Backpackers Hostel at the Nuestro Hotel

Very bad
Don't stay here. I was robbed by the police on the street corner who are waiting for an opportunity to get your dollars. They ask to see your identification and if you dont have it they search you and if they find your dollars thats it. But dont believe by having your passport you are ok. They will find another excuse to rob you. The police are so corrupt in this area. They must have been around twenty years old. They also know the guys in the internet cafe down the road. They were in the cafe at the time doing no good on the internet and swearing. They left and waited for me outside when the asked for my passport which i didnt have. they must do this all the time knowing that it is an all gringo hotel. Dont even think of staying here.

Spartan hostel
The price was falsely advertised. I wasnt impressed, expecting $10 u.s. at the most and was charged $23u.s. for a very basic, rundown, white room. It's become very expensive for what it is.

I stayed here and it's safe, but it's also a love hotel, which is kick ass to observe. Hookers and their johns pay by the hour but sometimes are in and out within 30 minutes. The area around here is unsafe, but the hostel is less than 2 blocks from a mobile 24-hour police outpost. The rooms are Spartan but clean, and the bathroom only has cold water. But for US$10 it's ok and a good place to meet other backpackers.

I stayed at the Backpackers in March '04. It's a great place for the money, but don't expect hot water or large rooms. The staff are very nice, it's a good place to meet other travelers, and the hostel is secure. The ony thing is that Sabana Grande--the neighborhood where the hostel is located--is VERY unsafe at night. I got mugged and a dude from the hostel got mugged a couple of days before. Both happened right near the hostel.