Hostik Hostal - Hostel

La Plancha Park is almost finished and right across the street, and the location is fantastic. The staff are warm, friendly, and really accommodating. I’ve stayed at several hostels in Merida, and this one is easily the best. With the dorm beds aside, it feels like a boutique hotel. I’m here for ten days, so I’ve had time to enjoy the daily activities and the amazing breakfast that’s included each morning. I can’t say enough good things. Book it, you won’t be disappointed.

We met a lovely group of fellow travellers here, and both the dorms and private rooms were clean. The staff and other guests were very friendly, so it was one of our best hostel stays. A few practical things to know: towels cost 20 to rent, which isn’t much, and the hot water in the showers was unreliable. There also weren’t any bins in the women’s bathrooms, which was inconvenient for people who menstruate. I’d still come back.

There are lots of restaurants and coffee shops nearby, plus a huge park about ten blocks long with an outdoor workout area and plenty of attractions. At the hostel, breakfast is free, and there are games, a TV room at night, a pool, rooftop yoga at 7am, and a different free activity each evening. We did a paint and sip. I was worried about the bar because I’m usually in bed by 9pm, but it’s away from the sleeping area and things were quiet by 10pm. It’s a great spot.

There are some good points here: the beds are comfortable, the volunteers are super friendly, and they run nice activities each night. Breakfast is different each morning, though the portions are small and dozens of bees gather around people while they eat. Still, sleeping is the main thing at a hostel, and that was a big problem for me. The bar is open to the public and plays loud music until midnight every night. The dorms are right beside it, so you hear both the music and people talking loudly until closing. The private rooms are at the other end, which may be why other reviews don’t mention the noise. The hallway lights also stay on until 23h30, and my bed was in front of a window, so it was very bright there at night and again after sunrise. Dark curtains beside the bed would help. Two of the three women’s toilets were blocked throughout my stay, leaving just one that would flush. The Wi-Fi was really bad, and the kitchen isn’t available until 12pm, so you can’t cook anything to add to the small breakfast. Apart from the nice park next door, I found the neighborhood upscale and short on affordable restaurants. It’s probably better to stay in the center, since you’ll end up walking there anyway. We booked after reading reviews that described the hostel as quiet and cozy, and didn’t realize it was a party place. The listing mentions a bar, pool, garden, and other amenities, but doesn’t say the bar is a real public venue with loud music, and there isn’t even a bar photo on Hostelworld. They should make clear that the dorms are next to it. Only book here if you want to party.