Casa Movida Hostel

The shared-room mattresses could be better, but I loved staying here. It was one of the cleanest hostels I’ve been in, and the staff were friendly. The rooms had good air conditioning, and there’s a pool, a rooftop, plus open-air spots to lounge on the upper and middle floors.

It feels very trendy and nothing like the old, dingy hostels I’ve stayed in. The shared kitchen is a big plus, and the front desk is staffed around the clock, so you can enjoy a walk or the nightlife. It’s inside the city walls, too.

The location is excellent, close to just about everything, and the staff are friendly and helpful. But it feels more like a restaurant and bar with rooms than a hostel. There aren’t proper common areas, and the rooftop stays locked until 5pm. If you need to work, your choice is one of the few chairs in the cramped hallways. The bathroom is inside the dorm, so you hear and smell what’s going on in there. It serves its purpose, but there are probably better options in the city.

I loved the rooftop views and breakfast. The place is comfortable, clean, charming, and a great price. It’s convenient to the airport and sits inside the walled city, with plenty to do right outside.