Masaya Santa Marta

Masaya felt like home in Colombia. Right from my first day, I was welcomed so warmly, and the place has a relaxed, happy energy that made me want to keep coming back. Christian, Vanessa, and Isaac at reception were always attentive and had great tips for enjoying Santa Marta and the surrounding area. Valentina planned activities with so much care that they became special experiences, from the picadito tasting to dance classes with Darwin and events that brought everyone together. Blanca, Katy, and Diannis kept everything spotless in housekeeping, always cheerful and attentive to the little things. Juli, Jaider, Karina, and Santi made the bar a lovely place to meet people, unwind, watch the sunset, or finish the day laughing. The food was delicious at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and service was really fast. You could feel the care in every dish. Not many hostels have this kind of energy. Masaya is more than somewhere to sleep, it's a home where you meet amazing people and feel positive energy every day. Thank you for making my stay so special❣️

I used Masaya as a base between multi-day trips to Tayrona, Minca, and the Ciudad Perdida trek, staying there four times over two weeks. Three stays were in a female dorm and two in a private double en suite room. The front desk staff were very friendly, and it was a great stay overall. The rooftop was my favorite spot. There’s a nice pool, plenty of places to relax in sun or shade, and a gorgeous view at sunset. The restaurant serves all three meals and the food is good. Breakfast comes with private rooms, which is a good deal. I also appreciated being able to leave my suitcases in the luggage room for several days at a time for free, and you can buy water at the front desk. The private rooms were really comfortable, and the female dorm was good too. It isn't a party hostel, so people kept normal sleeping hours. Each bed has a privacy curtain, and there are two en suite bathrooms. The AC worked well, though the curtains kept the cool air from reaching me, so I slept with mine halfway open. There's a small, air-conditioned coworking space downstairs, with room for only four or five people. If it's full, you'll need to work on your laptop in one of the other seating areas, which aren't air-conditioned. The wifi worked well overall.

Masaya has a lot going for it: a neat, fully equipped kitchen, decent dorms, a great pool and coworking spaces, and several free lockers for valuables. There's also a free water dispenser available all day. I loved the atmosphere and met some really kind people. Big thanks to Daniela, who made my stay feel special and memorable. If you want to socialize, party, and make great memories, this is a great hostel for that. 🌅🍃💖😍✨

I spent three and a half weeks here and it started to feel like a second home and family. The location was perfect, with nice events and roomy areas for working or hanging out. I met a lot of great people and will miss them. Daniela brought people together so naturally, without putting pressure on anyone. Christian also made me comfortable and helped sort out whatever questions came up. Muchas gracias, chicos!