A small tip for exploring the area around your housesit
We are currently staying in a fairly remote place in Costa Rica. Technically, it is accessible by public transport, but the nearest bus stop is about six kilometres away. Fortunately, Uber drivers do come all the way to the house, usually for a relatively low price. Of course, you need a little luck because there is not always a driver available, but so far we have been lucky.
We also discovered a free app called Mapy.com, which we find much better than Google Maps for exploring the immediate surroundings. It shows small footpaths and walking trails that do not always appear on Google Maps.
Because the app is particularly useful for walkers, we discovered a lovely place nearby that even the homeowner did not know existed! Now we sometimes simply open the map, see what might be interesting within walking distance and head in that direction. It gives us an easy little outing and helps us experience the area in a completely different way.
I thought it was worth sharing, because these small discoveries can make a house and pet sit just that little bit more enjoyable.
Does anyone else have useful apps or simple tips that have helped you explore the surroundings during a housesit?
Thanks for sharing! We’d never heard of Mapy.com, so we’ll definitely give it a try.
One thing that’s worked well for us is downloading offline maps before we arrive and then spending our first afternoon simply wandering the neighbourhood. We’ve stumbled across hidden beaches, walking tracks, local cafés and even weekly markets that weren’t mentioned anywhere else.
Another couple of apps we’ve found useful are Organic Maps, which is excellent for walking trails and offline use, and Merlin Bird ID, which identifies birds from their songs. It’s amazing how much more we’ve notice on a morning walk!
Sometimes our simplest adventures have ended up being our most memorable adventures
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been using a similar app MAPS.ME which also shows cycle paths. As you say, far better than google maps for footpaths and great for finding new dog walks
@WeRPAWsome Thanks! Yes, downloading before you travel is the basics we learned fast. I don’t know which app my partner Gerard uses for birds, but the name Merlin sounds very familiar, when it is the same it shows the image of the bird you hear and you can repeat the sound.
Organic map sounds also interesting! We will check it out! Thanks for the suggestion!
@Jenny Thanks for sharing why you added the stock image. As I find it sometimes easier to remember visual details, I made a screenshot of the app image for ‘like minded people’ And no I don’t mind: sharing is caring
Check it out, it’s free to use although there is, like most apps, a premium option you can pay for. It’s worldwide. You can download a certain amount of maps, if you need another map then just delete one to make room.
A great idea for a topic. I’d not come across Mapy so that’s a new one.
I live in UK and find Waze is better for driving than either Google or Apple maps as it has more up to the minute info on police and incidents.
I also use PostTag to find those out of the way places, especially where you have a farm or cottage with an address, but no clear idea of where the entrance lane actually is.
what3words works well too if the HO can supply that.
As for exploring the area and taking dogs for walks, I’m a geocacher and I find that goes perfectly with dog sitting and I can highly recommend it in any country in the world (except North Korea where it’s not allowed). The maps show all the footpaths and it’s a fun hobby. It also means you can get to meet local geocachers at local events, so if you feel a bit lonely there’s people to chat with and maybe walk with whilst you are there.
Finally, in UK OS maps are the most detailed of all our maps and you can either use the app or buy the paper ones.
I’ve found some wonderful places and lovely people whilst pet sitting in my own country, so I’m now thinking next year I might venture abroad to Europe.
I agree thatb is very useful for addresses in the UK - houses that have a name but no number, or in a large post code area. I have introduced this to many rural homeowners.
My tip is about public transport in the UK. Sadly, the trains are very expensive and unreliable, but FlixBus and National Express offer very good inter-city services at very reasonable prices.
@Maerad Thanks for sharing your suggestions! Waze is still a favourite because of its timely speed-camera warnings.
PostTag apparently doesn’t work in our current location - Costa Rica-, although it may work elsewhere. I’ve downloaded what3words, so thank you for that recommendation!
Geocaching is also great fun and free to do. We sometimes leave a lottery ticket in the ‘vault’ so maybe we have given away a significant amount of money to a lucky ‘B….’ (moderator: Ball, Bucket, Bin, etc etc).
I had no idea that North Korea is the only country in the world where it isn’t allowed. We don’t have any plans to travel there yet, but never say never.
There are so many beautiful places to explore in Europe. Wishing you lots of pre-holiday excitement and enjoyment while planning your trip(s)!
@Rhe Thanks for the suggestions about the busses. I know these are very affordable when travelling internationally- especially when you book long time ahead - they are also reliable, but never thought about using it for transportation in a country.
@GotYourBack Thanks! Works well here in Costa Rica: the little national reserve is visible as well as the excellent sushi place around the corner. That is a big unique win: the combination of nature trails and practical city information like restaurants or gas stations.
@Maerad we have used What3Words to get to a rural sit on a farm with multiple buildings. It led us straight to the parking outside the front door!
Yes, geocaching is often great for finding those hidden places that you may never have found otherwise. And combines wonderfully with house and pet sitting. If you will be at the East Anglia Mega event, look out for a mum and 2 tall teenage boys with a beagle and a wirehaired dachshund and come and say hello!
) The Netherlands and Danmark.
And no I don’t mind: sharing is caring 
to a lucky ‘B….’ (moderator: Ball, Bucket, Bin, etc etc).