Hostel Villa Mary

The best part of Villa Mary is the welcoming, family-like feeling among the staff and volunteers. Everyone was kind, and the place had such good energy from the moment I arrived. A fellow backpacker recommended it, and I’m glad they did. It’s close to town and the beach, with clean dorms and bathrooms, a nice kitchen, and a courtyard with hammocks where you can relax, do yoga, or hang out. I really recommend staying here!

The squeaky wooden bunks were the one drawback, especially when climbing in or out at night. Otherwise, our 10-bed dorm had two bathrooms and AC through the night, which was essential. We were offered either that dorm or a private room for no extra charge, and chose the dorm. Ezequiel was a fabulous owner, making sure we felt at home and helping us practice Spanish. The hostel was spotless, with someone coming in daily to clean everything and remake the beds. The huge communal fridge was clean too. The kitchen had everything we needed, plus very cheap beers for sale. For drinking water, they offered inexpensive shared filtered bottled water. We spent the week diving, and this felt like a home base. The kitchen and social area were huge, with a big dining table, chairs, and hammocks for relaxing. If I return to Taganga, I’ll stay here again.

I planned to stay for two weeks and ended up there for two months. The house is beautiful, and the location and price are great. I’d read some bad comments beforehand, but found out the owners had changed. The previous owner left when things were dirty and disorganized, and now a lovely couple are in charge. They keep the hostel super clean and bring great energy. They also cook delicious dishes to sell. The vibe is awesome, and I definitely recommend it. Excited to come back!

Villa Mary made for a great two-week stay. The owners were warm and helpful, and worked hard to make the place feel welcoming, almost like home. At night they also have a good pizzaría, and the alfajores are ricisimos.