Petra · Jordan
Rafiki Hostel
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Google Maps
Bed bugs, construction and the staff rarely available to help(check in ect). The price is cheap so you get what you pay for!
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Vibe Analysis
Rafiki Hostel is a Petra base with a hands-on host culture: staff help with route advice, onward buses, local food ideas, and the day-to-day logistics that make Wadi Musa easier. It sits near town restaurants and shops, with Petra usually around a 15-20 minute walk away, though the return climb can bite after a long day on the trails. The rooftop is the standout: sunset over Wadi Musa and the Petra landscape gives the place its best social angle, especially when family dinner is running upstairs. Packed lunch boxes and breakfast bags can be handy for early Petra days, and the family meals are a real reason to stay in when they are on. The vibe can swing. At its best, Rafiki feels warm, personal, and easy to connect in, with a tiny hostel dog, cats, big common areas, and occasional pool hangs after hiking. At quieter times it can feel sparse rather than party-heavy, so this is better for low-key Petra prep than guaranteed chaos. Rooms are generally simple, clean, and comfortable, with useful touches in places like a kettle, fridge, air conditioning, or hot shower setup, but upkeep is uneven.
Signals to check
- The walk back from Petra is uphill and can feel rough after a full hiking day.
- Hot water, water pressure, WiFi, and air conditioning may be inconsistent.
- The pool or rooftop may be affected by maintenance or construction.
- Bathrooms, bedding, and room finishing can be uneven, especially in cheaper dorm setups.
- Breakfast and lunch boxes vary, and early departures may need clear timing in advance.
- Staff availability at reception is not always constant, and the building can be hard to spot from outside.