Gecko Hostel

The rooms were spotless and the beds comfortable, and the kitchen has all sorts of utensils plus free coffee and tea. There are great common areas and a lovely outdoor space with a barbecue. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and the owner and staff were wonderful, always around for a chat and some wine. I’d definitely come back!

Gecko Hostel felt like home during the six days my boyfriend and I stayed there. We were both 23 and shared the place with people of different ages and from different countries, roughly 20 to 50. It’s quiet at night and not a party hostel. During the day, people head out on trips, then come back in the afternoon or evening and ask how your day went. The guests made the stay fun, and the hostel seems to attract sweet, nature-loving people. I think the wooden building used to be a family home. Its cozy living and dining area made us feel at home right away, and I heard other guests say the same. Marcella welcomed us warmly, along with the dog Midnight and volunteer Marvin. There’s a proper big shared kitchen and a backyard to sit in. The hammocks are lovely when the sun sets in the afternoon. The one drawback was that the shower wasn’t always warm. There’s lots to do in Pucón, and the hostel is close to everything, making it handy for outdoor activities and for booking with tour agencies. The hostel offers activities too. We first hesitated between Chili Kiwi hostel and Gecko Hostel, but I’m glad we chose Gecko. It’s a lovely wooden hostel where you feel welcome.

The staff were lovely and the service was great. The room was so cramped there was barely space to put our things, and the bathroom was tiny and pretty gross.

Larissa at reception was such a cheerful help, always sticking with things until they were sorted. The beds and shared spaces were great, and the hostel had a nice vibe. Rooms and bathrooms felt a bit tight, though, and the kitchen gets tricky when lots of people want to cook. Apart from that, it was fine.