Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Querétaro for other available Querétaro hostels and accommodations.
Please see Querétaro for other available Querétaro hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
The Jirafa Roja is easy to find if you have a good map of the city with city streets that are clearly labeled. You can get a map and directions from the tourist office in the main square. The historic center of Queretaro isn't huge, so even though the hostel is located on the eastern side of the historic center, you can still walk to everything or hop on a bus nearby.
While the advertisements for Jirafa Roja make it sound like it has lots of services, in reality it is lacking quite a few. Both internet and laundry are not part of the hostel, but within a few blocks (but only available at specific times). In addition, there is only hot water if you turn it on well before your shower, but the hostel staff won't tell you this, so ask. Sheets are free if the laundry man has come (which apparently he doesn't always). There is a phone on site, but it takes special cards that the hostel sells. There are only staff members available in the hostel from 8am-9pm, so if there is a problem after hours you have to walk to a pay phone and call the cell of the person on duty, who may not answer.
The atmosphere, on the other hand, is pretty good. There is a terrace where you can sit (but you aren't supposed to drink alcohol, but the staff isn't always there...). A TV, VCR, and CD player in the common room are nice addition. The hostel is small, so if you are a light sleeper it may be a problem as the stairs are right by the bed rooms and the rooms don't have windows (or mosquito screens) to help block noise. Rooms are light and airy, but the large windows with crappy shades makes it hard to change clothes.
There is a stocked kitchen that appears clean and has a few community spices/items. However, in the morning beware as roaches tend to scatter as drawers are opened for the first time. The bedrooms and bathrooms are clean, but if there are sheets on the beds make sure to ask if they are clean. The hostel is very secure as lockers are available in the rooms (bring a lock), the dorm rooms lock, and the front door locks. While the Jirafa Roja isn't terrible, for the high price there are better options.
While the advertisements for Jirafa Roja make it sound like it has lots of services, in reality it is lacking quite a few. Both internet and laundry are not part of the hostel, but within a few blocks (but only available at specific times). In addition, there is only hot water if you turn it on well before your shower, but the hostel staff won't tell you this, so ask. Sheets are free if the laundry man has come (which apparently he doesn't always). There is a phone on site, but it takes special cards that the hostel sells. There are only staff members available in the hostel from 8am-9pm, so if there is a problem after hours you have to walk to a pay phone and call the cell of the person on duty, who may not answer.
The atmosphere, on the other hand, is pretty good. There is a terrace where you can sit (but you aren't supposed to drink alcohol, but the staff isn't always there...). A TV, VCR, and CD player in the common room are nice addition. The hostel is small, so if you are a light sleeper it may be a problem as the stairs are right by the bed rooms and the rooms don't have windows (or mosquito screens) to help block noise. Rooms are light and airy, but the large windows with crappy shades makes it hard to change clothes.
There is a stocked kitchen that appears clean and has a few community spices/items. However, in the morning beware as roaches tend to scatter as drawers are opened for the first time. The bedrooms and bathrooms are clean, but if there are sheets on the beds make sure to ask if they are clean. The hostel is very secure as lockers are available in the rooms (bring a lock), the dorm rooms lock, and the front door locks. While the Jirafa Roja isn't terrible, for the high price there are better options.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2005
Their Description
Jirafa Roja Hostel Details
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(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Location/Contact| Address | 20 de noviembre #72, La Cruz, Centro Historico., Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico |
| Location | 1 Block from the Church "Templo de la Cruz". Located in the Downtown area. |
| Website | None (if you know the URL of their website, tell us and we'll add it) |
| Telephone | 52-442-212-4825 & 52-442-212-5133 |
| Fax | 52-442-217-9412 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Loved it, loved the owners! I stayed there for four weeks, it was really easygoing, kitchen was great and had everything so I could make my own meals, staff were friendly, clean linen and sheets, bed made every day! Went out with Ivan the friendly hostel owner and his friends and experience a real side of mexico! Easy walking distance to everything from cantinas, to eateries, internet, corner store, buses and transport. also could base for day trips to Bernal (Big Monolito that's fun to climb) and also the beautiful town of San Miguel Allende! Also a great place to meet a few other low key travelers and have a beer if you want to get out of the noise and hustle of some of the busier hostels such as in Mexico city! I will be back in '09. — Nathan Chardon O'Dea , Australia (2008-10-23) Homey place but understaffed This is not a bad little place, great location, comfy beds, fairly clean and a homely feel about it. Unfortunately there is no one really about in the evenings which can be right pain arriving late and having to go and call the number pinned to the door and wait for someone to come out. — Zoe Harris , UK (2008-10-13) We stayed at this hostel during Easter week 2008 and it was great The town was packed for the holiday and there was no space anywhere else in Queretaro. All of the other hostels doubled their rates so we were happy to stay at the Giraja Roja. It is very secure and in a quiet part of the old city. Easy walking distance to the Arches and the old city center. It is small but had everything we needed and the fellow guests from Europe and Asia made for lively exchanges. I would recommend it especially compared to some of the other hostels we visited in Mexico. — Mike , US (2008-07-05) An incredible experience, the best place and the best people... you must be here. — José María García Garza (2005-07-03) The hostal sucks for the price paid-- allthough things like sheets and hot water are advertised, really they don't have them. Staff is not available and unhelpful. There's another hostel for 30 pesos ($3) down the road--and it won't have roaches in the kitchen. — amy (2005-06-11) I stayed at the Jirafa Roja for four days in May 2004, and plan on returning in May 2005. The location is convenient to the Centro district and beautiful Alameda Park, yet is quiet and pleasant. The private room I had was clean and comfortable. There were ample showers available for the number of guests. My only minor complaint was the lack of availability of the staff, which some of the time could only be reached via telephone at their home offsite. Good value for the buck (Soy de Monterrey!). — Dennis, a contented Gringo. — Dennis G. (2005-02-23) I stayed at this hostel for a day, and I felt really bad at the end. The people were not helpful, and I missed my bus to Mexico City. — Anonymous (2004-09-03)