Avokanto hostel

The location is good, and most of the people and staff are friendly and try to help, though there are some exceptions. The hostel itself was very dirty and unhygienic, and I started itching right away. The pillows were filthy, and there was no soap or cleaning product for washing hands after using the toilet. A lot of things were rusty and poorly maintained, and most outlets didn’t work. I switched to a “better” room but there still wasn’t an outlet by the bed. The kitchen was filthy, and food often got stolen. My money was stolen too, and they said there were no security cameras anywhere, so nothing could be done. Prices also varied: the amount on Booking.com was lower than what they asked for at reception. There were plenty of other issues, but those were the main ones.

I was there for two nights in June. The staff were really nice, except for the guy at the desk. I was cold, there was no soap in the bathroom, and the place had a homeless sort of vibe. After I left a critical review on Booking.com, the desk guy sent me a really insulting message. Don’t be taken in by the staged photos.

The price shown on Booking.com wasn’t honored, so expect to pay an extra $10 if you book. Check the charge before you reserve, since they don’t stick to the listed rate. You have to go to another floor to use the shared bathroom, and the floorboards make a lot of noise. The place also had a doggy vibe. I wouldn’t have felt safe there as a woman traveling alone.

The staff were nice enough, but the beds were crawling with fleas. During my two nights there I got bitten about 50 times each night, all over my arms, legs, and face. A month later, the marks were still there. My arms got hot and swollen, and I couldn’t sleep. I never saw anyone come in to clean the rooms, so I don’t know when the sheets were last changed. I know hostels can be hard to keep clean, and I’ve stayed in them across 40 countries on five continents, but I’ve never been bitten like this. Now I understand what “flea-bitten dog” means.