The A Hostel

The only good part was the “ates” who worked there. They were friendly and approachable, apologized, and seemed sorry while explaining that they only worked there and didn't make the rules. They even asked how my other hostel had been, and I told them the truth. Shame on the owners. I moved here from The Lazy Dog after the receptionist said I'd have a good time, but nobody made clear they wouldn't provide towels. The beds should at least come with them. The “lockers” don't have locks, so bring your own, though they conveniently rent towels and locks. You also have to pay a security deposit of 1k, for what exactly? They don't provide basics like soap or shampoo either. I moved from The Lazy Dog, where the price was the SAME and all those things were included, plus a big breakfast. At The A Hostel, breakfast costs extra. Kudos to the owners for squeezing money out of budget-conscious tourists looking for an affordable hostel that's worth the price. This one definitely isn't. It's only suitable if you just need a place to sleep, have nothing valuable, and don't mind paying extra.

For a cheap hostel, the small space is okay and the staff are really nice. Just know the location shown isn't the actual one. They send you the right address after you book, lol. There's also a 1,000 peso deposit, which you get back when you leave.

The location was a plus, about a 10-minute walk to the beach and main shops. The room was clean, but with six people there was hardly space for bags or getting changed. Two nights was enough for us.

There wasn't really a common area to meet other guests, so I wouldn't recommend it to solo travelers hoping to socialize. I left within an hour of checking in: the advertised meals weren't available, the rooms were much tighter than the photos suggested, and the lower bunk was so low I couldn't sit upright. Seems suited only to someone who just needs a bed for the night.