Hostel Amigo

Hostel Amigo is definitely a hostel with personality and atmosphere -- some might even call it a party hostel. However, unlike many other hostels that rely on the atmosphere they provide, Hostel Amigo actually offers clean amenities and good extras as well.

The Location

The hostel is located a few blocks south of the Zocalo (the main square) and a few blocks north of the nearest metro stop Isabela la Catolica. Although the hostel offers a pick-up service from the airport, it is easy enough to take the metro and safe yourself some pesos. Many sights in the city can be easily reached by foot.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The hostel offers different sized dorms, the largest of which holds ten beds. Note that some dorms do not have windows, but that those that do sometimes encounter more noise from the street below. In any case earplugs are advised, because the rooms are not really soundproof, and it is often noisy, either because of street noise, or music coming from the bar below. The dorms come with lockers as well, but you need to bring your own padlock. There are two bathrooms on each floor, one for men and one for women, both with numerous toilets and showers. There is warm water all day, although it might take a while for the shower to get warm. Some showers have curtains, others have locks with doors, but they all have some hooks to hang your clothes on.

Common Spaces

There are two main common areas -- the bar on the ground floor and another common area on the first floor. The are on the first floor common area holds several couches and is mostly for those seeking to relax and read. Twice a day the area is transformed into a communal eating area where free breakfast and dinner are served, whose contents vary daily. For breakfast there is always some kind of bread and marmalade and cereals, plus some extras like scrambled eggs, fruit, or french toast. Dinner is always vegetarian and can be described as simple but filling. Furthermore, as long as there is food left, you are always welcome to go back for seconds, which make these meals a great money saver for the budget traveler.

The common area on the ground floor consists of several couches and a bar serving cheap drinks. The bar is the main place to watch TV in the evening, listen to the music and meet other travelers. Most nights the barman will give away free shots of tequila (straight from the bottle), which some might say improves the atmosphere even more. Other amenities included are free use of internet and free luggage storage.

For those not wanting to stay in, the hostel organises various activities, although most of them will be cheaper if you arrange them yourself. However, for those preferring to do it the easy way, or rather go with a group than alone, the hostel offers trips to archeological sites during the day, and a trip to Lucha Libre (Mexican Wrestling) and pub crawls at night. In addition they also offer a free walking tour three times a week.

Summary

All in all this is definitely a social hostel, with plenty of people who love to party, whether in the hostel or in town. Furthermore, rooms and bathrooms are decent, drinks at the bar are cheap, and the meals included are a great money saver. However, the bar from downstairs often produces quite a bit of noise, which carries to the floors above. Therefore, those simply looking for a quiet place to sleep might prefer an other hostel. But to those looking for a central place to stay, value for money, a good atmosphere and wanting to meet other travelers, Hostel Amigo is definitely recommend.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
July 2008