Camping Hostal El Árbol de la Vida

The desk guy was understanding when we decided to leave after one night instead of the four we’d planned, and refunded the unused nights right away. The private room smelled strongly of mold, though, and we couldn’t get comfortable staying there. I know the region is humid, but the smell was too much for us. The hostel has a funky vibe, a good atmosphere, and several places to hang out. Later, I found maggots on both sides of a plate from the shared kitchen stack. I really hoped this would be a local gem, but I’d only recommend it if price is your top priority and you can put up with some grunge.

The staff were kind and helpful, and I’m especially grateful they let us nap in a room after arriving very early from a long bus trip. They also let us stay in that room, so we didn’t end up waiting for check-in. It was small, very warm, and full of mosquitoes, but at that price, you can’t expect luxury. It was usually clean, and we could see staff working every day. There was always toilet paper and water, and the basic kitchen did the job. It’s not a five-star hotel, but the price and service were fair, and the team was nice and caring. The location is great, just one street from the free lagoon pontoon 🩵

Gustavo was so attentive and helpful, doing everything he could for us. The location is excellent, close to the lake, with a small grocery store, bars, and restaurants nearby, and the price is great. There are mixed messages about minors: the hostel says it doesn’t allow anyone under 18 for security reasons, yet its platforms show photos of children staying there. Maintenance is clearly lacking. Chairs, benches, and sofas were broken; fans and the wooden and straw room structures had lots of dust. Some rooms smelled strongly of mildew, as did old dusty books, magazines, and pamphlets. Anyone with rhinitis, sinusitis, or asthma could have a bad flare-up, so bring your medicine. Broken gates were left open all day and night, letting stray dogs in, though the hostel says it doesn’t accept animals. We saw guests with pets on the grounds. In the women’s toilet there was no seat or lid, so we had to sit straight on the toilet. The bathroom ran out of toilet paper, which caused an unpleasant experience for some women who were menstruating, and the handwashing sink had no soap. A window in the women’s bathroom compromised privacy for taller women. Shower with your back to the opening, since people at the upstairs window can see you from a better angle. The drain struggled to clear the water, leaving a big puddle around us. Men used the women’s toilet and shower area, either not understanding or not seeing the signs. The mosquito nets had lots of holes, so bring insect repellent. There were hardly any places to hang clothes, just a few nails in the bedrooms and a few porcelain fixtures in the bathrooms. The wooden handrail on the stairs to the upper floor was broken and could cause an accident. Bathroom bins were full because rubbish wasn’t collected often enough. Weeds had taken over the space in front of the cabins that used to be for camping. Old posters and leaflets were mixed in with newer, still useful ones on the walls. The refrigerator had food that looked very old, and there was no marked smoking area, so people smoked anywhere, even near nonsmokers. A simple place still needs regular cleaning and maintenance.

There’s no reception desk. You have to ring a bell to get the receptionist, and often he didn’t answer. The hostel has a new owner and is conveniently close to the main park and lake. Our room was very hot and only closed off with a garage gate. The shared bathroom for our room wasn’t cleaned during our stay. None of the bathrooms had toilet seats or soap for washing hands.