Being a backpacker usually rhymes with staying in hostels.
Until you’ve stayed in a good one, you probably have many prejudices about them: crowded, noisy and dirty. While traveling, I found out that some hostels have amazing facilities, are a lot cheaper and get a family vibe you won’t find in a hotel.
If this can be of any help for you, here are my top 6 hostels!
Tip: Start by looking for your bed on Booking or HostelWorld, and then book directly on the hostel’s website to look for a last-minute discount or a special offer. Prices may vary regarding cancelling policies or tax systems.
1. Magic Bacalar, Bacalar, Mexico
+++ : the location !
Bacalar’s lagoon, also known as La Laguna de Siete Colores, is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. When looking for a place to sleep, you’d want to have a breathtaking view, private access to the lagoon, nice people, hammocks and fresh beers right?
Well, I initially had a reservation at the Yak Lake House, but I arrived in Bacalar a night earlier than planned. Having booked nothing, I followed other backpackers I’d met on the way and ended up at Magic Bacalar: the kind of moment where you had nothing planned, yet end up somewhere that exceeded your expectations.
Henry, the receptionist, is the nicest person on earth and will do anything to help you out.
THEY HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE LAGOON. I think there were a hundred steps from my bed to the lagoon, no kidding.
They organize great boat tours: you can sail around, stop on a little island in the middle of the lagoon, get a DIY sand mask, jump in a cenote or sunbathe on a catamaran’s deck.
Breakfast’s good, and they always sell Mexican beers you can go sip by the lagoon.
I ended paying a little extra money as the only bed available last-minute was a twin-size (but yay to comfort!), our room was like a little cabaña, had its own kitchen and place to hang out, protected from mosquitos. I’ve met the nicest people in this place and spent evenings like family, with their amazing cooking, Coronas, and night dipping.
The next day, I went to the Yak Lake House to cancel my reservation, and I’m glad I did. Their vibe is not the same. Planning is great, but sometimes, go with the flow: the best spots in towns are found after arrival.
2. KulturBerlin, Sucre, Bolivia
+++ : breakfast !
++ : patio, big dorms
Even if it felt weird to book a hostel named “Berlin” in an ancient colonial town of Bolivia, I soon realized that the only thing atypical about this place is its name, and that it is located in one of Sucre’s beautiful colonial houses.
They have a huge veranda and indoor area to chill, a cozy and sunny patio inside.
They organize parties on weekends that seem to be huge – many bloggers recommend going out to this hostel even if you don’t stay there.
Their city tour is the best way to discover Sucre’s rich history, architecture and market – and get to know the people in your dorm!
Oh, and have I told you about the BREAKFAST? I refused to believe it could be as good as comments described it, until I tasted it myself. Lord, that is a 4 stars hotel, by far the best breakfast I’ve ever had in a hostel.
Take out your fruit plate to the peaceful patio and enjoy the early morning vibes of this place.
#3 Banana’s Adventure, Huacachina, Peru
+++ : activities and tours !
++ : pool
If you’ve planned to visit Huacachina, there are probably two main activities you want to try: sandboarding and drinking Pisco. Well this hostel has the best package ever to make the most out of the oasis.
Book your night at this hostel and you can choose between different activities: a buggy tour and sandboarding, a wine tour or a BBQ night (try do to them in this order or you’ll have some surprises!).
Some hostels may use activities as a leverage to make money but with Banana’s Adventure there’s nothing to worry about: their prices are competitive compared to booking another hostel and doing the tours separately. Also, I’ve done the buggy tour again with another company, and I felt that with Banana’s Adventure we avoided the most crowded areas (yes, there can be buggy traffic in the desert), and they always look for the best downhills.
Wine tasting: we did not one, but two different tastings! We got a full tour and explanation of a renowned wine manufacturer in Ica and at the second place, we drank Pisco from the barrel.
Returning at the hostel that night, having created a hell of a backpackers group, we headed to the Huaca-fuckin-china bar (that’s a real place), finally feeling the vibe everyone feels in this city.
Of course, you want to take tones of mosquito repellent, as drunk tourists passing out on top of bedsheets are their favorite night meal.
NB: as I see now on their photos they’ve done quite a lot of construction work, adding another floor and rooftop, I hope it hasn’t changed the hostel vibe!
4. Gorilla Hostel, Mendoza, Argentina
+++ : high-range facilities
++ : pool
First things first, Mendoza is hot in the summer: you’ll want a pool.
This hostel is greatly located in Mendoza, with bus stops, parks and shops nearby.
It’s a real house (with a living room where some travelers enjoy playing Ukulele after lunch), the rooms and bathrooms look like they are from a top-range hotel; facilities are bigger, cleaner and fancier than the average all-squeezed-in-20-meter-square hostels.
At night, buy a bottle of local wine at the reception and enjoy music on their terrace.
Tip for wine tour in Mendoza: do it on your own! Don’t book anything, take a bus, rent a bike and visit freely the most recommended distilleries.
Rent your bike at Mr Hugo’s Bikes, ask them for the nicest place to visit, and DO NOT miss la bodega Alandes. Stay safe biking while drunk though…
5. Bla Guesthouse, El Calafate, Argentina
+++ : the vibe
Finding great hostels in Patagonia can be so hard. Towns are filled with so many tourists that accommodations are often expensive, and feel like backpackers factories. If you’re planning on visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier (which you must!) then Bla Guesthouse is your go-to in El Calafate.
Staff and travelers staying there are nice, there’s a chill vibe in the living room, the location is great (only a few blocks away from the main road), they have cozy beds and clean bathrooms.
Enjoy relaxing in their hammock outside when coming back from a trek on the Glaciar.
Tips: Have a drink and chill at Borges y Alvarez, or enjoy a quiet terrace and good wine at La Zaina.
While you’re at the end of the world, enjoy it to fullest and book a trek adventure with Hielo y Aventura. It’s a bit expensive, but the experience of walking on ice is magical. You’ll never walk the same after living a moment like that!
Bonus: Hospedaje Frente al Mar, Colan, Peru
Colan is one of Peru’s most beautiful beaches. Walking in the gold sand and eating seafood while watching birds fishing in the ocean felt like paradise.
You’ll have to trust your instinct, the road and the cab driver for this one as there is no reservation website or phone number or Facebook page. Arriving here is a bit like travelling in time. We walked into the property not knowing if there was a spare bedroom or even anyone to receive us.
The owner is the sweetest person on earth, a former fisherman coming straight from a Hemingway novel, always checking on you and making sure you’re alright.
We rented a room with three beds, so cheap and authentic!
His house is basically on the sea and that night we fell asleep to the waves’ soft rumble.
To get there : When arriving at the beach street (la costanera) in Colan, turn right. The hotel will be on your left, in front of the restaurant "Costa Azul". GPS coordinates : -5.007875, -81.065710
I’ve put this place as a bonus because I won’t recommend going there alone if you’re looking for a hostel where to meet people. This is a quiet place, almost a retreat one.
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