Boracay Backpackers

This was the worst hostel I’ve stayed in. I booked a private room, but the atmosphere was really bad. It was dirty and smelly, with lots of insects. The bed stank, and the air conditioning was noisy without cooling the room. Shower pressure was so low I couldn’t even wash my hair. They also played music very loudly until late at night. I strongly advise people to avoid it.

The only things I liked were the kind staff and the location. We paid around ₱300–₱400 per bed for a four-bed mixed dorm, booking two beds since I was there with my boyfriend. I spent a month in Boracay, and this was honestly at the bottom of my list of places to stay. As digital nomads, we needed internet for work, but it was the worst here. Even mobile data was extremely slow. The water also smelled bad, like rust or metal, and showering was really uncomfortable. It felt like the facilities weren’t well established or maintained. The room was tiny, with two bunk beds squeezed into it, so the dorm felt cramped. There was no free drinking water for guests, either. You had to buy it. My boyfriend and I had booked from February 25 to March 5. Before moving here, we stayed at another hotel for a few days because we wanted a private room. We transferred here on February 27, and immediately ran into these problems. I booked another hotel on Agoda right away, which cost us more, and we checked out early that same day because we just couldn’t stay any longer. 😂 I don’t understand why so many foreigners stay here. Maybe they think smelly water is normal in the Philippines, but it definitely isn’t. If you want a comfortable place, even on a budget, this isn’t it. There are plenty of better dorm-style places in Boracay. I know ₱300–₱400 is cheap, but the shower water should at least be decent. 😭 Of all the places I stayed during my month in Boracay, this was the only one that made me want to write a review. I honestly don’t know why no one else has mentioned these problems.

The staff were lovely and really kind, and I enjoyed staying here. It’s super close to the beach and other places, and the value for money deserves five stars. Cleanliness and comfort match what you pay, though, so if you’re after better than average, you may want to stay somewhere else. There’s no free drinking water.

A cheap local restaurant is right next door, and the beach is only about 30 seconds away. The staff were friendly, and we had fun with the bar and pool table. It’s great value, and I’d stay here again.