaluru, India, aiming to avoid the constraints of traditional currency and live solely off Bitcoin (BTC) donations.

Crypto in the Wild: Initial Surprises

Despite the emerging omicron variant shaking his travel plans a bit, Paco found that Bitcoin was more accepted than he’d anticipated, even in countries with murky regulations. So far, he’s traversed India, the UAE, Thailand, and Cambodia, relying on pizza and crypto donations to fuel his quest.

Making Transactions Without Fiats

During his travels, Paco revealed that conducting transactions using Bitcoin wasn’t only feasible but surprisingly commonplace. In India, two folks conducting his COVID test eagerly accepted BTC in exchange for coins worth their weight in rupees. Talk about a modern twist!

Beyond the QR Code: The Shift in Focus

As vaccination cards have prioritized verification over COVID tests, Paco observed that many vendors were more eager to embrace crypto payments—a miraculous development in a world where paper certificates create chaos rather than certainty. He cheekily claimed, “At the end of the day, it’s a piece of paper,” referring to the test papers that often baffled travelers.

The Move to Young, Tech-Savvy Consumers

What’s more surprising? His revelation that engaging with the younger generation on his travels has led to more positive reactions regarding Bitcoin. “I’ve shifted my approach,” he shared. “Instead of chatting up retirees, I’m vibing with the tech-savvy youth who view Bitcoin as their ticket to riches.”

A Bumpy Ride with Public Transport

But let’s not sugarcoat the journey; Paco faced some ups and downs along the way. Due to varying regulations, he often had to dodge public transport, leading to a few awkward moments of bike fueling with his debit card. Still, he noted, it’s the face-to-face interactions that make the journey worthwhile.

Navigating the Travel Restrictions

With mandatory quarantines and long waiting periods becoming a penalty box for travelers, Paco had to pivot his plans frequently, showcasing remarkable flexibility. He highlighted that some countries are more welcoming to crypto—from Thailand’s relaxed vibe to Cambodia’s warm reception of digital currency.

The Future of Crypto Travel

Paco’s experiment asks a crucial question for travelers and crypto enthusiasts alike: Can crypto drive the future of travel payments? Only time will tell as the world adjusts to the blending of traditional travel with digital currency. As Paco showcases, traveling on Bitcoin is not just about financial transactions but also about forging human connections in a tech-savvy world.