Compay Hostel Punta Del Diablo

The breakfast was nice, the Wi-Fi was great, and Compay hostel is beautifully designed. There are plenty of different places to sit and relax, and it feels both tucked away and communal. The staff, around a dozen people, were welcoming and very efficient. There’s always a changing mix of people around, good conversations throughout the day and night, music from the staff from about 9am until 3am, and a bonfire every night. We’re quiet people and weren’t really suited to that scene, but if that’s what you’re after, I’d recommend it. Sleep was a real problem for all four nights. The noise was part of it, but the mosquitos were worse than anywhere we’ve stayed in this country over several months, including other hostels and open casitas in the wilderness. Usually they mostly disappear by the coast, but here there were dozens in the rooms, showers, toilet stalls, and under the breathing floorboards. We were eaten alive. There was no fan in the room, no lock on the door, and the Wi-Fi didn’t reach us there. Towels cost extra, which we found preposterous even though the profile says so. They don’t take cards at the desk, and we hadn’t brought enough cash to cover the full stay. For the first two days, we were stressed about whether we could withdraw enough from an ATM in time, since using foreign cards at ATMs in this country is really an open question. With the high-season rates, we paid twice as much as we’ve paid anywhere else. The lively atmosphere and breakfast were good, but the rest of the stay, especially at that price, left us with a much worse impression of the hostel.

It’s a very sociable hostel, with lots of travelers and a dinner organized every night, plus music in the background. That makes it a good place to meet people and make new friends, but not a quiet one. The common spaces are lovely, both outside with a small pool, bonfire, and sofas, and inside with a kitchen and pool table. It’s near the sea, the staff are friendly, and they keep cleaning throughout the day, so everything was really clean. The four-person shared room felt a bit cramped and had no nightstands or security lockers. The bunk beds seemed unstable, and the top one looked like it might fall onto the person below if they moved too much. Also, please bring back proper coffee, maybe from a moka pot or drip maker. No more instant coffee! Still, it was a very positive stay, I’d repeat it and recommend the hostel.

The outdoor space is lovely, the location is good, and the bathrooms are clean. There’s also a large, well-equipped kitchen. But the staff came across as rather unfriendly. They seemed like a big group of friends having their own party and getting annoyed by paying guests. The rooms were very basic too, with no trash bin or bedside lamps, no AC, and lockers in only some rooms.

The evening events make it easy to meet people, especially if you’re traveling alone, and the view of the ocean is lovely. There’s plenty of space to relax, a swimming pool, available staff, and a simple breakfast. Rooms, common areas, and toilets were all very clean. There were no lockers for valuables, and a lot of new people were coming and going, even though hosts were identified by bracelets. The shared rooms had no fans or AC. We had to keep the doors and windows closed because of mosquitos and loud music from the common areas late into the night, so the air got very dense. I’d recommend staying here for the good value for the area and the nice people, but only if you’re in a party mood.