La Zona Hostel

I haven’t stayed at the hostel, but they were friendly and let me leave my luggage so I could explore the city all day. They also offered me a shower, water, a place to charge my phone, and a spot in the lobby until it was time to head to the bus station, just 50m from the hostel. All of that for 5 dollars.

I’ve got mixed feelings about my stay. The woman who checked me in wasn’t very nice and didn’t seem to care about guests. She didn’t show me the kitchen or the other password on the second floor, and didn’t explain any rules. I’ve stayed in lots of hostels, so that part didn’t matter too much to me. It was more the lack of effort that disappointed me. Later, though, I met a really nice woman who helped me figure out the right buses to my next stop. The rooms were okay, with nice curtains and a fan. The kitchen had pots, pans, and the basics, but no coconut oil or seasoning beyond salt, and no free coffee. There are lots of places to eat nearby, and a supermarket-ish place about a 20-minute walk away. I’d highly recommend checking out Tacos Hermanos • San Benito. Loved that place, amazing food!!!

The staff were friendly, the location was good, and the AC worked well. The bathrooms were a bit odd, though: there’s only one private bathroom, and the others are upstairs in an indoor/outdoor area.

The place was very clean, the staff were nice, and I felt safe in the area. It seems like they’ve acted on earlier reviews, but the pillows really need replacing, and maybe the mattresses too. Mine was flat and hard, so I slept badly. Avoid the cheapest rooms since they don’t have a capsule or curtain. New pillows would make this a five-star stay for me.