La Guaca Hostel Santa Marta

During the second night of my stay, I found what appeared to be a bed bug nymph in my bed and got multiple bites across my body. I reported the issue immediately and requested a new room, but was told none were available and was only offered clean sheets. As a result, I decided to sleep in a hammock in the common area. The following morning, I spoke with the manager (through the receptionist as translator) and requested a refund for my stay as well as the hostel taking care of the cost of cleaning my luggage to prevent further spread. I was only offered a refund for the night spent in the hammock. The manager also suggested that I may have brought the bed bug myself. I was told that they are going to check the other beds after check-out time and that regular preventative fumigation is done at their property. I ended up paying 150,000 COP to have my luggage treated at a laundry service and spent several hours waiting in town without accommodation. Overall, this experience resulted in unexpected expenses, lost time, and discomfort. I’m very disappointed in the way the manager handled the situation. I felt unsupported in resolving a serious issue and regret staying at this hostel.