Ometepe Island · Nicaragua
El Zopilote
Bed bug reports
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Guest report Hostelworld
unfortunately the dorms are full of BED BUGS. my body is covered by bites and they are not mosquitoes, not ants but loads of bed bugs. otherwise amazing concept, staff, volunteers and activities. food is probably the best I've had since Mexico. but it's not worth the risk. I had a great time until I discovered the nature of the bites BUT I wish I had searched for "bedbugs" in the reviews on Google, people mention them there but not here.
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Guest report Hostelworld
Had such a wonderful time at El Zopilote. Everyone working was so lovely and I absolutely loved the permaculture tour with Cristiano. I highly recommend it, there are so many activities inside and outside of the hostel. I originally booked for 2 nights and ended up staying for a week and can't wait to go back. ofcourseyou are in the jungle so there are a lot of bugs, but a compromise that's worth visiting this beautiful part of the world, and definitely no bed bugs, so don't worry, just mozzies.
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Guest report Google Maps
Lieu très décevant, nous avons eu une chambre à 15min à pied de la réception. Nous étions seuls avec une chienne apeurée et ses petits. Les toilettes et douches étaient inutilisables car le ménage n’avait pas été fait depuis longtemps ! Des grosses toiles d’araignées partout et ne parlons même pas des odeurs. Nous avons du aider le réceptionniste à mettre les draps et la moustiquaire avait des cafards morts en guise de décoration. Réveil le lendemain matin avec des jambes couvertes de piqûres de punaises de lit. Nous n’avons même pas eu de remboursements ou de dédommagements. Lieu à fuir !
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Guest report Google Maps
We stayed here for 3 nights, not my favourite experience. It’s a far walk up to the hostel especially when you bring your backpacks up. We had lasagna from the restaurant and it was delicious and they had a good DJ playing one night. We didn’t have time to do any activities at the hostel because we were busy exploring the island but they had a lot of things to do. The showers have no doors on them for people who may not be into that. Our room had a lot of cockroaches and we got bit by bed bugs all three nights. The hostel reception also told us we could pay the scooter rental place at the entrance of the road to the hostel to park our ATV there overnight and they would watch over it for us. We had gas stolen right out of our ATV one night so I don’t recommend parking there. Overall average experience.
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Guest report Google Maps
Do not stay here! BATS AND BEDBUGS We booked two weeks in a private room here. After one week, we realised there was a family of bats living in the roof, droppings were everywhere and the room stank. The hostel refused to refund the extra week and instead asked for the keys back so it could be rented out. They have refused to reply to emails to acknowledge what have happened. There are also bed bugs in the shared dorms. We saw multiple instances of people complaining and asking for their money back but being refused. Instead they would be offered a hammock to sleep in. The next day new bookings would be moved into the same dorms. Rinse and repeat This hostel advertises itself as "peace and love" and "eco" where in reality it is ran by some plastic hippys from Italy who scam you and contribute to the neo colonialism taking over what is a beautiful island. The only positive of this place is the fantastic Nicaraguan staff. I really do feel for them having to deal with the consequences of the owners' decisions. Literally stay anywhere else on the island - please!
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Guest report Hostelworld
Best vibes and place possible. Unfortunatly, bedbugs seems to be part of the experience based on the staff reaction. Good food, but you will need two meals to be really fed.
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Guest report Hostelworld
really cool place but you pay for what you have. I got bitten by bed bugs... the food and atmosphere is one of the best in central america. pizza night are rrally nice and social changes from the typical regettan. overall i love it even though i got bitten
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Guest report Google Maps
There are bed bugs everywhere and the staff didn´t do ANYTHING about it. They tried to convince us that it was only mosquito bites! When we finally got moved to another room, there were even more bedbugs!!! Do yourself a favor and stay away from this place. Other than that, they have the unfriendliest staff I´ve ever seen. They even get mad at you if you don´t consume at their place or rent a scooter at their place. Horrible, truly horrible.
Vibe Analysis
El Zopilote is a jungle hostel with a strong eco, yoga, and pizza-night identity. There are daily activities such as yoga, dance, and permaculture, and the food can be very good, with vegetarian and vegan options and ingredients grown on site. The setting is beautiful and wild, but getting there is a hike: reaching reception and then the rooms can mean a long uphill walk on dark, uneven paths. That makes luggage, late arrivals, and moving around after dark difficult. The place stays rustic. Rooms can be hot and lack airflow, and insects are a constant part of the stay. Bathrooms and compost toilets can be basic and sometimes unpleasant, while privacy, lighting, and power access can be limited.
Signals to check
- Expect a long uphill walk from the road, and night arrival can be awkward.
- Rooms can be hot and lack airflow.
- Insects, spiders, cockroaches, and ants can be an issue in rooms and bathrooms.
- Bathrooms and compost toilets can be basic, smelly, or hard to use.
- Lighting, power outlets, and privacy can be limited.
- Reception can feel slow or cold at times, while the food and yoga can be a highlight.