Riga · Latvia
The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Booking.com
Lots of bed bugs
HostelPunk native reviews
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Vibe Analysis
The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel is built for a social Riga trip: Old Town location, welcome shot at check-in, in-house bar, daily activities, pub crawls, beer pong, beer tasting, and staff who actively steer nights out. It works especially well for solo backpackers or groups who want the hostel to do part of the social engineering for them. The standout is how central it is. The hostel sits in Riga's Old Town, close to bars, food, shops, the main bus station, tram links, and the #22 airport bus, so most city stuff is walkable and nights out are basically downstairs. Inside, expect spacious common areas, a kitchen, plenty of showers and toilets, card-access security, lockers or under-bed storage, and dorm beds that often have curtains. Towels, body wash, free coffee or tea, and basic kitchen extras may be available. The women-only room has had get-ready extras like hair straighteners and a light-up mirror.
Signals to check
- This is a party-leaning hostel, so corridor noise, street noise, late-night door slamming, and activity spillover can affect sleep.
- Rooms can get very hot, and air conditioning may not be available.
- The building is older, with recurring issues around worn mattresses, awkward charging outlets, stairs with no lift, and occasional smells or dated bathrooms.
- Cleanliness is usually a strength, but bathrooms and rooms can be inconsistent at busy times.
- Kitchen and common-room access may close at night, which can be annoying for late arrivals or early departures.
- Luggage storage may not always feel fully secure.