Xtabentun Hostal

The pool was spacious and really nice for relaxing, and the hostel is well located, though a bit far from the beaches. The welcome was very good and the staff were helpful. We were two women in a mixed dorm with eight people, and some of our roommates made us uncomfortable. The room was small, there wasn't much room to move, and the beds were too close together. It was also very hot. We each had a fan, but it wasn't enough. The room had a shower and toilet.

The room was unbearable without air conditioning, and the smell was awful. It already smelled bad when I arrived, with the heat and other guests' body odor in a room with poor ventilation. I hadn't even stayed the night or used the bed. After a day at the beach, I came back to leave my luggage, then spent time in the lobby/restaurant area. The hostel manager spoke to me in a rude, condescending way and told me to shower before bed because he said I "stink." It was early evening and nobody was asleep. He hadn't even been close enough to know how I smelled. I didn't know his name, but he spoke to me like a child instead of a paying customer. That kind of treatment is unacceptable anywhere. The room conditions and the manager's behavior made an already uncomfortable stay worse. Xtabentun Hostal showed no respect for guests. Avoid it. There are plenty of other places in Mexico where guests are treated with respect.

I stayed for a long time and saw cockroaches in the bathrooms three times. The cleaning isn't enough, and there was hair around the bed. Cancun gets very hot during the day, but they turn off the AC after 8 a.m. Security is lax and someone can get into the hostel easily. There were two thefts while I was there. I don't recommend staying here.

This hostel suited me: I got what I paid for, a bed in a shared room with 10 people and AC. The mattresses are good, and the communication through WhatsApp and at the hostel was all good. They explained everything to me. If you're a picky traveler, it might not be the hostel for you, but I loved the neighborhood, where there's always fun and entertainment. I had a really good time and will definitely come back. It's a great location, just one block from the ado bus station, especially useful if you arrive at any airport terminal. The bus ride to Cancun downtown is $185. Outside the hostel there are lots of local food options and things to do, and there's a pool for swimming and relaxing.