Hostal Yemaya

Yemaya is basic, but clean enough that I had no concerns, and the location is incredibly convenient. I had an eight-person room to myself, which was ideal. It had two separate bathrooms. If you get room 9, I’d strongly recommend using only the bathroom with the step up, since the other shower drain backed up and smelled pretty bad. If you’re arriving by bus, you can save a dollar by waiting to get off in town. Tutu’s and rickshaws are very affordable there.

The staff were great and the owner was nice, and speaks English well. It’s just one block from the beach but still quiet enough to sleep well. The hostal is very nice and clean, with great showers and a large rooftop patio. Dorm beds cost $10 a night, while basic private rooms are $15.

The owner was very nice and knowledgeable, and spoke English very well. The rooms had air conditioning, breakfast was great, and the roof deck was a lovely spot. Sometimes the water stopped working, though they fixed it promptly. Hot water never worked in our shower, and the bathroom didn’t have a good fan or vent.

The rooftop chill-out area is beautiful, especially for watching the sunset, and the hostal has a relaxed, happy feel. I spent a week at Yemaya and didn’t want to leave. Miguel gave me great advice on what to see and do and went out of his way to make sure I had a good stay. The place was clean and comfortable, with a perfect location just steps from the beach and whale-watching and diving tour agencies. Across the road, Clandestinos bar has great coffee and the best Mojito I’ve ever tried. Miguel and Javiquito, the owner of Clandestino, are both friendly and happy to chat if you want to get to know the locals. I’ll definitely be back. Enjoy your stay!