Skip to main content

Tag: Hostels

The best hostels in El Salvador for solo travellers

Written by Fleur Kok on . Posted in El Salvador. No Comments on The best hostels in El Salvador for solo travellers

Hostel life in El Salvador is not as popular as in Guatemala or Nicaragua (yet), but it is still a great budget option! You’ll see that the hostel owners and receptionists are more than happy to help you find activities or public transport. So to my fellow solo travellers: don’t let anyone stop you from visiting El Salvador! I’ve listed my hostel recommendations below.

  1. Santa Ana
  2. Ruta de las Flores
  3. El Tunco
  4. San Salvador

Also read: El Salvador: 2-week backpacking route

Santa Ana

La Casa Verde Hostel

This hostel is located close to the local markets and the bus station. Here you’ll find a small communal kitchen, a large communal room (both indoors and outdoors) and even a swimming pool. Oscar is an incredibly nice owner, who is more than happy to give you recommendations for both Santa Ana and other places in the country – and how to get there. The hostel has a small restaurant where you can eat, but you can also place an order from the communal area of ​​the hostel!

  • Swimming pool in the patio
  • Communal kitchen
  • Restaurant
  • Regular beds (instead of bunks)

Book your stay through Hostelworld

Book your stay through Booking

Pool House Hostel

I haven’t stayed in this hostel myself, but a fellow solo traveller I know has. Since we often have the same taste when it comes to our Central America travels, I’m confident in recommending this hostel based on her experience. According to Sophie, this hostel has a great kitchen, a swimming pool and a very sweet host as well!

Book your stay through Hostelworld

Book your stay through Booking

Ruta de las Flores

Hostel Jardin Hostal (Apaneca)

This hostel also has a friendly owner who is very willing to help you. This is probably just Salvadoran hospitality. The facilities are basic, and it feels more like a small hotel than a hostel, but it’s a cheap and nice option, conveniently located in one of the villages on the flower route.

  • No kitchen
  • Restaurant
  • Small balcony
  • No hostel atmosphere

El Tunco

Papaya Lodge

I was a little less amused by this hostel, but that may be because El Salvador was still suffering from the corona pandemic during my stay in 2021. I still recommend this hostel because the location is great, as well as the swimming pool! Other than that, this hostel seems to be the most popular among backpackers in El Tunco. You can use the communal kitchen, but you can also pay a fee for a delicious breakfast.

  • Swimming pool with sunbeds
  • Good Wi-Fi
  • Multiple seating areas throughout the hostel
  • Less than a 5-minute walk to the beach

Book your stay through Booking

San Salvador

La Zona Hostel

This nice hostel is located in a modern neighbourhood in San Salvador, which even reminded me a bit of the United States. It is a social hostel, with a nice shared kitchen, where breakfast is served in the morning for a small price. The bunk beds have privacy, there are large lockers in the room and the toilets and showers are outside the room.

  • Communal kitchen
  • Bunk beds with curtain
  • Optional breakfast
  • Safe location and entrance

Book your stay through Hostelworld

Are you planning a backpacking trip around Latin America? Have a look at my other destinations in Latin America.

Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me a message on Instagram DM or email: floraflies.nl@gmail.com.

The best hostels in Nicaragua for solo travellers

Written by admin on . Posted in Nicaragua. No Comments on The best hostels in Nicaragua for solo travellers

During my solo trip around Latin America, I’ve stayed in LOTS of hostels. As a solo traveller who looks out for hostels that stimulate mingling between backpackers, my top priorities are hostel activities, nice communal areas, and a hostel kitchen. Are you planning a trip to Nicaragua soon? I got you! These are my hostel recommendations for León, Managua, Little Corn Island, Granada, Ometepe, and San Juan del Sur.

    1. n

    1. León

n

    1. Managua

n

    1. Little Corn Island

n

    1. Granada

n

    1. Ometepe

n

    1. San Juan del Sur

n

This post is in no way sponsored by or created in collaboration with any of the hostels. I only recommend these hostels because I either stayed there myself and had a great time, or heard lots of positive stories about it from other backpackers. The links I’ve put here are affiliate links. If you book a stay through one of those links, I’ll receive a small commission from Hostelworld or Booking, while you don’t pay anything extra! Thanks a lot for supporting my blog (:

n

León

n

Poco a Poco Hostel

n

A typical social hostel that attracts lots of solo travellers. I particularly enjoyed the pot luck barbecue. Every bed has its own ventilator, which is much needed in León. A must in León is doing a free walking tour, and I signed up for one through the hostel’s reception!

    • n

    • Ventilators next to bunk beds

n

    • Big lockers in the dorm

n

    • Cute patio

n

    • Daily activities

n

    • Lots of places to chill

n

    • Communal kitchen

n

Have a look at Poco a Poco on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at Poco a Poco on Booking

n

n

Managua

n

Managua Backpacker’s Inn

n

Not necessarily the most social hostel, but I guess Managua isn’t a popular stop in Nicaragua anyway. This is a good hostel location-wise; close to a shopping mall with La Colonia supermarket, and within walking distance of the best nightlife strip. The communal kitchen is spacious and complete.

    • n

    • Small living room

n

    • Terrace

n

    • Swimming pool in the garden

n

    • Communal kitchen

n

    • Gated entrance

n

Have a look at Managua Backpacker’s Inn on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at Managua Backpacker’s Inn on Booking

n

Little Corn Island

n

Sunrise Paradise – Carlito’s Place

n

Though it’s not a hostel, it’s a popular place to stay among backpackers. Along the east coast of the island, there are several beach cabins owned by different local families. Carlito’s place is one of them. Expect basic beds, a private bathroom, and a small terrace on the front with a hammock. Wake up early to witness an amazing sunrise from your hammock! There’s a small and limited communal kitchen (bring/buy your own oil/spices), but I can highly recommend having a budget-friendly dinner at Restaurante El Bosque (about a 10-min walk).

    • n

    • Basic communal kitchen

n

    • Ocean-front cabin

n

    • Close to the main “town” and beautiful beaches

n

    • No Wi-Fi, limited 3G

n

Have a look at Carlito’s Place on Booking

n

n

Granada

n

De Boca en Boca Hostel

n

This place has a sort of similar vibe as Poco a Poco, so I loved it! It’s located right next to the cathedral, just a couple of blocks away from the central square. I stayed in the 8-person dorm and 10-person dorm. They all had a ventilator next to the bed, and that wasn’t an unnecessary luxury, because it gets incredibly hot in Granada. There’s a big communal kitchen where it’s easy to meet other backpackers.

    • n

    • On-site hostel bar

n

    • Communal kitchen

n

    • Patio with hammocks and seating areas

n

    • Daily activities

n

    • Free breakfast (pancakes)

n

Have a look at De Boca en Boca on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at De Boca en Boca on Booking

n

n

Ometepe Island

n

Casa Mauro

n

It feels more like a guesthouse than a hostel. Mauro lives here with his family, so your money goes directly to a local family. He’s happy to help you out with anything! Casa Mauro is located in Moyagalpa, the main town of Isla Ometepe. You can easily walk to a supermarket and restaurants in town, and it’s super recommendable to rent a scooter and explore the island that way.

    • n

    • Communal kitchen

n

    • Terrace with hammocks and sofas

n

    • Friendly hosts

n

    • Animals in the garden (you might get woken up by a cockerel)

n

Have a look at Casa Mauro on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at Los Amigos on Booking

nn

Hospedaje Central*

n

I switched to Hospedaje Central after one night in Casa Mauro because the latter was fully booked. Hospedaje Central is more like a very cheap hotel. There’s a big patio and an on-site bar/restaurant. The hotel’s description says there’s a communal kitchen, but this isn’t the case; it’s the restaurant’s kitchen which makes you feel like you’re walking in their way. You CAN store your food in their fridge though. I ended up making my own breakfast/lunch at the hostel and going out for dinner.

    • n

    • On-site public bar and restaurant

n

    • Central location in Moyagalpa

n

    • Big patio with plenty of space to chill/work

n

*they’re no longer on booking.com.

n

n

San Juan del Sur

n

Surf Town Hostel

n

I’m usually avoiding party hostels, but I figured: I’m in San Juan del Sur, I might as well go for it. And I loved it! Surf Town is owned by a friendly Canadian, and has a nice bar where you’ll easily meet fellow (solo) backpackers and a swimming pool next to it. Loud music would stop at around 11 pm, which makes you able to sleep well if you want to. The communal kitchen is basic but decent enough to prepare your own meals.

    • n

    • Swimming pool

n

    • On-site hostel bar

n

    • Daily activities

n

    • No doors in the big dorms

n

    • Plenty of showers and bathrooms (in the patio)

n

    • Rooftop terrace

n

Have a look at Surf Town Hostel on Hostelworld

nn

Hola Ola Hostel

n

I also stayed at Hola Ola afterwards, since it had been recommended to me many times. The place didn’t live up to my expectations though. If you stay here, I would recommend doing so on a Saturday, as they organise a fun beach party weekly. Keep in mind that Hola Ola is located out of town; it’s about a 20 min walk along the beach to get to downtown. There’s no way to prep your own meals whilst staying at this hostel, which is a huge flaw for me, but I recommend having dinner at the local soda next door rather than at the hostel (cheaper and better)!

    • n

    • No communal kitchen

n

    • On-site restaurant

n

    • Swimming pool

n

    • Beach party on Saturdays

n

    • Very clean dorms

n

Have a look at Hola Ola on Hostelworld

n

n

Looking for some more info about this part of the world? Have a look at my other destinations in Latin America.n

n

Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me an Instagram DM or email (floraflies.nl@gmail.com).

The best hostels in Guatemala for solo travellers

Written by admin on . Posted in Guatamala. No Comments on The best hostels in Guatemala for solo travellers

During my solo trip around Latin America, I’ve stayed in LOTS of hostels. As a solo traveller who looks out for hostels that stimulate mingling between backpackers, my top priorities are hostel activities, nice communal areas, and a hostel kitchen. Are you planning a trip to Guatemala soon? I got you! These are my hostel recommendations for Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Lanquin, and Flores.

    1. n

    1. Antigua

n

    1. Lake Atitlan

n

    1. Lanquin

n

    1. Flores

n

This post is in no way sponsored by or created in collaboration with any of the hostels. I only recommend these hostels because I either stayed there myself and had a great time, or heard lots of positive stories about it from other backpackers. The links I’ve put here are affiliate links. If you book a stay through one of those links, I’ll receive a small commission from Hostelworld or Booking, while you don’t pay anything extra! Thanks a lot for supporting my blog (:

n

Antigua

n

Maya Papaya Hostel

n

The first hostel of my solo trip. I’d booked an airport transfer with them, as I arrived at the airport of Guatemala City late at night. Overall, a great hostel with decent facilities and very nice bunk beds with curtains. I stayed in their female dorm.

    • n

    • Breakfast included

n

    • Cute patio with a small hostel bar

n

    • Hostel activities

n

    • Bunk beds with curtains

n

    • Communal kitchen

n

Have a look at Maya Papaya on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at Maya Papaya on Booking

nn

Somos Hostel

n

I returned to Antigua a second time, and heard great stories about Somos, so I decided to go there this time. Best decision! Great social vibes, fun volunteers, a hot tub next to the hostel bar… and pods in their 8-person dorm. I recommend staying in this particular dorm, because it’s the only one with exterior windows. The blankets don’t feel too clean, but this hostel would still make it to my top 5 across Central America.

    • n

    • Hot tub

n

    • Two patios – one is mellow, the other one is where the hostel bar and hot tub are

n

    • Hostel activities

n

    • Pods with curtains

n

    • Outdoors communal kitchen and terrace with a view

n

Have a look at Somos on Hostelworld

nn

Hotel Casa de Sofia

n

Not a hostel, still worth a mention. There’s nothing better than treating yourself to a private room (with a private bathroom) after hiking the Acatenango volcano. The hotel feels more like a guesthouse. It’s small, has a friendly family living there, and they can prepare you breakfast in the morning for a fair price. Also got my laundry done here!

nn

Have a look at Casa de Sofia on Booking

n

n

Lago de Atitlán

n

Selina Hostel

n

Panajachel is the main town along the lake, so I decided to stay there first. I usually avoid big chain hostels such as Selina, but it seemed like the best option in town for me. And it didn’t disappoint! Loved the morning yoga sessions with a view over the volcano. The communal kitchen was spacious and complete. It wasn’t very lively when I was there, but I still made some friends here and enjoyed my stay!

    • n

    • Breakfast included

n

    • On-site restaurant and bar

n

    • Hostel activities

n

    • Swimming pool in the garden

n

    • Communal kitchen

n

    • Co-working spaces (extra fee)

n

Have a look at Selina on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at Selina on Booking

nn

La Iguana Perdida

n

I took the boat from Panajachel to Santa Cruz, and stayed at La Iguana Perdida. It’s located right on the deck where you arrive. Facilities are very basic (low environmental impact), but the vibes are great! Make sure to be here on a Saturday, when they hold a barbecue (vegetarian options available) and everyone needs to get dressed up (the hostel provides the costumes).

    • n

    • On-site restaurant and bar

n

    • No communal kitchen

n

    • Wooden huts as dorms

n

    • Limited Wi-Fi

n

    • Saturdays: BBQ dress up party

n

Have a look at La Iguana Perdida on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at La Iguana Perdida on Booking

nn

Free Cerveza

n

I haven’t stayed here myself, but I’d heard great stories about it. I paid Free Cerveza a visit during a walk from La Iguana Perdida, and it looked like a nice place! They organize daily activities, have paddle boards you can use for free, and you sleep in a teepee tent. Just like La Iguana Perdida: basic facilities!

nn

Have a look at Free Cerveza on Hostelworld

n

n

Lanquin

n

Zephyr Lodge

n

This hostel isn’t on hostelworld or booking, so you’ve got to book your stay through their website. This is the hostel where basically every backpacker that likes to go to Semuc Champey goes to, so it’s easy to meet people here. I had high expectations. The views from the infinity pool over the valley were indeed incredible, and the deluxe dorm lived up to its name. What I didn’t really like is that they don’t have a communal kitchen, and their on-site restaurant is pretty expensive (and the food isn’t even that great). It’s located a bit out of town (Lanquin), so I settled for the hostel’s restaurant instead of walking to town, but opting for a local restaurant in town might be better.

    • n

    • On-site restaurant and bar

n

    • No communal kitchen

n

    • Infinity pool + hot tub with a view

n

    • Limited Wi-Fi

n

    • You can book a tour to Semuc Champey here

n

n

n

Flores

n

Los Amigos Hostel

n

Again, the place where almost every backpacker goes to. It’s located in the heart of the island of Flores. I stayed in a dorm with air-conditioning here, and that wasn’t an unnecessary luxury, because it gets incredibly hot in Flores. There’s a communal kitchen, but don’t expect too much from its quality. It was possible to make my own dinner here, though!

    • n

    • On-site public restaurant and bar

n

    • Communal kitchen

n

    • Patio with hammocks

n

    • Central location

n

    • You can book a tour to Tikal here

n

Have a look at Los Amigos on Hostelworld

n

Have a look at Los Amigos on Booking

n

n

Looking for some more info about this part of the world? Have a look at my other destinations in Latin America.n

n

Do you have any questions about my travels, or do you see a great opportunity to collaborate? Feel free to send me an Instagram DM or email (floraflies.nl@gmail.com).