Hostal La Casa Azul

I’ll try to remain objective and factual despite my negative experience. First of all, I understand that everything is a matter of value for money. The price here was low, so I didn’t have high expectations, but there are still minimum standards to be met. I’ve stayed in many hostels around the world, including in very poor regions where comfort and respect were far better. First, the photos are misleading regarding the condition of the place. The reality is that every area (bedrooms, living room, bathrooms, terrace) is—or at least appears—dirty. It’s cluttered, with objects lying around everywhere, and everything feels worn out, broken, and run-down. It looks like the hostel is never cleaned or tidied. There isn’t a single wall, fabric, or piece of furniture that appears new or clean, as if no investment or repairs have been made for years. As for the beds: there are clearly FLEAS or BEDBUGS, which is unacceptable! I was bitten all night over my entire body. This reflects the overall cleanliness of the place. The “cocoon” beds look nice at first glance, and the curtains for privacy are appreciated, but the mattresses are old, dirty, and not very comfortable. Same goes for the pillows (soft and lumpy). There are small bedside tables with individual power outlets, which is a good point. The outlets work, but the casings and cables are exposed, which is clearly dangerous. Regarding the bathrooms: they are relatively clean but look very old and worn out—more like bathrooms you’d find in bars or nightclubs. The tiles, shower curtains, seals, and fixtures are all in poor condition. Additionally, at least two out of three showers have no hot water. Finally, I have mixed feelings about the staff. It’s hard to tell who actually works here; there seem to be more volunteers than guests. Some speak English, others don’t. Some are friendly, others less so—which is normal.

I’ll try to remain objective and factual despite my negative experience. First of all, I understand that everything is a matter of value for money. The price here was low, so I didn’t have high expectations, but there are still minimum standards to be met. I’ve stayed in many hostels around the world, including in very poor regions where comfort and respect were far better. First, the photos are misleading regarding the condition of the place. The reality is that every area (bedrooms, living room, bathrooms, terrace) is — or at least appears — dirty. It’s cluttered, with objects lying around everywhere, and everything feels worn out, broken, and run-down. It looks like the hostel is never cleaned or tidied. There isn’t a single wall, fabric, or piece of furniture that appears new or clean, as if no investment or repairs have been made for years. As for the beds: there are clearly FLEAS or BEDBUGS, which is unacceptable! I was bitten all night over my entire body. This reflects the overall cleanliness of the place. The “cocoon” beds look nice at first glance, and the curtains for privacy are appreciated, but the mattresses are old, dirty, and not very comfortable. Same goes for the pillows (soft and lumpy). There are small bedside tables with individual power outlets, which is a good point. The outlets work, but the casings and cables are exposed, which is clearly dangerous. Regarding the bathrooms: they are relatively clean but look very old and worn out — more like bathrooms you’d find in bars or nightclubs. The tiles, shower curtains, seals, and fixtures are all in poor condition. Additionally, at least two out of three showers have no hot water. Finally, I have mixed feelings about the staff. It’s hard to tell who actually works here; there seem to be more volunteers than guests. Some speak English, others don’t. Some are friendly, others less so — which is normal. However, what I find unacceptable is that people smoke weed all day in the common areas — the smell is very strong throughout the hostel. They also don’t ensure respect for guests’ rest (loud music, singing, shouting, and laughter until 4:30 a.m., with people coming in and out of rooms noisily at all hours). Their handling of money also raises concerns: I had to ask for my change two days after paying because they had “forgotten”; moreover, they had no cash left, including the 5,000 pesos I had left the day before as a deposit for the locker key. Strange for a place that only accepts cash payments. In summary, the potential of the building is wasted due to the manager’s lack of oversight and the carelessness (or inexperience?) of the volunteers. In reality, the view is beautiful, there is plenty of space, color, enough toilets, bathrooms, kitchen utensils, a TV, common areas, a terrace, a garden, a barbecue… A thorough cleaning and many repairs are needed to restore this place’s charm and atmosphere.

Infestación de chinches y ratones no es lo que espero encontrar en una hostal. Pésima experiencia

BED BUGS!!!!! loads of them… even after they fumigated the beds the bugs were still there (i got bitten twice in 2 different rooms…) and they told me this isnt the first time, they had this issue 2mths ago… this place needs to be closed for a deep clean!!

The only good thing about this place was leaving. The night we arrived the owners had a party for all the locals in the front yard, with some of the people stumbling drunk into our room while we were in there, shouting, yelling and leaving rubbish everywhere. (The volunteers told us afterwards this happens every week). The beds are disgusting & have bed bugs. The "free breakfast" is a piece of bread with jam - which is fine but dont expect too much. The fridge is one of those classic neglected cheap hostel fridges with jo shelves, rotten food in plastic bags stacked and dripping ontop of each other. And additionally, the stove top didn't work. We have stayed at many budget hostels before across central/south america but this may take the cake. Strongly advise not to stay here regardless of how cheap it is.

Tuve que ser mudada de improviso a otro hostel "no habilitado" que también era un desastre por invasión de chinches.

Das Hostel ist generell ziemlich verlebt und heruntergekommen. Mein Schliessfach lies sich nicht abschliessen und in mindestens einem der Dorms gab es Bettwanzen. In den Bädern gab es kaum Ablageflächen oder Möglichkeiten etwas aufzuhängen, die Duschen waren sehr verschimmelt und es gab kaum warmes Wasser. Die Betten waren recht unbequem.

Got bed bugs here and overall the hostel is extremely dirty. The kitchen is a mess, with very old utensils and only one small stove that barely works. The fridge is full of rotten and leaking food, which is all stacked upon each other as there are no shelves in the fridge. The bunk bed arrangement had poor ladders up the three levels and the beds were uncomfortable. The night we stayed, the owner had a BBQ with all his friends, over 20 locals, not even staying at the hostel. They were walking throughout the hostel, one even came into our room while we were sleeping. As you can't lock the dorm room it felt very unsecure with all these people walking around the hostel who werent even guests. They were partying till 1 in the morning, super loud. The hostel was a mess after the party. Afterwards the volunteers told us this happens every week. Do not recommend staying here.